VolunteerHub
  • Platform
    VolunteerHub automates and streamlines, so you can concentrate on making a difference and driving your organization’s mission forward.
    • Platform Features
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • Volunteer Management
      • campaign Volunteer Recruitment
      • calendar_month Volunteer Scheduling
      • track_changes Volunteer Hour Tracking
      • storage Volunteer Database
      • paid Volunteer Fundraising
      • receipt_long Volunteer Liability Waivers
      • stars Rewards and Recognition
      • add_chart Reporting
    • Opportunity Management
      • vertical_split Landing Pages
      • task_alt Check-In
      • view_module Multi-Event Editor
      • move_up Configurable Forms
      • lan Group Organization
    • Volunteer Communication
      • mark_email_read Email Messaging
      • sms Text Messaging
      • share Social Media
    • Client Success
      • checklist Onboarding
      • school Training
  • Solutions
    VolunteerHub simplifies processes and removes friction for both coordinators and volunteers, saving your organization valuable time and resources.
    • Software Benefits
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • By Need
      • timer Save Time and Effort
      • extension Integrate with Existing Platforms
      • favorite Improve Volunteer Experience
      • show_chart Boost Volunteer Engagement
      • handshake Build Community Partnership
      • list_alt Consolidate Data Management
    • By Initiative
      • pets Animal Rights
      • music_note Arts and Culture
      • sports_football Athletics
      • bookmark Cause/Cure
      • forest Conservation
      • school Education
      • food_bank Food Banks
      • local_hospital Hospitals
      • attribution Human Rights
      • support Human Services
      • local_library Libraries
      • volunteer_activism Nonprofits
      • campaign Political Campaigns
      • account_balance Public Service
      • church Religious Organizations
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    VolunteerHub provides a bevy of resources to help you succeed in nonprofit and volunteer management.
    • All Resources
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • slow_motion_video Software Overview Video
    • menu_book The Book on Volunteer Management
    • format_quote Case Studies
    • rss_feed Blog
    • podcasts Podcast
    • upcoming Product Updates
  • About
    Over the last 20+ years, VolunteerHub has helped thousands of organizations manage billions of volunteer hours.
    • About VolunteerHub
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • groups Team
    • handshake Partners
    • work Careers
  • Support
  • Request Demo
Blog
Best Practices 2 min read

Connecting Volunteer Information to CRM - Integration Options

Eric Burger December 10, 2013
Share this
Connecting Volunteer Information to CRM

When it comes to nonprofit technology, “integration” is an often-used buzzword. As many consultants will tell you, integration between software applications can yield untold synergies and allow you to do more with less. However, when considering synergy-building opportunities, many organizations overlook one of the most valued assets of any nonprofit: volunteers.

In this article, we’ll examine the tangible value of leveraging volunteers and how it should impact your technological roadmap.

Your Most Valuable Asset?

Volunteers are often the heart of an organization. When your volunteer force isn’t operating optimally, it doesn’t take long to feel the impact. Your staff, programs, and ultimately your mission can suffer.

Considering that Americans volunteer a total of 7.9 billion hours per year, it’s not hard to see how donated human capital can quickly add up. Stop and think for a moment – does your organization have another intangible asset that is more valuable? Probably not.

Building Synergies Between People & Technology

Given the magnitude of your volunteers’ contributions, it’s vital that you properly weigh the pros and cons of new technology implementations. There’s a good likelihood that your volunteers will interact with most (or all) of your tech footprint. Do your CRM, volunteer management system, CMS, and other tools work together to build synergies? If humans and technology don’t sync well, then you’ll find yourself with frustrated volunteers. The last thing you want is for a volunteer to leave.

Building connections through technology can also create new cross-pollination opportunities. How many of your donors have never volunteered? How many volunteers have never contributed financially to your cause? By connecting your CRM and volunteer database, you’ll be able to answer such questions and develop strategies for increasing engagement.

How to Connect People with Technology

Luckily, there are several measures your organization can take to ensure that your people and systems mesh.

For starters, make sure to talk with the leaders in your volunteer group. Ask for their input on any potential software purchases that will impact them. They’ll be able to help you understand what it’s really like on the front lines, as well as if the system is a good fit. Having volunteers involved in the process not only contributes to a successful launch, but also helps solidify the relationship between your organization and its constituents. Plus, after a decision is made, it’s easier to ask for their buy-in if they are already engaged in the process. When it’s time for rollout, you’ll want these folks on your side.

Keeping your volunteers engaged will also help your organization resist the urge to be too frugal in your decision. When it comes to investing in technology, nonprofits understandably struggle to fit improvements into their budgets. However, when considering the adverse effects of deploying underperforming software, is it worth it just to save a few bucks? New technology shouldn’t make your volunteers’ responsibilities more difficult. Seek out tools that offer best-in-class integrations, to make volunteer jobs more impactful and meaningful. The key is to look for value, not the cheapest plan.

Improving the productivity and experience of humans in the workplace is the goal of software synchronization. Keeping this in mind can help guide you to the right decisions when looking for true integration.

  Check Out Our Additional Resources VolunteerHub provides a bevy of resources to help you succeed in volunteer recruitment, engagement, and management.       


Topics Discussed

  • Best Practices

Related Posts

2 min read What Information Should I Collect from Volunteers - How to Get It
Volunteer contact information
1 min read Volunteer Conversions: Increase Conversion Rates with VolunteerHub
Volunteer Conversions
5 min read How Nonprofits Can Identify Crucial Volunteer Skills
How to Leverage Volunteer Skills

Subscribe to Our Blog

Subscribe to receive email notifications every time we publish new insights, news, and thought leadership to our blog.

Subscribe Here!

symbol-full-color
Contact Us

877.482.3340

media@volunteerhub.com

  • Platform
  • Solutions
  • Pricing
  • Resources
  • About
  • Support
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Copyright Management
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Vimeo
©2025 BetterGood. All rights reserved.