
Recurring giving is on the rise—according to the M+R Benchmarks study, monthly giving revenue increased by 11% in 2022 and made up 28% of all online revenue. To provide a convenient avenue for recurring or monthly giving, many nonprofits offer membership programs to their supporters.
That also means that nonprofits increasingly need tools to organize their membership programs, including membership management software built specifically for nonprofit needs. This guide explores everything you need to know about nonprofit membership management software in the following sections:
Membership management software is an investment, but it pays for itself quickly because you can use this solution to grow your membership base and retain current members. Let’s dive into some of the basics of membership management software.

Membership management software is a tool for communicating with your members, tracking member involvement, and disseminating information to specific membership groups. Top membership management solutions also enable two-way communication between members and your nonprofit, allowing members to reach out via direct messages.
Think of membership management software as a database that allows you to store all the information you have collected about anyone who’s ever held a membership with your organization. It works much like donor management software—as a matter of fact, you can integrate these solutions to ensure your data is seamlessly connected across platforms.
You may have also heard of association management software (AMS). AMS shares many of the same qualities as membership management software for nonprofits, but these systems are typically built for associations rather than nonprofits. They may not offer nonprofit-specific features like donation tools, and they may include many features you don’t need, like learning management systems.
Let’s explore a few solutions nonprofits turn to for their membership management needs:

Bloomerang’s membership tracking system unlocks hidden opportunities within your membership base. With this solution, you can track members and donors within one system, avoiding data silos.
Bloomerang is also built specifically for nonprofits, providing all the features you need and none that you don’t. You’ll have access to nonprofit-specific membership features for an affordable price.

Bloomerang offers the following features to optimize the member experience:
Bloomerang offers scalable pricing based on your nonprofit's needs. If you want to learn more about what our software can do for your membership program, request a demo today.


YourMembership is an association management software with some nonprofit-specific features. You can use this platform to recruit new members, raise donations, track volunteer communications, and more. Features include:
For pricing information, request a personalized quote on the YourMembership website.

Wild Apricot offers membership software for nonprofits, associations, chambers of commerce, clubs, and other member organizations. This platform focuses on helping organizations automate and simplify their daily operations to improve efficiency by offering features such as:
Explore Wild Apricot’s pricing plans on their website.

JoinIt’s membership software is scalable and flexible, allowing nonprofits to pivot their strategies as they grow. It’s an effective option for nonprofits looking to move away from spreadsheets for the first time. Tools available in this platform include:
JoinIt’s plans start at $26.10 per month, billed annually. Learn more about pricing on their website.

Doubleknot offers integrated management software for nonprofits and cultural organizations like museums, zoos, and aquariums. Their membership software helps organizations recruit and retain members to support their missions. Features of this software include:
Contact Doubleknot for pricing information.

MemberClicks’ membership software is tailored to associations and chambers of commerce, although they do offer some nonprofit functionality as well. Features include:
Pricing starts at $4,500 annually.

CiviCRM is an open-source constituent management platform for building and managing membership bases. The platform is highly flexible and configurable, and you can use it on its own or with a CMS like Drupal or WordPress. This platform offers tools like:
CiviCRM is free to download and use.

MightyNetworks specializes in community management software. Nonprofits can use this tool to foster online member engagement and encourage genuine interactions with and between members. Stand-out features of this platform include:
Pricing starts at $41 per month for the basic Community Plan.

Hivebrite powers positive change with its community engagement solution. Charities, NGOs, and foundations turn to this platform for features like:
Contact Hivebrite for pricing information.

Glue Up empowers nonprofits with community management solutions to manage events, communications, membership renewals, and more. Organizations gain access to tools such as:
Pricing starts at $2,500 per year. Learn more about Glue Up's pricing plans.

Fonteva’s membership software is built on Salesforce. Nonprofits turn to this membership solution for features like:
Fonteva offers a subscription payment model with one fee per user. Contact them for more pricing information.

MemberPlanet offers membership management solutions for associations, nonprofits, schools, booster clubs, and other membership-based programs or groups. This platform simplifies member management with features like:
The Standard Pricing plan starts at $50 per month or $510 per year.

Donor management software is a type of CRM software used to compile information about everyone who has ever donated to your organization. This could be the person who donated $20 five years ago or someone who makes regular gifts to your nonprofit.
Membership management software, on the other hand, allows you to create a benefits-driven membership system based on tiers. This encourages a regular flow of donations and community support.
Membership management software offers many benefits, allowing nonprofits to:

These software solutions help nonprofits expand their membership programs to foster a sustainable revenue stream and build deeper, longer-lasting supporter relationships.
When researching membership management software for your organization, look for solutions that offer features such as:
When comparing top solutions, take note of which features come built into the platform and which are offered as add-ons. Add-ons can affect the total price of the software, so it’s important to be mindful of your budget.
You have a few options for configuring your membership software to serve your nonprofit’s needs. We recommend taking the following steps to organize your database effectively:
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your software and try new strategies until you find the configuration that works best for your organization’s needs. You can also work with your software provider to figure out the best structure for your data and dashboards.
Robust membership management software can get expensive, especially for a small nonprofit with limited funds. You can always start with free nonprofit software and invest in a more robust, paid system when you’re ready to scale up your efforts. The benefit of using free nonprofit software is that you can test the waters and learn more about how these solutions work before diving into a more complex system.
Of course! As long as your nonprofit currently has a membership program or is thinking of starting one soon, membership management software will save your organization time and money in the long run. These tools will help you do away with spreadsheets and countless hours of manual data entry so that your team members can focus more on building your organization’s mission!
Membership management software can take your program to the next level and foster reliable member relationships that offer mutual benefits to both supporters and your organization.
Looking for additional membership management tips and software information? Start with these free resources:
