There is an assumption that people can pick up new tools and technology with a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform. But that’s a detriment to user adoption. Here are three tips to help increase user adoption of your CRM platform. Integrate Single Sign-on (SSO) Everyone is dealing with multiple usernames and passwords in […]
The investment in training strategies and training budgets for Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementations have recently been an area that advancement leaders are cutting. This decision is likely based on the notion that everyone can pick up the software since it is considered “intuitive.” But by doing this, leaders are doing their team […]
Times of disruption foreshadow what the best leaders already know: Change is an inescapable reality of the modern workplace. Change is even more prominent in the world of advancement. But we’re in a unique time in that what people may be dealing with personally has used up their capacity for change in a professional […]
Organizational change management within the Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation context is about getting users to adopt new business processes and procedures and the technology that enables them. And it should be an integral part of your CRM implementation. But there are a few common misconceptions about organizational change management. Here’s what to […]
Institutions often select Salesforce as the enterprise constituent relationship management (CRM) platform without consulting the development department. After the purchase, the development department may be left wondering what they do next. Often, the next step is to consider whether to build or buy CRM customizations. Customizations increase efficiency. This is because they include […]
Collaborating between departments is key to the overall success of your constituent relationship management (CRM) project implementation. When done effectively, department collaboration increases efficiencies and dramatically impacts the overall success of an institution’s mission. However, CRM projects are complex and often require departments to work beyond their daily to-dos, causing tension within their […]
As an advancement professional, you’re likely well aware of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey. But, are you aware of the most recent changes? CASE VSE announced upcoming changes in April 2022. If your institution is not yet ready for the changes, now is […]
Advancement services often support many departments by employing their expertise in managing, analyzing, and leveraging data to inform organizational strategy and conduct daily operations that engage and steward stakeholders, supporters, and members. From prospects to alumni and everyone in between, advancement services play a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission. When your […]
Off-the-shelf Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) solutions aren’t the only approaches to address an organization’s data management needs. Many organizations choose to personalize their constituent database, increasing their supportability, stable environment, and standardization. One way to customize your CRM platform is to implement integrations. The old way of doing this required the implementation of […]
Precision Partners has worked with multiple Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) clients and vendors in our years of practice. Through our experience, we’ve seen many vendor relationships in action—some end well, whereas others do not. Here’s our best advice for what to do when your advancement CRM vendor relationship goes sour. Scenario No. […]
Too often in advancement, a data mart and a data warehouse are used as interchanged terms. But they are, in fact, two very different things. Here’s the difference between a data mart and data warehouse and best use scenarios for your advancement needs. Data Mart A data mart is a curated subset of […]
Data validation is a critical step in your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation project. For the best results, you must get out of thinking that anything having to do with data conversion is a technical task or an activity that only requires the involvement of the technical team members. Instead, consider using your […]
How (and when) you communicate with project sponsors is crucial to your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) project’s long-term success. Open and consistent communication keeps your CRM project on track (and in scope)—ultimately supporting your timeline and budget. But sometimes, traditional project communication is no longer enough. It’s time for a digital transformation of […]
Hiring an Advancement Services Executive is essential to your institution’s overall advancement goals. However, doing this requires you to go beyond the resume to understand a candidate’s expectations and what truly motivates them. When you go beyond the resume, you can more effectively align expectations of the role with their interests—subsequently increasing your ability […]
Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems are often based between an “as is” (the current state) and a “to be” (the future state.) However, many project teams and organization leaders consider the future state only from an organizational perspective. Common future state goals may include a documented and managed process like a production process […]
For a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation to succeed, the focus (from the beginning) must be on how the system supports and integrates with (and enhances) an organization’s business processes. It is essential to undergo a business process analysis during your CRM implementation. Doing so will help to uncover challenges within your automation […]
Precision Partners sat down with two workgroup leads from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to discuss their advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation. We discussed the responsibilities of being a workgroup lead, challenges they overcome regularly, and important qualities to have to succeed in this role. Here’s the inside scoop. […]
The implementation of a new advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) is a significant investment of time, money, and resources. It is important to your institution to show this investment was worthwhile. Realizing the full benefits of your CRM implementation requires you to be intentional at the beginning of the project. This includes defining […]
