I work for a small nonprofit that has several different projects. We need a software/database that manages members, vendors, gifts/pledges, fundraising campaigns, volunteers, grants, projects funded by grants, etc. We currently use Sage and it is the WORST program I have ever worked with. Is there something more user-friendly that has an easier way to search for the information/reports that we need to track progress?
From the sounds of it you’re asking one piece of software to do a lot. If you’re open to a suggestion this is how I might break it down. After all a CRM tool wouldn’t do all those pieces in a for-profit space.
Accounting
This would master your accounts, vendors, payroll, etc. These are the two names I hear from my CPA/Accounting friends who work with nonprofits.
Membership Software
Keep all your donor/volunteers/membership records, donations, pledges, fundraising campaigns, email campaigns, event records, etc.
Fresh Vine – My company Fresh Vine does all that except pledges (soon-ish). So shameless plug.
Membee – Looks interesting though I’ve never used it.
Membee – Looks interesting though I’ve never used it.
Scheduling of Volunteers
Depending on the nature of your nonprofit you might need to have volunteers fill slots for particular roles.
Volunteer Spot – Seems to be a good one, though hadn’t heard of it before.
Planning Center Online – Build for churches, but they do scheduling really well.
Planning Center Online – Build for churches, but they do scheduling really well.
Grant Management
These tools focus on managing your grants, and those relationships. You should be able to do this with your Membership Software and a good project tool like Trello, Project Place, and Asana. My goal is always simplicity. Unless you have a couple dozen grants you’re needing to track, it might be worth simplifying.
