Nonprofit organizations exist to provide a specific service to people in need of support. Some nonprofits have a creative purpose, while others aim to alleviate the difficult situations that people face across the world. Generally, nonprofits aim to spend their money on their target demographic rather than making a profit, so it is important that they direct their funds into resources that work for them.
In this week’s blog post, we’ll take a look at the top three customer relationship management (CRM) software resources that nonprofits can use to help them work more efficiently. The advantages and disadvantages of each resource will also be presented to help you determine which one might be the best fit for your nonprofit.
#1 Salesforce
Salesforce is a cloud-based solution that allows nonprofits to maximize their connection to their supporters, donors and volunteers. It’s meant to be used to bridge the gaps between every department. Some of the world’s largest and most successful nonprofits, like the American Cross, use this software.
Some of the features of Salesforce include the following:
Advantages
May be used with Windows, Mac, and Linux
Cloud-based
Good for small, medium and large organizations
Disadvantages
Hard to navigate
May take a while to learn
May lack customization
There are two options for nonprofits to choose from:
Lightning Enterprise Edition + Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP)
Complete CRM for nonprofits. All of the features of Enterprise Edition, plus out-of-the-box tools for managing fundraising and nonprofit constituent relationships. Your first 10 EE subscriptions are FREE for qualified customers.
$36 users/month (billed annually)
It includes everything under the enterprise edition.
Lightning Unlimited Edition + Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP)
The ultimate nonprofit CRM and support. All of the features of Unlimited Edition, plus out-of-the-box tools for managing fundraising and nonprofit constituent relationships.
$72 users/month (billed annually)
Everything under the unlimited and NPSP features are included.
For more information about these packages, visit their website.
#2 NeonCRM Software
NeonCRM was created by Z2 Systems. It is also a cloud-based ascendable solution that is helpful for nonprofit organizations. Through this software, organizations will be able to save time and energy on events such as fundraising by organizing their members or volunteers and even regulating registration at the event.
Some of the notable features of this software are as follows:
Advantages
Cloud-based
May be used on Mac, Windows and Linux
Suitable for small, medium and large organizations
Disadvantages
Some issues about duplication of existing accounts
Price for data migration may be high
There are 3 options for nonprofits to choose from:
Impact
$110 per month
Unlimited system users
Unlimited online forms
Live group training
Unlimited ticket support
Fundraising or Membership CRM
Based on # constituent records
Open API access
Not included:
Live chat not included
Visual phone support not included
Essentials
$50 per month
Unlimited system users
Unlimited online forms
Live group training
Unlimited ticket support
Fundraising or Membership CRM
Based on # constituent records
Open API access
Not included:
Live chat not included
Visual phone support not included
Empower
$200 per month
Unlimited system users
Unlimited online forms
Live group training
Unlimited ticket support
Fundraising or Membership CRM
Based on # constituent records
Open API access
Included:
Live chat
Visual phone support
For more details about NeonCRM, you may visit their website here.
#3 Raiser's Edge NXT
Raiser’s Edge NXT is another cloud-based app that aims to alleviate problems encountered by nonprofit organizations with regards to fundraising activities and customer relationship management. They offer data improvement services that allow the organization to manage their donors to update their contact information and bank payments.
Some of the top features their software offers are:
Fundraising Software
Nonprofit CRM Software
Online Membership Software
Unlimited cloud-based access (This means that any user can access the system from anywhere as long as there is internet connection, regardless of the number of users.)
Advantages
Cloud-based
Maybe used on Mac, Windows and Linux
Fit for medium to large organizations
Disadvantages
May take a while to navigate
May not be visually appealing to all
Updates on the software may take a while
Raiser’s Edge NXT offers subscription-based pricing and may be a little more expensive than the other two resources.
The work that nonprofits do is very important but can be very taxing. With so many different variables to manage from members to staff to volunteers to donors, it can be hard to keep everything straight. Relying on resources like the three we have listed here could be just what your nonprofit needs to expand your reach as you affect real change in the world.
So, what do you think about the software? Are there any advantages or disadvantages you have experienced with any of them? Let us know in the comments below!
~ Jamara Wilson, Team Tuxedo Impressions LLC™
