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Implementing an Advancement CRM? Don’t Forget Risk Management

Having an emergency plan before the emergency occurs increases the success of your advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation. A successful risk management program helps you consider the full range of risks your advancement CRM implementation may face. Risk management also examines the relationship between different types of risks and the cascading impact they could have on […]

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A Concise Strategy for Maintaining CRM Procedure Documentation Post Go-Live

Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) Go-Live is both an end and a beginning. It culminates many months of preparation, data cleansing, system design and testing, and training.   And once the system has successfully gone live and you’ve overcome initial challenges, the team still has vital roles to play. Firstly, you need to establish a concise […]

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Creating a Culture of Philanthropy Across the Institution

Institutions often struggle when it comes to advancement. But it is to be expected because it’s not their core business. Their core business is to educate students, conduct ground-breaking research, and contribute to the academic community. The same is true for healthcare organizations who may also struggle when it comes to advancement because their focus […]

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Streamlining Advancement Gift Operations with Next Level Automation

Gift operations processing is the backbone of fundraising. However, many institutions have a hefty volume of manual gift entry that requires many staff hours and much personnel power. Increasing your gift volume but simultaneously taking on operational overhead is not a winning combination. Not to mention, this back-office element prevents growth and hinders institutional strategies […]

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Strategies to Leverage the Power of Analytics in Fundraising

We are moving toward an increasingly data-driven world where leveraging analytics has become the fabric of business as well as building effective fundraising strategies. But the advancement industry still seems to lag and remain focused on traditional approaches.   Those who can get on board and leverage data analytics will rise above the masses and […]

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Grateful Patient Fundraising Programs, Success and Compliance go Hand in Hand

A grateful patient program, sometimes called “Grateful Giving,” is a fundraising initiative that healthcare institutions use to cultivate relationships with patients whose lives have been positively affected by their providers and services. These fundraising programs allow patients to express their gratitude while simultaneously helping institutions. Like all fundraising, a grateful patient fundraising program requires the […]

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Data Governance Committee, Best Practices for Your New Advancement CRM

In today’s data-driven world, organizations recognize the critical role of governance in managing and leveraging their data effectively. Effective data governance is essential to guarantee data quality, regulatory compliance, and enable better decision-making.    By establishing a solid data governance framework, organizations can unlock the full potential of their data assets and drive success.   […]

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60 Day Window of Opportunity Driving Your Advancement CRM Adoption After Go Live

A lot of planning and energy happens during a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation, and when you cross the Go-Live mark, you may think your work is done—that’s far from the truth.   After Go-Live, another level of focus and work needs to be done. This is because up to this point, everything you’ve discussed […]

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Go Time, How to Establish an Effective Go-Live Command Center for Your CRM

Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation is a big undertaking—one that takes many months of planning and work. As you head closer toward Go-Live, you might be anticipating an end of the to-dos. But reaching Go-Live is just the beginning and not the time to retreat.    Regardless of your CRM platform, a Go-Live Command […]

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Maximizing Impact for Advancement Operations with Limited Resources and Budget

Advancement operations—fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor relations—are crucial to an institution’s success. However, many institutions face the challenge of limited resources and budgets when it comes to Advancement.    The key to success lies in strategic planning, adaptability, and a relentless focus on your institution’s mission. With the right approach and a dedicated team, you […]

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The Top 7 Creative and Effective Fundraising Strategies to Engage Donors and Increase Giving

Staying adaptable and open to new fundraising ideas for your institution is essential—especially as the fundraising landscape evolves. To remain effective and thriving during this evolution, you must instill not only creativity but analysis of strategy performance, seek feedback from donors, and have a willingness to adjust your approach to meet their preferences.   Combining […]

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Building Bridges: Leveraging Partnerships for Impactful Fundraising at an Institution

  In today’s competitive fundraising landscape, institutions must explore innovative ways to secure financial support for their initiatives. One effective strategy is to create and leverage partnerships with corporations and other organizations.    These collaborations can open new avenues for fundraising, foster community engagement, and drive impactful change.    Here are nine tips to make […]

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Navigating the Storm: Effective Crisis Management and Communication Strategies for an Institution’s Go-Live Date

