SSB and HEPdata are now Affinaquest! Since the publication of this press release, we announced our new brand and the vision behind it. To learn more, read Introducing the New Era of Affinaquest. For details about our current products and services, visit www.affinaquest.com or contact our team today.

SSB Expands Fundraising Solutions with Acquisition of Gift Matching Data Platform, HEPdata

Acquisition offers integration of proven fundraising products that have garnered the longtime support of Texas A&M University and 1,500 higher education institutions and nonprofits, forming a leading data management platform.

Denver, CO (September 9, 2019) — SSB, a leading data management and analytics platform designed to increase revenue, boost fundraising efforts, and drive fan and constituent engagement for the higher education and sports industries, announced today that it has acquired the industry’s leading matching gift solution and employment data provider, HEPdata. The acquired matching gift data platform will expand upon existing SSB products which include data management, analytics, and CRM. As part of the transaction, all HEPdata team members will become part of SSB, and the company will retain the HEPdata brand.

The acquisition allows SSB to more comprehensively serve higher education and non-profit institutions with a proven corporate matching gift data solution set that includes data insights and data enrichment. These solutions boost fundraising efforts quickly and effectively. By targeting key constituents and alumni employed by corporations with matching gift programs, which can apply to both collegiate athletics and campus fundraising donations, fundraising can be increased without taxing resources.

SSB currently works with higher education institutions across the country including more than half of the universities in the Power Five conferences. With the HEPdata acquisition, SSB will gain access to critical information on 22,000 corporations in the matching gift database as well as 1,500 higher education institutions, and nonprofits.

“SSB makes a tangible and significant impact on the revenue streams of our clients, and by acquiring HEPdata, SSB will be able to accelerate our platforms that drive fundraising growth through a corporate matching gift information solution that was developed over two decades,” explains Mike Banville, CEO of SSB. “Empowering universities and non-profits to make data-driven decisions around their fundraising efforts through gift matching intelligence, data management, and analytics allows them to be strategic while maximizing existing resources.”

In recent years, the higher education industry has faced unprecedented challenges with plunging state subsidies and declining collegiate athletics event attendance across the country. Universities are seeking to diversify fundraising efforts by expanding their donor bases and increasing the amount of each donation.

“Since installing HEPdata’s new gift matching platform, we’ve seen a significant uplift in our matching conversions,” explains Paul Lucht, Director of Information Systems with The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University. “We chose HEPdata over 17 years ago and continue our relationship with them over the years because of their focus on customer success and continued innovations to increase our gift matching yield. HEPdata is the expert in matching gifts and we depend on them to multiply Aggie impact.”

Steve Hafner, Founder and CEO of HEPdata explains, “By joining SSB, we are marrying the power of the HEPData technology with the industry leader in data management and analytics. Our vision is to use data to effectively and quickly maximize all potential revenue streams on behalf of higher education institutions and nonprofits. Using a gift matching database for fundraising efforts is a proven way to raise revenue and unlock the potential that already exists within our clients’ data.”

The acquisition was financed by a credit line from Comerica and additional equity from majority owner Strattam Capital.

About SSB

SSB boosts revenue and fundraising efforts for the higher education, collegiate sports, professional sports and nonprofit industries through products such as data management, data analytics, gift matching and CRM. Clients receive ongoing access to relevant, real-time data that can be easily implemented toward fundraising and revenue goals. SSB works with 1,500+ professional & collegiate sports teams, higher education institutions and non-profits. SSB was named the 2017 Microsoft U.S. Education Partner of the Year and is a contracted provider through E&I Cooperative Services. SSB is backed by Austin-based private equity firm Strattam Capital, and has offices in Denver and Nashville.  Learn more at www.ssbinfo.com or visit LinkedIn or Twitter. Also, get a Free Demo of SSB Products here!

About HEPdata

For over 20 years, HEPdata’s mission has been to assist fundraisers and their supporters to identify, engage and track incremental donations.  Pioneering the first employer matching gift source, HEPdata’s gift matching platform empowers Nonprofits and Educational institutions to convert eligible matching by businesses that prioritize corporate social responsibility (CSR) as their core values. HEPdata also provides Data Enrichment and Data Insight solutions that updates constituent employer information, addresses, email, phone and wealth information.

About Strattam Capital

Strattam Capital is a private equity firm with an innovative and focused approach to scaling established business IT companies. Our team’s alignment and engagement practices are designed to deliver a better future for our companies. Strattam has offices in Austin and San Francisco. To learn more, visit www.strattam.com

Skip to content