Bark Success Story

Bark, a grassroots organization based in Northwest Oregon, works to preserve the forests, waters, and wildlife of Mt. Hood National Forest and surrounding regions.  Bark is known throughout the Northwest as a leader in providing education and advocacy programs that bring attention to the "vanishing legacy" of the state's forests and wildlands.  Bark also monitors logging and challenges destructive timber sales.

Time for a Change

Bark turned to DemocracyInAction (DIA) because it was simply time for a change.  The organization faced what seemed like an insurmountable task of upgrading its membership database (Filemaker) of over 15,000 supporters. In addition, Bark needed more from a membership database so they could combine critical fundraising, advocacy, and outreach activities.  Bark called on DIA and its integrated Salsa platform of online communications tools to accomplish its important preservation work.

Prior to using DIA, Bark had no integrated outreach tools.  Among Bark's special communications needs was the ability to send effective email blasts as well as listserv capabilities that integrated with its supporter database.  DIA solved the organization's long-standing issue that resulted from internally hosting listservs.  Currently, the organization has six listservs externally hosted by DIA.  Since the organization regularly updates its volunteer committees, it is important that Bark's "listservs are connected with supporter records," according to Executive Director Alex P. Brown. 

Since Making the Switch to Salsa

Since making the switch to Salsa, Bark is now able to send targeted, personalized emails, and action alerts to their most appropriate supporters through Salsa's email blast and listserv capabilities.  Bark is using this to provide personalized volunteer and giving opportunities for its various constituents all the way from "core volunteers" to its entry level members.  In addition to efficiently mobilizing volunteers, this has positioned Bark to successfully move to a higher level of fundraising.