In the non-profit sector, organizations are facing unprecedented challenges - rising service demands, donor fatigue, limited staff capacity, and increasing pressure to demonstrate impact.
A recent webinar hosted by Rosterfy and Blackbaud explored how integrating a Volunteer Management System (VMS) with a CRM can help overcome these barriers and unlock new opportunities for engagement, fundraising, and efficiency.
To watch the full interview - click here
The Challenge: Doing More with Less
Nonprofits are stretched thin. Staff burnout, data silos, and inadequate reporting systems often stand in the way of meaningful volunteer engagement and donor cultivation. Traditional tools fall short, leaving organizations at risk of missing out on both volunteer retention and untapped giving potential.
The solution? A smart, automated volunteer management platform that not only streamlines logistics but also connects directly with donor databases for a holistic view of supporters.
The Engagement Multiplier: Going Mobile
Deploying a volunteer app can dramatically increase engagement - by as much as 125%. Real-time onboarding, push notifications, and location-based updates create a more personal and immediate experience for volunteers. Multi-channel communication through app, SMS, and email ensures no one falls through the cracks.
Breaking Down Silos with CRM Integration
When volunteer databases connect with CRMs like Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT, the results are transformative:
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Cross-team visibility ensures both fundraising and volunteer managers see the full picture.
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Analytics services can identify thousands of high-potential donors hidden within a volunteer base of 10,000+.
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Real-world impact:
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WaterAid UK mobilized 800 volunteers who raised $24,000 in a year, contributing to a wider $600,000 fundraising impact.
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A large US food bank uncovered that its 13,000 volunteers represented $5–10 million in missed annual donations due to low engagement.
Smarter Donor Identification Through Data Intelligence
Integration is about more than efficiency - it’s about intelligence. Blackbaud’s analytics leverage up to 1,000 data points to refine donor profiles, highlighting 5–6 key traits that predict giving potential.
This allows nonprofits to:
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Tailor outreach based on generational preferences (e.g., Gen Z vs. Gen X).
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Run pre-investment opportunity analyses, showing philanthropic likelihood and channel preferences.
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Target campaigns more effectively for Giving Tuesday, monthly giving, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
Turning Records into Relationships
The CRM is no longer just a digital filing cabinet. With integrated analytics, it becomes a relationship-building tool that helps cultivate donor loyalty and lifetime value. First impressions—whether with a donor or a volunteer—matter. Automation can help organizations send timely thank-yous, shift reminders, birthday greetings, and personalized recommendations to deepen connections.
The Power of Seamless Integration
By linking Rosterfy and Blackbaud RE NXT, nonprofits can:
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Track hours and skills.
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Match volunteers with opportunities automatically.
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Deliver training and compliance content.
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Align availability with needs in real-time.
This level of integration eliminates reliance on spreadsheets, speeds up onboarding, and ensures no volunteer or potential donor slips away unnoticed.
Key Takeaways for Nonprofits
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Volunteers are more than helpers—they are potential donors.
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Data + automation = stronger relationships.
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Integration drives efficiency, visibility, and impact.
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Engagement must start from first contact to build long-term loyalty.
Nonprofits that connect their VMS and CRM can transform siloed operations into a unified strategy for engagement and growth—unlocking both volunteer passion and philanthropic potential.
Watch the full interview
Rosterfy invited Blackbaud to a webinar focused on donor engagement. Many of the tips and advice you can read above our covered in more detail.
Interested in improving your donor and volunteer engagement?
Speak to our team today.