Considerations
Recommendations
Tool Kit

Thanks for completing the self-assessment! Based on the answers you provided, it looks like your organization may need to get clearer about the specific features you seek from a data system. The Making Wise Decisions toolkit has step-by-step instructions to help you with this. Check out “Reporting Needs” and “Data Map” to get started.

Thanks for completing the self-assessment! It looks like one particular type of data system is an especially good fit. The Making Wise Decisions toolkit has step-by-step instructions to help you with what’s next. We suggest you take a moment to refine your vision for the reports you’ll need - check out “Reporting Needs” for more.

Thanks for completing the self-assessment! It looks like more than one type of data system could meet your needs. The Making Wise Decisions toolkit has step-by-step instructions to help you get even clearer about the features you need for a data system. Check out “Reporting Needs” and “Data Map” to get started.

Thanks for completing the self-assessment! Your team can use the results to identify the types of data systems that will suit your organization. First, take a moment to confirm that your team is clear on how a data system can help – check out “Why Are We Doing This?” in the Toolkit. Then get clear about the kinds of reports that you will need, which is in “Reporting Needs.”

You caught our attention! Based on the answers you provided, it looks like your organization isn’t yet in the habit of learning from data. You’ll be most successful in implementing a data system if everyone in your organization understands how it supports their day-to-day work. When you complete the “Why Are We Doing this?” and “Budget/Timeline” section of the toolkit, make sure to include activities that will build the data culture at your organization.

We noticed something! You mentioned that your organization is required to use funder-mandated data systems. Depending on your situation, it may make more sense to use a reporting tool that shows data from multiple sources. Check out “Why Are We Doing This?” in the toolkit for some tips.

We noticed something! You mentioned that your organization offers specialized services, or is member of or affiliated with a parent/national entity. We suggest taking a close look at providers that have developed a solution customized for your field, or is provided by the parent entity. Keep them in mind when you do your "Scan of Likely Vendors" in the toolkit.

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Good Fit

Possible Fit

Unlikely Fit

Customizable Client Relationship Management

Customizable Client Relationship Management (CRM) systems offer different data collection and reporting modules that can be customized based on the unique needs of the organization. Usually an external consultant will help to configure the system; ongoing use is supported by community resources and third party consultants. Salesforce, NeonCRM, Microsoft Dynamics, and Zoho are examples of these systems.

Customizable Case Management

Customizable Case Management systems offer modules aligned with common data management needs, which can be customized based on the unique needs of the organization. Systems in this category have modules that are particularly well-suited to organizations that offer case management services to clients. Customizable Case Management systems include OutcomeTracker, CitySpan, Efforts to Outcomes, ClienTrack, TraxSolutions and Apricot.

Affiliate-Specific Dedicated-Custom or Specialized

Affiliate-Specific systems have been built to support a specific type of organization or for national networks with many affiliate members (e.g. 4H, Boy Scouts of America, legal aid, summer camps). These systems are a good fit for organizations that are part of a common reporting network or that require a high level of specialization in data collection and reporting.

Donor Management

Donor management systems are primarily geared toward keeping track of donors or volunteers. These systems are best at tracking individuals’ interactions with a nonprofit, such as attendance at events or donations. They need significant customization support case management or similar services, and may not comply with privacy requirements like HIPAA. Common examples of Donor Management systems include DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge, DoubleKnot and Salsa.

Fully Customized

Fully Customized systems are built from the ground up to suit the exact data collection and reporting needs of the organization. These systems are built on platforms including Microsoft Access, Filemaker, or SQL.

Open Source Customizable Client Relationship Management

Open Source Customizable Client Relationship Management systems offer different modules that can be combined to meet the unique data collection and reporting needs of the organization. These systems use an open-source infrastructure, and therefore have no license costs, and are supported through a combination of user community and consultants. An examples of this type of systems is SuiteCRM and CiviCRM.

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