Herlick Data Systems

World headquarters for MemSys^â Membership Fund Raising Software

MemSys fills an important need in the software marketplace: a powerful, no-compromise membership management system for public broadcasters, which runs on affordable PC’s and local area networks. Part of the power in MemSys is its ability to track an unlimited giving history for each donor, with no need to ever archive or purge records. The same system that tracks 2,000 members at at a small station, can track 150,000 members in a major market.

MemSys has always defined "the power in fund raising software". Even the first version written in 1985 was capable of advanced segmentation techniques. For example, it has always been easy to print renewal and additional gift solicitations, which suggest progressive upgrades based on each donor’s previous gift. Its can segment the file by giving levels, build a donor pyramid based on giving size and frequency, target current and potential major donors for special handling, flag donors based on their dominant source of giving: direct mail, on-air, telemarketing, web or email.

Everything in MemSys was put there in response to feedback from public broadcasting pledge producers, membership managers, development directors and independent fundraising consultants. Some of its latest features include the ability to import web site pledges, automatically searching for matching donors. It can even post payments on prepaid credit card pledges.

Its rich array of fund raising tools; its affordability and its ease of use have allowed MemSys^® to become the most popular membership software for public radio and television. Almost 90 stations use MemSys today, including stations that acquired it sixteen years ago.

Company Focus

The primary focus at Herlick Data Systems is the creation and support of fund raising software for viewer and listener-supported broadcasting stations. Unlike other systems, such as Raiser’s Edge and Fundmaster, every version of MemSys has been designed specifically for non-commercial broadcast fund raising.

MemSys offers unique tracking methods, mailing routines and management reports, which pledge producers and membership managers need and understand. Others systems also offer robust features, but a close check will reveal that most of them grew up in the hospital and university alumni foundation market.

Do you attend the PBS Development Conference, Public Radio Conference or Public Radio Development/Marketing Conference? At the next meeting, take note of which software vendors hold user group meetings. MemSys users have often comprised the largest single block of conference attendees using the same membership software. Reason… almost 90 stations use MemSys. What a chance to network!

Herlick Data Systems is based in Redlands, California, in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains (close enough to civilization to make plane connections and far enough away to remain sane).