Looking for a suitable nonprofit CRM software for your organization? Tired of finding donors, losing fundraiser receipts, keeping track of donations, etc? No worries as you can manage all of this in a single centralized location. Nonprofit CRM software handles all the needs and enhances donor relationships. So, let’s check out some of the best nonprofit CRM software and how you can make the right choice!
What we cover
Why is Nonprofit CRM Important?
Nonprofit CRM software helps increase a fundraiser’s revenue and grow the organization efficiently. It keeps track of stakeholders of the organization such as donors, members, employees, volunteers, etc.
The main aim of a nonprofit CRM is to enhance the relationship of an organization with its donors. It provides a centralized database for storing information and tracking data and reports regarding the whole organization.
By investing in a nonprofit CRM, you don’t have to keep track of all the donations and volunteer work manually. It provides an all-in-one solution where online data stays in a secure place.
Nonprofit CRM has advanced features for organizations such as campaign tracking and management, event management tools, reports, donor data management, donation tracking, etc. Some of the features are automated, reducing the need for manual work. So, it saves you and your employees a lot of time.
Nonprofit CRM also provides insight into a donor’s habits so you can figure out which donor is more likely to give large donations. This helps understand the potential of the fundraiser.
Nonprofit CRM creates donor groups and provides reports about the groups.
Through a nonprofit CRM, you can find donors who donate in large amounts easily.
Moreover, the CRM also consists of all the previous information about your donations. So, if you need to see when the donor gave the last donation, you can access the information in a few clicks only.
Nonprofit CRM software has task reminders. You can set any sort of reminders on the software such as calling the donors, emailing them, etc.
Nonprofit CRM keeps all the data in one place so you can get great insights into your organization and evaluate the performance of every fundraiser.
You can also get reports regarding new donors and or donors that no longer donate through nonprofit CRM.
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Choosing the Right Software
When it comes to choosing the right nonprofit CRM software, it can get quite confusing. There are a lot of software options in the market. So, you have to consider certain key factors before going for software. Check out the considerations you should make below!
Scalability
Determine how many donors you expect and how large of donations you see in the future for your organization. Also, consider how many members of the organization will be using the CRM software.
Some CRM software have prices based on per user so you will have to take this into account.
The nonprofit CRM software should have enough scalability that it can support all your needs even after your organization reaches a high growth rate.
Budget-friendly
The nonprofit CRM software should be budget-friendly with all the required features. Some CRM software have advanced features but they are out of the budget of small and medium-sized organizations. Such software is better for larger organizations.
So, if you are not a large organization, you should find an affordable nonprofit CRM.
Donor Communication Tools
Donor communication features are what make a nonprofit CRM useful for your organization. Look deep into the communication tools of the nonprofit CRM. These tools include thanking donor notes, fundraising receipts, donor insights, email marketing, all history of communication with donors, etc.
With these helpful tools, you can build a strong relationship with the donors and get large donations for your organization.
Ease of Use
The purpose of a nonprofit CRM is to reduce manual work and make the management of your organization easier for you. So, it should have a friendly user interface that doesn’t require extensive training or courses to use.
The CRM should be easy to use for your donors, volunteers, employees, and all other members of the organization expected to use the software. It is always better if the software has customizable features so all the users can have a desired dashboard.
Tracking and Reports
One of the best features of nonprofit CRM software is the tracking features it provides. It provides you with extensive reports on donors, donations, campaigns, progress, etc.
You can use the reports to analyze the metrics of different campaigns and figure out ways to improve them. This will help your organization come up with better fundraisers in the future.
Best Nonprofit CRM Software
This list showcases the best nonprofit CRM software solutions available, ensuring you can make informed choices to meet your specific needs.
Best Nonprofit CRM Software (At a Glance – Top 4)
| Features | Salesforce | CharityEngine | Nutshell | Virtuous |
| Best For (Features) | CRM, Sales, Marketing | Donor Management, | CRM, Sales, Marketing | Donor Management, |
| Platform Compatibility | Windows & iOS | Windows | Windows & iOS | Windows & iOS |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Popularity | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Software Type | Cloud-based | Cloud-based | Cloud-based | Cloud-based |
| Fundraising Management | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Volunteer Management | No | No | No | Yes |
| Mobile Accessibility | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting & Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Best nonprofit CRM software – Let’s dive deeper
Let’s check out the best nonprofit CRM software in detail now!
