Greetings, fellow business owners! If you’re running a mutual benefit corporation, you know how important it is to keep track of your members, donations, and activities. A customer relationship management (CRM) software can help you do just that, but which one should you choose?
Introduction
Before we dive into the best CRMs for mutual benefit corporations, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. A mutual benefit corporation is a type of nonprofit organization that provides benefits to its members, such as professional development or discounts on services. Unlike a traditional nonprofit, a mutual benefit corporation can distribute profits to members.
Now, why do you need a CRM for your mutual benefit corporation? Simply put, it can help you manage your membership data, donations, and events more efficiently. With a CRM, you can easily track who your members are, what they’re interested in, and how they’re engaging with your organization. You can also keep track of donation amounts and send out thank-you notes or receipts automatically.
But not all CRMs are created equal. Depending on your needs and budget, some software may be better suited for your organization than others. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best CRMs for mutual benefit corporations below.
Best CRMs for Mutual Benefit Corporations
| CRM | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Apricot | Membership management, events, donations, email marketing | $40-$600/month |
| Blackbaud | Fundraising, membership management, accounting, analytics | Contact for pricing |
| MemberClicks | Membership management, events, website builder, email marketing | $149-$399/month |
| Fonteva | Membership management, events, e-commerce, reporting | Contact for pricing |
Now, let’s dive deeper into each of these CRMs and their pros and cons.
Wild Apricot
Wild Apricot is a popular CRM among small to medium-sized nonprofits, including mutual benefit corporations. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Wild Apricot can help you manage your membership data, events, donations, and email marketing campaigns. Plus, its pricing plans are flexible, so you can choose the one that fits your budget best.
However, some users have reported that Wild Apricot’s email editor can be glitchy, and the reporting features may not be as robust as other CRMs.
Blackbaud
Blackbaud is a well-established CRM in the nonprofit world, and it offers a wide range of features beyond just membership management. With Blackbaud, you can manage your fundraising campaigns, accounting, and analytics all in one place. Plus, its customer support is top-notch, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
However, Blackbaud’s pricing may be a barrier for smaller mutual benefit corporations, and some users have reported that the platform can be difficult to navigate.
MemberClicks
MemberClicks is another popular option for mutual benefit corporations, thanks to its user-friendly interface and all-in-one features. With MemberClicks, you can manage your membership data, events, website, and email marketing campaigns without breaking the bank. Plus, its customer support is highly rated by users.
However, some users have reported that MemberClicks’ reporting features may not be as robust as other CRMs, and the website builder may not be as customizable as some organizations would like.
Fonteva
Fonteva is an all-in-one platform that can help you manage your mutual benefit corporation from top to bottom. With Fonteva, you can manage your membership data, events, e-commerce transactions, and reporting all in one place. Plus, its Salesforce integration can be a game-changer for organizations already using Salesforce.
However, Fonteva’s pricing may be a barrier for smaller organizations, and some users have reported that the platform can be difficult to navigate.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a CRM for Mutual Benefit Corporations
Now that we’ve covered the best CRMs for mutual benefit corporations, let’s talk about the pros and cons of using one.
Advantages
Efficient Membership Management
A CRM can help you keep track of who your members are, what they’re interested in, and how they’re engaging with your organization. You can easily send out renewal reminders, welcome emails, or event invitations with just a few clicks.
Automated Donation Management
With a CRM, you can easily track donation amounts, send out thank-you notes or receipts automatically, and segment your donors based on their giving history.
Comprehensive Event Management
A CRM can help you plan, promote, and manage events, such as webinars, workshops, or conferences. You can create event pages, sell tickets or memberships, and track attendance all in one place.
Disadvantages
Learning Curve
Depending on your technical skills and the CRM you choose, there may be a learning curve when it comes to using the software effectively. You may need to invest time and resources into training your staff or volunteers.
Cost
Some CRMs can be expensive, especially if you need more advanced features or customization options. Make sure to factor in the cost of the software into your budget before making a decision.
