The best nonprofit technology stacks don’t ignore offline giving — here’s why
Ask any nonprofit, and they’ll tell you: fundraising isn’t just digital. While digital is absolutely essential to any nonprofit’s strategy, offline marketing channels like direct mail, events, and phone fundraising still play a major role in driving donations.
Fundraisers need a modern nonprofit technology stack that can connect the online and offline giving experience. A disconnected system — no matter how advanced — can slow down operations and create gaps in donor engagement.
In this article, we’ll explore how your organization can build a fully connected technology stack that works together to strengthen all of your fundraising efforts.
What is a nonprofit technology stack?
There are two ways that nonprofits can approach technology: the all-in-one solution or a more advanced technology stack.
The all-in-one solution means your nonprofit relies on one system to support all fundraising efforts. On the other hand, a nonprofit technology stack (or “tech stack”) is a group of top-of-the-line technology solutions that can help your nonprofit raise more money over time.
The ideal tech stack varies depending on your nonprofit’s needs but can include a customer relationship management system or donor management system, fundraising software, email marketing and marketing automation, analytics, donor intelligence, a content management system, search engine optimization tools, a payment processor for online and offline donations, and an integration system.
But the key to a really good nonprofit technology stack? It works together seamlessly.
4 traditionally offline fundraising channels that can be integrated into your tech stack
Even in a digital-first world, traditional fundraising channels remain relevant and powerful ways to connect with donors. By integrating these offline channels with modern technology, nonprofits can create a more cohesive donor journey while reducing some administrative headaches.
Direct mail appeals
While digital fundraising is known for being efficient and cost-effective, many donors still prefer to give through direct mail. The challenge with direct mail is the manual nature of processing donations, which can lead to delays in donor acknowledgment and data entry.
Integrating direct mail into your nonprofit’s tech stack ensures updated CRM records and provides donors with instant touchpoints, like digital receipts and follow-ups.
Face-to-face fundraising (F2F) and events
Face-to-face (F2F) fundraising and in-person events are two of the most personal and effective ways to engage donors. Whether you’re managing door-to-door campaigns, taking in-person donor meetings, or hosting a gala, these types of in-person fundraising tactics build trust and deepen donor relationships.
The challenge is managing in-person transactions and keeping donor records accurate. But an integration that synchronizes donor data can help build on the foundation of trust that these fundraising channels are known for.
Integrating tools like Stripe Terminal is a great example of enhancing in-person fundraising efforts. The Fundraise Up and Stripe Terminal integration allows fundraisers to process credit card donations on the spot, instantly updating donor records and triggering automated follow-ups.
Phone fundraising or telefundraising
Phone-based fundraising is an impactful way to engage donors, especially for annual appeals and crisis response efforts. Speaking directly with donors adds a personal touch, increasing the likelihood of securing gifts.
Without a seamless system, over-the-phone donations often require manual entry, which can lead to errors and delayed acknowledgments. Integrating telefundraising efforts into your tech stack can make the process more efficient and accurate for everyone.
How to connect offline giving with your nonprofit tech stack
A well-integrated nonprofit tech stack makes sure that offline donations are as efficient and trackable as online contributions. It ensures that the donor experience is not interrupted, no matter how a donor chooses to give.
This can be done through an Application Programming Interface (API) or by using other tools that natively bridge the gap between offline and digital fundraising.
What is an API, and why does it matter?
An API allows different software systems to communicate and share data in real time. In nonprofit fundraising, APIs ensure that offline donations don’t remain siloed but instead flow seamlessly into the same system managing online contributions. An API is what connects your systems and ensures an integrated fundraising technology stack.
Using the Fundraise Up API for a seamless giving experience
Integrating Fundraise Up’s API into your tech stack creates a seamless donation experience, enhancing donor engagement while driving fundraising success.
If you’re working with a vendor for offline fundraising, our API is the easiest way to bridge the gap. It connects Fundraise Up with your existing tools across all channels, streamlining operations and creating a unified donor experience. Keep in mind that implementation may require collaboration with your IT team or vendors for setup and updates.
The benefits of using Fundraise Up’s API go beyond just convenience. Syncing Fundraise Up with your CRM eliminates manual data entry, keeping donor records accurate and up-to-date. Combined with our turn-key Donor Portal, this makes it easier for donors to manage their giving and ultimately increases retention and lifetime value. Plus, with automated follow-ups and AI-driven insights, you can create more opportunities for donors to deepen their support.
Other Fundraise Up tools to support your offline giving
In addition to Fundraise Up’s API, our Virtual Terminal is another Fundraise Up tool that can integrate traditionally offline fundraising channels like in-person and over-the-phone donations.
With Virtual Terminal, your operators have an easy-to-use intuitive tool to securely process donations over the phone or in person, right from the Fundraise Up dashboard. This ensures every donation is instantly recorded and synced back to your CRM.
Integrate your efforts with Fundraise Up
Offline donations are still a major revenue source. And the best nonprofit technology stacks don’t ignore offline donations — in fact, they work to amplify offline giving efforts.
With Fundraise Up’s API and Virtual Terminal, organizations can unify all fundraising channels, ensuring that every donor interaction — whether online or offline — contributes to a seamless and optimized giving experience.