Fundraising
for a non-profit can be exhausting especially trying to understand all the new
technology. The shiny new things out there all look and sound fantastic, but
over the years, some common themes of why fundraising teams in non-profits fail
in the technology arena. Here is the top five:
1.
Data Disparities
When non-profits start there is often a flurry of activity with many hands in
the kitchen trying to get fundraising efforts going. To that end, there are
often multiple systems used for donor collection, tracking donations, email
potential donors and managing on-going donor relations. If the data amongst all
these systems of record is not consistent, which it often never is, this can
present problems for the fundraising teams as they grow the non-profit.
2.
Lack of Data Analytics
Tracking progress and not just busywork is the key for fundraising in small to
mid-sized non-profits. Managing to goals, and ensuring the non-profit is
targeting the right donor levels to grow the organization takes a methodical
approach to communications, donor follow-up and overall donor prospect
management.
3.
Struggles with Software Integration
While this seems a little obtuse, the idea of integrating multiple systems in a
non-profit can be overwhelming and a bit tiresome to say the least. As leaders
of non-profits, it is important that the eyes remain firmly planted on the goal
and that these types of technical projects while important are not forgotten.
Have issues with integration can not only slow a non-profit’s growth, but it
can cause disruption in collecting donations, managing events and other
processes throughout the organization.
4.
Recurring Payment Issues
One of the biggest tools a non-profit can have is setting up people on
recurring payments which helps manage cash flow and optimize fundraising
efforts. However, a glitch in these systems can wreak havoc on a non-profits
lifecycle.
5.
Lack of effective Donor Comms
The ability to automate donor communications through effective logic and tools
is key to scaling the non-profit. The idea of keeping in contact with donor prospects
and donors alike based on segmentation is a key component. Unfortunately, many
non-profits miss the mark in this area.
While all the above are easily rectified, it is important to
note that it only takes a couple of these issues to bring down even the most
ambitious non-profit. It is important to evaluate what technology tasks in the
non-profit can be done in-house and which cannot. Anytime you can leverage
experts in this arena the better. This frees you up to do what you do best, go
get ‘em!
P.S. If you need to speak to someone about your technology stack to discuss this further, feel free to reach out for a complimentary one-hour consultation. Click here to register.
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