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Best Donor Management Software for Small Nonprofits (Reviews)

Written by Nina Caldwell | Nov 10, 2025 10:45:00 AM

Are you still using spreadsheets to track donor information for your nonprofit? You're not alone. Donor management software reviews show that 67% of nonprofits use these specialized tools, but many small organizations struggle with messy spreadsheets that become more chaotic as they grow.

The nonprofit CRM market has grown to $4.25 billion in 2024. Experts project it will reach $7.35 billion by 2031, yet many small nonprofits haven't switched over. The right donor management software can reshape your nonprofit's administration and help you coordinate your fundraising efforts, regardless of whether you manage a few major donors or thousands of small contributors.

The best donor management software for small nonprofits does more than just organize data - it delivers better results. Take Bloomerang CRM's top 20% users who see a first-time donor retention rate of 47% - that's 28.5 points above the industry average of 18.5%! Recent studies show 52% of consumers feel more satisfied with individual-specific digital experiences. Your organization can build stronger relationships with supporters by using the right software.

This complete comparison of top donor management software options will help your small nonprofit find the perfect solution. You'll learn how to track donations, make communications easier, and nurture donor relationships within your budget.

Kindful

Image Source: Kindful

Kindful is a cloud-based donor management and fundraising solution built for growing nonprofit organizations. The platform has gained AI features and mobile capabilities after Bloomerang acquired it.

Kindful key features

The platform has detailed donor management tools that help nonprofits organize data:

  • Detailed donor profiles track personal information, pledge amounts, and social media connections

  • Customizable online donation pages for different campaigns with recurring donation options

  • Up-to-the-minute data analysis dashboard shows transaction, donor, and contact activity through visual charts

  • Automated reporting can be scheduled daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly

  • Donor lifecycle tracking visualizes each level of giving and identifies potential major donors

  • Mobile-friendly interface lets donors contribute directly from their phones

The platform helps nonprofits track in-kind gifts, generate custom reports, and give credit to donors who contribute through foundations or other entities.

Kindful pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface needs minimal training, making it available for staff and volunteers

  • Exceptional customer support teams respond quickly to solve problems

  • Clear, transparent pricing without hidden fees or fine-print clauses

  • Strong integration capabilities with third-party systems

  • Batch transaction processing makes administrative work simpler

Cons:

  • Starting price of $119/month might challenge smaller nonprofits

  • Phone support costs extra ($35-100/month depending on plan)

  • Search queries and reporting functions can be hard to use

  • Limited options to customize email campaigns and thank-you letters

  • Integration issues create duplicate profiles for some users

Kindful pricing

The simple plan starts at $119 per month and includes:

  • Unlimited users

  • Unlimited donations

  • Unlimited crowdfunding pages

  • No extra transaction fees

Monthly prices increase with contact database size, reaching $699 for organizations with about 50,000 contacts.

Kindful best for

The platform shines when used by:

  • Mid-sized nonprofits that manage around $500,000 in annual fundraising

  • Organizations with 10,000-50,000 contacts who need better donor management

  • Nonprofits that want to centralize data from various fundraising channels

  • Teams that need user-focused software without technical expertise

  • Organizations moving from spreadsheets to their first CRM system

Kindful integrations

The platform's integration capabilities stand out as one of its strongest features. It connects naturally with:

  • Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, Square, Authorize.net)

  • Email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Emma)

  • Event management (Eventbrite)

  • Accounting software (QuickBooks)

  • Form builders (Formstack, Gravity Forms, Typeform, JotForm)

  • E-commerce platforms (Shopify)

The platform also works with Double the Donation for matching gift programs and Classy for peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

Sumac

Image Source: www.societ.com

Sumac is an all-in-one donor management solution built for nonprofit organizations. The platform helps you manage donors and your entire nonprofit operations from a single system that you can customize.

Sumac key features

Sumac's core features and optional add-ons give you powerful tools:

  • Contact database management with customizable fields and filtering options

  • Donor and donation tracking with automatic e-receipts and thank-you emails

  • Workflow automation with task reminders to keep you on track

  • Built-in email marketing tools for individual and bulk communications

  • Outcome-based reporting to show your results to stakeholders

  • Web-based intake forms with e-signature capabilities

  • Cloud access so teams can work from anywhere

  • Case management for organizations that provide direct services

Your nonprofit can grow with Sumac by adding modules for volunteer management, memberships, and grant tracking.

