Bend, Oregon-Based Company Thrives While Helping Nonprofits do the Same

Zuri Group, a Bend, Oreogn-based technology company specializing in online fundr

aising and marketing for nonprofits, has doubled revenue and staff every year si
nce opening. Zuri Group works with national nonprofit organizations to help rais
e millions of dollars each year through email and web based campaigns.
Bend, Oregon, November 09, 2010 -- Zuri Group, a technology company specializing
in online fundraising and marketing for nonprofits, has doubled revenue and sta
ff every year since opening. The company’s success is two-fold: not only is Zuri G
roup prospering and expanding but it is also helping important charity organizat
ions grow and raise funds.
“We customize on-line programs for nonprofits,” said Zuri Group founder John Murphy.
“Each of our clients has different needs and systems in place. We work with our c
lients and help them be more effective with their current systems while adding p
rograms where needed in order to maximize fundraising efforts.”
Zuri Group, started in 2007 by Bend resident John Murphy, recently moved into ne
w offices on Bond Street in downtown Bend, Oregon and employs 20 with plans to e
xpand. Team members at the Zuri Group range from those with technology and nonpr
ofit experience, all the way to entry-level. The company also provides training
for its employees, most of which are based in Bend.
“We chose Bend after looking at many locations for the company,” said Murphy. “There a
re definitely obstacles that come with opening a company in a small town, but th
ere are also benefits. So many qualified people live in Bend, and it’s certainly e
asier to sell the Bend quality of life to potential employees. We all love Bend
and are excited to be
adding positively to its economy.”
Giving season kicks off this month. Many nonprofits raise 90 percent of their fu
nds during this time, and gifts are usually given on-line. That’s where Zuri Group
comes in. Zuri Group assists clients in developing, implementing and managing o
nline fundraising, marketing, communications and ecommerce systems. Zuri Group a
lso designs and develops websites and custom applications such as flash widgets,
banners and data integration tools. Zuri Group integrates nonprofits’ on-line eff
orts with its traditional programs, specializing in extending the reach of tradi
tional media and opening up new channels of interaction with new audiences.
Zuri Group works with a core group of national nonprofits, including Autism Spea
ks, Heifer International, Amnesty International and Save the Children. For many
nonprofits, who are trying to do more with less, it’s easier and more cost-effecti
ve to hire a firm such as Zuri Group rather than adding to their own staff. Zuri
Group is able to provide a wide variety of services and skills that one full-ti
me employee normally can’t provide to a nonprofit.
‘Zuri Group has served as an extension to our web development, technical and integ
rated marketing teams,” said Zuri Group client Stephan Caramma, Senior Director, F
undraising Systems Management for Save the Children in Westport, Connecticut. “The
y continue to exceed our expectations with both strategic and tactical services.”
Since the economic downturn, nonprofits have had to refocus their efforts and sp
end a bit more money in order to stay at the same level of giving. “The return on
investment for our clients is amazing,” said Murphy. “Recently, one of our clients h
ired us to develop and implement a Facebook badge for a fundraising walk. They e
nded up raising over 20 times more money than they spent on developing the appli
cation.”
New avenues of technology, such as social networking campaigns and permission-ba
sed email marketing, have grown the donor list of many nonprofits. “New technology
reaches a younger, more connected audience,” said Murphy. “And we’re seeing more youn
g people giving. We are seeing that people are wanting more and more to connect
with nonprofits. We’re able to help nonprofits by utilizing today’s technology to re
ach more people.”
For more information on Zuri Group go to http://www.ZuriGroup.com or call 541-41
0-1447.
Contact:
G Charlotte Gilbride
Zuri Group
Bend, Oregon
541-410-1447
charlotte@bendcable.com
http://www.zurigroup.com