Introduction
Greetings fellow not for profit organizations! As the world evolves and organizations grow, it is essential to ensure that you are taking advantage of technology to streamline your operations. This is where Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software comes in handy. In this article, we will be discussing the best CRM for not for profit organizations.
CRM software helps organizations manage their relationships with their stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, clients, and other individuals. It provides a centralized location to store and manage data, automate tasks, and increase efficiency in business operations.
As a not for profit organization, you need to pick a CRM that aligns with your unique needs, and that’s why we’ll show you the best options on the market.
What to Consider When Choosing a CRM for Not for Profit Organizations
Before diving into the best CRM for not for profit organizations, let’s discuss some factors to consider when making a decision.
1. Affordability
As a not for profit organization, it is essential to choose a CRM that is affordable; otherwise, you may end up getting financially burdened. Make sure that you check the pricing of the CRM software and determine whether it aligns with your budget.
2. Customization
Your organization is unique, so you need a CRM that can be customized to cater to your specific needs. Ensure that the software is flexible enough to allow you to modify it to meet your requirements.
3. User-Friendliness
The CRM software you choose should be easy to use and navigate so that your team can adapt to it quickly. This will help you avoid wasting time and resources on training.
4. Features
You need to select a CRM that has essential features that match your organizational needs. Some of the features to consider include email marketing, reporting, event management, volunteer management, and fundraising tools.
5. Integration Capabilities
The CRM you choose should integrate with other software and tools that your organization uses. This will help you avoid manual data entry and enhance efficiency in your operations.
6. Customer Support
Finally, choose a CRM that provides excellent customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. This will enable you to resolve any issues and avoid any potential downtime.
Best CRM for Not for Profit Organizations
After considering the factors mentioned above, we’ve come up with a list of the best CRM for not for profit organizations. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
1. Salesforce.org
2. HubSpot CRM
3. Bloomerang
4. DonorPerfect
5. Kindful
6. Blackbaud
1. Salesforce.org
Salesforce.org is a cloud-based CRM that is specifically designed for not for profit organizations. It provides a robust set of features, including donation management, volunteer management, and event management tools. The software is highly customizable, allowing organizations to tailor it to their unique requirements.
Some of the benefits of Salesforce.org include:
Advantages:
1. Robust Reporting
Salesforce.org provides advanced reporting features, enabling organizations to create insightful reports that help them make data-driven decisions.
2. Integration Capabilities
Salesforce.org integrates with hundreds of third-party apps, including Mailchimp, Quickbooks, and Eventbrite, making it easy to manage all your tools from a single location.
3. Mobile App
With the Salesforce mobile app, you can access your data from anywhere, making it easy to manage your operations on the go.
4. Customer Support
Salesforce.org provides excellent customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. The software also has a vast community of users who can help you troubleshoot any issues.
Disadvantages:
1. Pricing
Salesforce.org is relatively expensive compared to other CRM software on the market, making it less accessible to small organizations.
2. Steep Learning Curve
The software has a steep learning curve, so it may take some time to get used to the platform, which can be frustrating for new users.
3. Complicated Setup
Setting up Salesforce.org requires some technical knowledge, which can be challenging for organizations without dedicated IT staff.
2. HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is a free, user-friendly CRM designed for small to medium-sized businesses. The platform offers essential features, including contact management, deal tracking, and lead nurturing. HubSpot CRM also provides integrations with popular tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Google Calendar.
Advantages:
1. Price
HubSpot CRM is entirely free to use, making it a cost-effective option for organizations with a limited budget.
2. User-Friendly
The platform is intuitive and easy to use, making it accessible to individuals without technical expertise. HubSpot CRM also provides extensive resources to help users get started.
3. Integration Capabilities
HubSpot CRM integrates with over 500 third-party apps, including Mailchimp, Salesforce, and Eventbrite, making it easy to manage all your tools from a single location.
4. Customer Support
HubSpot CRM provides excellent customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. The platform also has a vast community of users who can help you troubleshoot any issues.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited Features
The platform offers essential features, so organizations that require advanced functionality may find it limiting.
2. HubSpot Branding
The free version of HubSpot CRM includes HubSpot branding, which may not be ideal for organizations that wish to maintain their brand identity.
3. Bloomerang
Bloomerang is a cloud-based CRM designed for not for profit organizations. The platform offers essential features, including donation management, volunteer management, and event management tools. Bloomerang also provides integrations with popular software like Quickbooks and Mailchimp.
Advantages:
1. User-Friendly
Bloomerang is easy to use and navigate, making it accessible to individuals without technical expertise.
2. Personalization
The platform allows organizations to personalize their communications to donors and other stakeholders, increasing engagement and improving relationships.
3. Customer Support
Bloomerang provides excellent customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. The platform also offers webinars and training resources to help users get started.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited Integration Capabilities
Bloomerang has limited integration capabilities, which may be problematic for organizations that rely on many third-party tools.
2. Limited Features
The platform offers essential features, so organizations that require advanced functionality may find it limiting.
