From crowdfunding campaigns to DAFs to merchandise sales, there are more fundraising channels than ever before. To access these diverse revenue sources, your nonprofit will need a can-do attitude, a thoughtful strategy, and the right software.
There’s a wide world of fundraising software solutions to choose from, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Obviously, you need an online donation platform, but what about one that maximizes donor engagement or another that supports peer-to-peer campaigns?
To help your nonprofit better understand its options, this guide will provide a basic overview of the fundraising software landscape before providing our top recommended solutions.
Fundraising Software FAQ
What is fundraising software?
Fundraising software is any digital tool that enables nonprofits to earn and process revenue. This definition is purposefully broad, since fundraising software platforms vary so wildly. After all, a platform designed to help schools collect pledge donations, a tool built for running charity auctions, and a database for pinpointing major donors all fall under the umbrella of fundraising software.
Can I fundraise without software?
Running a low-tech fundraiser is possible. However, technology is essential for unlocking your greatest fundraising potential. If your nonprofit hopes to raise funds online, operate at scale, or access unique revenue channels, then fundraising software is a must.
What fundraising software features do I need?
The fundraising features your nonprofit needs depend on your strategy, budget, capacity, and tech knowledge. Here’s a checklist of top features to help you determine your needs and assess whether each platform meets them:
Our Fundraising Software Recommendations
1. Signal by EverTrue – Best Fundraising Software for Major Gifts
EverTrue provides a suite of powerful fundraising tools, ranging from a video stewardship platform to endowment management features. The centerpiece of their fundraising software is Signal, a donor engagement and fundraising automation tool designed to maximize major giving.
Organizations of all sizes use Signal, making it a strong choice for large nonprofits looking to expand their major giving program and small nonprofits interested in acquiring their first major donors.
Top Features
- Donor profiles and segmentation. Connect your CRM to Signal and start creating comprehensive donor profiles that track engagement history, enable segmentation, and ensure relationship continuity if major gift points of contact change.
- AI-assisted follow-up. Streamline donor relationships with Signal’s AI tools, which can summarize donor profiles to give you a high-level overview and suggest next steps to deepen the engagement.
- Task management. Gain and maintain major giving momentum with task management tools that create reliable workflow structures.
- Outreach tools. Automatically log email, phone, and video supporter interactions with total peace of mind. Plus, Signal integrates with EverTrue’s video creation and direct mail platforms, so you can send personalized content through a range of channels.
- Major donor visit management. Provide your major gift officers with the tools they need to make scheduling and recording meetings with major giving prospects easy. With Signal, they can create calendar reminders, review donor profiles, and add meeting notes, all while on the go.
Price
EverTrue offers a wide range of fundraising software solutions, including Signal. Reach out to their team to request a demo and get a custom quote.
2. 99Pledges – Best Fundraising Software for K-12 Schools
K-12 schools can sometimes use solutions built for all types of educational institutions, but using a fundraising platform designed just for their needs is ideal. 99Pledges is a pledge fundraising software solution designed for K-12 schools that’s so user-friendly that even young students can get involved in fundraising.
Top Features
- Unique participant pages. 99Pledges creates a unique donation page for every fundraiser participant. This enables their friends and family to support their student directly, increasing their engagement.
- Social sharing options. Students can generate more support with easy social sharing options for Facebook, X/Twitter, and email.
- Detailed campaign overviews. Get a complete breakdown of each campaign, including how much each student has raised, who your top donors are, and an analysis of student participation.
Price
99Pledges is free to use, only charging a payment fee of 3.49% plus $0.49 per transaction.
3. Almabase – Best Fundraising Software for Higher Education
Connect with alumni through Almabase’s fundraising and engagement modules. Integrate Almabase with your CRM to get a better view of your alumni and build valuable connections with them.
Top Features
- Crowdfunding. Create custom campaign pages that bring your entire alumni community together to fund your university’s major fundraisers.
- Event management. Host unforgettable alumni events, from multi-day reunions to virtual get-togethers to high-energy fundraisers.
- Alumni networking. Drive long-term alumni connection with your school with engagement tools like job boards, business directories, and affinity groups.
Price
Reach out to Almabase’s team to get a quote.
4. Bonfire – Best Fundraising Software for Merchandise
Selling branded merchandise can help you fundraise for your nonprofit and increase your nonprofit’s brand recognition at the same time. Bonfire’s fundraising platform simplifies designing, ordering, selling, and delivering merchandise by acting as your shipping partner and fundraising platform.
Top Features
- Design creation. Use Bonfire’s design tools to create unique merchandise right on their site, or upload your own designs to ensure your brand looks exactly how you want it to.
- Peer-to-peer capabilities. Turn your merchandise sales into a peer-to-peer fundraiser by having your supporters sell t-shirts on your nonprofit’s behalf.
- Personalized donor communication. Identify supporters who buy your merchandise and send them personalized thank-you emails through Bonfire’s Campaign Dashboard.
