Do Nonprofits Need CRM?

Whether you are a large corporation, small-business, nonprofit organization (NPO), harnessing the power of technology is critical for success in the current digital age. The unfortunate reality though, is that not every institution is equipped with the tools or resources to develop and use an optimized technology strategy. This is particularly true for the nonprofit sector.

According to NetChange, only 11% of surveyed nonprofits believe their organizations use highly-effective approaches to technology. So, what are some important technology services for nonprofits, and how can NPOs begin using them more effectively? One key area of need for many charities and nonprofits is an effective Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system. In this blog, we are going to break down what a CRM is, what features to look for, and the best free CRM for nonprofits.   

Does a Nonprofit Need a CRM?

The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, before we even get into describing what a CRM is and how nonprofits can use them, we need to get that point across. CRMs can save nonprofits time and money. But perhaps the more important way to think about why nonprofits need CRMs is that every cent and second they save you or your team is another cent or second you can spend changing the world and furthering your mission. It adds up. Fast. With that in mind, let’s get more into the details.  

What is a Nonprofit CRM?

A CRM for charities and nonprofits is essentially a platform that helps an NPO track and manage relationships with constituents (like volunteers, donors, members, etc). Nowadays, many CRM softwares are combined with other tools and features, like sales forecasting or accounting functionalities. Additionally, CRM platforms are capable of handling anything from donor and volunteer management to donation tracking and event planning and marketing. For more clarity on what a CRM does specifically for nonprofits, let’s look at how NPOs typically use these platforms. 

How Do Nonprofits Use CRM?

Nonprofits use CRM software to handle all sorts of day-to-day tasks. Instead of relying on outdated data tracking, CRMs help you automate recordkeeping and sort information in several ways, benefiting the NPO on multiple levels. For example:

• Centralized data and information- As opposed to having different filing cabinets and excel spreadsheets for every different constituent and category, CRM aggregates data in one single place. Since the data is centralized, that means anyone within your nonprofit can access it, in real time, as needed. Now, when someone wants to know how much a certain donor gave over the past five years, instead of sorting through five different paper trails, they can simply view that information in the CRM dashboard. 
• More time to focus on what matters- Your team works hard, and the work they do is important. With CRM applications, they can spend more time accomplishing the mission and less doing busy work. CRMs offer several automated features, like sending follow-up emails for example, helping eliminate routine and mundane tasks from your employees’ daily work flow.    
• Donor understanding- One of the most important parts of any nonprofit organization’s success, is its donors. That means you need to truly understand their experience, and what works for them. CRMs capture and store data on every donor at every stage in their journey, and provide insight into what efforts are working for what donors. Maybe you have some donors who respond to emails, while others need to see something over social media. CRMs can help differentiate the nuances between donors and allow you to better manage your relationship. 
• Targeted audience messaging- Once you understand your donors, you can break them into different target audiences. This might vary by location, donation size, years of involvement, etc. With CRMs you can tailor your campaigns and outreach efforts to each target audience with data backed strategies.    

Best Nonprofit CRM for Free

Considering every institution is unique and has different needs, there is no blanket answer to what is the best CRM for nonprofits. However, because many NPOs operate on tight budgets and try to get the most out of their investments, free CRMs are enticing to many organizations. So, even though finding the right CRM might be different for everyone, Computers In Ministry can help find the right one for you. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a couple reputable and helpful free nonprofit CRMs.

Bitrix24

Bitrix24 offers a freemium CRM. Features of the strictly free version include several marketing capabilities, automation, invoicing, data tracking and more. The free version is limited to 12 users and 5 GB of online storage. These limitations may hamper larger NPOs, but smaller institutions should be able to thrive within this capacity.

Bloomerang

Bloomerang is a freemium donor engagement, tracking, and fundraising CRM software that empowers nonprofits to increase donor retention and boost overall revenue. With the free edition, NPOs can focus on managing fundraising efforts, using features like unlimited users, unlimited online giving forms and pages, donor engagement scores, and wealth screening. Limits of the free version include a maximum of $100,000 in donations tracking and no more than 250 CRM records. 

Power Your Mission With Computers In Ministry 

You know how to change the world. At Computers in Ministry (CIM), we know how to power that change with technology. CRM is just one way technology can automate your daily workflow and allow you to further the mission of your nonprofit. As a true partner and extension of your outfit, CIM is committed to helping you develop a progressive and optimized approach to technology. We will find the right solutions, set them up for you, and provide ongoing support. We know the work you do is important, that’s why we can’t wait to work with you. Contact us today to find out more.