7 Ways Microsoft Dynamics CRM helps Nonprofits Gain Efficiencies
Posted by Jeff Schreffler on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 @ 01:20 PM
It can be difficult during periods of economic uncertainty for nonprofit organizations to take advantage of the latest technology. Tight budgets can often restrict their access to the latest software advances that can drive efficiencies. That reality is changing with the availability of the Nonprofit solution accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
The Nonprofit solution accelerator is a tool that has been developed specifically to meet the CRM requirements of Nonprofit organizations. This tool enables the following functionality in Microsoft Dynamics CRM:
1. Constituent Tracking
Constituents can be setup and maintained within Dynamics CRM. The system can also be used to track additional information about other constituents. They include:
- In-kind contributors
- Volunteers
- Clients
- Members
- Beneficiaries
2. Donation and Pledge Management
A pledge is a way of recording pledges before they have been paid. It can be associated with a Constituent, a Member, a Campaign, and/or a Program, split among multiple Campaigns/Programs, and consists of multiple donations.
3. Basic Membership Management
Memberships can be created and linked to Donations, Benefits and Programs.
4. Campaign Management
Marketing campaigns can be created and tracked within the system. Campaigns can track the following information:
- Tasks-Activities
- Responses
- Pledges
- Donations
Marketing lists can be generated that defines the members that will be targeted for the campaign.
5. Event Management
Nonprofits often utilize events as one of their biggest sources for fundraising efforts. These events are created within campaigns. Pledges and donations can be recorded for the event. Marketing lists can be created for potential or actual attendees. Event sessions can be defined with start and end times. Sponsors for the event can be entered and tracked.
6. Case Management
Gain efficiencies in coordinated health and social services with a unified view of each client across multiple programs. Case Management can be automated by connecting a variety of systems in one centralized repository, and by automating processes.
7. Online Donations through a Payment Gateway
Donations can also be made via credit card transactions through an online gateway.
Nonprofits can further tailor the system to their specific needs by using the customization tools within the software to add user defined fields, new entities, and define specific workflows to automate tasks and increase efficiency. For example, when a donor makes an annual contribution, the system will automatically generate a thank you email and setup an alert to notify the user when it is time to contact the donor again.
The solution can be hosted online within one of Microsoft’s data centers or it can be installed locally on premise.
Microsoft has priced the online (hosted) version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM extremely competitively, allowing Nonprofits to take advantage of the latest technology for a minimum monthly investment. Contact BCG Systems for additional pricing information.
Intrigued by the Nonprofit solution accelerator? Get an in depth look at a free event on Thursday, September 30
th.
Event details and registration. Are you using the accelerator? Tell us about your experience.
