Association software helps manage and automate tasks such as membership management, event registration, and financial reporting. It centralizes information and allows for easy communication with members. It can also provide insights into member engagement and behaviour.
Association Software
Managing an association is not always easy, especially if you are not experienced in accounting. To provide you with help and to structure your administrative procedures, software companies have set up IT solutions specially designed for associations. Association management software offers many features to meet the diverse needs of managing an association.
Our selection of 1 association software
Paid version from €150.00 /month
Streamline event planning with efficient management tools, customisable registration forms, and automated communication features.
With idloom-events, you can easily create and manage events of various sizes and types. The software offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you manage your event from start to finish, including customisable registration forms, automated email communication, and real-time reporting.
Read our analysis about idloom.eventsAssociation software: purchase guide
What is an association software?
Definition
An association management software is a complete platform that will help you to manage, from one interface, all the support functions of your association: communication, marketing, web marketing, accounting, etc...
If you do not have any skills in the accounting field, it is recommended that you use accounting management software for your association. An association management software will help you to carry out your accounting but also to manage your members or to make declarations that are essential for your structure.
A commercial management software for associations is also a great tool that can make your daily life easier!
How does it work?
Association management software has several modules: accounting, communication, etc., as well as access to your database and the history of your association's activity.
Then, each of the modules allows you to perform specific actions:
- The accounting module allows you to carry out your accounting
- The communication module allows you to update your contact database
- The donation collection module allows your donors to make donations
- Etc.
What are the main features of association software?
Association management systems are "all-in-one" tools that can be configured to manage all aspects of your association.
- Cost accounting
- Automatic management of accounting files: general ledger, journal, income statement, balance sheet
- Cash Management
- Customised chart of accounts
- Invoice storage
- Bank reconciliation
- Dashboards: financial performance indicators, summary graphs
- Follow-up of bookings or places still available in the context of events, sports or cultural events
You can use the different features of association management software to manage your association.
Manage web marketing activities
Association management software helps you participate in the digital revolution. With it, you can easily create your association's website without any technical skills and pre-requisites. You can create a trendy website accessible from any type of device (computer, smartphone or tablet).
In addition, association management software simplifies your commercial management by allowing you to carry out campaigns with your database or an identified target: emailing, SMS, surveys, direct mail, etc.
Association management software:
- Updates the membership database for each validated membership form
- Manages contribution remittances: contribution reminders, online direct payments, etc.
Who uses association software?
The management of an association is equivalent to the management of a company. It is in the interest of every association to use association software in its daily activity.
All-in-one software is mainly used by the association office (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) which must at the same time ensure: management, accounting, etc.
However, for larger associations, it is recommended to use more specific tools (accounting, marketing, ERP, CRM, CMS, etc.) identical to those used for business management.
Association softwares: Q&A
Look for features such as membership management, event management, email marketing, payment processing, and reporting. Also, consider if the software integrates with other tools such as social media and accounting software. Ease of use and customer support are also important factors.
Association software streamlines processes, improves communication with members, and provides valuable data insights. It can also save time and resources, allowing staff to focus on other important tasks. Additionally, it can help increase member engagement and retention.
There are several great options on the market, including Wild Apricot, MemberClicks, and Member365. Each software has unique features and pricing options, so it's important to do your research and choose the one that fits your association's needs.
Some free options include CiviCRM, Open Source Membership Management (OSMM), and Zenbership. While these options may not have all the features of paid software, they can still provide basic membership management and event registration capabilities.