Top 5 CRM Software Examples for Nonprofits and Fundrising in 2025

Artsiom Baranouski
4 min readAug 4, 2024

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Developing good donor relationships is critical in charity operations. However, successfully managing these connections can be difficult to navigate. In this environment, where finances are typically limited, the requirement for comprehensive yet free CRM or AI systems is critical.

Photo by Iwaria Inc. on Unsplash

Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of donor management is crucial, especially considering the challenges and advancements that have marked recent years. 67% of nonprofits use a CRM to track donations and manage communications by Nonprofit Tech for Good 2023 report. Also nonprofits lose an average of 10% of their donors like simple users annually due to poor donor management by the DonorPerfect project insights.

Source: Nonprofit Tech for Good 2023 report

As we delve into the multifaceted world of CRM for nonprofits, it’s imperative to grasp the significance of these tools in streamlining operations, enhancing donor relationships, and driving impactful change.

1. PlanFix: Empowering Nonprofits with Robust Features 🌟

PlanFix stands out as a powerful CRM solution designed specifically for nonprofits. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features make it an essential tool for organizations aiming to boost donor engagement and retention. Also it’s useful tool for fund accounting and tax preparation.

Source: https://planfix.com/nonprofit/

Key Benefits:

  • Different Languages: PlanFix CRM offers valuable insights into donor retention rates, helping nonprofits tailor their strategies for better engagement with the country language they have (like French or Polish).
  • Integrated Email Marketing: With built-in email marketing tools, organizations can easily reach out to donors and keep them informed about ongoing projects and initiatives.
  • User-Friendly Dashboard: The user-friendly dashboard provides a clear overview of fundraising activities, donor interactions, and campaign performance.

Challenges:

  • Learning Curve: The extensive features can be overwhelming for new users, requiring time to master their limited integrations.
  • Limited Payment Options: Extensive payment feature set might require additional training and expertise to fully utilize.

2. Salesforce: A Comprehensive CRM for Nonprofits 🏢

Salesforce, a well-known CRM platform, extends its powerful features to the nonprofit sector through Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud. This solution helps organizations manage donor relationships, track contributions, and streamline operations.

Key Benefits

  • Customizability: Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is highly customizable, allowing nonprofits to tailor the platform to their specific needs.
  • Automation: Advanced automation features help streamline routine tasks, freeing up time for more strategic initiatives.
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with a wide range of other tools and platforms, enhancing overall efficiency.

Challenges

  • Customization: Limited customization options for complex donor management needs.
  • Cost: Although Salesforce offers discounts for nonprofits, the overall cost can be high for smaller organizations.

3. Givebutter: Modern Fundraising and Donor Management Platform 🧈

Givebutter combines CRM, fundraising, and donor management into one platform, making it a versatile tool for nonprofits. Its focus on modern, user-friendly interfaces and innovative fundraising techniques sets it apart.

Key Benefits

  • Fundraising Campaigns: Easy-to-use tools for creating and managing fundraising campaigns, including peer-to-peer and event fundraising.
  • Transparency: Provides detailed insights into donor activities and campaign performance, promoting transparency and trust.
  • Cost-Effective: Offers a free plan with essential features, making it accessible for smaller nonprofits.

Challenges

  • Limited Features: Some advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans.
  • Support: Customer support can be limited for users on the free plan.

4. HubSpot for Nonprofits: Free Donor Management CRM 🆓

HubSpot extends its popular CRM capabilities to the nonprofit sector, offering a free version tailored to donor management. This makes it an attractive option for organizations looking to leverage professional CRM features without a hefty price tag.

Key Benefits

  • Free Plan: HubSpot’s free plan includes a range of features ideal for donor management, making it accessible to organizations with limited budgets.
  • Marketing Tools: Integrated marketing tools allow nonprofits to create, manage, and track email campaigns, social media posts, and more.
  • Scalability: As nonprofits grow, HubSpot offers scalable solutions with advanced features available in paid plans.

Challenges

  • Feature Limitations: The free plan has limitations on certain features and capacities.
  • Integration: May require additional tools for complete nonprofit management.

5. Bloomerang: Empowering Nonprofits with Robust Features 🌟

Bloomerang stands out as a powerful CRM solution designed specifically for nonprofits. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features make it an essential tool for organizations aiming to boost donor engagement and retention. Some organizations can use this software for Fund Accounting.

Key Benefits

  • Streamlining donor communication and outreach
  • Simplifying donation management and fundraising efforts
  • Improving donor engagement and retention through personalized interactions

Challenges

  • Cost: While Bloomerang offers a range of features, some advanced functionalities are available only in higher-priced plans.
  • Customization: Limited customization options for complex donor management needs.

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit management, embracing the right CRM tools is crucial for success. Whether it’s the comprehensive features of Aplos Software, the innovative fundraising techniques of PlanFix, or the accessible free plan of HubSpot, these tools offer a range of benefits tailored to the unique needs of nonprofits.

By leveraging these CRM solutions, organizations can streamline their operations, enhance donor relationships, and ultimately drive impactful change in their communities. If you found it useful and informative, please subscribe to my channel for more content on marketing, data science, and artificial intelligence.

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Artsiom Baranouski

Discussing the unique challenges and opportunities that B2B marketers face in the AI age. Subscribe to get insights weekly! About me: linkedin.com/in/aranovski