Nonprofit Technology That Will Impact Your Mission

By: Team Heller, Heller Consulting

Nonprofit organizations are in an unprecedented era of technological opportunity. Systems and tools that were once only available to large corporations with established IT and development teams are now available to nonprofits, offering a wide range of features and benefits. There has also been a rapid evolution of the technological prowess of everyone’s constituent base, requiring a wide array of digital strategies to connect, engage, delight, and retain supporters.

Same Goals…

Despite the availability of advanced technology, the basic goal of nonprofits hasn’t changed – coordinate a variety of constituents to effectively deliver their mission. A big part of that work is managing constituent relationships as they interact with the organization. From their first event to becoming a monthly supporter, volunteer, or partner, engagement and interactions provide insights into a constituent’s level of support. By paying attention to giving patterns and interaction cues, nonprofits can nurture supporters to create deeper and more rewarding relationships. Richer relationships with committed constituents translates quickly to increased mission impact and reach.

…New Tools

While the goal is the same, new technology is dramatically changing how donation, volunteer, and interaction information is stored, managed, and analyzed. The long-desired “360° view” of a supporter’s interests is within reach, and just in time. Constituents are starting to expect the same level of tailored engagement with the nonprofit they support that they get at sites like Netflix and Amazon. Constituent relationship management (CRM) systems that manage all this information have become a vital component of an effective and efficient organization.

Getting Started with CRM

But CRM is about more than just technology. It involves a combination of software, systems, and most importantly strategy. While it is easy to get caught up comparing software features, a successful CRM initiative requires defining how the organization will engage with constituents, how the organization works as a team, and how the system will ultimately benefit the organization’s impact. Developing a clear and holistic CRM roadmap is an essential first step.

At Heller, our goal is to help organizations achieve the ultimate promise of a CRM system by effectively planning, selecting, and implementing solutions that increase the impact of their mission. If you are in the San Francisco area and want to learn more about getting started with CRM, please join us for “NPSP: Pathway to a Connected Nonprofit” on February 1 with Salesforce.org.

In this half-day executive-level workshop we’ll discuss:

• How Nonprofit Success Pack can help you deliver your mission
• The newest features and capabilities of Nonprofit Success Pack
• How to develop your organization’s CRM vision
• Heller’s proven methodology to plan a successful CRM initiative

Lunch will be provided, and attendees will be encouraged to share their own challenges and solutions. Space is limited so RSVP now to reserve your seat for this in-depth workshop designed to help nonprofit executives establish, sponsor, and guide their organization’s CRM vision.