If you’re a nonprofit, chances are you use some kind of system for managing your donors. While it might be writing names on a legal pad, it’s more likely that you use some kind of donor management software. These systems have transformed the way that nonprofits interact with donors, and provides ways for you to reach more people and raise more money with better productivity and efficiency.
That doesn’t mean that every donor management system is a magical solution to your organization’s problems, but it is more than a resting place for your supporters’ information. With a little creative tweaking, your system can become a productive all-in-one powerhouse that helps you get the best system for the best cost.
Volunteer Management
One creative way to use your donor management system is to use its donor tracking capabilities for volunteer management. With the right system, you can log volunteer information and hours, send email reminders, and automate volunteer processes. Many of our clients also merge their donor and volunteer information, so volunteers who are also donors don’t have duplicate records in the system. Having both donor and volunteer information together not only cuts down the number of systems you have to use, but it also makes it easier to find and schedule your volunteers.
Scheduling and Organization
A great donor management system doesn’t just have to track people— it can also track schedules and information. You can consolidate tasks under the task manager, and generate reports and electronic release forms. For example, Habitat for Humanity uses their donor management software for build schedules and family services. They’re able to send pre- and post-build tasks, create and manage budget projections, and store sponsorship and lot information. They’ve also added a family services section, where they manage applications, family information, and contact logs. They can track hours, debt information, and closing information, all from the same system.
Advanced Tracking
When it comes to donor management systems, it can be used to organize and automate almost any kind of information— even animals! For example, one of our clients is a local humane society, and they use their donor management system to keep their mobile vet spay/neuter program organized. The organization keeps records of the animals that visit, and are able to track what medicines were administered, generate forms, and provide owners with printouts of services provided. They can also use this system to send reminders to staff internally. If you have an animal-based nonprofit, using the software to track specific animal care is a great use of the system. You can remind your staff if an animal needs special care, and keep track of its medical history without using a separate program.
It’s important not only to have a donor management system, but it’s more important to have the right donor management system. In many cases, you can integrate your online giving platform, your accounting software, and even social media profiles into your donor management system. Although technology can be difficult at times, it can also be deeply personal. Because technology can be built from the ground up, it can be used in increasingly customized ways. The right donor management software means that having a great system is so much more than using a program that stores donor information. It’s a way to manage all your information under one roof, saving you time, money, and energy.
With the right system, there’s no limit to what you can do.
We know customizing your system can be a daunting task, but we can help. Get in touch with our team and see what we can do for you!