Upgrades

   The Theory and Practice

with the data-processing professionals...

up·grade

def., up·grade,
Pronunciation: 'up-grAd'
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1901
   : to raise or improve the grade of: as
a : to improve (livestock) by use of purebred sires
b : to advance to a job requiring a higher level of
  skill especially as part of a training program
c : to raise the quality of
d : to raise the classification and usually the price
  of without improving the quality
e : to extend the usefulness of (as a device)

copyright © 2002 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, their courtesy

Overview

Financial upgrades are based upon the current grade, or tendency, as recorded in the giving records. That basis may be the donor's best, last, or most-usual financial gift. For our purposes, the ranching acumen of the donor is our transitory interest. Meanings c. and e., above, are our primary focus.

For many, the topic of giving money is touchy, and we shrink from it as best we can. For donors the subject is of great importance, as it is the loudest exclamation they have at hand to `make a way' for themselves within the receiving organization. This is according to scripture, under the study of `a man's gift.' Women are also today included, and of course they are more proficient as donors than are their counterparts.

Were it not for voluntarily supported causes and operations, our lives would be in a muddle. We in our industry help to `fix' that from occuring. We help to keep the blessings flowing for all of society that surrounds us. It is one of our best missions, and no one exceeds our capacity to move things along in this vital part of `a best American experience.'

For certain, we make a way for the most prosperous Americans to keep themselves on top, for it has been shown, time and again, that those with a mind to conserve, or even to hoard, are the least rewarded. Their desire to somehow stay even, somehow works. And many givers will readily confess the miracle of the mechanism. For if they draw back in their giving, their funds dry up. And if they give all that they can, when it hurts, the unexpected appreciation in their account balance ascends with what can best be described as `no human explaination.' This fix, then puts them in the immediate position of rather having to give more, just to keep pace. We must not try to figure this out. Some `things' are beyond our understanding. But, as for the process of upgrading dollars, we will hope that is better understood as we look as some common practices of today's charitable- and faith-based organizations.

The Mechanism

The upgrade, itself, in our mail packages is a stimulation. It says a number of things. It says ``it's okay to think about giving this amount." It says, ``worry not, we have provided some figures for you." It says, ``this is the next logical step toward helping us." It says, ``can you please find your checkbook?"

If you're asking for something, but can't say what, maybe the donor doesn't know either, or he or she believes that if you don't know, then the time may not be right for either of you.

You have, at best, a split-second of that individual's attention. You, as a funds expender, should use that time wisely. Others that follow after you will do so. And the need is great to be the burden-of-choice for all those hard-working funds dollars. Where there's nothing to lift, there is no burden.

As we consider the mechanism by which we shall help this donor along, in defining a burden, we'll see that choices and options can be helpful. It's very presumptive to make the statement   from you, our dear friend, we need $10,000. That's it!

The donor may think, how do you know what ``I" need. In point of fact, we don't. It's a query on our part to put some figures on the table, as for the organization's needs; but that donor may have other circumstances entirely. The choice of options lets the thoughtful person see that you have needs, and he or she does too. They need to be understood on this point. They expect you can see it from their point of view, as well.

Let mail-production.com/ make your financial upgrades
ffective!

                CASE IS < 10
                    RSET amt1$ = "$10.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$15.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$20.00"

                CASE IS < 15

                    RSET amt1$ = "$15.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$20.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$30.00"
            
                CASE IS < 20
                    RSET amt1$ = "$20.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$30.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$40.00"
            
                CASE IS < 30
                    RSET amt1$ = "$30.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$40.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$50.00"
            
                CASE IS < 50
                    RSET amt1$ = "$50.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$60.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$75.00"
            
                CASE IS < 75
                    RSET amt1$ = "$75.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$90.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$100.00"
            
                CASE IS < 100
                    RSET amt1$ = "$100.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$125.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$150.00"
            
                CASE IS < 150
                    RSET amt1$ = "$150.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$175.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$200.00"
            
                CASE IS < 200
                    RSET amt1$ = "$200.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$250.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$300.00"
            
                CASE IS < 250
                    RSET amt1$ = "$250.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$300.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$400.00"
            
                CASE IS < 500
                    RSET amt1$ = "$300.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$500.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$600.00"

                CASE IS < 1000
                    RSET amt1$ = "$750.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$850.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$1000.00"
            