Price
Verify your nonprofit with Bonfire to start using the platform for free. Bonfire also lowers its transaction processing fee from 8% to 3.5% for nonprofit fundraisers.
5. Double the Donation – Best Fundraising Software for Corporate Giving
Did you know you can earn extra revenue not from your donors, but from corporations? Double the Donation is a leading corporate giving tool designed to help nonprofits access corporate philanthropy programs like matching gifts, volunteer grants, and sponsorships.
Top Features
- Matching gifts. Matching gift programs are corporate giving initiatives where businesses will match employee donations to eligible nonprofits. Double the Donation’s matching gift database helps supporters discover if they qualify for a matching gift and can even simplify the matching gift application process.
- Volunteer giving. To encourage volunteering, some businesses offer employees paid time off specifically to volunteer or donate to nonprofits based on how much employees volunteer. Through Double the Donation’s corporate giving database, supporters can easily check whether they’re eligible for these programs, turning your volunteer program into a fundraising channel.
- Payroll giving. Payroll giving allows employees to donate a portion of their paycheck automatically. The trick for nonprofits is getting chosen as a participating organization. With Double the Donation, nonprofits can identify supporters eligible for payroll giving and take steps to get included in these programs.
Price
Double the Donation has multiple pricing plans, starting with a pay-as-you-go essentials package.
6. Flipcause – Best Fundraising Software for Small Nonprofits
Flipcause is the fundraising platform for small nonprofits looking for an all-in-one solution. Flipcause’s goal is to offer a worry-free, user-friendly fundraising software solution with strong security, reasonable processing fees, and straightforward integrations.
Top Features
- Website creation. If your nonprofit doesn’t have a website yet or wants a new one, Flipcause can design a new site for you. Then, once the site is created, they’ll give your nonprofit the reins to ensure your team always has access.
- Volunteer management. Fundraisers need volunteers, and Flipcause’s branded volunteer registration pages make recruitment simple.
- Sponsorship management. Attract sponsors by hosting opportunities on your website, complete with intake forms that let you gather information about each potential partner.
Price
Flipcause’s pricing is based on your nonprofit’s annual revenue. Nonprofits earning $100K or less in revenue can use Flipcause for $125/month.
7. Funraise – Best All-in-One Fundraising Software
Funraise is an all-in-one nonprofit platform that provides a CRM, donor engagement tools, and, of course, fundraising software. If your nonprofit is also on the lookout for a CRM and donor database in addition to fundraising tools, consider an all-in-one option like Funraise.
Top Features
- Recurring giving. Funraise has comprehensive recurring giving tools that provide suggested fundraising appeal frequencies designed to grow your recurring donors’ value over time.
- Donor self-service portal. Save staff time by allowing donors to manage their giving. With the Funraise mobile app, donors can log in and adjust their personal information and giving amounts at their convenience.
- Comprehensive analytics. As an all-in-one solution, your fundraising and donor data are all stored in the same system. This enables you to get comprehensive fundraising reports that cover all of your operations.
Price
For nonprofits making under $1 million in annual revenue, Funraise has a 5% platform fee and a 2.9% + $0.60 processing fee for transactions.
8. Giveffect – Best Fundraising Software for Unique Revenue Streams
If your nonprofit is looking to expand its revenue streams beyond traditional giving, then Giveffect might be the platform for you. Giveffect offers a suite of nonprofit fundraising and management features and tools, like donor rewards, third-party fundraisers, and stock donation processing.
Top Features
- Crypto, stocks, and DAF gifts processing. Expand your revenue by accepting emerging forms of giving, like cryptocurrency, stocks, and DAF donations.
- Grant management. Manage every step of your grant application process, from research to applying to award management, through Giveffect.
- Membership management. Does your nonprofit run a membership program? If so, Giveffect can handle member dues, tiers, and engagement activities.
Price
Contact Giveffect to get a quote.
9. GolfStatus – Best Fundraising Software for Golf Fundraisers
Interested in hosting a golf fundraiser? It can be more complicated than you might think, from registering teams to tracking scores to managing sponsors. Fortunately, GolfStatus is designed to help nonprofits manage charity golf tournaments.
Top Features
- Live scoring. Host exciting tournaments with live scoreboards that show each participant’s standing. For virtual golf tournaments, golfers can submit their scores through the GolfStatus mobile app, keeping players connected wherever they are on the course.
- Direct donations. Golf fundraisers primarily generate revenue through registration fees. However, your nonprofit can maximize revenue with GolfStatus’s direct donation tools that encourage participants to make an extra gift or round up their registration fees.
- Sponsorship management. Drive up the value of your sponsorship packages with unique, integrated solutions, such as Technology Sponsorships, which provide visibility across the GolfStatus app for the tournament.
Price
GolfStatus charges nonprofits based on each fundraiser’s transactions. To cover costs, nonprofits are given the option to pay fees themselves or include fees in the tournament registration price.
10. Handbid – Best Fundraising Software for Auctions
Auctions are high-value but complex nonprofit fundraising events. Get the specialized software you need to run virtual auctions with Handbid. Handbid takes auctions online, allowing nonprofits to manage their entire event from their platform.