Sumac pros and cons

Pros:

  • You can customize it to match your programs and data needs

  • Live phone support comes included at no extra cost

  • Add extensions as your organization grows

  • HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant to protect sensitive data

  • Easy setup without technical knowledge

Cons:

  • Tracking when memberships expire can be tricky

  • Excel data exports can be difficult

  • No auto-save or spellcheck

  • Smaller organizations might find the customization options overwhelming

  • Extra add-ons can make it much more expensive

Sumac pricing

Prices start at $109 per month. This gets you:

  • Cloud-based CRM access

  • Client/donor profile management

  • Workflow management and reminders

  • Outcome-based reporting

  • Accounting integration

  • 1,000 record capacity

  • Free support and training

You can add modules for donations, memberships, volunteers, and grant management at extra cost. The system handles up to 200,000 records.

Sumac best for

Sumac works well for many nonprofit sectors:

  • Human and social service organizations

  • Child and family services

  • Shelters and transitional housing

  • Food banks and nutrition programs

  • Health organizations and hospices

  • Small to mid-sized nonprofits

  • Arts organizations and education services

Organizations that need a system to grow with them over time will find Sumac particularly useful. You won't need technical expertise to customize it.

Sumac integrations

Sumac works naturally with several key platforms:

  • QuickBooks Online for accounting and financial management

  • Mailchimp and Constant Contact to boost email marketing

  • Google Maps for location-based services

  • Various payment processors to handle online donations

Sumac gives nonprofits a complete solution that adapts to their specific needs through its flexible design and add-on options.

WildApricot

Image Source: Wild Apricot

WildApricot provides a detailed all-in-one membership management solution that goes beyond simple donor tracking. This platform ranks as the #1 membership management software. Nonprofits can control every aspect of their organization's network from a single, unified system.

WildApricot key features

WildApricot comes packed with powerful features for nonprofits:

  • Event Management with customized registration forms, automated emails, waitlists, and integrated payment processing

  • Member Management through a cloud-based database that lets you search, filter, and track member activity with up-to-the-minute data

  • Email Management system with scheduled automated emails, customized campaigns, and analytics tracking

  • Website Builder with drag-and-drop functionality and mobile-friendly templates that need no coding skills

  • Financial Management tools that generate custom reports with QuickBooks integration

  • Donation Processing with secure online forms, recurring donation options, and fundraising progress tracking

  • Online Payments through integrated processing with automated invoicing and receipts

  • Mobile Apps that help administrators and members manage profiles and events on the go

WildApricot pros and cons

Pros:

  • One-stop solution for membership, events, website, and finance management

  • Easy-to-use interface that needs minimal technical knowledge

  • Automated administrative tasks that save about 20+ hours weekly

  • Reliable reporting capabilities with data segmentation options

  • Secure payment processing with multiple options

Cons:

  • Limited social and community-style functionality

  • Users find it hard to create desired webpage appearances

  • Outdated interface according to some reviews

  • Setting up membership ID schemas within the system can be difficult

  • Support sometimes gives conflicting responses

WildApricot pricing

The platform uses tiered pricing based on contact count. Prices start at $48.00/month for 100 contacts with annual billing. Each plan includes the complete feature set without setup, customization, or cancelation fees. You can try it free for 60 days without a credit card.

WildApricot best for

This platform works best for:

  • Small to medium-sized nonprofits with fewer than 1,000 users

  • Membership-based organizations that want to automate routine tasks

  • Nonprofits aiming to grow their member base (average 30% growth in first year)

  • Organizations that need integrated website, donation, and event management

  • Teams wanting to unite multiple administrative systems into one platform

WildApricot integrations

The software connects well with other tools:

  • QuickBooks integration for accounting and financial management

  • WordPress plugin for content display and single sign-on authentication

  • Automated workflows through Make (formerly Integromat) and Zapier

  • API access to create custom applications and retrieve/update data

  • Webhooks for notifications to external services that keep data in sync

  • Single sign-on service that lets members access external sites using WildApricot credentials

WildApricot gives nonprofits a versatile platform that simplifies operations and boosts donor participation through its integrated approach.

Donorbox

Image Source: Donorbox

Donorbox is a simplified fundraising platform that helps nonprofits boost donations and manage donors better. The platform puts donation experience first, unlike traditional CRM systems, and supports it with donor management features.