  The anticipation of an institution’s Go-Live date for a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system can be both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing. This milestone represents a crucial juncture, and disruptions of any kind may trigger far-reaching consequences.   If you find yourself amid a crisis during your CRM implementation, it’s imperative to enact an effective crisis […]

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60 Days Until Your CRM Go Live, Here’s Your Two Minute Offense to Finish Strong

  Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation Go Live date is 60 days away. You’ve already put in a lot of work, but the last 60 days are no time to retreat.   We discuss a two-minute offense to help you finish strong. Prioritization Prioritization is your biggest asset to finishing your CRM implementation strong. […]

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Tips for Delivering Bad News to Stakeholders During an Advancement CRM Implementation

  Unforeseen obstacles or challenges during a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation are inevitable. The worst thing you could try to do is hide it from your stakeholders—that is a recipe for disaster. When enduring obstacles or challenges during a CRM implementation, the objective, whether good or bad, should be clear and transparent communication to […]

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Streamline Your Advancement CRM Implementation with a Data Assessment

  Introducing a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) into your institution’s operations boasts features like workflow automation, data integration, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven insights. But these things can only be fully realized with the proper data foundation.   The importance of laying an appropriate groundwork for your data during a CRM implementation cannot be overstated. By […]

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Three Ways an Advancement Services & Support Assessment Supports Your CRM Implementation

  Every organization’s strength lies in its people. And in the dynamic landscape of Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems, the right team setup becomes the cornerstone of operational success.    However, in our experience, organizations forget to assess staffing skills before diving into a CRM implementation.    Conducting a staffing skills assessment helps identify areas […]

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Guidelines for Building a Successful Advancement CRM Training Program

  Maximizing Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software is only possible when users know how to use its various functionalities. They must also understand how the use of the tool fits into their day-to-day business processes.    The level of understanding is often a result of what is being delivered in your training program and who […]

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Advancement CRM Guidelines for a Great User Experience Design

  Advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, particularly on Salesforce, have opened a new world for tailoring the user experience. But for anyone who has embarked on a project like this, you likely quickly learned it was a blessing and a curse.    While having endless possibilities is a great thing, it can sometimes become […]

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The Elephant in Advancement, Top 5 Reasons for Low User Adoption of a New CRM Platform

  Here’s what we all agree on—it is vital for an institution to nurture relationships, manage engagement, and drive successful fundraising initiatives. But low user adoption rates after implementing an advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform can be frustrating.    The most cited CRM user adoption challenges across professions and industries are attributed to lack […]

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Engaging Millennials, Developing an Effective Advancement Strategy

  Advancement departments may consider Baby Boomers and Generation X as the most likely to contribute when it comes to donor relations and securing donations. The Millennial generation accounts for 21.67% of the population as opposed to Baby Boomers (20.58%) and Generation X (19.61%), according to a 2023 Statista report.   Millennials are quickly growing […]

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Evaluating Your Executive Leadership Team Readiness During an Advancement CRM Implementation

  When identifying project sponsors for your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation, most organizations choose an executive leader with an outgoing personality who can garner excitement about the project.    But it takes more than a vibrant personality to lead a successful advancement CRM implementation. And having successful leadership for your CRM implementation may be […]

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Benefits of Having a Project Adviser During an Advancement CRM Implementation

  You’re beginning an advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation and you just selected your implementation team. This team likely includes members of your in-house leadership team, software vendor, and possibly a firm that manages the implementation.    It seems like you’ve got your whole team together, so why would you need a project adviser? […]

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Are You Exceeding Your Staff’s Capacity for Change?

