Why Lack of Training Leaves Your Non-Profit’s Mission at Risk
I just assumed my roommate knew how to wash dishes. We were both adults and, by that point in my life, I’d been washing dishes for the better part of two decades. Given that we were the same age, I didn’t think it was necessary to give instructions as to which detergent to use for handwashing and which to use in the machine, etc. When I came home to see the kitchen floor filled with suds, I realized very quickly that I had overestimated my roommate’s level of training when it came to washing dishes and we both spent hours cleaning up the mess that ensued as a result.
Most adults know that you shouldn’t put handwashing detergent in the dishwasher, but my roommate didn’t and in a rush to clean up the kitchen, my roommate made a poor choice with memorable consequences. While it’s easy to see the obvious flaw in my roommate’s logic, as the adage goes, you don’t know what you don’t know.
How CRM Mistakes Can Impact Your Non-Profit
Donor databases are no exception. Often, decisions are made with well-meaning intentions, but with a lack of knowledge on the functionality of specific fields in the CRM. Here are some examples:
Secure Fields Versus Unsecure Fields
A donor calls and provides the organization with a new credit card number. Unsure as to where this information should go, the team member creates a note on the donor’s record and types the information there.
Since the information is on the donor’s record and in the CRM, it can be viewed by the team, and it’s assumed that the task is completed. Unfortunately, the card information isn’t usable in the CRM because it isn’t in the correct location.
Also, note fields aren’t as secure as fields intended for credit card information, so the number is not encrypted, and this decision for data entry also comes with risk to the donor’s data.
A lack of understanding on the team member’s part could have several negative consequences for the organization and the donor.
How Information Can Be Used
Storing former addresses (and coding them as no longer valid) can help with identifying duplicate records as well as running wealth indicators. Knowing how different fields can be used as part of the whole picture informs your decision making and helps you make intelligent decisions about what data to keep or purge.
Understanding Donor Needs
Knowing what is necessary for a proper tax receipt for a stock gift or a gift with benefits helps inform how those gifts are entered into the CRM. Identifying donor needs for tax receipts helps organizations meet donor needs while also building solid relationships.
Building a Plan for Reporting
Knowing how you will track your ROI for appeals and gifts generated because of said appeals should inform your practices for gift entry. Centering your data entry around your reporting maximizes your overall system use and supports strategic fundraising endeavors.
Tailored CRM Training for Non-Profits
Sometimes, you figure out what you don’t know when the dishwasher erupts with bubbles. When it comes to your donor data, database training can help you navigate your system with fewer surprises. By learning how your CRM was intended to operate, you can build your data practices with those best practices in mind and achieve optimal results overall.
To learn more about our tailored CRM training for non-profits, schedule a discovery call today.
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