In today’s age of software, there are many, if not endless options to choose from. Among the diverse range of industries, nonprofits, in particular, have a vast array of software tools at their disposal to streamline their operations and amplify their impact on society. However, with such a vast selection, it becomes crucial for nonprofits to approach their decision-making process with careful thought and consideration.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of software solutions tailored for nonprofits, exploring the best options available and providing valuable insights to help you make an informed choice. Whether you’re seeking to optimize fundraising efforts, enhance donor engagement, or improve project management, this guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to select the perfect software suite for your nonprofit organization.
Why is choosing software so crucial for nonprofits?
Nonprofits greatly benefit from curating a personalized software stack and leveraging software to streamline their operations and achieve their missions effectively. By carefully selecting software tailored to their specific needs, nonprofits can optimize their workflows, enhance collaboration, and maximize their impact on the causes they serve.
A personalized software stack enables nonprofits to centralize and automate various tasks, freeing up valuable time and resources. For instance, they can use customer relationship management (CRM) software to manage donor and volunteer relationships efficiently. This helps nonprofits maintain personalized communication with supporters, track donations, and analyze data to make informed decisions.
Additionally, specialized software allows nonprofits to improve their fundraising efforts and financial management. Online fundraising platforms and accounting software make it easier to process donations securely and track financial transactions transparently. Nonprofits can also utilize project management tools to coordinate tasks, monitor progress, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Nonprofits can leverage software to enhance outreach and engagement with their beneficiaries and the wider community. Social media management tools aid in crafting compelling campaigns and monitoring online interactions. Email marketing platforms enable nonprofits to send targeted messages and updates, fostering stronger connections with stakeholders.
What are the benefits of software for nonprofits?
The benefits of selecting software that has relevant features nonprofits can use to enhance their overall strategy, donor relationships, and revenue generation are imperative to the success of the organization.
These benefits can include:
- Enhanced efficiency: Nonprofit-tailored software streamlines and automates various tasks, such as donor management, volunteer tracking, and program administration. This efficiency allows staff members to focus more on the organization’s core mission and reduces the time spent on manual processes.
- Cost-effectiveness: Nonprofit software often offers specialized pricing or discounted packages, making it more affordable for organizations operating on limited budgets. Tailored solutions also eliminate the need for costly customization, as they come equipped with features specific to nonprofit needs.
- Improved donor engagement: Nonprofits heavily rely on donor support, and specialized software provides tools for personalized communication, donor tracking, and data analysis. This leads to stronger donor relationships, increased engagement, and better retention rates.
- Better fundraising management: Nonprofit-tailored software streamlines fundraising campaigns, making it easier to set up online donation portals, manage peer-to-peer fundraising, and track contributions. These tools facilitate transparency and accountability, encouraging more donors to contribute.
- Compliance and reporting: Nonprofits must adhere to specific legal and reporting requirements. Tailored software often includes features designed to meet these compliance standards, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in reporting activities to regulatory authorities.
- Enhanced collaboration: Nonprofit software often offers built-in collaboration tools and cloud-based accessibility, enabling team members and volunteers to work together seamlessly, irrespective of their physical locations. This fosters a sense of teamwork and facilitates information sharing.
- Data-driven decision making: Nonprofit software provides valuable data insights, such as donor behavior, program impact, and campaign performance. By leveraging this data, nonprofits can make informed decisions, optimize their strategies, and maximize their overall impact.
- Community outreach and engagement: Specialized software can integrate with social media and email marketing platforms, enabling nonprofits to reach a broader audience and engage with their beneficiaries and supporters effectively.
- Flexibility and scalability: Nonprofit software often offers customizable features and the ability to scale as the organization grows. This flexibility ensures that the software can adapt to changing needs and accommodate future expansion.
How to choose the best software for your nonprofit
Selecting the best software solutions for a nonprofit organization requires careful consideration and thoughtful evaluation of various factors. These primary considerations can significantly impact the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization’s operations, as well as its ability to achieve its mission.
Some key considerations you should consider before implementing a software include:
Tailored to your goals: Every organization has unique requirements, whether it’s managing donor relationships, tracking volunteer engagement, or facilitating program delivery. Understanding these specific needs will help in identifying the software tools that align best with the organization’s objectives.
Compatibility and integration: Nonprofits often rely on multiple software solutions for various functions. Ensuring that these tools can seamlessly integrate with one another is vital to avoid data silos and enhance overall productivity. A well-coordinated software stack promotes efficient data sharing, reduces manual work, and improves collaboration among team members.