1. Blackbaud
Blackbaud provides comprehensive nonprofit software, including fundraising and CRM solutions.
Key Features:
- Fundraising management
- Donor management
- Event planning
- Grant management
Ratings: 3.5
Pros: powerful fundraising tools
Cons: cost for small nonprofits.
Pricing:
- Starter – $6000/year
- Essentials – $10,800/year
- Professional – $17,400/year
Blackbaud provides versatile software solutions for nonprofits, foundations, and educational institutions, aiding them in managing various operational aspects. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive functionality simplify fundraising, financials, CRM, student information, and HR functions.
Blackbaud’s reputation for industry expertise and excellent customer support make it an attractive choice for organizations, while its customization options cater to specific needs.
This software is an ideal fit for nonprofits, foundations, and educational institutions, including social service organizations, foundations of various types, and K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Blackbaud’s adaptable and user-friendly system can enhance productivity and operational efficiency, making it a top choice for organizations aiming to optimize their impact.
Verdict: Blackbaud offers comprehensive fundraising and CRM solutions, excelling in grant management and event planning.
2. Salesforce
Salesforce offers a customizable CRM platform for nonprofits, focusing on donor management.
Key Features:
- Customizable CRM
- Donor management
- Marketing automation
Ratings: 4.4
Pros: Customization options
Cons: A steeper learning curve.
Pricing: Pricing varies based on the edition and organization’s needs.
Salesforce is a highly-regarded cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software designed to enhance customer relationship management for businesses. It provides a full suite of tools covering lead generation, sales, marketing, and customer support, making it a versatile solution.
Salesforce stands out due to its comprehensive functionality, flexibility, scalability, and user-friendliness. It caters to various aspects of the customer relationship lifecycle, including sales, marketing, customer service, and analytics. Its adaptability and scalability make it suitable for businesses of all sizes, and it can be customized to meet specific business needs.
Salesforce is an excellent fit for small and medium-sized businesses, enterprises, nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies.
Verdict: Salesforce provides a customizable CRM platform for nonprofits, focusing on donor management and marketing automation.
Get Salesforce for Nonprofits here!
3. CharityEngine
CharityEngine provides nonprofit CRM with a focus on donor engagement and marketing automation.
Key Features:
- Fundraising campaigns
- Marketing automation
- Grant management
Ratings: 4.0
Pros: Comprehensive marketing features
Cons: Complex pricing
Pricing: Customized pricing based on the nonprofit’s needs.
CharityEngine is a cloud-based donor management software (DMS) tailored for small to medium-sized nonprofits. It offers a feature-rich solution for managing donor relationships, fundraising campaigns, and reporting. CharityEngine’s strengths lie in its user-friendliness, affordability, and mobile accessibility.
CharityEngine excels in donor management, offering centralized data storage and tools for segmentation, relationship tracking, and engagement. It streamlines fundraising with online donation forms, email marketing, and event management, complemented by real-time reporting. The software also provides mobile accessibility for on-the-go donor management.
CharityEngine is a great fit for small and medium-sized nonprofits, particularly those with limited budgets or a mobile workforce. It’s also valuable for nonprofits seeking to integrate with other software tools to streamline their operations.
Verdict: CharityEngine specializes in donor engagement and marketing automation, making it an attractive choice for boosting donor relationships and campaigns.
4. Giveffect
Giveffect provides nonprofit software with donor management and volunteer tracking capabilities.
Key Features:
- Donor management
- Volunteer tracking
- Event registration
Ratings: 4.5
Pros: Ease of use
Cons: Limited event management features
Pricing: $399/mo
Giveffect is a cloud-based nonprofit management software (NMS) solution tailored for Canadian and American nonprofits. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for donor management, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and reporting. Giveffect is renowned for its user-friendliness, affordability, and adaptability.
Giveeffect excels in donor management, providing a central repository for donor data and supporting segmentation, relationship tracking, and engagement. It streamlines fundraising through online donation forms, email campaigns, and real-time reporting. Additionally, it simplifies volunteer management and complies with Canadian and American tax and privacy regulations.