Donorbox key features

Donorbox stands out with these capabilities:

  • Resilient recurring donation system with flexible intervals including daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual options

  • Customizable donation forms that embed into your website with branding options and suggested donation amounts

  • Donor Portal lets supporters manage their donation plans and pause, cancel, or resume donations

  • UltraSwift™ checkout processes donations up to 4x faster than traditional forms to reduce donor drop-off

  • Detailed reporting tracks donation data and segments donors by location, amount, frequency, and more

  • AI-powered capabilities generate automated content for thank-you emails, appeal letters, and social posts

The platform includes many more tools like peer-to-peer fundraising, crowdfunding pages, text-to-give functionality, and event ticketing.

Donorbox pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly platform needs minimal technical knowledge to set up

  • Clear pricing without setup or cancelation fees

  • Donors can cover processing fees to maximize donation amounts

  • Tax receipts generate automatically with customizable year-end options

  • Funds release quickly to your bank account through Stripe

Cons:

  • Platform fees range from 1.75% to 3.95% based on plan and features

  • Users suggest the interface needs better visual styling

  • You need to upgrade beyond the free Standard plan for advanced features

  • Payment partner fees can reduce donation amounts

  • The feature-rich platform might seem overwhelming at first

Donorbox pricing

The platform offers three pricing tiers:

  • Standard Plan: Start free with 2.95% platform fee for donation forms (3.95% for events/memberships)

  • Pro Plan: $150/month with lower platform fees (1.75% for donation forms, 2% for events/memberships)

  • Premium Plan: Custom pricing with fees as low as 1.6%

Your chosen payment processor (Stripe/PayPal) adds extra processing fees.

Donorbox best for

The platform works great for:

  • Small to medium nonprofits that need affordable fundraising tools

  • Organizations wanting to grow recurring donation revenue

  • Nonprofits that need customizable, embeddable donation forms

  • Teams looking for simple donor management without complex CRM features

  • Organizations that accept donations in multiple currencies (supports 52+ currencies)

Donorbox integrations

The platform connects with these tools:

  • CRMs: Salesforce, HubSpot, Rock RMS

  • Email marketing: Mailchimp

  • Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay

  • Accounting: QuickBooks through Stripe connection

  • Third-party apps: Thousands of integrations through Zapier

You can also match gifts through Double the Donation integration.

Raklet

Image Source: Raklet

Raklet unites membership management with donor engagement tools to create a platform where nonprofits can build genuine community connections. This cloud-based solution ranks among highly-rated platforms in its category with a 4.7/5 overall rating from users.

Raklet key features

Raklet offers complete nonprofit management capabilities:

  • Community engagement tools including discussion boards, member directories, and private messaging

  • Automated email campaigns with customizable templates and scheduled delivery

  • Secure payment processing supporting recurring donations and membership fees

  • Customizable forms for gathering member information and feedback

  • Immediate analytics dashboard tracking community activity and fundraising progress

  • Branded mobile applications for iOS and Android devices

  • Digital membership cards for optimized member identification

Raklet goes beyond simple features by providing automated renewal reminders and announcement messaging systems that help maintain consistent donor communications.

Raklet pros and cons

Pros:

  • Users rate customer support at 4.7/5

  • Strong value for investment with regular functionality improvements

  • Strong security protecting organization and member data

  • User-friendly interface with minimal technical requirements

  • Better pricing than similar solutions

Cons:

  • The interface looks and flows in a slightly dated way

  • Limited payment processor options (Square support needs paid plan)

  • Member tagging needs improvement

  • The original setup needs some technical knowledge

  • The generic appearance requires customization for a modern look

Raklet pricing

Raklet provides flexible pricing with four main tiers:

  • Free Plan: $0/month for up to 100 contacts (4% transaction fee)

  • Essentials: $59/month for 500 contacts (3% transaction fee)

  • Professional: $119/month for 1,000 contacts (2% transaction fee)

  • Premium: $499/month for 10,000 contacts (1% transaction fee)

Organizations can save money with annual billing - the Essentials plan costs $49/month. Eligible nonprofit organizations can access special pricing.

Raklet best for

Raklet serves these organizations best:

  • Small nonprofits or startups that need all-in-one donor management

  • Community-focused organizations looking for member engagement tools

  • Churches and religious organizations managing congregations

  • Nonprofits with limited budgets that need affordable solutions

  • Organizations wanting to unite multiple systems into one platform

A youth leadership nonprofit united three systems into Raklet and improved communication with monthly donors while reducing churn rates.

