Managing a membership organization can mean tracking a lot of complicated information about members, donations, products, and more. Fortunately, there's a large market of databases that address these complexities. The Idealware article
A Few Good Databases for Membership Organizations (now up in TechSoup's
Databases section) weighs in on a variety of solutions.
Have you tried any of the databases covered in this article? Let us know how it worked out, and what you recommend.
Joined on 03-21-2006
TechSoup Member
No one article can highlight the *many* products out there, but I have to say BasicFunder (http://www.basicfunder.com) ranks with them.
Its simple to use (everybody is these days I hope), low cost (not everyone - unlimited networked users - without additional cost), and feature rich = excellent value proposition.
Joined on 02-07-2004
TechSoup Member
I work with a non-profit organization that helps individuals with Microenterprise development. We started with an Access database and have now moved to Salesforce.com. This online CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool can be modified to suit your needs and it's free to non-profits. They offer 10 user licenses. I highly recommend this company. We have been with them since July of 2004. Follow this link to visit the Salesforce.com Foundation site and get more information: http://www.salesforcefoundation.org/salesforce/non_profits.html
David Donica
Jefferson Economic Development Institute
Joined on 09-24-2004
TechSoup Member
Interesting article, though in some cases larger organizations have developed their own, customized programs. For example, the American Lung Association is implementing MRS DataTrack, a system that incorporates an infinitely detailed donor database, content management, e-commerce, data manipulation tools, direct mail processing and reporting functions. Additionally, MRS could be (but isn't currently) adapted to take on e-advocacy funtions.
Joined on 02-23-2006
TechSoup Member
I highly recommend the vtiger crm solution. You won't have to worry about licenses and modify it any way you like. You can try it out here:
http://remotedev.org/vtiger2/index.php
username: "myguest"
password: "myguest"
Joined on 03-29-2006
TechSoup Member
We're a small nonproft that uses eTapestry. While it successfuly brought us out of Access, we are rapidly growing out of it. We are bringing eCommerce onto the site, which they provide and we've been using, but there are little things like $75 maitenence fees for tweaks to confirmation emails and the like that are driving me nuts. Also, for our product pages with shipping, we had to custom our shipping numbers, as eTapestry is not built to be hooked up with USPS or UPS, but they do desire to do so.
I am looking for a database management system that can accomidate our website users, which is its own database that was custom built. We also custom built our content management system. We would like a boutique eventually, and eTapestry will not allow for the kind of functions we want with it. Not affordably, anyway. If anyone knows of a database that can work WITH our website database (combine our 7500 account database with new registered user database on the website), and be integrated, let me know.
Joined on 02-23-2006
TechSoup Member
you may want to look at an oscommerce solution:
http://www.oscommerce.com/solutions/oscommerce
or, zencart
http://www.zen-cart.com/modules/freecontent/index.php?id=1
Both are free, open source solutions which you, or someone you know, can modify to suit your needs.
Joined on 03-21-2001
Los Angeles
"I highly recommend the vtiger crm solution."
That demo site doesn't have any dummy data. Seems hard to get an idea of how it operates. Do they want users to put data in there and leave it? Maybe better info at http://www.vtiger.com/ and their link to sourceforge for downloads?
Joined on 02-23-2006
TechSoup Member
yes. you can put demo data and leave it. you are free to experiment with it as you please. it's a 'blank page / sandbox' site. sorry for not clarifying.
Joined on 01-06-2006
TechSoup Member
For a good intranet solution that includes databases and management is office please foundation the address is opfoundation.org. This foundation is spearhead by best IT minds in California but offers a intranet tool that is web-based that includes all the bells and whistles such as CRM, database, contacts, task list, calendar - check it out!
Dr. Howard
JumpStart International Corp
Joined on 05-29-2006
TechSoup Member
Great article,
We are actually in the midst of purchasing new membership management software, and your recommendations have put us in touch with some great vendors.
Thanks!
Chad Penner
Volunteer Vancouver
Joined on 07-20-2006
TechSoup Member
I received my MA in arts administration and am now looking for work in Development. I would like training in Raiser's Edge to add as a transferable skill.
Do you know of any place which offers free or low-cost training in Raiser's Edge?
Joined on 09-16-2006
TechSoup Member
We integrated Avectra 5 years ago and I would not put them in this category. Because of the poor software and poorer service, we are in the market for a new AMS and this time around we are thinking of OPTIONS. Ask yourself - What would happen if you did not get the service or customized applications you thought you would after "go-live"? Do you want to be at the mercy of your provider or would you prefer the option to bid these customized modules out to a community of value added resellers. Don't make the same mistake we did - opt for options.
Joined on 10-18-2006
TechSoup Member
I don't agree with Ms. Greasley at all. Avectra has provided us (American Gas Association) excellent service. We have been working with Avectra for 8 years. First we ran their ABLAZE platform and then migrated to netFORUM. netFORUM is a 100% web based system and has a very powerful toolkit. netFORUM has been on the market now for 4 years. I believe that Avectra is dropping support for ABLAZE in Feb, 2007. They gave all clients 3-4 years notice. Customers should have upgraded by now.
Joined on 10-20-2006
TechSoup Member
The American Chemical Society selected Avectra in July, 2006. We have over 2000 staff. They successfully deployed our first live system in 3 months. Our main netFORUM system goes live June, 2007. We are very satisfied.