What is Constituent Relationship Management?

Let's take a step back and begin by better understanding what is meant by Constituent Relationship Management. Constituent Relationship Management is the set of processes and supporting technologies used to initiate and improve relationships with constituents. It's important to realize that CRM is not just a technology that is brought into your organization. Managing relationships with constituents involves all of the workflows, processes, and reporting that your organization uses to get things done, achieve your mission, and realize your vision.

Constituent Relationship Management is the non-profit equivalent of Customer Relationship Management in the business world. By comparing and contrasting these two concepts, we will understand the purpose and scope of this book (and the CiviCRM software) better.