Arts & Business Council of Chicago > Arts Programs > Resources > E-Commerce Guide

The Arts & Business Council's E-Commerce Guide was made possible by the generous support of The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund.

These resources will help you improve the quality, accuracy and management of your e-mail and contact records.

Databasics (PDF)
Tim Mills-Groninger, Associate Executive Director, IT Resource Center
A PowerPoint overview about how to assess the effectiveness of your organization’s database, improve the quality of your data and tips for selecting database applications. Presented at Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s “The Ultimate Internet for the Arts” seminar in September 2004.

Internet Resources: Event Management & Fundraising (PDF)
Published by the IT Resource Center, this resource list contains information about fundraising and event management products and services available to nonprofits, including online ticketing, online conferencing and donor management software.

National Change of Address (NCOA) Service
The NCOALink service will run your mailing list through special software that updates addresses for individuals and businesses who have filed change-of-address with the post office. All your addresses will be standardized with ZIP+4, carrier route, and delivery point barcode. Use this free service before you mail to reduce costly returned, undeliverable and delayed mail.

USPS Address Standards
A series of articles from the United States Postal Service (USPS) about how to check and standardize your mailing records. Each article includes useful tips and links to more online resources.

More Information about Databases and Data Management

CompuMentor’s TechSoup is a rich information website providing free nonprofit technology information, resources and support.

TechSoup's Database section provides an in-depth collection of articles, worksheets, resources, and a place to ask questions about databases - from planning to implementation to redesign. One of the most popular articles on TechSoup is Avoiding Disaster - Database Planning and a sample database plan. If you want go dig even deeper into the database issue, TechSoup's database links are a great jumping off point. (This reference provided courtesy of SpiderSchool Bookmarks, a former program of the New York Foundation for the Arts to help artists and arts organization use technology.)

Be sure to check out TechSoup’s product philanthropy service called TechSoup Stock where nonprofits can access donated and discounted technology products provided by corporate and nonprofit technology partners.