Top Features
- Mobile bidding. Handbid’s mobile bidding app lets your auction’s guests browse items, make bids, and get alerts when they’re outbid. This format empowers virtual, in-person, and hybrid auctions where guests can bid again at a moment’s notice instead of hovering over paper bidding sheets.
- Live auction materials. Interested in hosting an in-person live auction? Handbid provides the supplies you need, including pre-assigned paddles, a virtual event catalog, guest lists, and even on-the-ground assistance for hosting your event.
- Auction games. Get creative with your auctions by hosting a range of games alongside your events through the Handbid platform, including prize drawings, wine pulls, and dessert dashes.
Price
Handbid’s pricing starts at $1,999/year.
11. Mightycause – Best Free Fundraising Software
Mightycause is a unique fundraising platform that provides free fundraising and nonprofit software, as well as a community of verified nonprofit users. To get started with Mightycause, nonprofits just need to claim their profile, add their details, and start fundraising.
Top Features
- Embeddable donation forms. If your nonprofit needs new donation forms, it’s easy to add and customize Mightycause’s embeddable forms. Simply create your form, copy the HTML, and add it to your website.
- Team fundraising. Encourage more supporters to get involved with fundraising by holding team fundraisers. Instill friendly competition between teams in these super-charged peer-to-peer fundraisers to earn more.
- Giving days support. Giving days are major fundraising opportunities, and Mightycause supports nonprofits by providing customizable event websites to drive donations.
Price
Mightycause has no platform fee and charges an average processing fee of 0.95%.
12. OneCause – Best Fundraising Software for Event Management
OneCause by Bonterra is a fundraising software solution that offers peer-to-peer campaigns, text-to-give, and online donation processing. But where OneCause really shines is in events. Particularly when it comes to auctions, OneCause offers comprehensive event planning, hosting, and management tools.
Top Features
- Event management. From auctions to galas to golf tournaments, OneCause provides a robust suite of event management features, including registration tools, table and seat assignments, and sponsorship management.
- Ticketing. Keep event registration simple with scanable QR codes, or account for complex situations with custom ticket types, group packages, and promotion codes.
- Virtual event hosting. Host successful events, even when attendees are at home, with live streaming tools and engagement features.
Price
Contact OneCause to get a quote.
13. Tithely – Best Fundraising Software for Churches
Tithing is a core part of church fundraising, and Tithely makes collecting these donations easier for clergy and congregants. With credit cards becoming the default for spending, Tithely allows churches to meet their supporters where they are with seamless digital gifting.
Top Features
- Tithely Tap. Tithely Tap is a scannable disc your church can place on the backs of pews or elsewhere in your church. Congregants can simply scan these inconspicuous discs with their phones to access your church’s donation page.
- Pledge campaigns. Launch ambitious fundraising projects with pledge campaigns. Congregants are able to space their donations, letting them give more over time by spreading out their contributions.
- Church management tools. Along with fundraising software, Tithely provides church-specific management tools, like kids’ day group check-ins, background checks through MinistrySafe, and sermon live streaming features.
Price
Tithely’s fundraising tools are free to get started with. For additional church management features, review their priced packages.
14. Txt2Give – Best Fundraising Software for Texting
Txt2Give makes running a texting fundraiser easy for nonprofits, churches, and schools. Through Txt2Give, supporters just need to text a keyword to your nonprofit’s unique phone number, and the fundraising platform will guide them through a short but optimized donation process, letting them give straight from their phones.
Top Features
- Recurring gifts. Usually, text donations are one-time gifts. With Txt2Give, however, supporters will be prompted to turn their contributions into recurring gifts, maximizing this channel’s revenue.
- Multiple campaign capabilities. Run multiple text-to-give campaigns at once, all through one unique phone number. Supporters texting your number are given a list of all of your ongoing campaigns, letting them pick which one they want to contribute to.
- Automated messaging. The entire communication process is automated, letting supporters give quickly. They’ll receive instant instructions, thank-you messages, receipts, and follow-up messages.
Price
Txt2Give is a pay-as-you-go software solution with a 2.5% platform fee.
More Fundraising Software Resources
Fundraising software empowers your nonprofit to reach donors in new ways, host exciting opportunities to give, and build lasting supporter relationships. Explore how you can expand your fundraising toolkit with our top recommendations and start reaching out to your top software candidates to request demos.
For even more fundraising software resources, check out these articles:
- Beyond the CRM: Building a Connected Fundraising Data Strategy. Your CRM is a core part of your fundraising strategy, but its data only matters if it’s put to good use. Discover how to leverage your CRM as a fundraising tool.
- Do this one thing to boost donor retention rates. The best way to grow your nonprofit is to retain the donors you have. Learn our secret for securing more of your donors.
- How Fundraisers Can Use AI to Book More Donor Meetings. AI is changing the way nonprofits fundraise. Explore how your nonprofit can use AI to get in touch with more high-value donors.
