Artez Interactive sold to grow US market

In a search for growth in the US market, Canadian company Artez Interactive has announced its acquisition by FrontStream Payments Inc., which they describe as “a leading provider of payment, peer-to-peer fundraising and donor solutions in the United States.”

“Since our first entry to the US market, Artez has been perceived as a vital alternative to the incumbent players,” Artez CEO James Appleyard said in a press release. “By joining forces with FrontStream, we will have an unparalleled opportunity to increase the number of charities we support, while sustaining the pace of innovation for the benefit of fundraising outcomes, which the charitable sector has come to expect from us.”

Artez Interactive currently maintains offices in the United States and Australia. FrontStream plans to significantly increase Artez’s presence and impact in the US.

Boomers rule US giving

In Blackbaud’s Next Generation of American Giving study, released in August, Baby Boomers emerged as the dominant force in charitable giving, responsible for 43% of all dollars donated.

“The majority of nonprofit marketing spend and tactics are focused on Mature donors,” said Pam Loeb, principal of study partner Edge Research. “However, we are starting to see a shift as Boomers become the dominant force in charitable giving and will remain so for quite some time.”

Almost half of Boomers feel that monetary donations make the biggest difference, while only 36% of Gen X and 25% of Gen Y feel the same. Online giving continues to rise in importance and prominence, with the largest group of donors (Boomers) reporting to give slightly more via online (42%) than direct mail (40%).