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Common reasons why charities struggle with their CRM and how to overcome them

In the nonprofit sector, having the right tools to manage donor relationships and streamline operations is crucial. As Stephen Gott, charity CRM product manager at The Access Group’s not for profit division, points out, many organisations face challenges in getting the most out of their CRM systems. Here, we explore common issues charities encounter with CRM software and provide insights on how to overcome them.

3 minutes

by Stephen Gott

Charity Solutions Expert

Posted 29/07/2024

The importance of strategic planning

One of the primary reasons charities struggle with their CRM is a lack of strategic planning. Often, organisations rush into implementing a CRM without fully considering their long-term goals and how the CRM will support these objectives. Taking the time to think through the plan and execution is essential. Charities should:

- Define Clear Goals: Understand what they want to achieve with the CRM.

- Assess Needs: Evaluate the specific needs of their teams and operations.

- Plan Implementation: Develop a step-by-step plan for CRM integration and adoption.

If your charity would like support with any of these steps please get in touch and our expert team can provide advice and guidance.

Overcoming limited functionality

Many charities use multiple software solutions for different functions, leading to inefficiency and confusion. Switching between various tabs and applications can be time-consuming and error prone. The solution is to invest in a CRM that integrates multiple functionalities, making it more productive and cost-effective.

Benefits of integrated charity CRMs

- Unified Dashboard: Manage all tasks from a single interface.

- Seamless App Integration: Sync various apps and capabilities to streamline operations.

- Customisable Solutions: Tailor the CRM to meet specific needs and goals.

Leveraging data and reporting

Access to real-time data and reporting is a significant advantage of using a CRM. This information helps charities track donor interactions, fundraising activities, and campaign impacts. However, many organisations do not fully utilise these features, missing out on valuable insights.

Maximising CRM analytics

- Data-Driven Decisions: Use analytics to inform strategies and improve outcomes.

- Campaign Analysis: Evaluate what worked and what didn’t to refine future efforts.

- Targeted Engagement: Identify and target supporters more effectively to build stronger connections.

Enhancing collaboration and efficiency

Charities that use their CRM to foster collaboration often see better outcomes. By working more efficiently and making the best use of their CRM, these organisations can increase their income and overall impact.

Strategies for success

- Team Training: Ensure all users are proficient with the CRM to maximise its potential.

- Collaborative Tools: Use CRM features that support team collaboration and communication.

- Regular Reviews: Continuously assess and refine CRM usage to align with evolving needs.

Access Charity CRM: Your partner in achieving more

The Access Group understands the unique challenges faced by charities and has developed Access Charity CRM to help you overcome these obstacles. Our software is designed to integrate seamlessly with various other solutions, offering a unified platform for managing donors, events, fundraising, and more. Key features include:

- Customisable Dashboards: Tailor the interface to suit your organisation's needs.

- Integrated Calling App: Enhance communication with donors and supporters.

- Gift Aid Management: Simplify claims and boost fundraising efficiency.

- Comprehensive Data Analytics: Gain insights to drive strategic decisions and improve campaign effectiveness.

Transform your charity's operations

The Access Group is committed to helping charities attract, manage, and engage donors and volunteers with our specialist Not for Profit solutions. Our cloud-based, feature-rich software includes CRM, volunteer management, digital advertising, websites, and donation processing solutions.

By Stephen Gott

Charity Solutions Expert

Stephen is excited by how technology can accelerate our impact and empower us to achieve more. For the last 20 years, he has worked and collaborated with many Not For Profits who have created incredible outcomes, often with limited resources. Stephen is passionate about supporting the sector and is proud of the work that we do to increase the reach and impact of our clients.

He started out providing consultancy, bespoke solutions and managing CRM implementations before moving into Product Management where he headed up the development and launch of Charity CRM. 

These days he can mostly be found looking for ways to help our clients harness tech to achieve their goals and boost their scale and efficiency. He is a big advocate of appropriate technology and ensuring that solutions can be effectively adopted.