# Where to find CRM advice from other fundraisers

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/02/02/where-to-find-crm-advice-from-other-fundraisers/
- Published: 2022-02-02T17:03:59+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**As we’ve learned (or rediscovered over the past two years) there are plenty of
experienced fundraisers willing and able to share their experience and insight via
social channels and forums.**

Here is UK Fundraising’s selection of some of these sources.

Of course, seek advice or further training in the first instance from your current
or prospective CRM provider. But nothing beats enhancing that with a broader view
of a tool or a data challenge from a range of fundraisers who have been through 
that process already.

## Advertisement

## ⏎ Fundraising Chat

![Fundraising Chat logo by Jo McGuiness](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2022/
02/facebook-chat-logo.jpeg)

Fundraising Chat logo by Jo McGuiness

The [Fundraising Chat](https://www.facebook.com/groups/FundraisingChat/) group on
Facebook isn’t focused on CRMs and data issues. But as a busy and popular resource(
that only succeeds so well because of a small team of volunteer moderators or wranglers),
it has hosted many such questions and answers.

Explore the archives first to see if your topic has already been addressed or answered.

Set up in 2015 (from an original Twitter-based resource), Fundraising Chat has over
16,800 members.

## Data in Fundraising group

![Data in Fundraising group header, consisting of a word cloud of data-related words](
https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2022/02/data-in-fundraising-facebook-group.
jpeg)

Image: Data in Fundraising group

The [Data in Fundraising](https://www.facebook.com/groups/619998938170609) group
on Facebook has over 1,100 members.

It is “a group for people working in fundraising or related departments within charities
or those who simply want to learn or share more about the data best practice and
discuss the following types of topics:
1) What tools to use for data & insight2)
Good courses for people to go on3) Database headaches such as recording consent 
across multiple channels & sources4) Interesting data and IT type articles”

It was set up in December 2017 “to compliment the already excellent Fundraising 
Chat group but for this to be a forum for data specific questions, articles and 
training.”

Like other groups it often features relevant vacancy announcements, particular now
given the recruitment difficulties experienced by many charities.

## CIOF Insight in Fundraising group

The [Insight in Fundraising group](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/groups/insight-in-fundraising)
is available to those “individuals engaged in analysing data for fundraising purposes,
and for those who wish to use the outputs of this analysis to enhance their fundraising
programmes.”

It runs networking events and has run the Chartered Institute of Fundraising [Insight in Fundraising Awards](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/groups/insight-in-fundraising/insight-awards)
for many years. You can learn about the winners announced at the most recent awards
in July 2021.

You can find it on Twitter at [@CIOFInsight](https://twitter.com/CIOFInsight).

## CIOF Digital and Technology group

The [Digital and Technology group](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/groups/digital) 
don’t run an online forum but they do run networking events, are on Twitter at [@CIOFDigitalTech](https://twitter.com/CIOFDigitalTech)(
although haven’t posted since 2020), and publish a newsletter.

The group is “is for anyone working in or with charities who has an interest in 
fundraising and technology.

“For us, technology includes (but is not limited to) websites, **databases, CRM 
software**, emails, social media and even the humble spreadsheet. This often means
we discuss topics such as Gift Aid, **GDPR and data protection, data hygiene**, 
social media trends, web development, digital and innovative tech, accessibility
and **user/donor experience**.” [Our use of bold, to indicate its relevance].

## CIOF Supporter Experience group

The [Supporter Experience group](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/groups/supporter-experience)
similarly don’t run an online forum but are at [@CIOFSupporterXP](https://twitter.com/CiofSupporterXP)
on Twitter, publish a newsletter, and run networking events.

The group is “a network of fundraising professionals who believe that if, as fundraisers,
we only focus on the _money_ we will damage the _experience_. But if we focus on
giving supporters a great _experience, _then the _money_ will follow.”

 

## More CIOF groups

There are 23 regional and special interest groups run voluntarily by members of 
the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. So if you are looking for CRM advice or 
information that is specific to your fundraising focus or the type of charity you
work for, you might try one of those.

For example, there are the:

 * Cultural Sector Network
 * Sole Fundraisers
 * Event Fundraising
 * Major Donor
 * and Researchers in Fundraising groups.

## Groups by location

Similarly you might wish to target your question to a network in the area in which
you work. For example, there are [five Scottish Special Interest Groups](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/groups#scottishspecialinterest)
at the CIOF, and [10 regional groups](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/groups#regionalgroups)
throughout England.

## New groups

If you can’t find a group that looks relevant to you, do keep an eye out for new
groups setting up. The [Kent Fundraisers Network](https://www.facebook.com/groups/fundraisersinkent)
is relaunching this month, and includes a Facebook forum. And you don’t have to 
live in Kent to be a member.

## Other groups

Of course, there are many more groups set up by fundraisers to share advice and 
support on all kinds of topics. Based on my experience of belonging to many such
groups over the years, data and CRM issues and questions are common in all of them.

Some are free, some are (part of) a paid-for service.

Here is just a selection:

 * [The Charity Event Specialists Community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecharityeventspecialists/)
   on Facebook
 * [The Community Fundraisers Network](https://www.facebook.com/groups/communityfundraisersnetwork/)
   on Facebook
 * [The Fundraisers Collective](https://www.amberconsulting.org.uk/the-fundraisers-collective-join)
 * [Small International Development Charities Network](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sidcn/)
   on Facebook
 * [Public Fundraising Specialists – Individual Giving, Community and Events](https://www.facebook.com/groups/publicfundraising/)
   on Facebook

There are broader charity sites or groups too that include fundraising content and
discussions, including:

[CharityConnect](https://www.charityconnect.co.uk/) – try the Running Your Charity,
or Funding Your Charity sections