Ease of use and user-friendliness: Nonprofit staff members may have varying levels of technical expertise, so choosing software that is intuitive and easy to navigate will facilitate smoother adoption and reduce the learning curve. User-friendly software increases the likelihood of successful implementation across the organization.
Cost and scalability: Nonprofits often operate on tight budgets. Evaluating the total cost of ownership, including subscription fees, setup, and maintenance expenses, is vital to avoid unexpected financial burdens. Additionally, considering the scalability of the software is essential to ensure that it can accommodate the nonprofit’s growth and expanding needs over time.
The best software for nonprofits in 2023
Today, there are endless software options for nonprofits. With so much choice at your fingertips, it can make your decision even harder to make. These are our top picks.
- Wild Apricot
- Bloomerang
- DonorPerfect
- Neon CRM
- Aplos
- Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT
- Little Green Light
Wild Apricot
G2 Rank: 4/5 stars
Wild Apricot is on this list because of its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface. This all-in-one platform is designed to simplify nonprofit management, making it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized organizations.
Some of the Wild Apricot’s stand-out features include:
- Intuitive website builder: This feature allows nonprofits to create professional and customizable websites without requiring extensive technical knowledge. Just by utilizing this one feature, teams can save time and resources and redirect that towards their core mission.
- Robust membership management system: This offering enables nonprofits to efficiently handle member registrations, renewals, and communication. Wild Apricot streamlines event management, providing tools for event creation, registration, and payment processing.
- Integrations: Wild Apricot integrates with popular payment gateways and external tools ensuring seamless data sharing and accessibility.
Wild Apricot primarily caters to small to medium-sized nonprofits and membership-based organizations, offering them a scalable and budget-friendly solution for managing their operations. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features cater to organizations with limited technical expertise, allowing staff members to navigate the software with ease.
What languages does Wild Apricot support?
Wild Apricot supports the English language.
Which currencies does Wild Apricot accept?
Wild Apricot accepts the US Dollar (USD).
What is the entry-level pricing for Wild Apricot?
Wild Apricot’s entry-level pricing starts at $50/month paid monthly. This Personal plan includes 100 contacts, member management, event management, a website builder, financial reports, donation management, and more.
See all plan details on the Wild Apricot pricing page.
Does Wild Apricot integrate with ActiveCampaign?
No, Wild Apricot does not integrate with ActiveCampaign.
Bloomerang
G2 Rank: 4.7/5 stars
Bloomerang stands out as one of the top software solutions for nonprofit organizations because of its focus on donor retention. This user-friendly platform provides nonprofits with a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline fundraising efforts and cultivate strong donor relationships. One of Bloomerang’s key strengths lies in its donor management capabilities, offering robust features for tracking and analyzing donor data.
A few unique features that Bloomerang offers include:
- Donor retention focus: Bloomerang places a significant emphasis on donor retention, helping nonprofits build stronger connections and engagement with their supporters for long-term sustainability.
- Smart segmentation: The software allows for advanced donor segmentation based on various criteria, enabling nonprofits to tailor communications and fundraising efforts to specific donor groups.
- Email marketing and automation: Bloomerang provides powerful email marketing tools and automation features, streamlining communication with donors and supporters to keep them informed and engaged.
Bloomerang primarily caters to small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations seeking to improve their donor management and fundraising practices. With a user-friendly interface, Bloomerang is accessible to nonprofits with varying levels of technical expertise and empowers staff members to navigate the platform with ease.
What languages does Bloomerang support?
Bloomerang currently only supports the English language.
What currencies does Bloomerang accept?
Bloomerang only supports payouts to nonprofits in the United States – $USD.
What is the entry-level pricing for Bloomerang?
Bloomerang pricing starts at $119/month billed annually and gives users access to 5,000 monthly emails, 10GB of file attachment storage, email and chat support, donor engagement scoring, Bloomerang Academy, unlimited online giving pages and forms, wealth screening, and more.
Find all plan details on the Bloomerang pricing page.
Does Bloomerang integrate with ActiveCampaign?
Bloomerang does not integrate with ActiveCampaign.
DonorPerfect
G2 Rank: 4.4/5 stars
DonorPerfect is included in this list because it excels in being an all-in-one platform. The software empowers nonprofits to streamline their fundraising efforts and donor management, leading to enhanced donor engagement and increased revenue.
Key features of DonorPerfect include:
- Advanced reporting and analytics: DonorPerfect offers robust reporting and analytics tools, enabling nonprofits to gain valuable insights into donor behavior, campaign performance, and fundraising trends. These data-driven insights allow organizations to make informed decisions and refine their strategies for better results.
