My research, which included interviewing all of the program staff and reviewing their existing system, indicated the system was left unattended for many years and couldn’t be fixed. I suggested four solutions: all costing $50,000 to $90,000 over five years. That’s hard to swallow when you haven’t devoted a dime to your system in eight years.
Do the same thing for your data system. It needs annual attention to continue to “fit” your organization. This means the cost of maintaining/updating it should be in your annual operating budget. Also include any staff training on how to use the system. Even the best one is worthless if the last person who knows how to use it has left the building.
Spending a limited amount of money every year sure beats the pants off $50,000+ in one year! Find more about donor database selection here!