  The natural tendency of leadership during a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation is to change everything all at once. But this is a dangerous way of thinking because the human experience can’t manage change in every aspect simultaneously.    Not to mention the restricted timeline of a CRM project—users can’t handle this amount of […]

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Measuring Your Advancement CRM Project Success: Going Beyond Time and Budget

  Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform impacts every facet of your organization. Because it is so deeply ingrained in everything you do, you must have ways to measure its success. Measuring the long-term success of a CRM implementation must go beyond time and budget.   This is because advancement CRM platforms are starkly different […]

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Continually Evolving CRM Training: Barriers to Consider During Planning

  Technology-based learning remains a staple, especially with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) training. But organizations are left wondering how they can adjust to accommodate evolution and keep users engaged.    The first step is to stop looking at training as a one-time event and start considering it as a process.   A training process includes […]

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Business Process Improvement During an Advancement CRM Implementation

  You’re embarking on a new advancement in Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation, and everyone is excited about the possibility of improvements.   Institutions assume that by implementing a CRM and overhauling their business processes, everything changes.    Advancement CRM implementations can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months. Many of the behaviors that users […]

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Data Quality, We Are All in This Together

  Creating a robust data quality framework is essential to ensure that your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation remains a powerful tool for your organization.    But in some cases, stakeholders and users in advancement may be less inclined to trust the data in the system—especially during the beginning stages of your CRM implementation.    […]

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CRM Implementation Tips from an Industry Leader: Benefits and Challenges

  Implementing a new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform may feel like an impossible feat—one you know will benefit your organization but wonder if it’s worth the cost (both fiscally and personally).    We sat down with Binti Harvey, Vice President for External Relations and Institutional Advancement at Scripps College, to discover the benefits and […]

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How Being Uncompromising Helps Advancement Operations Gain Clarity During a Campaign

  We all pride ourselves on being adaptable and flexible in today’s world. While a reasonable effort, especially in rapidly changing industries, there is some benefit to instilling more rigidity in some areas, especially regarding advancement operations during a project campaign.   An advancement campaign is an organized, targeted fundraising endeavor over a specified time […]

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How to Manage Leadership Transition During an Advancement CRM Implementation

  Leadership transitions are typically high-stakes, high-tension events. When asked to rank life’s challenges in order of difficulty, the top one is “making a transition at work”—ahead of grief, divorce, and health issues, according to a McKinsey & Company report.   But the leadership transition is even more stressful if the departure is announced during […]

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Advancement CRM Implementations: The Impact of Scope Creep

  When implementing a new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform, there is a philosophy in the advancement industry to get the minimally viable product up and running as quickly as possible.    But as organizations get closer to Go Live with their minimally viable product, they begin to experience it first-hand, and discomfort may set […]

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Five Missteps of Your Advancement CRM Training

  Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) training takes time and requires resources and effort from both the users and the organization. A strategic plan for training is necessary to succeed and get the most return on investment of your CRM platform.    But sometimes missteps happen during your advancement CRM training that hinders adoption.    We […]

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Data Integration Strategy, A Must for CRM Advancement Implementation

  Data integration efforts with an advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation often accompany adding additional tasks to your project. But this approach often confuses and wastes time and effort because resources are moving in opposing directions.    This is why a data integration strategy is a must for CRM advancement implementation. Your data integration […]

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Things to Consider as a Functional Lead to Boost Your CRM Implementation Strategy

  The functional lead or product owner is critical in bringing together the technology of your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation. Ultimately, the functional lead advocates for executive leadership and stakeholder expectations.    But what does it take to succeed in this role?    We sat down with Erica Douglas, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Business […]

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Adopting Change, Vulnerability is Your Superpower

  Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platforms empower high-performing advancement teams. Their extensive benefits include better organizational flow, quality donor data, increased productivity, and more.    But a CRM is only impactful if it is adopted successfully. Too often, there are barriers to user adoption, especially when learning technology, business processes, and using the CRM system […]

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Are Your Stakeholders Really Ready for Your CRM Implementation?

  The reality of change that comes with implementing an advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) is surrounded by establishing new processes, technology, application platforms, and individual staff member responsibilities.    When institutions evaluate stakeholders about change, the response is often excitement—they’re hoping to embrace the change. But too often, their actions contradict their words.    […]

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Keeping Subject Matter Experts Engaged in an Advancement CRM Implementation

  Implementing a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) is already challenging for most organizations. The success (or failure) of your CRM is greatly dependent on many variables, but especially on stakeholders like your subject matter experts (SMEs).   Advancement CRM implementations can last 12 months or more—SMEs are critical resources and are required for the success […]

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Salesforce Platform for Advancement, Knowing What It Takes to Manage Releases