Cloud technologies are becoming a significant investment for organizations of all sizes. Cloud computing increases efficiency, helps improve cash flow, and offers many more benefits. You’re likely aware of how beneficial cloud technology can be if you’ve recently purchased (or considering) a new advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM). This is because many of today’s […]
Data validation checks the accuracy and quality of data before importing and processing during your advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation. Validating the accuracy, clarity, and data details are necessary to mitigate any project defects. Without validation, you run the risk of using inaccurate data. Additionally, having accurate data is an important […]
A new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system can propel your fundraising efforts to new levels. But do you really need a new system? A CRM is a hub for all donor-centric activities, and solutions exist for every organization regardless of size. With the right CRM, your institution can deliver timely, automated, targeted communications […]
Most hosted Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software comes in software as a service (SaaS)—a delivery model where software is licensed to clients on a subscription basis. As a result, you might wonder whether a hosted CRM could offer you the same functionality that in-house CRM solutions provide. Although a hosted CRM might be […]
Advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) databases are essential to your development office. If used correctly, the advancement CRM provides insights about donors and supports their growing relationship with the institution. The advancement CRM can support everyone involved in the donation process through donor-centric interactions. This is important because philanthropists expect organizations to demonstrate […]
You’ve selected a new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system. It’s almost time to go live with the new system. You’ve done the due diligence, chosen the right people for implementation, and put all the pieces in place to create a system that works (and your team will use). Few projects can have as […]
Your organization has purchased a new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) product; now what? After buying a CRM and during implementation, organizations must decide if they should undergo customizations. Customizing a CRM has many benefits but comes with a high cost—in both time and resources. The questions surrounding CRM customizations are common and should be considered […]
You bought a standard Constituent Relationship Management (CRM), and now it’s time to customize it to make sure it works for your specific organization. The application design and prototyping have a precise process, and it’s likely where you’ll spend most of your time. During this process, you’re collaborating with an implementation consultant who may […]
Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation project requires many levels of change. Successful change management must go beyond how-to training on the new CRM product. Users and stakeholders should know how to adapt to the new processes, along with actively using the new language and terminology to operate in the “new world” effectively. One […]
There are thousands of decisions during your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation. These decisions usually involve a myriad of people. Along with managing the project, you’re challenged with trying to balance stakeholder engagement. You want to get buy-in—encouraging the stakeholders to have “skin in the game” and actively participate in the CRM implementation process. […]
Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation project changes your organization’s platform and processes, procedures, and team responsibilities. A CRM project requires your team to drive a transformational business change in a short amount of time, ultimately shifting how they work every day. One of the critical team members in effective change management is the […]
(This is the final article of a four-part series on creating an advancement CRM training program. We hope you enjoyed it!) As we wrap up this content series, we hope you’re well on your way to creating an efficient Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation training program. A CRM training program helps your team operate […]
(This is the third article of a four-part series on creating an advancement CRM training program. Stay tuned for more great content!) If you’ve been following along on our four-part content series, you’re well on your way to creating an effective training program for your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation. To recap on […]
(This is the second article of a four-part series on creating an advancement CRM training program. Stay tuned for more great content!) In case you missed our first article, let’s recap. Implementing an advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) training program is vital for successful long-term adoption. But it also helps to bring everyone […]
We’re amid a moment of dramatic change across American life as people in all industries are quitting their jobs at record numbers. As nationwide labor shortages continue to impact every aspect of everyday life, nonprofits are not exempt. What may be even more concerning is many nonprofits can no longer compete with wages seen in the […]
Implementation of a new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software is the process of centralizing all communications between an organization and its donors. An advancement CRM implementation project involves adopting software with features that match your needs—including storing donor conversations, tracking leads to follow up with, and more. You may think of the entirety of […]
For any organization, implementing a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system is a challenge—bringing about changes on all levels and involving every employee. The promise of a CRM is captivating, but it can be frustrating in practice. A CRM allows organizations to gather constituent data swiftly, identify the most valuable donors over time, and increase […]
(This is the first article of a four-part series on creating an advancement training program. Stay tuned for more great content!) It’s one thing to implement an advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) program, but it’s an entirely different concept to live and breathe it in everyday life—that’s the hard part. Adequate CRM training […]
