What is a Purim Project?
Purim Project is web-based software and comprehensive service used by synagogues and schools to run a unique fundraising project. Purim fundraising projects are a great opportunity to raise funds and provide a much appreciated service to members. The organization (e.g. synagogue or school) sends a member list to each and every member of the organization. Each member is asked to choose members from the list that they wish to send their Happy Purim wishes to. The organization receives a donation for each member chosen. The list is then entered into a program along with all other lists received from other members. The program compiles the lists and generates unique letters to each member family, wishing them Happy Purim and indicating in the letter which families chose to send their blessings. Typically the organization will prepare Mishloach Manot baskets, one for each family, to go along with the Happy Purim letters.
Is this a Mishloach Manos project?
Yes. Many synagogues and schools term the project a Mishloach Manos or Mishloach Manot project.
Why should we use it?
If you don’t have a fundraiser like this already –
Running a Purim Project fundraiser is a great way for you to encourage interaction among families and raise funds at the same time. You’ll find that Purim Project is a perfect combination; a desired service for your members, and one that can raise funds for your organization.
If you have a fundraiser like this in place -
If you currently run a Purim Fundariser, you're probably putting a lot of time and effort into the overall management of your Purim basket fundraiser. And you or your members may even be disappointed by the number of "human errors" dispite your efforts. Using our project will save many hours of data entry work and, perhaps more important, many potential errors by both the participants and administrators of the project.
How does your online project work?
We load a list of members that you provide, directly into your dedicated website. After that, your appointed administrator of the project will setup the various options online, such as pricing and custom text for the letters. The setup will be done with Purim Project Support assistance, over the phone and should take no more than 20 minutes. Families will be given access to the website via their unique username and password. Once logged-in, selections and payments can be made online (if you choose to accept electronic payment). At the close-out date the administrator will print all the letters to accompany the Manot baskets directly from the website.
What about technical support?
Purim Project is much more than online software. Purim Project has a dedicated support group to help you with the program and even with aspects of your Mishloach Manot project outside of the program. We can recommend best practices and offer advice on anything from distribution of your baskets to pricing and printing.
Who is on the Purim Project team?
The Purim Project team consists of five people (founders' biographies). The Purim Project fundraisers are of course seasonal, and we work on other projects that include more fundraising services for synagogues and schools, and yet more projects that are unrelated. Despite the seasonality aspect of the campaign, however, we do not by any means compromise our Purim service with partial support. Throughout your Purim campaign we have fulltime support dedicated to your needs via a direct phone line or email contact. Our response rate to customer questions is typically under an hour if not immediate
What if I already run a Purim Project?
We can say with confidence that Purim Project offers some great advantages over any method that you're currently using and we can improve your current project to make it easier to run, more fun to participate in, and more lucrative for your institution.
How computer savvy do our members need to be to make their Purim selections?
Purim Project was designed to accommodate all members with minimal computer skills. If your members can access email or make simple online purchases they should have no problem whatsoever making their Happy Purim selections online using Purim Project.
Are the members forced to make selections online only?
You can, and for first time use, should offer an alternative to the online selection process for your members. Purim Project provides a report that you can print and distribute to your members so they can make Happy Purim selections on paper if they so choose. Upon receipt of the paper forms the admin can easily enter these into the program.
I already use a program for my Mishloach Manos – what benefits are there to using Purim Project?
Over the years and thanks to great feedback from our customers Purim Project has developed many features that will make the management of your fundraiser easier and more successful. The web-based program enables multiple administrators to concurrently participate in management from their home, office or any computer with Internet access. Purim Project allows members to make their Happy Purim selections directly into the program, avoiding mountains of data entry.
Do you supply the gift to go with the card that is sent?
No, we don't. Baskets are typically assembled by volunteers in your organization. Some purchase pre-assembled baskets. We do have relationships with some vendors and can recommend one if you'd like. Please check out our Buy Baskets page for more details.
Do members fulfill the halachic obligation of Mishloach Manot by using Purim Project?
As you may know, there's a halachic obligation to send two Manot baskets to two different people on Purim. There are Rabbis of the opinion that participating in a Purim Project will in fact fulfill the obligation as long as the money donated would suffice to purchase two baskets. There are those that may feel otherwise and require that in addition to Purim Project a member should send at least two of their own Manos baskets. You should probably ask your own Rabbi for direction on this issue.
Does Purim Project offer a Reciprocity option?
Reciprocity is one of many creative options Purim Project offers to help you raise more money and provide a great service to your members. With Reciprocity, Purim Project will automatically send a greeting to those who send the member one and were not selected by the member (this can avoid embarrassment if someone neglected to select a friend for example). You can charge a separate price for reciprocal orders than for original selections. And as with most features, you can choose to turn this feature on or off per your preference.
How secure is Purim Project?
Purim Project takes your data security very seriously. The entire administrative website is encrypted (256 bit SSL) and all orders are placed through a secure website as well. As security is sometimes a big concern we invite you to contact us for more details.
Where is our information maintained physically?
Purim Project has a dedicated server housed at a professional Data Center hosting facility. The hosting facility was chosen over hosting in our own offices due to the security measures they can offer to include custom designed raised floors, HVAC temperature control systems with separate cooling zones, seismically braced racks, advanced early smoke detection and fire suppression systems. Furthermore, Purim Project’s Data Center supports some of the most powerful physical security in the business including 24/7 video camera surveillance, breach alarms, and Biometric thumb print scanners at every entryway
What about the privacy of our Information?
Purim Project will not use the information collected from your fundraising in any way, shape, or form. In addition, any other material you provide us (including images, email addresses, etc.) will be held in the strictest confidence. Please click on our Privacy link below for more information.
What does it cost to run a Purim Project Project?
Contact us and we'll let you know. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by our answer. We can be reached by phone at 203-376-6933 or through the Contact us page on this site.
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