Giveffect’s appeal lies in its ease of use, budget-friendly pricing, and adaptability to nonprofit-specific needs. It is an ideal choice for Canadian and American nonprofits aiming to enhance donor relationships, fundraising efforts, and volunteer management.
Verdict: Giveffect offers user-friendly donor management and volunteer tracking, making it an efficient choice for donor and volunteer engagement.
5. Neon
NeonCRM is a comprehensive nonprofit CRM software known for its user-friendly interface and constituent management.
Key Features:
- Donor management
- Event planning
- Email marketing
Ratings: 4.4
Pros: Intuitive interface
Cons: Limited analytics
Pricing:
- Essentials – $99/mo
- Impact – $199/mo
- Empower – $399/mo
Neon Software is a suite of cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) and sales automation tools designed with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It offers a comprehensive range of features to assist SMBs in managing customer relationships, sales pipelines, and marketing efforts. Neon Software is appreciated for its user-friendliness, affordability, and scalability.
It empowers SMBs to efficiently manage sales pipelines, from lead generation to closure, with features like opportunity tracking, task management, and sales forecasting. The software also streamlines marketing campaigns through email marketing, social media management, and real-time performance reporting.
Neon Software caters to SMBs, particularly those with limited budgets and growing sales teams. It’s an excellent fit for businesses seeking to integrate their CRM and sales automation with other software tools.
You can watch video tutorials regarding Neon CRM here!
Verdict: NeonCRM is praised for its user-friendly design and dedicated support, suitable for nonprofits of various sizes.
6. Bloomberg
Bloomberg Philanthropy Solutions offers a CRM tailored for nonprofit fundraising and donor management.
Key Features:
- Fundraising management
- Donor segmentation
- Analytics
Ratings: 4.1
Pros: Robust analytics
Cons: High pricing
Pricing: $24k per user and $27k per year for subscribers. You can also request a demo to ask get tailored pricing
Bloomberg Terminal stands out for its comprehensive data coverage, real-time updates, and sophisticated analytics, which empower users to analyze financial data, make informed decisions, and assess risk effectively. The software boasts a user-friendly interface with customization options and offers reliable performance, backed by a dedicated technical support team.
Bloomberg software is the go-to choice for financial professionals, businesses, and government agencies seeking a reliable and sophisticated source of financial data and analytics. It consolidates vast financial information into a single platform, providing a competitive edge in the market.
Financial institutions, businesses, and government agencies find Bloomberg software indispensable. It serves investment banks, hedge funds, corporations, and regulatory bodies alike.
Verdict: Bloomberg Philanthropy Solutions stands out for its analytical capabilities and data-driven decision-making for fundraising and donor management.
7. DonorPerfect
DonorPerfect offers donor management and fundraising software, focusing on customization.
Key Features:
- Donor management
- Online giving tools
- Reporting
Ratings: 4.5
Pros: customization
Cons: A steeper learning curve.
Pricing: You can get a free quote by clicking their website.
DonorPerfect is a cloud-based donor relationship management (DRM) software designed specifically for nonprofit organizations. It offers a comprehensive suite of features for donor management, fundraising campaigns, and reporting. DonorPerfect stands out for its ease of use, affordability, and scalability, making it a valuable tool for nonprofits.
DonorPerfect provides a centralized repository for donor data, enabling segmentation, relationship tracking, and donor engagement. It streamlines fundraising with online donation forms, email marketing, and event management, accompanied by real-time reporting. The software’s mobility support allows nonprofits to manage donor relationships and fundraising on the go.
DonorPerfect suits small and medium-sized nonprofits, particularly those with budget constraints and growing donor bases. It’s also a great fit for nonprofits looking to integrate their DRM with other software tools to enhance their efficiency.
Verdict: DonorPerfect offers high customization, ideal for nonprofits looking to tailor their CRM to specific requirements.
8. Nutshell
Nutshell provides an easy-to-use CRM platform suitable for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
Key Features:
- Contact management
- Email marketing
- Sales automation
Ratings: 4.2
Pros: Ease of use
Cons: Fewer nonprofit-specific features.
