Convio's Updated, Free Guide Helps Nonprofits Launch and Accelerate Online Advocacy Programs

Downloadable Booklet Includes New Data, Tips and Examples from Leading Nonprofits; Follows Convio's Release of Enhanced Advocacy Tools to Drive Activism, Influence Policy

Austin, Texas (April 18, 2005) —

Convio, Inc., the leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits use the Internet for building constituent relationships and driving support,today announced the availability of its new, updated guide to help nonprofits strategically leverage the Internet for waging high impact grassroots advocacy programs.

The free, downloadable guide, "Using the Internet for Effective Grassroots Advocacy: Strategies, Tools and Approaches for Inspiring Constituents to Take Action," is the latest Convio publication providing best practices and practical advice for nonprofits, associations and other organizations on utilizing the Internet to drive more effective advocacy, fundraising, marketing, event participation and more. The updated guide is an indispensable resource for nonprofit professionals interested in launching effective online grassroots advocacy programs or accelerating existing programs to the next level. To download Convio's newest guide, please visit http://www.convio.com/advocacyguide1.

"Convio has updated its online advocacy guide to reflect what we are learning from working closely with many of the nation's most visible and active advocacy organizations," said Gene Austin, CEO, Convio, Inc. "Sharing what we've learned enables nonprofit professionals throughout the sector to apply proven tactics and methodologies to enhance their advocacy efforts and more effectively fulfill the missions of their organizations."

Convio's advocacy clients include the American Diabetes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United with the Million Mom March, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Citizens Against Government Waste, Families USA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The Ocean Conservancy and World Vision.

Convio's online advocacy guide details best practices for using the Internet to:

• Build a strong base of supporters and recruit new activists;
• Mobilize activists through online campaigns that inspire action;
• Foster increased loyalty among constituents through ongoing communications and personalized content;
• Influence public policy by driving more targeted messaging to constituents based on legislators' voting records; and
• More effectively measure results of advocacy campaigns through improved tracking.

In addition to these tips, the guide provides insight regarding online advocacy trends including the increased adoption of online constituent relationship management (eCRM) strategies by nonprofit and public policy professionals. Using an eCRM approach to advocacy allows organizations to capture data about their constituents and then utilize that knowledge to communicate with each constituent in a personalized and more relevant manner. This point is further illustrated in the guide with examples of online advocacy in action from the American Diabetes Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Citizens Against Government Waste.

Convio's new guide also includes an article titled "Making an Online Advocacy Campaign Have Real Impact," by Sarah DiJulio, senior vice president of M&R Strategic Services, one of the nation's preeminent online consulting firms for online advocacy.

Publication of Convio's updated online advocacy guide follows the company's March release of significantly enhanced online advocacy tools, including a new vote-driven action system to generate higher grassroots response and more effectively influence public policy. Developed in collaboration with several of the nation's leading advocacy groups, these tools let organizations leverage federal legislators' voting records to wage more targeted campaigns, raising the bar for online advocacy solutions. For more information on the latest enhancements to the Convio^® Advocacy Center, please visit www.convio.com/votebased.

About Convio

Convio is the leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits use the Internet strategically to build strong relationships with constituents for driving fundraising, advocacy and other forms of support. Convio has online solutions for fundraising and membership, advocacy, special events, volunteer fundraising, Web site management and email communications. All solutions include the Constituent360™ platform, a sophisticated, online marketing database that centralizes constituent data and integrates with offline database.

In addition to working with many of the nation's most influential advocacy groups, Convio's clients include AVON Foundation, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Easter Seals, Farm Aid, Georgetown University, KCET Community Television of Southern California, National Trust For Historic Preservation and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.

Press Contact:
Karoline McLaughlin
Director, Corporate Communications
Convio, Inc.
kmclaughlin@convio.com
512-652-7865