The Ultimate Guide to the Top CRM Features for Nonprofits
Top CRM Features for Nonprofits: Look for These Before You Buy
In the world of nonprofits, juggling donor relationships, event planning, and volunteer management can sometimes feel like a high-stakes act. You’ve got flaming hoops to jump through, lions to tame, and a tightrope walk that would make even the most seasoned acrobat break a sweat.
Enter the superhero of the nonprofit world: the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Think of it as your trusty sidekick, ready to help you navigate the complexities of donor management, campaign tracking, and more.
But not all CRMs are created equal. In fact, some have features that make them more suited for nonprofits than others. So, let’s dive into the top CRM features for nonprofits that can transform your organization from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Top CRM Features for Nonprofits: Does Yours Have Them All?
Only 67% of nonprofits use a CRM to track donations and their communication. What’s worrisome is that most of them need more than a year to see a positive ROI after implementing a CRM.
Over 16% of them reported a whopping 4 years to see results!
That’s not surprising, though. Between the staff shortage in nonprofits, the lack of in-house IT teams, and the constant need to do more with less, it’s understandable why it takes longer to see the ROI of a CRM system.
At SyncApps, we work with hundreds of nonprofits, which is why we know there are other reasons why this is happening. Chief among them: choosing the wrong CRM.
Not all CRMs have nonprofit-specific features and, if yours doesn’t, it will take longer to figure things out because you’re essentially trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
If you don’t have a CRM yet or if you’re not happy with your current one, let’s fix that. Take a look at the top CRM features for nonprofits — everything you need to get ROI from your CRM.
Top CRM Features for Nonprofits — Does Yours Have Them?
Not all nonprofits will need all these CRM features, at least not in the beginning. However, we recommend that you make sure your CRM has most of them. Changing CRMs is hard, so this is something you want to get right from the beginning.
1. Donor Management: The Non-Negotiable CRM Feature for Nonprofits
If there’s one thing every nonprofit knows, it’s that your donors are the lifeblood of your organization. And what better way to keep track of your loyal supporters than through robust donor management features?
Track Donations Like a Pro
Your CRM should allow you to monitor donations, identify trends, and segment donors based on their giving patterns. This way, you’ll know who the big spenders are and who still thinks a $10 donation will score them a free T-shirt.
Just kidding — every donation counts! Look for CRMs like Salesforce, which provide detailed analytics to help you understand your donor base.
For instance, if a particular donor has consistently contributed over the last three years, you might consider sending them a personalized thank-you note or inviting them to a special donor appreciation event. These gestures show that you value their support and can foster a stronger connection.
With the right CRM features for nonprofits, you’ll also be able to analyze trends in donation amounts, helping you plan future fundraising campaigns more effectively.
Relationship Building: It’s Not Just About the Money
Building relationships with donors is essential, and your CRM should facilitate this. Automated thank-you emails, birthday greetings, or even a simple “Hey, we miss you!” can go a long way.
A personal touch can make your donors feel valued and they’ll appreciate it more than that free T-shirt.
Furthermore, consider segmenting your donors into different categories based on their interests and giving levels. This allows you to tailor your communication and outreach strategies.
For example, if you have a group of donors passionate about environmental issues, you could send them updates on your organization’s eco-friendly initiatives or invite them to participate in relevant events.
Is all this hard to do in a CRM alone? We get it! High-performing nonprofits use SyncApps to integrate their CRM with marketing automation platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact.
Whatever features for nonprofits your CRM is lacking, can compensate through integration. Plus, you’ll get features and automations no CRM has.
See how other nonprofits like UNICEF are using integration. Download our free guide here!
Major Gift Management: Rolling Out the Red Carpet
For nonprofits, securing major gifts can be a game changer. Did you know that major donors account for no less than 88% of the total amount given to nonprofits in 2023?
A robust CRM should help you manage these high-value relationships more effectively. By tracking interactions and customizing outreach efforts, you can ensure that you’re nurturing these connections and maximizing your chances of receiving significant contributions.
Salesforce, for instance, allows you to create detailed profiles for major donors, including their giving history, interests, and preferences. This information enables you to craft personalized communication strategies that resonate with them, increasing the likelihood of continued support. Other top CRM software, like Koomo or NetSuite, that provide messaging integrations to allow quick conversations with donors can also be helpful.