Pricing:
- $192 per user/yr
- Offers tiered pricing based on user requirements
Nutshell is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software tailored for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It provides an extensive set of features for managing customer relationships, sales pipelines, and marketing campaigns. Nutshell is appreciated for its user-friendliness, affordability, and scalability, making it a valuable asset for SMBs.
Nutshell offers a centralized CRM system for customer data management, with segmentation, relationship tracking, and customer engagement tools. It facilitates end-to-end management of sales pipelines, from lead generation to closure, along with features for task management and sales forecasting. Nutshell’s marketing automation streamlines campaigns, and real-time reporting tracks performance and lead generation.
Nutshell is an excellent choice for SMBs seeking an affordable, easy-to-use, and scalable CRM and sales automation solution. Its integration capabilities with other business software tools further enhance its value.
Verdict: Nutshell provides an easy-to-use CRM platform for small to mid-sized nonprofits, though it may have fewer nonprofit-specific features.
9. Virtuous
Virtuous CRM focuses on donor engagement and provides a range of nonprofit-specific features.
Key Features:
- Donor management
- Marketing automation
- Gift processing
Ratings: 4.6
Pros: Nonprofit-specific features
Cons: Expensive
Pricing: Customized pricing
Virtuous is a cloud-based nonprofit customer relationship management (CRM) software tailored for nonprofits. It offers a comprehensive suite of features for managing donor relationships, fundraising campaigns, volunteer programs, and marketing efforts. Virtuous is highly regarded for its user-friendliness, affordability, and adaptability.
Virtuous centralizes donor data, offering tools for segmentation, relationship tracking, and donor engagement. It streamlines fundraising with features for online donation forms, email marketing campaigns, and event management. The software also simplifies volunteer management, automates marketing tasks, and provides real-time reporting on campaign and donor engagement performance.
Virtuous suits nonprofits of all sizes, particularly those with budget constraints and diverse fundraising and volunteer programs. It’s also a great fit for nonprofits looking to integrate their CRM with other software tools.
Verdict: Virtuous CRM focuses on donor engagement and offers a range of nonprofit-specific features for effective donor management.
10. Kindful
Kindful provides user-friendly CRM and fundraising software for nonprofits, with a focus on simplicity.
Key Features: Donor management, online giving tools, reporting.
Ratings: 4.4
Pros: Simple features with no complexity
Cons: Fewer advanced features
Pricing:
- Standard – $119
- Customized Pricing varies based on the organization’s size and requirements.
Kindful is a cloud-based donor relationship management (DRM) software designed for small to medium-sized nonprofits. It offers comprehensive features for donor relationship management, fundraising campaigns, and reporting. Kindful is renowned for its user-friendliness, affordability, and mobile accessibility.
Kindful centralizes donor data, providing tools for segmentation, relationship tracking, and engagement. It streamlines fundraising with online donation forms, email marketing, and event management features, along with real-time reporting on progress. The software also generates various reports for tracking fundraising performance, donor behavior, and impact, allowing data export for further analysis.
Kindful is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized nonprofits seeking an affordable and mobile-accessible DRM solution that integrates seamlessly with other nonprofit software tools. Kindful caters to a range of nonprofits, especially those with limited budgets, mobile workforces, and the need for integration with other software tools.
Verdict: Kindful stands out for its user-friendly design, making it a great choice for nonprofits seeking a straightforward CRM solution.
FAQs
Does a nonprofit need a CRM?
A nonprofit can find many benefits in a CRM such as report analysis, progress tracking, campaign management, donor management, donor insights, finding easy donors, enhanced donor relationship, etc. But it is totally a personal choice. Also, in the start, it is possible for a nonprofit to survive without a CRM. However, if you see growth potential and plan to have a large number of donors and volunteers, then a nonprofit CRM will definitely come in handy.
How much does a nonprofit CRM generally cost?
There is no certain price of a nonprofit CRM but generally it can cost around $9-$1,500+ per month depending on the features. For example, some nonprofit CRM don’t charge for onboarding while others do. Some charge monthly fees while some have only a one-time license. Most of the nonprofit CRM have a multiple cost-tier price plan so you can choose the one that aligns with your requirements and budget the best.