Raklet integrations

Raklet blends naturally with many platforms:

  • Payment processors like Stripe for secure transactions

  • Communication tools including Zoom for virtual meetings

  • Marketing platforms such as Mailchimp for better campaigns

  • Accounting software like QuickBooks for financial management

  • Automation tools through Zapier connections to thousands of apps

The platform works with Double the Donation to maximize matching gift opportunities.

easyTithe

Image Source: EasyTithe

easyTithe specializes in church giving. The platform provides donation management solutions for religious organizations of any size. The platform serves more than 15,000 churches that employ it to streamline their tithing processes and involve their congregations.

easyTithe key features

The platform offers these specialized church features:

  • Multiple giving options through online, text, mobile app, kiosks, and virtual terminal

  • Customizable forms with drag-and-drop tools to create donation pages

  • Recurring giving system with a 95% donor retention rate across 5 years

  • Detailed dashboard that shows total volume, new donors, and average gift amounts

  • Admin controls to manage funds, donor profiles, and custom reports

  • Ministry-focused mobile app to boost congregation involvement and giving

  • Fund management with unlimited funds and customizable allocation choices

easyTithe pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly platform that needs minimal technical knowledge

  • Flexible giving options that match modern donor priorities

  • Church-focused design instead of a generic nonprofit tool

  • Level 1 PCI DSS certified platform with 256-bit SSL encryption to protect transactions

  • Features to manage multiple campuses for larger organizations

Cons:

  • Users report long wait times for customer service

  • The platform faces occasional downtime

  • Some reporting features lack customization options

  • Bank transfers take 2-4 days to process

  • Some administrators find the interface difficult to navigate

easyTithe pricing

The platform offers these pricing tiers based on church size:

  • Small to Midsize Church: $49/month

  • Large Church: $69/month

  • easyTithe Pro: $99/month

Additional transaction fees:

  • 2.6% + 39¢ for debit/credit transactions

  • 0.75% + 39¢ for ACH transactions

easyTithe best for

The platform works best for:

  • Churches moving from traditional to digital giving

  • Religious organizations that need specialized donation tools

  • Ministries looking to boost giving through recurring donations

  • Churches with multiple locations that need central management

  • Organizations that need quick setup (ready within 24 hours after approval)

easyTithe integrations

The platform connects with many church management systems:

  • SimpleChurch CRM for detailed church management

  • FellowshipOne for small group and administrative tools

  • Church Community Builder for disciple-making features

  • Shelby Systems (both Arena & Legacy versions)

  • More options like Planning Center, PowerChurch, Rock RMS, Servant Keeper, Breeze, and others

The platform also works with QuickBooks for financial management.

Pushpay

Image Source: Pushpay

Pushpay helps churches and faith-based organizations manage donations through a detailed suite of tools that focus on digital giving and community involvement. The platform serves over 14,500 customers and combines financial management with member engagement solutions through ChurchStaq, ParishStaq, and Resi Media offerings.

Pushpay key features

Pushpay offers these key capabilities designed for religious organizations:

  • Multiple giving options including online, mobile app, text-to-give, kiosk, and recurring donations

  • Custom mobile app with a dynamic homescreen that shows members newly published content

  • Detailed analytics dashboard that displays transaction data, donor insights, and engagement metrics

  • Financial management tools to import transactions, reconcile batches, and manage donors

  • Event management with registration and payment processing capabilities

  • Open API tool that lets organizations extend functionality for specific needs

The platform's patent-pending donation solution makes giving easier and leads to higher participation rates among congregants.

Pushpay pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface that needs minimal technical knowledge

  • Centralized financial management that reduces administrative work

  • Better member engagement through a mobile-first approach

  • Bank-level security with SSL technology and AWS data storage

  • Detailed implementation coaching for organizations without IT teams

  • Dedicated customer success managers who help users get the most from the platform

Cons:

  • Higher price point that starts at $149/month

  • Pricing scales with organization size, which can be hard for smaller budgets

  • Users report a confusing pricing structure with extra fees

  • Advanced features need upgraded packages

  • Reviews mention required long-term contracts

Pushpay pricing

Pushpay has three main pricing tiers:

  • Basic: Core digital giving solutions start at $199/month

  • Advanced: Custom pricing includes donor development features and branded experiences

  • Complete: Custom pricing for multi-campus organizations that need per-site customization

