Database recommendation - Is Microsoft Access still the standard

I am not sure about the rules in the forum; I have a suggestion but it is a product I am connected with.  I was not able to PM you, seems perhaps because the account is new (tells me no such uses as GenOne).  You can email me at my forum email, info@machonmiriamchana.org .

You can tell users about a product even if you are connected with it IF the product is a good answer to the user's question.

But if the user is asking about something specific like Quickbooks, then you should not be telling them about your accounting program if you are connected with it. Someone that is NOT connected with a product can mention it, but for the most part the reply should directly answer the user's question.

Thank you for being considerate of our forum rules in your message! We appreciate it very much!

Hi GenOne. Welcome to TechSoup!

I wish I had an easy answer for you. While there are many options for volunteer management, case management, school management, relationship management, etc. I can't think of one that would be appropriate for a startup with a limited budget and limited (if any) tech staff. Idealware has published guides to various types of systems (e.g., volunteer management, case management, CRM, and many others) that should help identify options and costs. They also published a report called CRM Integration for Nonprofits that might help, since there may not be a single system (that you can afford) that does everything you want.

MS Access is certainly an option, as are numerous other do-it-yourself database management systems. But I'm leery of this approach: it usually takes a lot more time, focus, planning, project control, tech support (and often money) than you can envision at the start. I wrote about this issue here. I'm also leery of "free" systems for the same reasons. See The True Costs of Free and Low-Cost Software and There Ain’t No Such Thing As a Free Software Package

Rather than plunging into a do-it-yourself or on-the-cheap project, you might be best off looking for capacity building grants or donations that will support the cost of acquiring or building your software (recognizing that there will probably be ongoing costs as well). 

Our software package, V-Manager, will probably do almost all of what you need.  We will also help you set it up and implement it to accomplish your goals. You can arrange a demo by emailing me at info at machonmiriamchana.org JUST EDITED AND FIXED TYPE

I've been in the database environment for 30+ years, the last 15 of which in the Microsoft space.  Do not get involved with Access unless all you want is single user and all sorts of frustration.  If you want some simple CRM tools, you could look at Salesforce.  They do offer some help for non-profits.  

Just please don't consider Access anything other than a proof of concept or a toy.