Selecting new right donor management software for your foundation can seem like a confusing, frightening job. The starting point for finding the right package is to figure out why you need the software and how you’ll use it. If you already have software that doesn’t seem to suit you, make sure that the product is being used to the fullest of its potential – that you don’t buy something new because you weren’t using your old software efficiently. Technological ignorance is often a bigger problem than inadequate software for nonprofits. If, however, you think that you need new software, you should know the steps to finding it.
- First of all, survey your development team. Ask members to rate your organization’s capabilities in different functions -- this will help you know where your resources need shoring up.
- Next, you must find out how much “tech fluency” your foundation really has. Consider the technology aspect of your strategy, the abilities of your tech people, the condition of your systems, software, and equipment, and your firewalls and security measures.
- Think about the main things you need your new donor software to do, the tasks it would be most frequently used for. Discuss with the rest of your team the functions that everyone (including those outside the development team) requires. Then make a list of the priority functions based on everyone’s common needs.
- Available donor packages vary greatly in cost and capabilities; there are pricey packages (like Raisers Edge) and free online ones (like Salesforce). However, almost every software will serve your purposes in one way or another. This means that all packages have common functions – it does not mean that all of them will function efficiently or easily. Discover the differences among packages by collecting information about them via the internet or a neutral review tool.
- Narrow down your options to the top few packages you think would best suit your foundation, and then make comparisons of their respective features and efficiencies. Take maintenance costs, training costs, and product life expectancy into consideration. As you proceed with your investigation, continue to compare the products of interest to your current software. Seriously ask yourself whether you could make do with what you have (or with an upgraded version of it). If you still think you need new software, request sales demonstrations of the packages you are considering.
- Keep in contact with other local organizations that use the new products. Make it a point at special events to meet users and quiz them on maintenance and upgrade costs. Find out whether your system can handle the software and whether the product fits in your technology plan and budget. Keep in mind that most people shouldn’t expect to be able to figure out the software on their own – you must include the cost of training in your cost estimates. And finally, don’t base your final decision on up-front prices – any package is sure to have long term costs.
Information taken from www.fundraising123.org
--Kelsey Luffman is a Research Assistant at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online.