  When switching to a cloud-based Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) application, like Salesforce, saving money is a top priority. But what you’re actually getting is an entire collective where features are rolled out consistently.    With cloud-based CRM platforms, you’re thrust into an environment with a cadence of more frequent upgrades. You may be looking […]

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Long Lasting Effects of a CRM Implementation and Changing How You Do Things

  Implementing a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system can feel daunting. There is much to consider during project planning—from the initial setup to the ongoing maintenance.    CRM project planning should be about tasks and deadlines but also intentional about the environment you’re creating for your most valuable assets: your team members. A CRM implementation […]

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The E4 Learning Approach: Effective Training for a Successful CRM Implementation

  It is tempting to learn your new Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) all at once. But doing a “blitz” training immediately before going live can hinder a successful adoption.    Cramming information before going live and expecting positive results is not mindful of how the human mind works. This blitz training is anxiety-inducing. The mind […]

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Operational Excellence in Advancement, Can You Have It All? 


  Operational excellence is critical for any institution looking to stay on top of the latest trends and ensure long-term success. Achieving operational excellence requires thoughtful planning and dedication from everyone involved.   But like every industry, advancement has a triple constraint challenge when it comes to achieving operational excellence, including: Donor centric Operation excellence […]

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Building a Grateful Patient Program During a Recession

  As fundraisers look ahead to the new year, many see storm clouds gathering on the horizon.    There has yet to be a marked shift in donor behavior, but some fundraisers say it’s only a matter of time until that changes because of inflation and a possible economic recession.   A poor economy presents […]

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Best Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence in Fundraising

    Artificial intelligence (AI) can be traced back to World War II. The famous mathematician, Alan Turing, helped the Allied Forces crack the Nazi encryption machine. At the war’s end in 1945, Turing focused on computing machinery, famously positing whether “machines could think.” His writings laid the foundation for a future vision of artificial […]

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Donor Retention Strategies: Inspiring Donors for Continued Giving

  Donors are a vital part of any nonprofit—their support aids the overall impact of your mission. But donor retention rates continue to diminish year after year. In fact, donors who gave in the first quarter of 2021 and again in the first quarter of 2022 fell by 6.2%, according to the Foundation for Philanthropy […]

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Preparing Your User Support Team for Your Advancement CRM Implementation

  Your application support team for your advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation is crucial to supporting users and preventing insufficient data or an unsuccessful adoption. But what is a user support team, and who are the members?    There are two groups that are important to a user support team: application support and Subject […]

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How Do You Implement Your New Advancement CRM in a Decentralized Environment?

  When doing your advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation, you need input from a cross-functional team of stakeholders. This helps to understand the requirements and expectations across the board. Specifically, identifying what is required for the new advancement CRM in the way it’s configured and implemented that would enable and support the business needs […]

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How to Select the Right CRM Go Live Date for Your Institution

  Your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation requires many resources. Going live with your CRM project is the culmination of weeks, months, and sometimes even years of groundwork, project planning, preparation, execution, monitoring, and controls involving an institution’s internal and external stakeholders.    Your go-live is when something becomes available for use—moving from the test […]

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Three Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Your CRM Go Live Date

  Ensuring a successful advancement Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation requires strategic planning on various levels—including careful consideration of your go-live date. Going live is a massive change for every user impacted by the new CRM. It’s also stressful—for some, more than others.    Universally, there are types of dates you should avoid. Here are […]

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Comparing Remote vs. In-Person for Your CRM Implementation User Training Delivery

  The last two years have brought up unique considerations regarding work environments—especially the ability to work in various locations. The significant shift toward remote or hybrid options has created a unique set of challenges to consider as you plan for your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation project user training delivery.   As you begin […]

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An Important Resource for Your CRM Implementation: FAQs

  During your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation project, usually there are a subset of individuals living and breathing the project. But the finalized CRM project impacts beyond this small subset of individuals.    Things get even more complicated factoring in remote teams and time zone differences.    This is why it is essential to […]

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Three Tips to Optimize Your CRM Data Validation Sprint