4. DonorPerfect
DonorPerfect is a cloud-based CRM designed for not for profit organizations. The platform offers essential features, including donation management, volunteer management, and event management tools. DonorPerfect also provides integrations with popular software like Quickbooks and Mailchimp.
Advantages:
1. Robust Reporting
DonorPerfect provides advanced reporting features, enabling organizations to create insightful reports that help them make data-driven decisions.
2. Mobile App
With the DonorPerfect mobile app, you can access your data from anywhere, making it easy to manage your operations on the go.
3. Customer Support
DonorPerfect provides excellent customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. The platform also offers webinars and training resources to help users get started.
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive Pricing
DonorPerfect is relatively expensive compared to other CRM software on the market, making it less accessible to small organizations.
2. Steep Learning Curve
The software has a steep learning curve, so it may take some time to get used to the platform, which can be frustrating for new users.
5. Kindful
Kindful is a cloud-based CRM designed for not for profit organizations. The platform offers essential features, including donation management, volunteer management, and event management tools. Kindful also provides integrations with popular software like Quickbooks and Mailchimp.
Advantages:
1. User-Friendly
Kindful is easy to use and navigate, making it accessible to individuals without technical expertise.
2. Integration Capabilities
Kindful integrates with over 100 third-party apps, including Salesforce, Eventbrite, and Quickbooks, making it easy to manage all your tools from a single location.
3. Mobile App
With the Kindful mobile app, you can access your data from anywhere, making it easy to manage your operations on the go.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited Reporting Capabilities
Kindful has limited reporting capabilities, which may be problematic for organizations that require advanced reporting functionality.
2. Limited Features
The platform offers essential features, so organizations that require advanced functionality may find it limiting.
6. Blackbaud
Blackbaud is a cloud-based CRM designed for not for profit organizations. The platform offers essential features, including donation management, volunteer management, and event management tools. Blackbaud also provides integrations with popular software like Quickbooks and Mailchimp.
Advantages:
1. Robust Reporting Capabilities
Blackbaud provides advanced reporting features, enabling organizations to create insightful reports that help them make data-driven decisions.
2. Mobile App
With the Blackbaud mobile app, you can access your data from anywhere, making it easy to manage your operations on the go.
3. Customer Support
Blackbaud provides excellent customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. The platform also offers webinars and training resources to help users get started.
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive Pricing
Blackbaud is relatively expensive compared to other CRM software on the market, making it less accessible to small organizations.
2. Steep Learning Curve
The software has a steep learning curve, so it may take some time to get used to the platform, which can be frustrating for new users.
Comparison Table of Best CRM for Not for Profit Organizations
| CRM | Price | Customization | User-Friendliness | Features | Integration Capabilities | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce.org | Expensive | Highly Customizable | Steep Learning Curve | Robust Features | Excellent Integration Capabilities | Excellent Customer Support |
| HubSpot CRM | Free | Customizable | User-Friendly | Essential Features | Excellent Integration Capabilities | Excellent Customer Support |
| Bloomerang | Expensive | Customizable | User-Friendly | Essential Features | Limited Integration Capabilities | Excellent Customer Support |
| DonorPerfect | Expensive | Customizable | Steep Learning Curve | Essential Features | Excellent Integration Capabilities | Excellent Customer Support |
| Kindful | Expensive | Customizable | User-Friendly | Essential Features | Excellent Integration Capabilities | Excellent Customer Support |
| Blackbaud | Expensive | Customizable | Steep Learning Curve | Essential Features | Excellent Integration Capabilities | Excellent Customer Support |
FAQs
1. What is a CRM?
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a software tool designed to help organizations manage their relationships with their stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, clients, and other individuals.
2. Why do not for profit organizations need a CRM?
A CRM software helps not for profit organizations manage their relationships with donors, volunteers, clients, and other individuals. It provides a centralized location to store and manage data, automate tasks, and increase efficiency in business operations.
3. Which is the best CRM for not for profit organizations?
There are several CRM options for not for profit organizations, including Salesforce.org, HubSpot CRM, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, Kindful, and Blackbaud. The best CRM for your organization depends on your specific needs and requirements.
4. How much does a CRM cost?
The cost of a CRM varies depending on the software and the number of users. Some CRMs, like HubSpot CRM, offer free plans, while others, like Salesforce.org, can be expensive.
5. Can I customize my CRM?
Yes, most CRMs allow you to customize the software to cater to your specific organizational needs.
6. Is customer support available for CRMs?
Yes, most CRM software provides customer support, including phone, email, and live chat support. Some CRMs also offer resources like webinars and training to help users get started.
7. How can I integrate my CRM with other tools?
Most CRMs offer integration options with other software and tools, enabling you to manage all your tools from a single location.
Conclusion
Choosing the right CRM for your not for profit organization is essential to ensure that you manage your relationships with donors, volunteers, clients, and other individuals effectively. As we have seen, there are several options available, including Salesforce.org, HubSpot CRM, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, Kindful, and Blackbaud. Make sure that you consider factors like affordability, customization, user-friendliness, features, integration capabilities, and customer support when making a decision. Remember, the right CRM can help streamline your operations, save time and resources