Human ServicesWhen John Oppenheim launched the Long Beach Area Veterans Collaborative in early 2024, he figured he’d have some time before he needed a CRM. But the organization took off faster than expected—and suddenly, spreadsheets weren’t cutting it.
With decades of nonprofit experience and a long track record of implementing CRMs, John knew exactly what he was looking for.
And he knew exactly where to find it: Neon CRM.
The Challenge
John thought it would be a couple of years before a full-fledged donor management system was necessary. But new supporters coming in and the organization growing beyond what they were expecting, his team needed a tool that could handle it all, without blowing the budget or requiring new hires.
He needed:
- A system that was easy to use and quick to set up
- Tools to manage constituents, forms, communications, and donations in one place
- Something that could grow with them, not outpace them
- A platform he could trust—because he’d used it before
Why Neon One Made Sense
Even though Bloomerang came recommended by a peer, John went with the platform he knew would deliver.
He’s been here before
“I’ve implemented Neon about eight or nine times—and I’ve worked with everything from Salesforce to Microsoft CRM to eTapestry. Neon is the one I keep coming back to.”
It’s built for people who want to move fast
“I was up and running in three days. Even with a new nonprofit and a lean team, I didn’t need outside help.”
Self-service is everything
“The more self-service you can make something, the better. It helps you save money, avoid hiring extra staff, and keep things moving efficiently.”
The price was right
Neon CRM gave John everything he needed—from donation forms to surveys to integrated payments—at half the cost of similar tools.
What Stood Out Most
Integrated Payments with Neon Pay
“I used Zeffy when I first started, and it took me an hour and a half to enter 10 donations manually. I’ll never go back to that.”
Intuitive Forms & Operational Efficiency
John’s team found Neon One so intuitive that a new member created a donation form on their own, highlighting the platform’s self-service capabilities that save time and resources.
Reliable Support & Ongoing Learning
“I like using chat—I know I’ll get an answer. And the release webinars? Super helpful. I always walk away learning something new.”
The Impact So Far
- Neon CRM was up and running in 3 days
- No need to hire additional staff—automation and self-service take care of the heavy lifting
- One connected platform for donations, forms, and email outreach
- Confidence that the system will grow as the organization grows
John isn’t just using Neon CRM—he’s championing it. From mentoring other nonprofits to suggesting new product ideas, he sees Neon not just as a tool, but as a long-term partner.
Ready to Grow Without the Growing Pains?
Neon CRM helps small nonprofits do big things—without breaking the bank or burning out your team. Want to see how it can work for you?