- Integrated online fundraising: The software seamlessly integrates with online fundraising platforms, simplifying donation processing and providing real-time tracking of fundraising campaigns. Nonprofits can efficiently manage their online giving initiatives and nurture donor relationships through this integrated feature.
- Donor engagement tools: DonorPerfect provides a suite of donor engagement tools, including email marketing, personalized communications, and social media integration. These features empower nonprofits to connect with their supporters on a deeper level, fostering lasting relationships and encouraging continued support.
DonorPerfect is great for a diverse range of nonprofit organizations, from small start-ups to large established charities. By focusing on data-driven insights, integrated online fundraising, and donor engagement tools, DonorPerfect equips nonprofits with the resources they need to maximize their fundraising efforts, cultivate strong donor relationships, and ultimately achieve their goals in the nonprofit sector.
What languages does DonorPerfect support?
DonorPerfect currently only provides support for the English language.
What currencies does DonorPerfect accept?
DonorPerfect accepts donations in any currency and automatically converts payment information to the currency of the account owner.
What is the entry-level pricing for DonorPerfect?
Although DonorPerfect advertises a public price of $99/month, it’s best to visit their pricing page to request a custom price quote.
All packages include a customizable fundraising and donor management system, a comprehensive reporting and dashboard, integrated online donation forms, receipting and acknowledgements, live chat support and on-demand webinars, and hands-on onboarding.
Does DonorPerfect integrate with ActiveCampaign?
DonorPerfect does not integrate with ActiveCampaign. You can find similar CRM integrations by visiting ActiveCampaign’s Marketplace.
Neon CRM
G2 Rank: 4.3/5 stars
Neon CRM has earned its place on this list because of its impressive donor management, fundraising, and event management, making it a powerful tool for nonprofits seeking to optimize their operations and increase their impact. With its user-friendly interface and customizable options, Neon CRM empowers nonprofits of all sizes to efficiently manage their donor relationships, streamline fundraising efforts, and organize successful events.
Unique features of Neon CRM include:
- Donor management excellence: Neon CRM offers robust donor management features, including donor tracking, segmentation, and personalized communication. Nonprofits can easily manage donor information, monitor engagement, and cultivate stronger relationships.
- Integrated online fundraising: The platform seamlessly integrates with online fundraising tools, facilitating secure donation processing and efficient tracking of fundraising campaigns. This integration enhances donor convenience and simplifies campaign management for nonprofits.
- Event planning and management: Neon CRM provides comprehensive event management capabilities, allowing nonprofits to create, promote, and track events seamlessly. From registration to payment processing, the software streamlines event planning for successful outcomes.
Neon CRM is a great fit for nonprofit organizations of all sizes. With its focus on donor management, integrated online fundraising, and event planning features, Neon CRM equips nonprofits with the tools they need to build stronger relationships with donors, optimize their fundraising strategies, and achieve their mission objectives in the nonprofit sector.
What languages does Neon CRM support?
At this time, English is the only available language that Neon CRM supports.
What currencies does Neon CRM accept?
Neon CRM accepts a wide range of currencies. Your system’s currency depends on the configuration of the payment processor(s) linked to your Neon CRM system.
What is the entry-level pricing for Neon CRM?
Neon CRM entry-level pricing is called the Essentials plan and starts at $99/month. This plan provides you with the tools you need to operate a best-in-class fundraising database including fundraising and donor management, peer-to-peer fundraising, grant management, activity tracking and prospecting, file storage, and much more.
For full details, visit the Neon CRM pricing page.
Does Neon CRM integrate with ActiveCampaign?
No, Neon CRM does not integrate with ActiveCampaign. You can find similar CRM integrations by visiting ActiveCampaign’s Marketplace.
Aplos
G2 Rank: 4.6/5 stars
Aplos is on this list because it offers a suite of features that address various aspects of nonprofit management, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to streamline their operations and enhance their financial stewardship. With its user-friendly interface and specialized tools, Aplos empowers nonprofits to efficiently handle accounting, fundraising, donor management, and more.
Aplos offers features like:
- Nonprofit accounting made easy: Aplos provides powerful accounting tools tailored to nonprofit needs, allowing organizations to track finances, manage budgets, and generate essential financial reports effortlessly.
- Fundraising and donor management: The platform offers integrated fundraising features, enabling nonprofits to set up online donation portals, track donations, and manage donor relationships effectively.
- Customizable reports and dashboards: Aplos provides customizable reports and dashboards, giving nonprofits valuable insights into their financial health, fundraising progress, and donor engagement.
Aplos primarily caters to small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations, offering them an affordable and user-friendly solution for their financial and operational needs. Nonprofit staff with varying levels of technical expertise can navigate the platform with ease, making it accessible to a wide range of organizations.