You’ve decided to move your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system. You’re hoping for a clean break from your legacy system—the current system you’re on when you’ve decided to move on to a new software. However, you realize the transition will provide better data and ease of use once it’s finally up and running. In the […]
There is a discovery phase at the start of all advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) project implementations. The goal during the discovery phase is to understand where you are as an organization, your current processes, and where you want to go. Additionally, during this phase, you identify what prompted you to buy a new CRM, […]
When it comes to your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) partnerships, oftentimes, there is a focus on vendors and consultants. But have you considered your actions as a client and how that affects your CRM project implementation. It’s important to consider what you are bringing to the table at the outset of the advancement CRM […]
Your advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) project implemen- tation can be an enormous undertaking for your organization. Because of this, it is common for there to be various vendors and even a consultant relationship to aid your project. Partnering with a consultant for your CRM project provides ongoing support with your extra undertakings — […]
Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) project implementation requires a lot of moving parts. A CRM implementation will likely require you to have multiple vendors or you might choose to work with a consulting firm. A consulting firm may be your strategic integrator—taking the software you select and assisting in its adoption and integration into your […]
For many years, there has been a tradition of institutions sending their constituents a holiday greeting. Unfortunately, this is usually a long, drawn-out process. Deciding on an appropriate message for your constituent holiday greeting is hard. Constituent holiday greetings require choosing the perfect message. But it can’t be an ordinary message—it must be carefully thought […]
Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation is likely to last through the holidays. On average, for smaller institutions, a CRM project duration is 12 months. Whereas larger institutions, their CRM project can last anywhere from 12–18 months. So, it’s inevitable that your team is going to take your CRM project through the holidays. But work-life […]
It’s that time of year again when the holiday season is quickly approaching. And if you’re in advancement or development, you’re probably thinking about what else this time of year means: the year-end giving rush. In development, the end of year is synonymous with increased giving. In fact, 31 percent of all annual giving occurs […]
You’ve established standards for evaluating your fundraising performance. And you’ve also set goals. Fundraising credit is what gets counted in your development officers’ performance to help determine if they are meeting, below, or exceeding goals. As an institution, you must decide how to establish credit for gifts. Fundraising credit is one of the most […]
Every institution should have baselines for establishing fundraising performance of their development team. Having some strategy and evaluation tool helps set the starting point or the “scoreboard” for how well (or poorly) a program is doing. Make your performance metrics readily available so every team member can easily access the information. Clearly defined fundraising […]
The world of data visualization and analytics is moving fast. However, to remain relevant in the data analytics field, a tool must have that unique mix of power, ease of use, brand recognition, and price. When it comes to Tableau Software https://www.tableau.com and Microsoft Power BI https://powerbi.microsoft.com/, both tools have this “secret sauce,” which is […]
Having a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) communication plan is important, especially during your implementation phase. The way in which you communicate with users before, during, and after your CRM implementation is crucial to the project’s long-term success. Open and consistent communication throughout your CRM implementation keeps your project on track (and in scope)—ultimately supporting your […]
A Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation is a significant undertaking. We’ve discussed this at great length in previous posts. However, whenever undergoing a CRM implementation, many times, institutions neglect to interview stakeholders. But stakeholders play a significant role in determining the success of CRM implementation—their collaboration means crossing the boundaries to full adoption. […]
Change management within the Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation context is about getting users to adopt new processes and practices and the technology that supports them. Change management should be viewed as an integral part of any CRM project. Without change management, the preparedness is very surface level. Attending training on the new CRM […]
There’s never enough time and resources when a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation is underway at your institution. But before you begin, it’s essential to pay attention to the scope of what needs to occur. You may be wondering, what does that entail? Your project is not just about implementing the CRM […]
Undergoing a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation is a significant undertaking. It can become increasingly challenging to juggle all that needs to occur in operations while not derailing your CRM implementation project. Even during an 18-month CRM implementation project, your institution is trying to raise money and increase donor engagement. This is […]
Those in advancement services often face many obstacles when it comes to being pulled in different directions. The first obstacle is time management. They may be faced with managing operational activities on top of a slew of daily tasks. Your advancement team may struggle to allot time for emergencies—the “at the moment need” […]
