Free guide to choosing the right CRM system

Is the charity sector ready to return to the office? As we move through the steps of the Government’s unlocking plan, we can at least ask the question. But one thing is clear: we’re not going to return to the ‘normal’ we used to know.

80% of charity professionals say they want to work from home more often compared to their working pattern pre-COVID-19. And an even higher number, 87%, told us that technology had been key to effective working over the last 12 months through the pandemic.

That means having the right technology in place at your organisation has never been more important. Which is why Blackbaud has updated their Guide to Choosing a Fundraising CRM Solution with some fresh advice.

Your step-by-step guide to the right CRM system

This is the fifth edition of Blackbaud’s Guide to Choosing a Fundraising CRM Solution, and it covers everything from understanding jargon around cloud-based software, preparing to go live, and getting value from your CRM.

Undertaking a major software review is something that most charities typically do less than every five years, so it can be a daunting project to undertake. Blackbaud has pulled their experience of working with hundreds of charities across the country into an easy-to-follow, five-step guide.

Blackbaud has included top tips around what not to do, based on our experience of partnering on hundreds of new software projects each year. (Here’s one freebie of what not to do: replacing an ‘old’ system with a ‘new’ one, without evaluating how it was being used – shiny new tech might not be the fix you need).

Uncovering your specific software needs

Every charitable organisation has different software needs. From traditional charities to cultural institutions like museums, from air ambulances and community foundations through to schools and universities – tech needs are as varied as the causes and people you support.

And that means there’s a load of different functional requirements that you might want to consider. From volunteer or event management, through marketing communications tools to integrations with your other technology.  

That’s why the Guide to Choosing a Fundraising CRM is just one part of a wider software evaluation toolkit. To help you understand and identify what’s important to your organisation, Blackbaud has also produced a functional requirements checklist – listing 15 areas of functionality your charity might need.

And there’s also our guide to implementing a CRM, to help you realise the value of your software once you’ve decided what you need to achieve.