CRM: Building Relationships

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is the hottest buzzword around these days. Although it's been around for decades, many nonprofit organizations are just now jumping on the bandwagon. The only challenge is that most CRM software available is intended for the for-profit sector. Those systems may not be appropriate for nonprofits. Think of it... if you were highly engaged with a community agency, would you like them to treat you the way your bank or insurance company does? Probably not. The relationships built with a nonprofit are much more personal. Constituents give of their time and money, that's highly personal. Most CRM systems are more focused on a "business" relationship whereas nonprofits should really focus on the community spirit and, yes, a more personal relationship.