2. Event Management: The CRM Feature for Nonprofits too Many People Ignore
Events are a staple in the nonprofit world — think galas, bake sales, and the occasional charity auction. A solid CRM will have features that help you manage these events seamlessly.
Registration Made Easy
Your CRM should allow for easy event registration. Integrating with platforms like Eventbrite can streamline the process, making it as easy as pie (and who doesn’t love pie?).
With Salesforce, you can track registrations, manage attendee lists, and even follow up after the event with ease.
Consider using QR codes for event check-ins. By linking the QR code to your CRM, you can expedite the check-in process and gather valuable data on attendees. This not only enhances the guest experience but also helps you analyze attendance patterns for future events.
Want to take your event management to the next level? Integrate Salesforce NPSP/NPC with Constant Contact, the marketing automation platform with built-in features for event management.
Campaign Tracking: Know What Works
Is that silent auction really pulling in the bucks, or is it just a good excuse for a potluck? A great CRM will let you track which events are successful and which ones are, let’s say, not-so-much.
By monitoring ticket sales, donation amounts, and attendee feedback, you can gather data to improve future events.
Additionally, use your CRM to create post-event surveys. Gather feedback from attendees about what they enjoyed and what could be improved. This information can be invaluable in refining your approach and ensuring each event is more successful than the last.
Fundraising Events: Make Them Memorable
An event’s ROI doesn’t stop when the event is over — if you can create memorable experiences. Your CRM can help you design unique event marketing strategies that generate excitement. Use your platform to send out teasers, countdowns, and personalized invites to entice guests.
Moreover, consider using live streaming services to reach a broader audience. With your CRM managing attendee information, you can easily invite people who might not be able to attend in person, expanding your donor base and fostering a sense of community around your cause.
3. Communication Tools: The CRM Features for Nonprofits that Enhance Your Communication
Effective communication is crucial for nonprofits. Your CRM should have built-in communication tools to keep you connected with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders.
Email Campaign Management
Ever tried sending an email to 100 people and got 100 different responses? Nightmare. Your CRM should help you design and manage email campaigns effortlessly. With tools like Salesforce’s Marketing Cloud, you can segment your audience and personalize messages — goodbye, one-size-fits-all emails!
Create automated email workflows that trigger based on donor actions. For example, if a donor makes a contribution, send them a thank-you email immediately. If they haven’t donated in a while, consider sending a re-engagement email that reminds them of the impact their support has had.
Hard truth time: your CRM can rarely manage all communications on its own — at least not as well as they could be managed.
Integrate your CRM with your marketing automation platform and leverage fully automated hyper-targed communication.
Social Media Integration
Let’s be real: if you’re not on social media, do you even exist? A CRM that integrates with social media platforms will allow you to monitor engagement and track how your campaigns perform across different channels. Plus, you can send out your heartfelt gratitude to your followers without losing your mind!
Use social media management tools integrated with your CRM to track mentions, comments, and shares. This data can inform your outreach strategy and help you identify potential new supporters based on their engagement with your content.
Using Facebook Leads Ads? Integrate them with Salesforce for seamless lead management and timely follow up every time.
4. Volunteer Management: Because They’re Not Just “Free Help”
Volunteers are the backbone of many nonprofits, and managing them efficiently is key, especially now that nonprofits face a worker shortage. Look for CRM features that help you handle everything from recruitment to scheduling.
Recruitment and Onboarding
Your CRM should streamline the recruitment process. Whether you’re looking for a social media guru or someone who can cook a mean casserole for your next bake sale, you want to make it easy for them to sign up.
Salesforce can help manage applications, ensuring that no enthusiastic volunteer is left behind.
Create an online application form that feeds directly into your CRM, allowing you to track volunteer inquiries and applications efficiently. You can even create custom fields to gather specific information based on your organization’s needs.
Scheduling Made Simple — Another Overlooked CRM Feature for Nonprofits
Let’s face it: coordinating schedules can feel like herding cats. Your CRM should offer scheduling features that allow volunteers to sign up for shifts and track their hours. This will not only make your life easier but also keep volunteers engaged and informed.