Pushpay best for

Pushpay works best for:

  • Churches and faith-based organizations that want mobile giving

  • Larger religious institutions with bigger technology budgets

  • Multi-site ministries that need campus-specific branding and functionality

  • Organizations looking to increase recurring donations

  • Nonprofits wanting to blend giving with engagement tools

Pushpay integrations

Pushpay works with many ministry-focused platforms:

  • Church management systems: Planning Center, Rock RMS, Church Community Builder, MinistryPlatform

  • Financial tools: QuickBooks, Intacct

  • Communication platforms: Mailchimp

  • Background checking: Checkr for volunteer screening

  • Event solutions: Display.Church for customizable calendar views

The platform's two-way sync with Planning Center People keeps profile data consistent across systems.

Method:CRM

Image Source: Method CRM

Method:CRM helps nonprofits link their donor management with accounting through Method:Donor. Unlike standard CRM platforms, Method provides the best two-way sync with QuickBooks and Xero. Small nonprofits can avoid double data entry completely.

Method:CRM key features

Method:Donor comes with these nonprofit-specific tools:

  • Unlimited contacts to track donors and prospective donors

  • Customizable donation pages and forms

  • Automated thank-you emails and receipts

  • Up-to-the-minute sync with QuickBooks data

  • Complete donor history access on any device

  • Recurring donation plan management

Method:CRM pros and cons

Pros:

  • Clear, modular pricing with no hidden fees

  • Simple customization that needs minimal technical knowledge

  • Two-way accounting sync that saves admin time

  • Mobile app lets you manage donor data anywhere

Cons:

  • Only works in English right now

  • You need QuickBooks or Xero to get full benefits

  • Setup takes time at first

  • Extra setup needed for some integrations

Method:CRM pricing

Method:Donor costs $25 per user monthly with annual billing. The standard Method:CRM plans include:

  • Contact Management: $25/user/month

  • CRM Pro: $44/user/month

  • CRM Enterprise: $74/user/month

You get a 10% discount with annual payment.

Method:CRM best for

Method:CRM works great for:

  • Small nonprofits that manage hundreds of donors with a small team

  • Groups already using QuickBooks or Xero

  • Nonprofits that want their donor data linked to financial systems

  • Teams that want customization without technical skills

Method:CRM integrations

Method blends naturally with:

  • QuickBooks (Online and Desktop)

  • Gmail and Outlook

  • Google Calendar

  • PayPal

  • Mailchimp

  • Zapier for smooth connectivity

CharityEngine

Image Source: charityengine.net

CharityEngine stands out as an enterprise-level platform that scales well for nonprofits of all sizes. The platform works as a truly native all-in-one donor management solution and handles everything from donor tracking to payment processing in one unified system.

CharityEngine key features

CharityEngine delivers complete functionality through these built-in tools:

  • Complete donor profiles tracking demographic details and giving history with AI insights

  • Native payment processing with PCI and SOC-2 certification for maximum security

  • SustainerIQ technology recovering failed donations with collection rates as high as 98.6%

  • Email marketing with 99% deliverability rate and automation workflows

  • Resilient reporting with 200+ out-of-the-box reports and custom dashboards

CharityEngine pros and cons

Pros:

  • The unified platform eliminates data silos between modules

  • Their in-house payment processing saves on third-party fees

  • You get a money-back guarantee if the system doesn't pay for itself

  • The platform ensures strong security with advanced fraud protection

Cons:

  • Users might need additional training due to platform complexity

  • The system has limited export capabilities for meetings and calls

  • Individual record updates can feel clunky at times

  • Non-technical users may find setup challenging

CharityEngine pricing

CharityEngine comes in three main tiers:

  • Starter: $550/month for 5 users and 25K contacts

  • Pro: Custom pricing for 10 users and 50K contacts

  • Premier: Custom pricing for 20 users and 100K contacts

CharityEngine best for

CharityEngine serves these organizations well:

  • Nonprofits raising $1M-$10M in fundraising revenue

  • Organizations needing reliable recurring billing for monthly giving programs

  • Teams looking to unite multiple systems into one platform

  • Groups that need sophisticated automation and workflow capabilities

CharityEngine integrations

CharityEngine connects with QuickBooks and Excel by default. The platform also provides:

  • Extensive APIs that support custom development

  • Seamless connections with matching gift platforms

  • Built-in integration with payment processors

  • Full compatibility with Zapier for workflow automation

Blackbaud eTapestry

Image Source: GetApp

Blackbaud eTapestry is a cloud fundraising solution built specifically for growing nonprofits. It focuses on simple donor management without complicated features. The system stands apart from larger enterprise platforms by making everything easy to access.