Integration Issues
If you’re already using other software or platforms, such as email marketing tools or website builders, you may encounter integration issues when trying to connect them with your CRM. Make sure you do your research beforehand and choose a CRM that can integrate with your existing tools.
FAQs
What if I don’t have a big budget for a CRM?
Not to worry! There are plenty of affordable CRMs out there, such as Wild Apricot and MemberClicks, that can still provide you with the features you need. Make sure to compare pricing plans and choose the one that fits your budget best.
Can I use a CRM for volunteer management?
Yes, some CRMs, such as VolunteerHub, specialize in volunteer management. However, many general CRMs, such as the ones listed above, also have volunteer management features.
Can I use a CRM for email marketing?
Yes, many CRMs offer email marketing features, such as creating and sending newsletters, autoresponders, or drip campaigns. Make sure to check if the CRM you’re considering has this feature if email marketing is important to your organization.
What if I need a CRM with more advanced features?
If you have more complex needs, such as extensive reporting or custom integrations, you may need to invest in a more advanced CRM, such as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics 365. However, keep in mind that these CRMs can be more expensive and require more technical expertise to use effectively.
Can I use a CRM for social media management?
Some CRMs offer social media management features, such as scheduling posts or monitoring social media activity. However, these features may be limited compared to standalone social media management tools. Make sure to check if the CRM you’re considering has this feature if social media management is important to your organization.
Do I need to be technical to use a CRM?
While some technical skills may be helpful, most modern CRMs have user-friendly interfaces and offer customer support or training resources to help you get started. Make sure to choose a CRM that fits your comfort level with technology.
What if I don’t have a dedicated IT department?
Many CRMs are designed with small to medium-sized organizations in mind, and do not require a dedicated IT department. However, make sure to choose a CRM that offers customer support or training resources to help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Can I use a CRM for accounting purposes?
Some CRMs, such as Blackbaud, offer accounting features. However, if accounting is a major concern for your organization, you may want to consider using a dedicated accounting software, such as QuickBooks or Xero.
Can I use a CRM for grant management?
Some CRMs, such as Foundant, specialize in grant management. However, not all CRMs have this feature, so make sure to check if the CRM you’re considering has grant management capabilities if it’s important to your organization.
What if I need a CRM that can handle multiple languages?
Not all CRMs can handle multiple languages, so if this is a concern for your organization, make sure to choose a CRM that offers multilingual support.
Can I use a CRM for donor stewardship?
Yes, many CRMs offer donor stewardship features, such as sending out personalized thank-you notes or tracking donor interactions. However, make sure to check if the CRM you’re considering has this feature if donor stewardship is important to your organization.
Can I use a CRM for recurring donations?
Yes, many CRMs offer recurring donation features, such as setting up automatic payments or reminders. Make sure to check if the CRM you’re considering has this feature if recurring donations are important to your organization.
Can I use a CRM for online fundraising campaigns?
Yes, most CRMs offer online fundraising features, such as creating fundraising pages or accepting donations online. Make sure to check if the CRM you’re considering has this feature if online fundraising is important to your organization.
Do I need a CRM if I have a small membership base?
While having a small membership base may not require a full-fledged CRM, it can still be helpful to use a spreadsheet or other tool to keep track of your members’ information and interactions. As your organization grows, you may want to consider investing in a CRM to help you manage your data more efficiently.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you find the right CRM for your mutual benefit corporation. Remember, the best CRM for you will depend on your specific needs and budget, so make sure to do your research and choose wisely.
Whether you decide to go with Wild Apricot, Blackbaud, MemberClicks, or Fonteva, a CRM can help you streamline your membership management, donation tracking, and event planning. By investing in a CRM, you’ll be able to focus on what really matters: serving your members and achieving your mission.
Closing/Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always do your own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any decisions related to your mutual benefit corporation.
Additionally, while we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article, we make no guarantees or warranties as to its completeness or correctness. Use this information at your own risk.