Use features like calendar integrations to help volunteers find open shifts easily. Send automated reminders leading up to their scheduled times, ensuring they don’t forget (because, let’s be honest, we all forget things sometimes).
Volunteer Recognition: A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
Your volunteers work hard for your cause, so it’s essential to recognize their efforts. Use your CRM to track volunteer hours and contributions, and celebrate their achievements publicly. Consider creating a volunteer of the month program or hosting an annual appreciation event to honor their dedication.
Send personalized thank-you notes or small tokens of appreciation after major events. This not only boosts morale but also fosters a sense of community within your organization.
5. Fundraising Tools: The Top CRM Feature for Nonprofits
Fundraising is at the heart of every nonprofit, and your CRM should offer powerful tools to help you maximize donations.
Online Giving Integration
54% of donors prefer to give online, so if your nonprofit isn’t accepting online donations, you stand to lose more than half of your donors. Your CRM should integrate with online donation platforms, allowing donors to give easily.
Salesforce offers seamless integration with various payment gateways, making it a top choice for nonprofits.
Set up recurring donation options for supporters who want to give regularly without having to think about it. This can significantly increase your overall contributions, providing a steady income stream for your organization.
Campaign Management
Managing fundraising campaigns can be daunting. Look for CRMs that allow you to create, track, and analyze your fundraising campaigns. With Salesforce, you can set goals, track progress, and even analyze donor behavior to improve future campaigns.
Use A/B testing to determine which messaging resonates best with your audience. This way, you can fine-tune your campaigns for maximum impact.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Encourage your supporters to become fundraisers themselves through peer-to-peer fundraising features in your CRM. This allows your loyal donors to create their fundraising pages and reach out to their networks.
With Salesforce, you can track these efforts and provide supporters with the resources they need to succeed. Celebrate their accomplishments through social media shoutouts and recognition within your organization.
6. Reporting and Analytics: The CRM Feature for Nonprofits That Keeps You on Track
Data is the lifeblood of any organization, especially nonprofits that need to demonstrate impact to donors. Your CRM should provide robust reporting and analytics features.
Performance Dashboards
Your CRM should offer customizable dashboards to visualize your organization’s performance.
This way, you can quickly see where your funds are coming from and where they’re going — no crystal ball required.
Salesforce’s reporting tools are particularly robust, allowing you to create dashboards that showcase key performance indicators (KPIs) such as total donations received, donor retention rates, and event participation.
Want even better reporting than the top CRM features for nonprofits can offer? Integrate your CRM with your marketing automation platform and have all your data flow bi-directionally between them. Customize your reports any way you want, too.
Impact Reporting: Showcasing Your Success
Demonstrating your nonprofit’s impact is crucial for donor retention. Look for CRMs that allow you to generate detailed reports showcasing how donations are being used.
Salesforce has features that help you create impact reports easily, so you can show donors just how their contributions are making a difference.
For instance, you might generate a report that highlights how funds from a specific campaign were allocated. This transparency builds trust and reassures donors that their contributions are going directly towards the cause.
Plus, these reports can be shared on your website or in newsletters, enhancing your organization’s credibility.
Customizable Reports: Tailoring Insights to Your Needs
Every nonprofit has unique goals and metrics that matter most to them. Your CRM should offer customizable reporting options that allow you to focus on the data that’s most relevant to your mission.
Create reports that track volunteer engagement, donor demographics, or event success rates. By tailoring your insights, you can identify trends, spot opportunities for improvement, and ultimately drive better results.
7. Integration with Marketing Automation: The CRM Feature for Nonprofits That Takes Your Organization to the Next Level
Now that we’ve covered the essential CRM features for nonprofits, let’s talk about the secret sauce: integration with your marketing automation platform.
Why You Need Integration
Integrating your CRM with a marketing automation platform like SyncApps allows you to streamline workflows and ensure data consistency across all your platforms. This means no more double data entry, no more missed opportunities, and a whole lot less stress.
For example, with integration, every donation made online automatically flows into your CRM and into your marketing automation platform, allowing you to segment donors and tailor your communications without lifting a finger.
This kind of efficiency can free up valuable time for your team to focus on what truly matters: making an impact.
