If you are serious about fundraising a database isn't optional – it's essential.

The most valuable asset any fund development operation has is the accuracy of its data and the ability to analyze it. A well-configured database can be used to help analyze past fundraising campaigns, calculate benchmarks and metrics, track comprehensive donor history and issue financial reports (including reports to reconcile with your financial system) and issue charitable tax receipts.  

It can also be used to help streamline stewardship, such as tracking who must be thanked and who should receive key organizational material (like annual reports) or who should be invited to a special event. It is the foundation of institutional memory.  

Moreover, a robust donor database is not constrained to tracking donors. It will also allow an organization to track many constituents such as board members, media contacts and other constituents (like prospects, clients and volunteers) and ensure outreach and communication is segmented appropriately through integrations with online giving and email marketing software.  

An organization that wishes to be serious about its fundraising program must have a robust and well-functioning donor database.