For each of the following 12 use cases, we’ve identified the systems that we think most effectively meet those needs. Remember, systems can meet more than one use case, and systems can also be used to support use cases for which we’ve not identified them—these selections are our best efforts, but are not definitive.
Keep in mind that there are other systems not included in this report for reasons of eligibility—either cost, customer base, or for other reasons—that might meet your particular needs as well as any of these. Finally, remember that the systems we’ve chosen for longer reviews are not necessarily the best systems, nor do they appear in any ranked order in this guide.
You’re a tiny but growing organization, and price is critical…
The following systems provide donor management and fundraising tools for organizations with fewer than 1,000 constituent records for less than $1,000 a year.
You are a midsize organization and want a tool that can grow with you…
As your organization grows, so does your need for software that can help you track a large volume of constituents and run more complex campaigns.
You’re pretty tech savvy, and you want a free system…
While these systems are available for nonprofits to use at no cost, they do require technical expertise to set up and operate.
You need something easy to set up and use…
Most systems provide access to training and implementation services, but a few make the set up process easy and quick and don’t require intensive training.
You are looking for a system you can expand with a variety of third-party integrations…
Pre-built integrations are helpful for nonprofits who want to extend the core functionality of a system using tools with which they may already be familiar.
You need a system with high-touch customer support…
Comfort with technology varies among nonprofit staff and if the people who run your fundraising programs are less technically inclined, software that provides a lot of in-system and one-to-one technical support is often a good fit.
Fundraising events are a critical part of your process…
A pandemic may have curbed in-person events in 2020, but once we can resume face-to-face gatherings some nonprofits will need fundraising software that can also help them manage their galas, auctions, and 5K runs/walks.
You need a system that includes robust membership tools…
Most systems have the ability to accept membership payments and renewals, but several of the platforms we looked at have the ability to manage more complex membership programs.
You want to build a strong sustainer program…
Recurring donors are at the heart of efforts to create a stable fundraising program. The following systems provide strong tools to cultivate and manage sustaining donors.
You want a system that will help with donor engagement efforts…
Long-term donor relationships require more than just fundraising asks. A number of systems help you engage donors with cultivation plans, advocacy tools, and other non-donation-based actions.
You need a system that can help you track multichannel fundraising campaigns…
Multichannel donors are often a nonprofit’s most loyal and most valuable supporters, but tracking the performance of fundraising campaigns across multiple channels can be challenging.
You want a modular system that allows you to add sections as your programs expand…
Sometimes you want to start simple, but also want to be able to add functionality as you grow into a tool. Modular systems allow you to turn on and off sections of the platform as you need them.