Choosing a CRM should be a one-time decision, and definitely not a small decision for your organization. You definitely don't want to end up buying software that doesn't suit your specific needs. So when choosing the best CRM for your nonprofit organization, here are some key features to look for:
1. Simplicity
The more simple a CRM is to use, the easier it is for you to convince your staff to embrace it. Simple software that is self-explanatory, easy to implement, and support available at hand, is anyday an attractive option.
2. Single, unified view
Cluttered software helped nobody. Software is meant to make your life easier, not chaotic. So, when picking a CRM, ensure it integrates with your fundraising software. So when your organization receives a donation, it is automatically reflected in your database without any manual entry. Again, this saves you time!
3. Personalization
Being able to segment based on buyer persona for different campaigns and causes will help you align your message and personalize it for their preferences. So, your CRM should ideally have full capability to separate and segment your contacts into lists based on age, past giving, location, etc. This will help segregate and streamline your messaging to unique groups. Random communication with all donors is likely to have much less impact than personalized, targeted, and genuine messages that are tailored based on the segmentation options, like location, age, or past contributions.
4. Automate it
Save a lot of time simply by scheduling automated responses when someone gives or signs up for a volunteer shift. However, automation doesn't need to be mechanical and robotic. Personalization at every touchpoint with donors and constituents is extremely effective and impactful.
5. Ensure portability
Ensure that the nonprofit CRM software is omni-channel responsive. It should allow users mobility by being available across all channels such as desktop, mobiles, tablets, etc. Work on the move.