What is Membership Management Software for Nonprofits?

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 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:

• What is Membership Management Software for Nonprofits?
• Top Membership Software Providers for Nonprofits
• Membership Management Software for Nonprofits: FAQs

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.

What is Membership Management Software for Nonprofits?

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.

12 Top Membership Software Providers for Nonprofits

Let’s explore a few solutions nonprofits turn to for their membership management needs:

Bloomerang

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:

• Giving Summary with Engagement Level & Generosity Score™. View each member’s current engagement level and giving capacity. This allows you to identify which members might be good prospects for moving up a membership tier or becoming a major donor.
• Member timelines. Bloomerang provides a visual timeline for you to conveniently view all member interactions. Highlight significant trends and noteworthy interactions to build genuine relationships.
• Email marketing tools. Create member segments or send mass emails to all members with a built-in email tool.
• Custom fields. Develop custom fields based on the member information you want to track.

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

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:

• Multi-tiered membership models
• Event registration and management
• Website design and hosting
• Workflow automation
• Online community for members

For pricing information, request a personalized quote on the YourMembership website.

Wild Apricot

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:

• Member database
• Website builder
• Payment processing
• Event management
• A mobile app

Explore Wild Apricot’s pricing plans on their website.

JoinIt

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:

• A member CRM and member portal
• A digital membership card
• Renewal reminders
• Recurring billing
• Website builder

JoinIt’s plans start at $26.10 per month, billed annually. Learn more about pricing on their website.

Doubleknot

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:

• Donation tracking and fundraising tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Timed ticketing and admissions
• Point of sale (POS) software
• Simplified bookings and check-ins

Contact Doubleknot for pricing information.

MemberClicks

MemberClicks’ membership software is tailored to associations and chambers of commerce, although they do offer some nonprofit functionality as well. Features include:

• Customizable forms and templates
• Member communication tools
• Automatic renewal reminders
• Membership websites
• Committee management

Pricing starts at $4,500 annually.

CiviCRM

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:

• Accounting integration
• Case management
• Contribution management
• Advocacy campaigns
• Peer-to-peer fundraising

CiviCRM is free to download and use.

MightyNetworks

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:

• A welcome checklist for new members
• The ability to add your nonprofit’s unique branding to your app
• Integrations with other leading software like Zoom and ConvertKit
• Comprehensive member list

Pricing starts at $41 per month for the basic Community Plan.

Hivebrite

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

• Customizable profiles
• Data management tools
• Content moderation
• Trends and analytics
• Event management

Contact Hivebrite for pricing information.

Glue Up

Glue Up empowers nonprofits with community management solutions to manage events, communications, membership renewals, and more. Organizations gain access to tools such as:

• Member surveys
• Online member community
• Marketing support AI tool
• Email campaigns
• Interaction histories

Pricing starts at $2,500 per year. Learn more about Glue Up’s pricing plans.

Fonteva

Fonteva’s membership software is built on Salesforce. Nonprofits turn to this membership solution for features like:

• Unified data and analytics
• Scalability
• Engagement scoring and badging
• Member directory
• Form/survey builder

Fonteva offers a subscription payment model with one fee per user. Contact them for more pricing information.

MemberPlanet

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:

• Customizable member onboarding process
• Unlimited custom database fields
• Online payment processing
• Interactive directory
• Membership cards

The Standard Pricing plan starts at $50 per month or $510 per year.

Membership Management Software for Nonprofits: FAQs

What is the difference between donor management software and membership management software?

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.

How is membership management software beneficial for nonprofits?

Membership management software offers many benefits, allowing nonprofits to:

• Streamline administrative tasks associated with membership management. Your nonprofit’s staff can save time and hassle by sending bulk emails and other communications, offering self-service event ticketing, and allowing members to manage their own accounts through membership management software. These tools can also send out automatic renewal reminders so you never have to chase down missing payments. 
• Allow members to manage their accounts without speaking to employees or volunteers at your organization. Interested parties can simply log in to your organization’s website, fill out the digital forms, pay their membership fee, and begin enjoying membership benefits immediately. Plus, the information from the forms automatically syncs into your database. For anyone who has ever had to spend hours manually entering information into a spreadsheet, this is a major benefit!
• Track all members and gauge future performance based on historical data analysis. Use your membership software to track trends and patterns in member behavior. Create reports or models based on this data that forecast your future performance. For example, if you’re planning a major fundraising campaign, you can use membership data to predict which communication platforms will be most helpful for reaching potential donors.

These software solutions help nonprofits expand their membership programs to foster a sustainable revenue stream and build deeper, longer-lasting supporter relationships.

What features should I look for in membership management software?

When researching membership management software for your organization, look for solutions that offer features such as:

• A user-friendly dashboard. Especially for small nonprofits who are just diving into the world of collecting, using, and storing data, you want a simple platform that doesn’t overwhelm your staff. Search for a solution that offers an intuitive, simple interface and support services to get up and running quickly.
• Simple online member registration. Your membership software should enable members to register for your program quickly and easily. Provide a short digital form that members can complete from any device (including computers, mobile phones, and tablets). Only ask for necessary information, such as members’ contact details, membership tiers, and payment information.
• A members-only directory. Allow members to build profiles within your database to share information about their professions, their connection to your organization, and their location. Members can use the directory to view profiles from their fellow members and make personal and professional connections.
• Nonprofit-specific functionality. Avoid investing in a software system that has more bells and whistles than what you will realistically use. Keep in mind that you can always upgrade to a more robust system in a few years as your organization grows. Look for nonprofit-specific features like donation functionality and event fundraising tools.

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.

What best practices should you follow to organize your membership software?

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:

• Create a pyramid database system in which members are categorized based on what type of membership status they hold. Typically, memberships are tiered based on how actively members would like to participate and support your nonprofit, like bronze level, silver level, gold level, or platinum level. Generally, the higher the level, the higher the membership fee, or donation, to your organization.
• Offer different perks at different levels. For example, a bronze-level member might have access to exclusive emails and communications, while a platinum member may receive VIP invites to fundraising events. A tiered grouping within your membership management software will assist you with sending out bulk emails, newsletters, donation requests, and event invites to the appropriate members.
• Use historical data to forecast future fundraising results. Your software will also allow you to analyze data, such as the geographical locations of your members, the percentage of members who renew their membership each year versus those who don’t, and other information your nonprofit feels is important. You can use this information to create tailored marketing outreach and plan events that speak to your members’ interests.
• Integrate with your nonprofit’s website. Most membership management software systems integrate with your nonprofit’s website so members can manage their accounts online and feed information directly into your database.

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.

Is membership management software affordable?

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.

Is membership management software good for small nonprofits?

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!

Wrapping Up

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:

• Nonprofit Membership Software: Compare 10+ Top Tools. Compare even more top membership solutions with Bloomerang’s free guide.
• 31 Free and Affordable Nonprofit Software Solutions. Interested in starting with a free solution? Explore the top options in this comprehensive list.
• 8 Best Nonprofit Credit Card Processing Platforms. Looking for an effective payment processing solution to manage member fees? This guide covers need-to-know information about credit card processing.