Whether you’re wanting to organize and automate your work, show your board more metrics, or just want to build better relationships, knowing the necessary information about donors, volunteers, and sponsors can determine how, when, and where to best engage. If you have not modernized your data collection with a Customer Relationship Management system, or CRM, you most likely have a computer filled with spreadsheets and a desk covered in file folders. 

Here are four ways a CRM could help your organization.

1. You Use Several Different Software Programs and Tools

I would bet that your donations, calendars, physical mailing lists, email lists and invoicing are handled by different software programs or tools. And most likely, it’s a pain to cross-reference or migrate that information between them all. CRMs are customizable. There are add-on features that are easily integrated and handle scheduling, mailing lists and accounting with ease.

2. The Staff Is Maxed Out Handling Stakeholder Relations

Consider how much time your staff spends simply organizing and inputting data. Staff can only work with what they are given and if what they have are handwritten receipts, massive file folder systems, and randomly dispersed email signup sheets, how can they build strong donor relations? A CRM like Salesforce offers cloud computing, which allows staff to process financial transactions, update an address and/or recruit a new donor at any location. All are seamlessly documented across the entire platform, leaving your staff time to connect with donors instead of wrestling with paperwork.

3. Donors Aren’t Responding To Your Campaigns

Well, it’s not that none of your donors are responding, but campaigns are expensive and your ROI could be better. CRMs track the movements of your clients with precision. Which of your web pages are they visiting most? What events or subjects are they interested in? Does your website contain videos or other media? A CRM keeps tabs, so you can create interactions specifically tailored to the client.

4. Your Board Needs to See Definitive Results and KPIs

Every nonprofit organization is dedicated to serving the public well and that takes money. When the board is considering funding and services, they come to you for data that supports the request. Often your board members will belong to companies that utilize CRMs and will be accustomed to the detailed reports they create. Most of these systems have powerful search and filtering tools, as well as the built-in capability to generate beautifully curated graphs, charts, and spreadsheets that are sure to impress.

Investing in new technology is often seen as an overwhelming experience, but don’t be put off from adopting a Customer Relationship Management system. These powerful tools will reinvigorate your employees and allow you focus on serving the public. Now you’ll no longer be overwhelmed by mountains of paperwork and a galore of information will all be at your fingertips. And besides, who doesn’t love a clean desktop?