Leverage Your Data for Targeted Outreach
When your CRM and marketing automation are working together, you can leverage donor data for targeted marketing campaigns. Want to invite last year’s gala attendees to this year’s event?
Easy peasy. SyncApps helps you seamlessly connect Salesforce with various marketing automation tools, allowing you to maximize your outreach.
Imagine being able to create a targeted email campaign for donors who contributed during a specific timeframe or those who attended certain events. This level of personalization increases the likelihood of engagement and, ultimately, additional contributions.
Automated Campaigns: Set It and Forget It
With integrated systems, you can set up automated marketing campaigns that trigger based on donor behavior. For example, if a donor hasn’t contributed in a while, you can automatically send a re-engagement email reminding them of the difference their support makes.
These automated campaigns save you time and ensure your messaging reaches the right people at the right time. Plus, it frees you up to focus on other important aspects of your nonprofit, like brainstorming ideas for that upcoming bake sale (because who doesn’t love baked goods?).
Did you know that all nonprofits enjoy 20% off their SyncApps subscription forever? Sign up for free below and find out why UNICEF and hundreds of other nonprofits rave about SyncApps.
8. Customization and Scalability: The CRM Features for Nonprofits That Future-Proof Your Organization
Every nonprofit is unique, and your CRM should reflect that. Look for systems that offer customizable features to meet your specific needs.
Tailor Your CRM to Fit Your Organization
Your CRM should allow you to customize fields, forms, and workflows to match your organization’s processes. Salesforce excels in this area, providing a high degree of customization options.
For instance, if your nonprofit focuses on animal rescue, you might want to create fields for tracking animal adoptions alongside donor data. By tailoring your CRM, you ensure it works for you, not the other way around.
Scalability: Growing with Your Nonprofit
As your nonprofit grows, your CRM should be able to grow with you. Whether you’re expanding your donor base, increasing event attendance, or hiring more staff, your CRM should handle increased workloads without a hitch.
Choosing a scalable CRM solution like Salesforce ensures that you can adapt to changing circumstances without the headache of switching platforms. This is particularly important for nonprofits that may experience fluctuating donation levels or seasonal campaigns.
9. Data Security: Do Not Ignore This CRM Feature; it Can Keep Your Nonprofit Safe
In an era where data breaches are all too common, ensuring the security of your donor and volunteer information is paramount.
Protect Sensitive Information
Your CRM should have robust security features to protect sensitive data. Look for features like data encryption, user authentication, and regular security audits. Salesforce is known for its commitment to data security, making it a trusted choice for nonprofits.
Compliance with Regulations
Ensure your CRM is compliant with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These regulations govern how organizations handle personal data, and compliance is crucial to avoid hefty fines.
Your CRM should offer features that help you manage consent and opt-in preferences for your communications, keeping your nonprofit in good standing with regulatory bodies.
10. Customer Support and Training: Without This CRM Feature for Nonprofits, You’ll Have a Hard Time Getting ROI
When you invest in a CRM, you want to know you have support when things get tough. Look for providers that offer comprehensive customer support and training resources.
Onboarding and Training Resources
Your CRM should come with onboarding support to help your team get started. Salesforce offers extensive training resources through its Trailhead platform, providing users with guided tutorials and certification options.
Consider setting up regular training sessions for your team to ensure everyone is up to speed on how to use the CRM effectively. A well-trained staff can maximize the potential of your CRM, leading to better outcomes for your organization.
Ongoing Support: You’re in Good Hands
When issues arise, you want to know you can rely on your CRM provider for help. Look for platforms that offer dedicated support teams and resources like community forums, documentation, and live chat options.
Salesforce provides 24/7 support for users, ensuring you can get the assistance you need whenever you need it. Having reliable support can make all the difference when navigating the complexities of managing a nonprofit.
Conclusion: The Top 10 CRM Features for Nonprofits
The top CRM features for nonprofits are not just about keeping track of donations; they’re about building relationships, managing events, and demonstrating impact. With the right tools at your disposal, you can turn your nonprofit into a well-oiled machine, all while having a little fun along the way.
So, if you’re ready to level up your nonprofit game, consider Salesforce and its powerful features, and don’t forget to integrate it with your marketing automation platform through SyncApps.
Ready to make the most out of all these CRM features for nonprofits? Start here!
