Non-profit database

Our nonprofit seeks volunteer management, event reservation management, donor management, sales tracking and inventorying, mailing list / contact mangement, web based for sharing among staff in remote locations, compatable with label printing and e-mail disbursement, for up to 4000 items.
What should we use? (We are using Access.)
Thanks.

Hello,

We just went through a similar search, with some of the similar requirements, and chose DonorPerfect Online. But first, if you haven't done so already, I would recommend researching how-to articles on TechSoup, and NPower also has a really great toolkits that take you step-by-step through the selection process. Depending on how much you want to spend will definitely affect your choice. There are the high-cost databases that will meet all your needs, mid-cost that will the meet most all needs with a little customizing, low-cost, and free, but remember that low-cost and free databases come at costs from other angles. Another factor to keep in mind is that many systems are designed for different primary functions so be sure when researching vendors, you're selecting a system that meets your primary needs. In other words, a system that primarily focuses on accounting may not track the personal relationships to the detail required, or a CRM may not accurately capture the programs or campaigns that are needed. Feel free to contact me offline if you desire additional information on how we went about our search.

Kind Regards,
Christina Falck
Director of Development
The R.O.S.E. Fund

I love recommending the database we use: DonorPro by TowerCare. We went through the process of looking at every database we could find about 2 years ago and this is what we selected, which I had also used at a previous employer. If I had to make the decision again, I'd select DonorPro again. It addresses every need you listed.

I assisted a national, chapter-based nfp evaluate databases for their chapter use. We concentrated on web-based products that could handle all aspects of relationships with the chapters' constituents. You are smart for looking for one information pool that will handle all of your needs rather than building information silos!

A fully-hosted, web-based solution was desired to eliminate the need to have servers in their offices and to enable work from homes or remote locations. It also solves the backup problems and a lot of the operational headaches, and it eliminates expense of a staff member or contractor qualified to maintain a server and secure remote access.

Another desired feature of a hosted, web-based product was to have included upgrades so that the enhancements that the market would drive in the future would automatically be available to the chapters without development or upgrade expenses.

We looked at a long list of products. I suggest that as you evaluate products that you insist on some hands-on testing on your own. There's nothing that gives you a feel for a product like using it yourself without an expert standing over your shoulder... and web-demos are helpful but aren't enough. You never know how comfortable that automobile interior really is or isn't from the advertising! You have to sit in the seat and take a short drive.

The nfp I worked with did an extensive review of proposals and initiated a pilot project. They chose DonorPro from Towercare and it passed the pilot period well. They started implementation almost a year ago, and so far, so good.

I'm a database person from the for-profit sector and I think they made a choice that was good for them. It has good information design for what this nfp needs, it is not intimidating, customer service has been excellent and the price-point was fair.

Hi Timmer,

Just thought you might be interested in looking into our product Wild Apricot as an option for managing your database. It might be what you're looking for.

Soha El-Borno,
Creative Apricot

WildApricot.com: Membership management, event registration, integrated website