The challenges of selecting a nonprofit database

On today's phone call for NTEN's leadership academy, I was part of a group discussing the challenges of selecting the 'right' database for their organizations.  Some great points were made that are applicable to every nonprofit.

Think about where you want to be in five years, then pick the solution that will meet those needs. If you limit yourself to a product that fits your org as it stands today, you may find yourself shopping for another product in a short period of time. 


Consider an online solution.  This not only benefits you as platforms become obsolete but can also be extremely helpful as more employees telecommute.


And finally, be careful about choosing a solution that requires heavy customization.  You may find it difficult to find support down the road.


My favorite comment from someone in the group - "One size fits all doesn't fit anyone."  Finding the right database is definitely a challenge, so do your homework and talk to similar organizations for their recommendations.

Do you run your nonprofit like a business?

I did a post recently on "startup success" with tips applicable to new nonprofits.  There are a lot of similarities between running a business and running a nonprofit.  

Recently, I was contacted by David Matthew of Software Advice, who wrote specifically about utilizing software and capacity building tools to improve transparency.  Clearly, thinking about nonprofits as a business is on people's minds, especially after the issues surrounding Greg Mortenson and the Central Asia Institute.

In David's post, he discusses the importance of choosing the appropriate software to help maintain a level of accountability with clients/donors.  If you are a nonprofit employee, are you comfortable with the infrastructure currently in place at your org?   Do you have the records to show your organization is using funds the way you said you would?  Read the rest of David's post about this topic - he's definitely interested in your thoughts.

Google for Nonprofits

Google for Nonprofits

View more presentations from Coastal Community Foundation.