If you are finding that the spreadsheets and the database that you created to track donations and donor information are not meeting your needs, you might consider using more advanced donor management systems to help organize this data. How can you decide on which software to use for your nonprofit organization?
You can get started by browsing NTEN and Idealware’s Consumers Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems (2009). The authors examine 33 systems, explain the various features available, and provide recommendations based on user needs. Several comparison charts are included.
The guide is available on Idealware’s web site, where you will also find other articles and guides on technology-related issues. For example, grantmakers and foundations interested in selecting software can take a look at the Consumers Guide to Grants Management Systems (2008).
You might also like to read my article "Why not to create a do-it-yourself donation tracking and receipting system" on CharityVillage.ccom, at http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rdbm4.html
Posted by: Dan Cooperstock | October 15, 2009 at 02:16 PM