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What CRM Are Local Nonprofits Using?

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Choosing a donor database or constituent relationship management (CRM) system can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options available, nonprofits often rely on peer recommendations and real-world experiences to help guide their decisions.

To learn more about what local organizations are using, Spokes recently surveyed nonprofit professionals throughout SLO County. Respondents represented organizations of varying sizes and missions. While the sample size was small, the responses offer a useful snapshot of the systems organizations are using, what they value most, and what they wish they had known before making a decision.

CRM Platforms in Use

CRM Platforms Reported by Respondents

  • DonorPerfect (4)
  • Bloomerang (3)
  • Salesforce (3)
  • Neon CRM (2)
  • Blackbaud (2)
  • Network for Good (2)
  • Little Green Light (1)
  • Wild Apricot (1)
  • Givebutter (1)
  • Other Systems (4)

Some organizations reported using more than one platform, so totals exceed the number of survey respondents.

Survey respondents reported using a wide variety of platforms, with no single CRM dominating the field. Several organizations indicated they use multiple systems to support fundraising, membership management, events, and donor engagement.

The diversity of responses highlights an important reality: the best CRM depends on your organization’s size, fundraising model, staffing capacity, reporting needs, and budget.

Are Organizations Happy with Their CRM?

  • 😊 Satisfied or Very Satisfied: 62%
  • 😐 Neutral: 31%
  • ☹️ Dissatisfied: 8%

While no system was universally praised, most organizations indicated that their CRM meets their core needs for donor management, fundraising, and constituent tracking.

What Nonprofits Value Most

Donor Management

Online Giving Integration

Membership & Event Management

Ease of Use

Reporting & Data Access

When asked what they appreciate most about their CRM, respondents frequently cited the ability to manage donor relationships, process online gifts, track memberships and events, access fundraising data, and streamline day-to-day operations.

Common Challenges

Cost

Reporting Limitations

Learning Curve

Integrations

Even satisfied users noted challenges. Affordability, reporting functionality, staff training, and connecting CRM systems with other software tools were among the most common concerns.

Advice from Your Peers

Start with strategy before evaluating software.

Clearly define your goals, workflows, reporting needs, and staff capacity before comparing platforms.

Talk to other nonprofits before making a decision.

Peer recommendations and firsthand experiences can provide valuable insight that vendor demonstrations may not reveal.

Don’t pay for features you won’t use.

Several respondents cautioned against selecting the most robust or expensive system without first assessing what functionality is truly necessary.

Consider your organization’s unique needs.

A CRM that works well for one nonprofit may not work for another. Membership organizations, performing arts groups, social service agencies, and foundations often have very different requirements.

Takeaway

Whether you’re evaluating a new CRM or making the most of your current one, local nonprofits agree: take time to understand your needs, seek peer input, and choose a solution that fits your organization rather than chasing the latest features.

Interested in learning more? Spokes has access to the full survey responses and would be happy to share additional insights with member organizations. If you’re exploring a particular CRM platform and would like to connect with a fellow nonprofit that has firsthand experience using it, we’re also happy to help facilitate those conversations.

Effectively Communicating Impact

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In an increasingly competitive grants landscape, we’ve been thinking a lot about how nonprofits can effectively communicate their impact. In fact, we’re excited to collaborate with Carsel Consulting Group to offer an upcoming workshop, Using Data to Strengthen Your Story for Funders, on May 20—save the date!

We’ve also been following Blue Avocado, where they recently polled readers on how they communicate impact. Responses ranged from data dashboards and formal reports to storytelling that centers real experiences.

Read more HERE.

Nonprofit Storytelling

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In our recent Board Academy session focused on Fundraising and Resource Development, we discussed the importance of storytelling. To create a lasting emotional connection with the general public, media and donors, your board of directors––and actually every member of your organization––should be prepared to tell their own impactful story as it relates to your organization’s mission.

Given recent executive actions affecting nonprofits, storytelling to donors, media and Congress is increasingly critical. You need to be able to effectively communicate why your organization is important, and what would happen if it wasn’t here?

Here are some components of effective nonprofit storytelling from ChatGPT:

1. A Relatable Protagonist

  • Focus on a real person, group, or community that has benefited from your work.
  • The protagonist should be someone your audience can empathize with.

2. A Compelling Challenge

  • Highlight the struggle or problem the protagonist faced before your nonprofit stepped in.
  • Make the challenge specific, urgent, and emotionally resonant.

3. A Clear Resolution (Impact of Your Work)

  • Show how your nonprofit’s intervention made a difference.
  • Use concrete details, data, and personal testimonials to illustrate success.

4. Emotional Connection

  • Use emotions like hope, joy, or perseverance to engage your audience.
  • Show, don’t just tell—use vivid descriptions, quotes, and imagery.

5. A Call to Action (CTA)

  • Inspire your audience to take action (donate, volunteer, share the story, etc.).
  • Make the CTA clear, direct, and easy to follow.

6. Authenticity and Transparency

  • Stay true to the story and avoid exaggeration or manipulation.
  • If using real individuals, obtain permission and respect their privacy.

7. Multi-Channel Delivery

  • Use visuals, videos, and testimonials to enhance engagement.
  • Adapt your story for different platforms (social media, website, email, video, etc.).

Check out this Forbes article for more storytelling tips and tools. If you’re looking to invest in your storytelling abilities, the annual Nonprofit Storytelling Conference is a great resource.

Analyzing a New Fundraising Campaign

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During a recent Development Directors Roundtable, a participant expressed disappointment that a new fundraising campaign, which she had been excited about and had high hopes for, was yielding low returns. A discussion ensued about whether to bolster efforts—or throw in the towel.

While everyone agreed the campaign seemed like a strong idea, it was suggested that some further analysis was necessary.

I found an article from OneCause that offers a few reasons why taking time to analyze your fundraising campaign or event is worthwhile:

  • It helps you track how your campaign is doing so you can make adjustments and improvements along the way.
  • It tells you how well the campaign performed against your goals.
  • It puts benchmark data in place that you can use to improve future fundraising campaigns.

HERE are their 5 Tips for Analyzing Your Online Fundraising Campaigns.

Rethinking Charity

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Recently I received an announcement that our local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is having a showing and discussion of Uncharitable, a feature-length documentary that “exposes the dark side of philanthropy and introduces a radical new way of giving.” That intrigued me. I learned the title comes from a book of the same name by Dan Pallotta, which led me to this TED Talk.

It’s fascinating and I wanted to share it! See what you think.

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