The right nonprofit software can make all the difference in your organization’s ability to do good in the world. Whether you’re looking for tools to manage donors, plan events, recruit volunteers, or run your financials, there’s a piece of software built just for you.
This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the landscape of nonprofit software. We’ll cover:
Donor management software
At the heart of any strong fundraising operation is a donor management system, also known as a nonprofit CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform. These tools help you organize your supporter data, track giving histories, send communications, and build the relationships that keep donors giving year after year.
What to look for
- A centralized database for all contact and giving data
- Built-in email marketing
- Reporting and analytics
- Integration with your fundraising tools
- Ease of use and quality support
Top options
- Bloomerang: Built for donor retention, Bloomerang offers a clean interface, built-in email marketing, wealth screening, and a Generosity Score to help you identify your best major gift prospects. Best for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
- Salesforce Nonprofit: Highly customizable and scalable, Salesforce is ideal for larger organizations that have the technical capacity to build and maintain a custom CRM experience.
- Raiser’s Edge NXT: A classic in the nonprofit CRM space, Raiser’s Edge is known for its comprehensive features and is especially popular with larger development teams.
Fundraising software
Fundraising software helps your organization accept donations online, run campaigns, manage events, and execute peer-to-peer fundraising. Many platforms offer a combination of these features in a single suite.
What to look for
- Customizable donation pages
- Recurring giving capabilities
- Event and ticket management
- Peer-to-peer fundraising tools
- Integration with your donor database
Top options
- Bloomerang Fundraising: Part of the Bloomerang Giving Platform, Bloomerang Fundraising offers donation pages, peer-to-peer campaigns, text-to-give, and auction tools — all connected to your CRM.
- Classy (GoFundMe Pro): A leading fundraising platform with strong peer-to-peer and event fundraising capabilities.
- Qgiv: A versatile fundraising platform with tools for online giving, events, peer-to-peer, auctions, and text-to-give.
Volunteer management software
Volunteers are the backbone of many nonprofit organizations. Volunteer management software helps you recruit, schedule, communicate with, and recognize your volunteers.
What to look for
- Volunteer application and onboarding
- Scheduling and shift management
- Hour tracking
- Communication tools
- Integration with your donor database
Top options
- Bloomerang Volunteer: Integrated with the Bloomerang Giving Platform, Bloomerang Volunteer helps you recruit, schedule, and recognize your volunteers while connecting volunteer activity to your donor records.
- VolunteerHub: A dedicated volunteer management platform with tools for scheduling, hour tracking, and email communication.
- Galaxy Digital: A volunteer management system with strong community engagement features.
Accounting software
Nonprofit accounting has unique requirements, including fund accounting, grant tracking, and compliance reporting. The right accounting software will help you manage your finances with confidence.
What to look for
- Fund accounting capabilities
- Budgeting and forecasting tools
- Grant management
- Financial reporting
- Integration with your donor management system
Top options
- QuickBooks Nonprofit: A popular choice for smaller nonprofits, QuickBooks offers fund accounting, grant tracking, and integration with many donor management platforms.
- Sage Intacct: A more advanced accounting solution designed for mid-to-large nonprofits with complex financial needs.
- Aplos: A nonprofit-specific accounting software with fund accounting, online giving, and donor management features.
Communication tools
Staying connected with donors, volunteers, and supporters is essential for every nonprofit. Communication tools help you send emails, manage your social media presence, and keep your community informed and engaged.
What to look for
- Email marketing with segmentation and automation
- Social media scheduling
- Direct mail capabilities
- Integration with your donor database
Top options
- Bloomerang’s built-in email marketing: Bloomerang’s email marketing tools are directly connected to your donor database, so you can segment and personalize communications based on giving history, engagement level, and more.
- Mailchimp: A widely-used email marketing platform with a free tier and a 15% nonprofit discount.
- Constant Contact: Another popular email marketing tool with a 30% nonprofit discount and event marketing features.
How to choose the right software for your nonprofit
With so many options available, choosing the right nonprofit software can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you narrow down your options:
- Start with your biggest pain points. What are the most time-consuming or frustrating parts of your operations? Start by looking for software that solves your most pressing problems.
- Consider integration. Your software tools work best when they’re connected. Look for platforms that integrate with each other to reduce data silos and manual data entry.
- Evaluate total cost of ownership. Don’t just look at the monthly subscription price. Consider onboarding costs, training time, and the value of the time your staff will save.
- Ask for references. Talk to other nonprofits that have used the software you’re considering. Their experiences can give you valuable insights into what to expect.
- Take advantage of free trials. Most software vendors offer free trials or demos. Use these to test the platform with your real data before making a decision.
The right nonprofit software can transform the way your organization operates, freeing up your team to focus on the mission rather than administrative tasks. Take the time to evaluate your options carefully, and you’ll be well on your way to building a more effective and efficient organization.
