Benefactor Group is honored to celebrate 25 years serving those who serve the common good. This milestone isn’t just about our journey—it’s about recognizing 25 years of philanthropic successes and the transformative impact those successes have had on people and causes around the world. Together, we fuel causes with powerful fundraising, people, and systems, and we look forward to continuing this work for many years to come.
Nonprofit Data Integration: Breaking Down Silos to Strengthen Engagement
For most of its history, the MS Society of Canada managed three distinct arms of the organization—fund development, programs and services, and research. As former Vice President of Shared Services David Arbuthnot described it, “never shall they meet.”
Each area operated independently, creating data silos that limited the organization’s ability to fully understand and engage its community. “People experience the MS Society in a number of roles and channels,” David explained. “It is not helpful to pigeonhole people and only see them in one light.”
In 2015, the MS Society’s leadership set a bold goal: to create a unified system that could connect every aspect of the organization. This shift from multiple systems to one central platform became a cornerstone of its strategy for long-term success.
Strategic CRM Selection and Nonprofit Technology Consulting
Benefactor Group partnered with the MS Society of Canada to lead the CRM system selection and data integration process. The engagement began with defining business needs, documenting software requirements, and identifying the core processes the new system needed to support.
A rigorous and transparent selection process followed—complete with scripted vendor demonstrations, facilitated stakeholder meetings, and due diligence to ensure alignment across the organization. After final presentations and negotiations, the MS Society selected an industry-leading technology designed to unify constituent data and strengthen cross-departmental collaboration.
Managing Change and Demonstrating Impact Through Data
Selecting a system was only the beginning. Benefactor Group guided the organization through the complex process of merging data, aligning workflows, and fostering buy-in across departments. The transition required patience, persistence, and visible leadership support.
“The change management challenge will always be there, but at the executive team level, we try to demonstrate the value. And we have seen success—when we first integrated members into the database, everyone immediately saw the benefit of seeing members and donors at the same time.”
This shift allowed staff to view individuals holistically—not as separate categories of donors or members, but as people deeply invested in the MS Society’s mission. The organization didn’t just talk about being donor-centric—it acted.
Building a 360-Degree View for Long-Term Fundraising Success
With a unified CRM and refined data strategy, the MS Society of Canada established a foundation for smarter, data-driven fundraising. Staff gained access to real-time insights, improved coordination across departments, and a deeper understanding of the people behind each gift.
“We’re in a constant improvement process, a constant skill refinement. We’re inching toward Eureka.”
Benefactor Group’s partnership helped the MS Society of Canada transform its data systems and internal processes, positioning the organization for long-term impact and sustained donor engagement.
If your organization is ready to strengthen its nonprofit technology systems, improve data integration, and build a truly donor-centric strategy, connect with Benefactor Group today. We’d love to help you get there.
