Nonprofits need to maintain different types of data for donors, volunteers, contacts, and clients. Implementing a database requires research, thought, and preparation. Budget time to do the initial setup and configuration, as well as time for on-going maintenance. Allocate time and dollars for training. Ensure that an onsite staffer is responsible for administering the database. Think about tracking donors, volunteers, and other constituents. Visit www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/databases/index.cfm for more information on nonprofit databases.
Today the trend is away from traditional "internal server" based databases in favor of a hosted solutions, and for good reason. A hosted database solution provides easy access, and is often more secure than an internal servers. There are no backups, or costly server hardware/software purchases and upgrades. The "migration pain" can be minimized if you're able to use a hosted solution from your existing database vendor (ie; Raisers Edge Blackbaud). Online solutions such as Salesforce or Quickbooks online (for financials) are also available.
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