Online Course - Donor Management Systems: Demos and Tips
This is a series of two webinars, and up to 11 vendor-led demos* each from 12:00 - 1:00 PM:
Tuesday, May 9
Tuesday, June 6
*Demos of different donor management systems will be held from May 11 – June 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 – 1:00 PM.
You can choose to attend as many as you would like and each demo will be recorded. Vendors in specific time slots to be determined.
Nonprofit Connect is pleased to partner with Idealware to present this online course. Registration is directly with IdealWare. Use the code NPCONNECT at registration to access your Nonprofit Connect member price.
For most nonprofits, their donor management system is the glue that holds their organization together. Having one means being able to track donors, learn about how they interact with your organization, and take steps to strengthen those relationships.
Unfortunately, many organizations struggle to find the right system. (And no, spreadsheets are not a donor management system!) Whether you’re actively shopping for a new donor management system or considering whether it’s time to change, Idealware's course can help you learn about your options and narrow your list to a handful of systems that offer the features and functionality you need within a budget you can afford.
During this course you will:
- Learn what to consider when evaluating donor management systems.
- Think through your organization's needs and the data you want to track.
- Take a closer look at up to 11 highly-rated systems that we reviewed in our comprehensive A Consumers Guide to Low-Cost Donor Management Systems.
- Ask your questions about the specific systems you’re interested in.
- Avoid the usual sales pitches and sales tactics.
- Review how to evaluate a system so that all your questions get answered.
- Learn the steps of a successful implementation process.
Course Schedule
All sessions take place on Thursdays at 12:00 pm Central and last for 60 minutes.
May 9: Thinking Through Your Donor Management Needs
We’ll kick off by walking you through the ins and outs of donor management systems. We’ll discuss the common features of systems, key considerations for choosing one that’s right for your organization, and how to compare different systems. We’ll help you evaluate what you actually need from a system and ask the all-important question, “Do you really need a new system at all?”
Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 11 – June 1: Demos
For three weeks, every Tuesday and Thursday we’ll host and moderate hour-long, vendor-led demos that will allow you to get an up close look at a particular donor management system under consideration—without the sales pitch. Our moderator will focus on common use cases and will make sure that all of the vendors answer the same questions so that you can make an apples-to-apples comparison. You’ll also have time to ask your own questions to address your organization’s unique needs. We will facilitate up to 11 demos. You can choose to attend as many as you’d like and each demo will be recorded.
June 6: Best Practices for Implementing and Using Your Database
Now that you have an idea of what system you need, how do you make the transition? This session will walk you through the process of implementing your new database. We’ll explore configuration considerations, the data migration process, management best practices, and user adoption.
Please register with the email address where you would like to receive the access code and dial-in information for the online seminar. All registered participants are granted access to the recordings of each session. Participants who cannot attend any of the sessions due to scheduling conflicts will still have access to the course presentation decks and handouts.
About Idealware
Idealware, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides thoroughly researched, impartial and accessible resources about technology to help nonprofits make smart technology decisions.
Date and Time
Tuesday May 9, 2017
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 (webinar)
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 (webinar)
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 11 – June 1 (demos)
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location
Your desk! Access instructions will be provided by Idealware after registration.
For access or technical questions, you may contact Idealware directly at info@idealware.org or 207.699.4236.
Fees/Admission
$345 - Use discount code NPCONNECT at registration
Website
Contact Information
Tomomi Summers
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