Chapter 2: Data Management
This lesson provides the foundational knowledge for why and what to track. The next step is to put this knowledge into practice. This is the beginning of building your donor database, a critical resource that will underpin all your future fundraising efforts.
Task: Your task is to start building your data management system.
For Beginners (Seed/Taking Root Stages): Download our provided spreadsheet template. Populate the first sheet with the names of 20 people you know who have a connection to your organization. Jot down as much information as you can for each person based on the "What Data to Collect" list above.
For Emerging Organizations (Sapling Stage): Explore Salesforce.com's Nonprofit Success Pack. Watch a tutorial video and fill out the form to see if your organization qualifies for the 10 free licenses. Starting with a CRM now will save you a lot of work later.
Resource: To assist you, we've prepared a comprehensive guide: "Getting Started with Your Donor Database." This resource includes a free, downloadable spreadsheet template, a step-by-step guide on what data to collect, and a link to the Salesforce free license application.