What languages does Aplos support?
Aplos supports English and Spanish.
What currencies does Aplos accept?
Aplos can be used in any country and supports a large number of currencies. You can select the preferred currency symbol from the settings menu, and if your currency isn’t offered, they welcome users to submit currency requests.
What is the entry-level pricing for Aplos?
Entry-level pricing for Aplos starts with their Core plan at $99/month. This plan is aimed at organizations with small teams and simple accounting needs and offers features like fund accounting, donation tracking, event registration, online giving forms, reporting, partner integrations, and more.
* If your organization brings in under $100,000 in annual revenue, Aplos offers a Lite plan for $79/month.
See all plans on the Aplos pricing page.
Does Aplos integrate with ActiveCampaign?
Aplos does not integrate with ActiveCampaign.
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT
G2 Rank: 3.8/5 stars
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT is on this list because of its focus on streamlining fundraising, donor management, and constituent engagement. With an intuitive interface and powerful tools, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT helps nonprofits build and maintain strong relationships with donors, optimize fundraising strategies, and make data-driven decisions.
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT offers key features like:
- Smart donor management: The platform provides advanced donor management capabilities, allowing nonprofits to segment donors, track interactions, and personalize communication for stronger engagement.
- Integrated fundraising campaigns: Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT seamlessly integrates with online fundraising platforms, simplifying donation processing and providing real-time insights into campaign performance.
- Powerful analytics and reporting: The software offers comprehensive analytics and reporting tools, enabling nonprofits to access actionable data, assess fundraising trends, and measure the impact of their initiatives.
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT is a great choice for medium to large nonprofit organizations seeking an advanced and scalable software solution. With its focus on donor management, integrated fundraising capabilities, and powerful data analysis, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT is best suited for nonprofits looking to maximize their fundraising potential and achieve their mission objectives with greater success in the nonprofit sector.
What languages does Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT support?
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT is web-based and will change the language within the software based on the user’s country defaults. That being said, it supports most any language.
What currencies does Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT accept?
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT accepts the US Dollar (USD), British Pound (GBP), Euro (EUR), Canadian Dollar (CAD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), Colombian Peso (COL), Indian Rupee (INR), Mexican Peso (MXN), Icelandic Krona (IKR), and more.
What is the entry-level pricing for Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT?
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT does not offer public pricing at the moment. Instead, you can fill out a form on their site to request a personalized quote.
Does Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT integrate with ActiveCampaign?
No, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT does not integrate with ActiveCampaign.
Little Green Light
G2 Rank: 4.4/5 stars
Little Green Light has earned its spot on this list because it simplifies donor management, streamlines fundraising efforts, and enhances overall organizational efficiency. Boasting customizable features and an intuitive interface, Little Green Light empowers nonprofits to efficiently manage donor relationships and leverage data insights to make informed decisions that drive greater impact.
Little Green Light offers features like:
- Donor management excellence: Little Green Light provides robust donor management features, enabling nonprofits to track interactions, manage donor data, and segment their supporter base for targeted communication.
- Online giving integration: The platform seamlessly integrates with popular online giving platforms, facilitating secure donation processing and real-time tracking of fundraising campaigns. Nonprofits can easily manage their online giving initiatives through this feature.
- Automated communication: Little Green Light offers automated email communications, helping nonprofits stay engaged with donors and supporters through personalized and timely messages.
Little Green Light primarily caters to small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations. Its user-friendly design makes it accessible to staff members with varying levels of technical expertise, making it suitable for organizations with limited resources and technical staff. Little Green Light equips nonprofits with relevant tools to optimize a nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, nurture donor relationships, and achieve their mission objectives with ease.
What languages does Little Green Light support?
Little Green Light currently only supports the English language.
What currencies does Little Green Light accept?
By default, your Little Green Light account will display the “$” currency sign on financial entries. If you prefer for it to display a different currency symbol, you can make another selection in Settings > Subscription settings > Gift settings. Little Green Light supports the US Dollar (USD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Australian Dollar (AUD), and New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
What is the entry-level pricing for Little Green Light?
Little Green Light’s pricing is on a sliding scale based on the number of constituents you have. With up to 2,500 constituents, their entry-level pricing starts at $40.50/month billed annually and comes with features like unlimited users, support resources, security and backups, a knowledge base, a customizable dashboard, contact management, built-in custom reporting, and much more.
See all included features here and additional pricing details on their pricing page.
Does Little Green Light integrate with ActiveCampaign?
Little Green Light does not integrate with ActiveCampaign.
Software for nonprofits
Looking for a specific type of software for your nonprofit organization? Check out these articles that can help you make an informed decision.