Blackbaud eTapestry key features

  • Data management tools with cloud storage, data health screening, and National Change of Address services

  • Fundraising dashboards that include online donation forms and analytics

  • Engagement capabilities for email campaigns, event management, and membership programs

  • Detailed constituent profiles that show all supporter information in one place

  • Mobile accessibility lets you manage donor information anywhere

Blackbaud eTapestry pros and cons

Pros:

  • Quick setup without much training needed

  • Fits well within smaller organizations' budgets

  • Ready-to-use dashboards and visualizations

  • No limit on number of users with subscription

Cons:

  • Few options to customize

  • Reports can be hard to create

  • Interface looks dated

  • Training might get pricey

Blackbaud eTapestry pricing

Monthly plans start at $99 based on how many contacts you have. The basic plan lets you manage up to 5,000 constituents.

Blackbaud eTapestry best for

  • Organizations buying their first CRM

  • Nonprofits watching their budget

  • Small teams with basic fundraising needs

  • Groups moving away from spreadsheets

Blackbaud eTapestry integrations

The platform works with Constant Contact for email marketing and connects to many payment processors like IATS and Sage. You can also use its API to build custom connections with other applications.

Comparison Table

Software

Starting Price

Key Features

Best For

Main Pros

Main Cons

Notable Integrations

Kindful

$119/month

- Detailed donor profiles
- Customizable donation pages
- Live analytics
- Automated reporting

- Mid-sized nonprofits ($500K annual)
- Organizations with 10K-50K contacts

- Easy-to-use
- Strong customer support
- Clear pricing

- Higher price point
- Paid phone support
- Complex reporting

Stripe, PayPal, Mailchimp, QuickBooks

Sumac

$109/month

- Contact database management
- Donor tracking
- Workflow automation
- Built-in email marketing

- Human/social services
- Health organizations
- Small to mid-sized nonprofits

- Highly customizable
- Free phone support
- HIPAA compliant

- Difficult membership tracking
- Limited Excel export
- No auto-save

QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Google Maps

WildApricot

$48/month

- Event management
- Member management
- Website builder
- Mobile apps

- Small-medium nonprofits (<1000 users)
- Membership organizations

- All-in-one solution
- User-friendly
- Saves 20+ hours weekly

- Limited social features
- Outdated interface
- Website limitations

QuickBooks, WordPress, Zapier

Donorbox

Free (2.95% fee)

- Recurring donations
- Customizable forms
- Donor portal
- UltraSwift checkout

- Small-medium nonprofits
- Organizations focusing on recurring donations

- Easy setup
- Transparent pricing
- Donor fee coverage option

- Platform fees
- Limited interface styling
- Complex feature set

Salesforce, Mailchimp, Stripe, PayPal

Raklet

Free (4% fee)

- Community tools
- Automated emails
- Digital membership cards
- Analytics dashboard

- Small nonprofits/startups
- Community-focused organizations

- Strong customer support
- Good value
- Reliable security

- Outdated interface
- Limited payment options
- Complex setup

Stripe, Zoom, Mailchimp, QuickBooks

easyTithe

$49/month

- Multiple giving options
- Customizable forms
- Recurring giving system
- Fund management

- Churches transitioning to digital
- Multi-location churches

- Easy-to-use platform
- Versatile giving options
- Church-focused design

- Customer service delays
- System stability issues
- Fund transfer delays

SimpleChurch CRM, FellowshipOne, QuickBooks

Pushpay

$199/month

- Detailed giving options
- Custom mobile app
- Analytics dashboard
- Financial management

- Larger religious institutions
- Multi-site ministries

- Easy-to-use
- Centralized management
- Mobile-first approach

- Higher pricing
- Long-term contracts
- Complex pricing structure

QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Planning Center

Method:CRM

$25/user/month

- Unlimited contacts
- Customizable forms
- Two-way QuickBooks sync
- Mobile access

- Small nonprofits
- QuickBooks users

- Transparent pricing
- No-code customization
- Live sync

- English only
- Requires QuickBooks/Xero
- Time-intensive setup

QuickBooks, Gmail, PayPal, Mailchimp

CharityEngine

$550/month

- Complete donor profiles
- Native payment processing
- Email marketing
- Custom reporting

