While Nonprofits typically collect a lot of data, it’s rarely stored in a single database or format. Usually, organizations leverage several solutions. As such, they run into the complexity of consolidating this plethora of information. Data integration is bringing all these sources of data into one location.
A proper data integration strategy must be flexible and adaptable to accommodate data of multiple formats, regardless of whether it lives in the cloud or on-premises. Essentially, an effective strategy aims to find solutions which deliver trusted data from a variety of sources.
When data is centralized, it allows Nonprofits to make more informed decisions. For example, if you were able to see a larger donor’s gift history, giving capacity, relationship, and other actions taken to show affinity, your organization could deepen its relationships with similar donors and help define appropriate ask amounts.
The integration of data can streamline operations, increase productivity, and help forecast future needs for your Nonprofit.
Older systems, often times referred to as legacy systems, aren’t exactly future-proof, so it may be worth it to replace those systems with more modern technology. You could also spend an extensive amount of money on customizations if your legacy system has been customized elaborately and find that you reach a point of needing to upgrade to a new system, only to have to do that customization work all over again.
By gradually replacing your legacy systems, you remove the opportunity for these risks and ultimately allow your organization’s costs to be adjusted accordingly. On the other hand, if you continue with your legacy systems, you may run the risk of using a set of disjointed applications and processes that won’t be able to communicate with one another efficiently.
Immersing yourself in your data integration strategy might feel daunting at first, but the right approach will allow you to take small steps over time that improve your operational efficiencies. A data integration strategy is an essential link between information and insight. Data integration frees up time to concentrate on analysis and forecasting and also contributes to the overall reliability and hygiene of your data.
Micharity offers a variety of data integration services alongside our platform that allows you to build a database seamlessly.