                CASE ELSE
                
                    RSET amt1$ = "$1000.00"
                    RSET amt2$ = "$1500.00"
                    RSET amt3$ = "$2000.00"

      

                CASE IS < 10
                    LSET upg$ = "$10       $15       $20       "
                CASE IS < 15
                    LSET upg$ = "$15       $20       $30       "
                CASE IS < 20
                    LSET upg$ = "$20       $30       $40       "
                CASE IS < 30
                    LSET upg$ = "$30       $40       $50       "
                CASE IS < 50
                    LSET upg$ = "$50       $60       $70       "
                CASE IS < 75
                    LSET upg$ = "$75       $90       $100      "
                CASE IS < 100
                    LSET upg$ = "$100      $125      $150      "
                CASE IS < 150
                    LSET upg$ = "$150      $175      $200      "
                CASE IS < 200
                    LSET upg$ = "$200      $250      $300      "
                CASE IS < 250
                    LSET upg$ = "$250      $300      $400      "
                CASE IS < 500
                    LSET upg$ = "$300      $500      $600      "
                CASE IS < 1000
                    LSET upg$ = "$750      $850      $1000     "
                CASE IS < 99999999
                    LSET upg$ = "$1000     $1500     $2000     "


      


        CASE IS < 15
            up1a$ = "10"
            up2a$ = "12"
            up3a$ = "15"
        CASE IS < 20
            up1a$ = "15"
            up2a$ = "20"
            up3a$ = "25"
        CASE IS < 25
            up1a$ = "20"
            up2a$ = "25"
            up3a$ = "30"
        CASE IS < 30
            up1a$ = "25"
            up2a$ = "30"
            up3a$ = "50"
        CASE IS < 40
            up1a$ = "30"
            up2a$ = "40"
            up3a$ = "50"
        CASE IS < 50
            up1a$ = "40"
            up2a$ = "50"
            up3a$ = "75"
        CASE IS < 75
            up1a$ = "50"
            up2a$ = "75"
            up3a$ = "100"
        CASE IS < 100
            up1a$ = "75"
            up2a$ = "100"
            up3a$ = "150"
        CASE ELSE
            up1a$ = LTRIM$(STR$(numdolls#))
            up2a$ = LTRIM$(STR$(numdolls# + 50))
            up3a$ = LTRIM$(STR$(numdolls# + 100))


      

    The following is an example of a `revival' upgrade program.

    mail-production.com/ can help you adapt into an upgrade
    philosophy based upon a knowledge we have gained over years of
    experience in working with donors and their account records.

        CASE IS < 10
            up1a$ = "$25"
            up2a$ = "$10"
            up3a$ = "$15"
        CASE IS < 15
            up1a$ = "$35"
            up2a$ = "$10"
            up3a$ = "$25"
        CASE IS < 25
            up1a$ = "$50"
            up2a$ = "$15"
            up3a$ = "$25"
        CASE IS < 50
            up1a$ = "$75"
            up2a$ = "$25"
            up3a$ = "$50"
        CASE IS < 100
            up1a$ = "$100"
            up2a$ = "$50"
            up3a$ = "$75"
        CASE IS < 500
            up1a$ = "$350"
            up2a$ = "$100"
            up3a$ = "$250"
        CASE ELSE
            up1a$ = "$500"
            up2a$ = "$250"
            up3a$ = "$300"



OUR LIVE examples

Connecting the Upgrade to the Organization's Burden

You can establish the cost of a burden, such as the filling of a tooth, buying a book, getting a dose of medication, spaying a pet, and then ``knit'' that amount into the upgrade mechanics. This embeds the need into the giving at every level and should be used as a method for asking the donor to ``learn why'' $8, or $18, or $73 is important to us. Let them hunt for the reason in the literature. They will want to know, and will look for it.

Upgrade Factoring and Smoothing

If you have decided upon factoring as a method of upgrading, always be careful to have the program ``smooth out'' the factored resulting amounts. Neglecting to do so makes the upgrades seem as mindless mechanical hacks, which, without a smoothing consideration, they are. Being too clever or too impertinent with this donor's dollars is a kiss of death for the organization in need.

Smoothing upgrade factors seems easy. It is not. There are many methods, and we study your organization's needs and records to learn the trends and needs, and only then apply the best factoring smoother.

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