The number of organizations accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has been steadily growing in recent years. For example, UNICEF has been accepting cryptocurrency since 2019[1], whereas another well-known organization, Save the Children, began taking the digital currency in 2013[2]. For many organizations, the idea of accepting cryptocurrency may feel impossible—you may even […]
Technology has leveled the fundraising playing field for organizations of all sizes—in many cases across the globe. Long ago, fundraising meant a letter in the mail with a return slip and the long wait that followed. Fundraising (not that long ago) required in-person visits and long lead times. Today, it’s so much more. […]
Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) is the set of processes and supporting technologies used to initiate and improve relationships with constituents. CRM is not just a technology that is brought into your institution. It helps you manage relationships with constituents and involves all of the workflows, processes, and reporting that your institution uses to achieve […]
Have you ever wondered how successful colleges and universities convince past students to give something back to their alma mater? Most often, it’s because they’ve established ongoing relationship and engagement strategies with their alumni. An alumni engagement strategy requires careful consideration of things like nostalgia, trust, and emotion. More importantly, it means identifying […]
The global pandemic forced rapid changes across every industry sector, including advancement. As we continue to move toward the new normal, we’re seeing some of those changes—especially regarding the emphasis on online interaction—stick around. Organizations should continue to take advantage of online fundraising platforms and methods to supplement their advancement initiatives. Donors are continuing […]
Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) project implementation often requires outsourcing to meet demands and ease the burden of your in-house staff. When it comes to the technical component of CRM implementation, outsourcing is even more practicable. Outsourcing your CRM technical needs allows you to gain access to a wide variety of aptitudes and expertise […]
Beginning a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation project is a large undertaking. You want it to succeed, but your organization may be pressed with its current resources. CRM project implementation outsourcing is becoming increasingly more common, and it can help you avoid common mistakes. Most organizations choose to outsource to cut costs. But […]
Implementing an Advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform is an intense amount of work in a set time. The change aspect in itself is a huge undertaking—not to mention the task of changing how you do things and your daily job duties. There are learning curves with software technology, and often, the work falls onto […]
Most organizations have little to no control over the structure of their Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) application support staffing models. It’s essential to understand how they are different—plus the pros and cons of each—so you can effectively moderate issues as they arise. The resources available to your project team may vary and are contingent […]
Since 1957, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has collected data on fundraising at U.S. higher education institutions and a select group of private K–12 institutions. This annual survey—Voluntary Support of Education Survey (VSE)—offers institutions the opportunity to understand year-over-year trends compared to their peers. It can be an enormous undertaking […]
You’ve likely contemplated the implementation of an Advancement CRM for quite some time—it’ll save hours of administrative time, offer better future casting, and create a central hub for all your donor profiles. Having your Advancement project run smoothly often comes down to outstanding leadership. Standard project management always has a project sponsor—an executive-level person responsible […]
Data is a significant asset to your organization. It can provide a wealth of information about donors. A growing number of organizations are using data analytics to determine which supporters are most likely to make a significant gift or donate in response to their campaigns. Data privacy is more important than ever before—especially […]
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student education records’ privacy in the United States. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under the U.S. Department of Education’s applicable program. FERPA applies to any public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school and any state or local education agency that receives […]
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) aims to protect the confidentiality and security of information. The Privacy Rule component of the law establishes national standards to protect individuals’ records and other personal health information—setting limits and conditions on how organizations will use the information without a person’s authorization, including usage for fundraising. […]
These days, it’s nearly impossible to find an organization that hasn’t conducted some form of online fundraising. Does your team actively engage and support donors with digital communication? It can be difficult with limited in-person interactions. Plus, the digital environment is a loud and busy space. The competition for donor attention is […]
At times organizations need to raise substantial funds for a specific purpose apart from annual budgets. Typically, campaigns fund tangible things like an expansion, renovation, or restoration. Capital campaigns are always based on an ambitious vision, or more commonly referred to as Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAG). When it comes to capital campaigns, […]
Advancement is becoming increasingly more challenging. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. These unprecedented times are fueled by a global health crisis, world-wide financial turmoil, and political unrest. Markets are volatile with many negative societal implications. Many organizations continue to shutter their face-to-face activities and healthcare systems are strained […]
Implementing Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) initiatives can be overwhelming—they require change, disrupt processes and workflows. They force your organization to think about how you manage your existing data and deciding how you’ll move forward with data collection. Internally, business processes and technology may need to be changed. Externally, constituent experiences can be disrupted, […]
