“35 REASONS A NONPROFIT NEEDS TO JOIN”

Blacktie-StLouis.com is “where nonprofits get noticed.” Blacktie provides services that help nonprofit members plan, manage and save money on their fundraising events, including a three-year master calendar of upcoming charity functions in St. Louis. Additionally it provides tools that allow you to enhance communications with your various constituencies.

We have a full-time Internet development staff, and when you call Blacktie, you will get a real person, not an answering machine. Below, a list of membership benefits:

Blacktie-StLouis.com offers you:

·         Online ticket sales to your event through the Blacktie Box Office.  No Ticket Master fees, no hassle. We now take Credit Cards Online and Checks too! All attendee information is put into a Database and you can download into Excel. We have even partnered with eTapestry to provide a state-of-the-art, totally integrated Fundraising Software System.

·         Email Blast.  Member nonprofits will have the ability to store their email lists, separated by category (Board, Committee, Staff, Event Attendee, etc.) and to create one text or HTML email and send to everyone at the click of a button.

·         IN-vite. An IN-vite will give our members the ability to create a colorful HTML email invite or notice. Combined with our new NEWSLETTER creation tool; our members will have the ability to stay in touch with their constituents and friends - quickly, easily and efficiently. Need help with your Annual Report?

·         Central Social Calendar, a three-year, real time calendar that lets you view at a glance all upcoming fundraisers.  Members receive enhanced search and information options not available to the public.  A banner is created one month prior to your event.

·         Online coverage of your event.  We write a story and take numerous photos of your patrons and volunteers, which we post in our Premiere Party section.  But we are not just “blacktie” oriented.  We will cover your run, walk, house raising, softball tournament, fashion show or costume party. Need help with Pledge Drives?

·         After the event you can even provide your underwriters, sponsors and committee members with a memorable Full Color Brochure of the Party, with just a click of a button!

·         Seating Chart software that makes managing your seating a snap.  Move people quickly and easily, and print a Master Check-In List. Now combine this with totally integrated Name Tag generation, Place Card creation, and automated Thank You Notes. If it needs to be done, we probably already do it!

·         Blacktie – RSVP, our newest electronic service.  Participants can register and pay for tickets online.  Information is stored electronically in a database format and is ready to print nametags or prepare seating arrangements, all from one central location.  We can also help you send out “classy” email invites.

·         Online Donations.  Blacktie can take online donations for you at our site.  Combine this with:

·         Streaming video.  Does your organization have a video that tells your story?  If so, we can convert it for internet use and people will be able to see your story.  “A picture IS worth a thousand words.”

·         Blacktie Bow-tique, a place to sell your products and services (teddy bears, cook books, posters, etc) online.

·         Silent Auction software that allows you to promote your auction items and take email bids prior to the event!

·         Blacktie Golf Tourney software offers you tools to help organize your golf tournament.  In addition to having your players pay for their tickets online, our software will help you create or keep track of foursomes and assign starting tee holes.

·         Trading Post, a place to post your excess or unwanted inventory or donations.  Barter or buy/sell with other nonprofit organizations.

·         Private Bulletin Boards are private password-protected areas for your committees.  Members can read agendas and minutes from meetings they may have missed.

•      Honoree Pages that you can build in less than 10 minutes.   Blacktie has the tools that allow your nonprofit to create a web page for your honoree or volunteer.

•      Our affiliation with The Make A Difference Network fulfills wishes a charity needs yet may be having difficulty in financing.

•     PR Tools: a feature Article on your Organization and an Article on a Board Member or Supporter; enhanced Press       

        Release access; and a detailed Profile of your Charity.

•       The site includes a suite of tools including: Client Surveys, Email Collection Tools, Forums, a Nonprofit Directory,

        as well as detailed Web Reports.