- Nonprofits with $1M-$10M revenue
- Organizations with monthly giving

- Unified platform
- In-house processing
- Money-back guarantee

- Complex platform
- Limited exports
- Clunky interface

QuickBooks, Excel, Zapier

Blackbaud eTapestry

$99/month

- Data management tools
- Fundraising dashboards
- Engagement tools
- Mobile access

- First-time CRM users
- Small teams

- Easy implementation
- Budget-friendly
- Unlimited users

- Limited customization
- Complex reporting
- Outdated interface

Constant Contact, IATS, Sage

Conclusion

The right donor management software can reshape how your small nonprofit handles operations, relationships, and donations. Each platform we reviewed has strengths that line up with different organizational needs - you might want accounting integration, accessible interfaces, or special features for religious institutions.

Your nonprofit's size, budget, and main goals should guide your choice. Kindful excels for mid-sized organizations with large contact databases. Sumac gives great customization options to human service agencies. WildApricot offers complete membership management, and Donorbox focuses on making the donation experience better.

Churches and religious organizations might want to look at specialized tools like easyTithe and Pushpay. Method:CRM stands out because it works with QuickBooks. CharityEngine and Blackbaud eTapestry serve opposite ends of the spectrum in complexity and price.

Note that the best software depends on what you need. Small nonprofits moving away from spreadsheets do well with user-friendly platforms. Clear pricing and basic technical requirements help too. Organizations that handle recurring donations need strong payment processing and donor portals.

You should review which features your team values most. Most platforms let you try them for free or watch demos before you buy. On top of that, you might qualify for nonprofit discounts to lower your costs.

Moving from messy spreadsheets to proper donor management software is a big step toward better fundraising. It helps build stronger donor relationships and makes admin work easier. The platform you pick today will affect how well you achieve your mission tomorrow.

Key Takeaways

Small nonprofits can dramatically improve donor retention and fundraising efficiency by transitioning from spreadsheets to specialized donor management software, with top performers seeing 47% first-time donor retention rates.

Choose based on your size and needs: Small nonprofits benefit from user-friendly platforms like Donorbox (free start) or WildApricot ($48/month), while mid-sized organizations may need robust solutions like Kindful ($119/month).

Prioritize integration capabilities: Select software that connects with your existing tools - QuickBooks for accounting, Mailchimp for email marketing, and payment processors like Stripe or PayPal.

Consider specialized solutions for churches: Religious organizations should evaluate church-focused platforms like easyTithe ($49/month) or Pushpay ($199/month) rather than generic nonprofit software.

Factor in total costs beyond base pricing: Many platforms charge transaction fees (1.75%-4%), require paid phone support, or have scaling costs based on contact count that can significantly impact your budget.

Test before committing: Most platforms offer free trials or demonstrations - use these to ensure the interface matches your team's technical comfort level and workflow needs.

The right donor management software serves as the foundation for sustainable growth, enabling nonprofits to build stronger relationships, automate administrative tasks, and focus more resources on their core mission rather than data management.

FAQs

What are the key features to look for in donor management software for small nonprofits?

Look for features like customizable donation forms, automated receipting, donor profiles, reporting tools, and integration capabilities with accounting and email marketing platforms. User-friendly interfaces and mobile accessibility are also important for small teams.

How much should a small nonprofit expect to spend on donor management software?

Pricing varies widely, but many solutions start around $50-100 per month for basic features. Free options with transaction fees (like Donorbox) exist, while more comprehensive platforms can cost $200+ monthly. Consider your budget and needed features when choosing.

Can donor management software help increase recurring donations?

Yes, many platforms offer tools specifically designed to boost recurring giving. Features like customizable donation forms with suggested recurring amounts, automated billing, and donor portals for managing subscriptions can significantly improve monthly donation rates.

Is it difficult to transition from spreadsheets to donor management software?

While there's a learning curve, most modern platforms are designed to be user-friendly. Many offer data import tools, guided setup processes, and customer support to ease the transition. The long-term benefits in efficiency and donor engagement usually outweigh initial setup challenges.

How do I choose between a general nonprofit CRM and a church-specific giving platform?

If you're a religious organization, consider your specific needs. Church-focused platforms like easyTithe or Pushpay offer specialized features for congregations and multi-site management. However, general nonprofit CRMs may provide more flexibility if you have diverse programs beyond religious services.