  Data Validation is a set of capabilities that leverages your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) integration. A “data validation sprint,” from an agile methodology standpoint, is a set period of doing specific work that must be completed and reviewed at the end. A data validation sprint aims to build a series of experiments that will […]

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Training and Education During the Exposure Stage of Your CRM Implementation

  Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software benefits your organization in many ways, especially when your staff is trained to use the CRM efficiently. Your approach to training and education should empower your entire team to take advantage of every part of your CRM software.    When it comes to training and education, there are four […]

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Building a CRM Application Administration Team for Advancement Operations

  Organizations tend to focus too much on their Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) technologies and not enough on the personnel manning the technology. In other words, many organizations use CRM tools as if it is the sole ingredient to a successful donor strategy. Unfortunately, without the human touch, this approach isn’t practical.   Application administration […]

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Things to Consider in the First Months of CRM Implementation

  Achieving a successful and fully adopted Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform can be an organization’s most challenging task. Finding and implementing an effective CRM takes considerable time and resources. In its entirety, the challenges of CRM implementation can be significant. But one of the reasons why organizations struggle is they often start the process […]

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Enterprise Data Management and the Importance to Institutional Advancement Operations

  In the age of so much information and the ability to collect data at different touch points, an entire methodology has emerged: enterprise data management (EDM.) EDM is the ability of an organization to precisely define, easily integrate, and effectively retrieve data for both internal applications and external communication. In addition, it focuses on […]

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How to Avoid CRM Project Meeting Fatigue

  Meetings, of course, have their purpose and are an important part of your Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) implementation. But unnecessary and ineffective meetings—especially Zoom meetings—can negatively impact psychological, physical, and mental well-being. And the number of meetings has increased significantly (13%) since the start of the pandemic.   Your CRM implementation is a big undertaking and […]

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Three Tips to Help Increase User Adoption of Your CRM Platform

  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 […]

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Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Cut Your CRM Training Budget

  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 […]

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Change Management Should Include Acknowledging the Current State of Society

  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 […]

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Common Misconceptions of Organizational Change Management During Your CRM Implementation

  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 […]

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Your Institution Bought Salesforce, Now What?

  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 […]

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Interdepartmental Relationships Impact Your Institution: Here’s How to Repair Them

  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 […]

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The CASE VSE Survey Requirements are Changing, Are You Prepared?

  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 […]

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Four Areas to Consider as You Prioritize Your Advancement Resources

  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 […]

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Paradigm Shift for Integrating Advancement CRM Platforms with Other Applications

  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 […]

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Here’s What to Do When Your Advancement CRM Vendor Relationship Goes Bad

  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. […]

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Data Mart vs. a Data Warehouse: What’s the Difference?

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 […]

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Data Validation Is a Critical Step in The CRM Process: Here’s What to Consider

  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 […]

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How to Create a Project Sponsor Video Message for a CRM Implementation

  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 […]

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Hiring an Advancement Services Executive: What to Consider Beyond the Resume

  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 […]

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Change Management: How to Transition from Current State to Future State

  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 […]

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How to Evaluate Your Business Processes During a CRM Implementation

  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 […]

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Workgroup Lead for Advancement CRM Implementation: The Inside Scoop

  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. […]

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How to Establish Goals for Your Advancement CRM Project

  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 […]

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Stronger Data Security for Cloud Vendors Becomes Standardized

  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 […]

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Preparing for Data Validation During Your Advancement CRM Implementation

  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 […]

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Will a New Advancement CRM System Really Make a Difference?

  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 […]

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Three Things to Consider When Choosing a Hosting Partner for Your CRM Application

  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 […]

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Frequent Complaints and How You Can Encourage Use of Your Advancement CRM

  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 […]

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How to Write a Go Live Support Plan for Your CRM Project Implementation

  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 […]

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Evaluating a Customization for CRM Implementation: Cost vs. Value

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 […]

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Overlooked Phases During Application Design and Prototyping of Your CRM Implementation

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 […]

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Change Management: Building Knowledge and Skills for Your CRM Implementation

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 […]

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How to Support Stakeholders in Making Decisions During a CRM Implementation

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.   […]

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How-To Guide for Choosing a Great Subject Matter Expert

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 […]

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How to Create the Becoming an Expert Section of Your Advancement CRM Training Program

(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 […]

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How to Create the Building Proficiency Section of Your Advancement CRM Training Program

(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 […]

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How to Create the Learning the Basics Section for Your Advancement CRM Training Program

  (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 […]

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The Great Resignation: Is this a Challenge or Opportunity for Advancement?

