# Donor Strategy goes from strength to strength as part of IRIS - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/06/04/donor-strategy-goes-strength-strength-part-iris/ - Published: 2009-06-04T10:14:54+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake The specialist not-for-profit software provider, Donor Strategy, has completed another successful year with an especially strong 6 month period of growth from November 2008 to April 2009, following its acquisition by IRIS. This was a strategic acquisition that allowed IRIS, the UK’s largest privately owned software house, to extend its reach to small and medium sized organisations and increase the total number of customers using either IRIS or Donor Strategy solutions (www.iris.co.uk/nfp) to more than 1000.   Sales for the year ending April 2009 show a 20% increase over the same period last year and in the last 12 months, the CRM, fundraising and alumni database solution has been selected by a wide range of organisations. Major order wins include Advocates for Animals, Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster), Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments and Julia’s House, the Dorset Children’s’ Hospice. ## Advertisement   Mike Bartlett from Julia’s House explained the reasons for choosing the system: “ IRIS Donor Strategy provides a way to upgrade our current system and integrate data currently held in different places. With all our information in one place our marketing will be far more effective. We love the flexibility of the system and its integration with Microsoft Office puts it above its competitors.”   The IRIS Donor Strategy team is now able to look forward to a secure and stable future with the backing of a major software house that has the access to the resources and investment for a continuous software enhancement programme. The former Donor Strategy offices in Pill, nr Bristol, have now become one of 2 regional centres of excellence for IRIS NFP Solutions in a move that is designed to ensure the highest levels of customer service with the product management function, product development and customer support operation all close to each other.   Simon Fowler, Managing Director of IRIS NFP Solutions commented: “We are delighted with the ongoing success of Donor Strategy and the breadth of organisations using the solution, from the school market through to leading charities. It has been a particularly strong year despite the difficult economic conditions demonstrating that not-for-profit organisations are still looking to maximise efficiency through investment in reliable and quality solutions from a provider they can trust.”   IRIS’ goal is to provide the widest range of NFP solutions to suit any size of operation– 54% of the UK’s top 100 charities now use IRIS software. The IRIS commitment to creating excellent customer service is its trademark and is evidenced by a customer retention rate of 95% across the group; one of the highest in the software industry.   Ends   IRIS NFP Solutions – The Not-For-Profit Specialist With over 1,000 not-for-profit organisations as customers, IRIS NFP Solutions is the leading UK provider of software and services to the Third Sector. Our aim is to help our NFP customers improve the effectiveness of their entire operations, including improving their fundraising and membership management performance through closer links with donors, members or alumni, and delivering world class operational efficiencies in the financial management of their organisations. Designed specifically for the NFP sector, and making excellent use of both established and the latest web technologies, our portfolio encompasses CRM, fundraising, membership, education, ticketing, ERP, Payroll & financial management software. With 30 years of experience and over 100 specialist staff in the UK dedicated to servicing the needs of the not-for-profit Sector, we pride ourselves on a tailored approach to customer service, with an emphasis on our reliability and personal touch, evidenced by 95% annual customer retention, amongst the highest in our industry. As an organisation, the IRIS values are: Customer focus, Honesty & integrity, Innovation, Passion and Service excellence.   * **[Hackney Council for Voluntary Services chooses IRIS Exchequer to streamline its financial processes](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/06/04/hackney-council-voluntary-services-chooses-iris-exchequer-streamline-its-financial-processes/)**( 4 June 2009) * **[New user group for Donor Strategy](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/10/05/new-user-group-donor-strategy/)**( 5 October 2009) * **[IRIS NFP signs up 50 new clients in past six months](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/08/03/iris-nfp-signs-50-new-clients-past-six-months/)**( 3 August 2010)