Implementing Business Intelligence (BI)—performance-based data, often acquired through software—enables organizations to access constant reporting, meet reporting requirements faster and easier, and foster a broader culture of accountability and data-driven decision-making. BI data can help you from an operational perspective, fundraising and revenue-hitting goals, and organizational efficiency. Develop and analyze prospects and closely measure […]
Data security is critical to making sure that vital information from your organization is not easily accessible, but maintaining data security isn’t easy. In fact, there have been 540 data breaches this year. That’s 163,551,023 people affected in 2020 so far by breaches in data security. Let’s dive into this critical topic as more […]
Everything You Need to Know About Developing Advancement Operations Procedures We’ve all seen what happens when colleagues think the other followed up with a major donor — and then no one does. Without proper procedures in place, it can be difficult to organize complex programs and maintain efficiency. When it comes to streamlining processes […]
Are you struggling with how to fundraise in the current environment? Many institutions are. The uncertainty created by the pandemic, along with a slowdown in our economy and growing civil unrest, can make it difficult for your voice to be heard. So in these times and beyond, transparency and sensitivity are critical in your […]
I often find myself at the intersection of Advancement Operations and IT Support. I consider both groups my colleagues. From each area I hear the frustrations and challenges about working together. What makes it so difficult for Advancement Operations and IT Support to work together and how can you improve these interactions? Acknowledge and understand […]
For all of my Advancement Colleagues, I have a Precision Practices tip for you. I’m going to talk about the 4 stages that will help you prepare for Data Conversion and increase the success of your CRM Implementation. When I first engage with my clients, I routinely ask – what are your major concerns […]
For all of my colleagues in Advancement Services or for anyone in charge of Advancement Information Systems; I have a Precision Practices tip for you. I’m going to talk about the difference between Implementing a CRM Solution for Advancement versus Implementing CRM Software. If we look at implementing new CRM software as the entirety […]
The promise of having accurate and reliable data is often made as a part of the implementation of a new CRM (constituent relationship management) software. It is that promise that often keeps every VP of Advancement/Development Services up at night trying to figure out how to miraculously transform over 10 years worth of information […]
Why doesn’t Business Process Improvement just happen? This is an important question many institutions are trying to answer. Let me suggest a better question to ask: What challenges will you encounter when trying to improve the critical processes that you use everyday? Let’s investigate why this happens …
Even if they don’t say it, your employees may be thinking it. You might even find yourself asking “What is my job?” and thinking about how your duties have changed since being hired in your present position.
There are two main fundraising models institutions utilize. Transactional fundraising and relationship fundraising. Although fundraisers say they want to build lifelong relationships, many fall into the trap of the transactional fundraising model. Can your current fundraising practices pass the pressure test for Relationship Fundraising?
A common challenge in Fundraising is institutions are requiring more results and an increase in productivity using the fundraising infrastructure that is currently in place.
I am going to start out with a startling announcement. The most important tool in your fundraising toolbox is not your CRM system.
If you are not performing this then you may be missing a great opportunity to improve the success of your new fundraising system. There is really only one way to find out how your staff feels about their new fundraising platform.
(This is Part 2 of a 2 part article. In Part 1 talked about the top 10 reasons why you need to add a Trusted Advisor to your team. In this second part I am going to a little more in depth as to why having one will help keep you up to date on […]
(Because this is such an important topic I decided to run a two part article. The following is part 1.) At some point it becomes necessary to bring on a trusted advisor to take your fundraising efforts to the next level. As with any business endeavor it helps to get the perspective of someone that […]
Now that you have finally decided to migrate all the fundraising data you have in various places to a sleek new CRM database there remains only one problem. How are you going to achieve a donor database that provides clean data, solid reports and a staff that buys into the process? Who are you […]
Institutions are now required by their Boards to provide more transparency and accountability for Fundraising Campaigns. This has prompted an array of metrics that not only evaluate progress towards fundraising goals but also evaluates daily productivity. Here are some metrics that might look familiar… Number of Face to Face Visits Number of Phone Calls Number of […]
If you are a diligent Project Sponsor and made sure that your team complied with industry best practices at the end of your project you participated in a Lessons Learned activity that pulled together the entire team to reflect on the project… What worked worked well in the course of the project? In what areas are there opportunities for improvement? […]
I worked with one of my clients to plan the kick off meeting for their CRM Implementation project. I started with my workshop Tools and Techniques – Planning a Successful Project Kick Off Meeting and the team was brainstorming on how to meet each objective of the meeting.. Inspire – establish a context that is […]
Author: Dauwn Parker, Principal Consultant at Precision Partners Maximizing the benefits of Constituent Relationship Management systems has become critical for organizations that are looking to solidify the long-term viability of their fundraising, advocacy, and advancement programs. This has created an urgency for organizations to find answers to the following question… Why do so many Constituent […]