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 […]

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Guiding Principles for A Successful Advancement CRM Implementation

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 […]

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The Project Team Mindset for a Successful Advancement CRM Implementation

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 […]

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Implementing a CRM Advancement Training Program? Start here.

(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 […]

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Updating Your Legacy Database Documentation, What Are the Benefits?

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 […]

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Discovery Sessions: A Blueprint for Success

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, […]

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Are you an Unattractive Client?

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 implementation. […]

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Developing A Successful Partnership with Your Consultant

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 — […]

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3 Tips for a Productive Partnership and Successful Vendor Management

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 […]

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Five Tips to Get Creative with Your Constituent Holiday Greetings

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 […]

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Managing Your CRM Implementation Through the Holidays

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 […]

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Preparing for the Year-End Giving Rush

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 […]

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Fundraising Credit and How to Watch Out for Bad Behavior

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 […]

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What’s Considered Fundraising Performance and Do You Have It Covered?

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 […]

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How is Tableau Software different from Microsoft Power BI?

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 […]

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Here’s How to Give Your Advancement CRM Project Communication a Digital Refresh

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 […]

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You Need to Conduct the Stakeholder Interview During a CRM Implementation and Here’s Why

  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.   […]

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Here’s Why It’s Important to Focus on Change Management During a CRM Implementation

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 […]

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Six Steps to Help You Understand the Scope of Your Advancement CRM Implementation

    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 […]

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Overcome the Challenge of Managing Advancement Operations During a CRM Implementation 

    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 […]

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5 Tips to Offset the Daily Struggle of Advancement Services and Support Your Development Officers

    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” […]

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Are You Ready to Accept Cryptocurrency Gifts? Here’s What You Need to Know

    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 […]

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DonorSearch and Affinaquest Partnership: Here’s What Your Organization Needs to Know

  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. […]

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3 Documents You Should Maintain for Your Advancement CRM Platform

  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 […]

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3 Steps for Engaging and Connecting with Alumni

  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 […]

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Opportunities for Capitalizing on Post-Pandemic Fundraising Online

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 […]

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When Outsourcing During CRM Implementation, Don’t Forget These Technical Components

  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 […]

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3 Components to Consider Outsourcing for Your Advancement CRM Implementation

  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 […]

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3 Dirty Secrets to Consider During an Advancement CRM Implementation

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 […]

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Understanding Staffing Models for CRM Application Support

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 […]

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3 Reasons Why Your School Should Participate in the CASE VSE Survey

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 […]

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Here’s How to Ensure A Successful Advancement CRM Project Sponsorship

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 […]

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Data Privacy and Security—Classifying Data for Advancement

  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 […]

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Review of FERPA Regulations—Dos and Don’ts for Fundraising

  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 […]

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Review of HIPAA Regulations—Dos and Don’ts for Fundraising

  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.   […]

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Best Practices for Digital Communication with Donors

    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 […]

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5 Questions to Assess Your Campaign Readiness for Advancement

  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, […]

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5 Best Practices to Ease Your Advancement CRM Online Training

  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 […]

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Focus on These Critical Areas If You Are Implementing a New Advancement CRM

  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, […]

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How to Develop Your Business Intelligence Team in 5 Steps

  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 […]

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Data Security: A Primer for Advancement Leadership

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 […]

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Developing Advancement Operations Procedures

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 […]

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Current State of Advancement: Is Your Acknowledgment Process COVID-19 Proof?

  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 […]

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How to Improve Your Advancement and IT Partnership

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 […]

Know the Difference – Implementing a CRM Solution for Advancement

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 […]

How to Select the Right Project Manager to migrate your Fundraising Database to a New CRM system

  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 […]

Calling all Frontline Fundraisers – What’s in it for 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 […]

This is not warm and fuzzy

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 […]

Let’s evaluate your CRM

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 […]