Running a nonprofit can be challenging. From fundraising to managing cases, members, unique programs, and more, the tasks can be endless. That’s why more nonprofit organizations are turning to Constituent Relationship Management Software (CRM) for help with their operations.
If you’re unfamiliar with the technology, then here’s what you need to know. CRM software is designed to manage all your nonprofit’s interactions and relationships with donors, client, and volunteers to nurture your valuable nonprofit relationships. The right CRM is easy to learn and implement, cost-effective and can be customized to match your mission.
While any nonprofit can use CRM software, not every CRM will suit your organization. For example, if you visit Sumac.com – you’ll learn about a company that designs top-of-the-line CRM software for nonprofits of all sizes across a variety of sectors. Their cutting-edge platform supports thousands of nonprofit professionals worldwide. Getting started with them is simple. You begin with the basic CRM, select your options for customized functionality, and let the company configure the software based on your needs. Soon, you have the ideal solution to manage your entire organization.
The basic package is reasonably priced, with the cost going up with each add-on. There’s also a free version for nonprofits that qualify. Thankfully, each package comes with support so you can use the CRM without the need to call your IT department regularly.
Here are a few ways CRM software can benefit your nonprofit organization:
1. Better Donor and Client Relations
With your CRM managing essential information about your clients, donors, and leads, you can easily access vital data such as purchase records, donor history, donor behavior and more in one place to deliver the best possible client service. Likewise, you can customize your database to define what information is important to your organization for better outreach.
Some CRMs can also give you access to more accurate donor churn data. Using analytics tools, you can pinpoint when and where your donors are leaving and use this information to improve donor retention.
2. Improved Workflow
Having a one-stop solution for all your day-to-day operations will significantly improve your nonprofit organization’s workflow. With the right CRM, your entire staff can have access to important data anywhere there is an internet connection. Not only does this reduce the volume of redundant emails, but it allows people to work remotely. This is a critical advantage of using CRM in today’s climate where many organizations are trying to follow physical distancing protocols.
With the help of a CRM’s collaborative tools, your staff and volunteers can participate more easily and efficiently on projects with clearer communication. You can also use a CRM platform to automate certain tasks to reduce work repetition.
3. Greater Security
While securing data is important for any organization, it’s especially important for nonprofits that thrive on the goodwill of their donors and clients. Unlike generic software, a good CRM can offer you top-notch security. You can even customize access to data on a need-to-know basis. For example, you may want your caseworkers to access client notes but not personal information such as names and addresses. This can be easily managed with the right CRM.
These are three ways a CRM can help you run your nonprofit organization. While managing a nonprofit can sometimes feel like a herculean task, the right technology can ease the burden and let you focus on what you do best – your mission.
