Your nonprofit organization works hard to make compelling fundraising appeals and reach supporters online. All that’s left is collecting the donation payment. To do so, you need to ensure you’re using the donation software that best suits your organization’s and donor’s needs.
It’s imperative that you understand your nonprofit payment processing systems options and how they work. After all, this software collects the funds that drive your mission forward and begins the relationships between you and potential donors.
Donation software is ever-evolving, so choosing the right one and making the most of its features will help you reach your fundraising goals. The challenge with donation software is sifting through the wide variety of options that exist.
Here at iATS Payments by Deluxe®, we understand that this investment should come from an informed decision. Whether you’re investing in a solution for the first time or want an upgrade, this guide will provide an overview of nonprofit donation software and shout out some of our favorite options to streamline your search process.
- Quick Overview: What is Donation Software?
- 20 Top Donation Software Solutions
iATS Payments - Best Overall Donation Software
Brickwork - Donation Software for Salesforce Users
DonationPay - Donation software for Custom Donation Pages
Grassroots Unwired - Donation Software for in-person Giving
Helping Habit - Donation Software for Volunteer Management
OneCause - Donation Software for Mobile Bidding
Neon Fundraise - Donation Software for Crowdfunding
Elevate - Donation Software for Campaign Management
Engaging Networks - Donation Software for Advocacy
Form Assembly - Donation Software for Form Building
Frontstream - Donation Software for peer-to-peer events
GiftTool - Donation Software for Members
Give - Donation Software for WordPress users
MobileCause - Donation Software for Mobile Giving
ACS Technologies - Donation Software for Churches
AES - Donation Software for Auction and Events
Auction Frogs - Donation Software for Gala events
Anthology - Donation Software for Alumni Fundraising
Neon One - Donation Software for Constituent Relationship Management
Silent Partner Software - Donation Software for HR Management
With this information in mind, your team can make the best choice for your new donation software. Let’s jump in.
Quick Overview: What is Donation Software?
Donation software functions to support organizations in managing the data and finances regarding the charitable contributions they receive and the supporters who give them.
With a dependable donation solution, you can collect critical supporter data and bolster fundraising strategies by pulling helpful insights, creating donor profiles, and much more. Having reliable donation software is necessary as your organization grows. The more donors you have, the more data you’ll have to store. As your database grows, the less realistic it is to organize it accurately manually.
Your options for types of donation software are expansive, so consider your organization’s unique needs before investing. Here are a few available options:
- Fundraising software is an umbrella term for different types of technology and systems tailored to the nonprofit sphere. They function to do several practical tasks surrounding raising funds, managing donors and organizing data. T
- Event management software helps your organization save time and energy when planning any event, whether in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid setting.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) functions to build and maintain relationships with donors. It’s the primary support for your organization’s outreach efforts. It also houses the data you need to strategize based on behaviors and trends. It’s how you access your donor contact information, engagement statistics, and fundraising analytics.
- Data collection software organizes and maintains data to help your nonprofit make informed decisions. As your organization grows, so does your database.
- Campaign analytic software will help your organization gain new insights into a plethora of helpful information regarding your campaign and can help you determine if your strategy needs to be adjusted.
Donation software is an essential tool for every nonprofit organization, making your data acquisition, organization, and review easier. The right donation software can help you understand your supporters on a deeper level, thus bettering your outreach and fundraising strategies and helping you quickly understand your donors on a deeper level.
Benefits of Using Donation Software
The donation software you choose works for your organization in various ways to streamline your donation process and strengthen supporter relationships. The gifts you receive from donors power your efforts forward. Without these funds, it’s impossible to continue supporting your cause and making a difference.
Here are some ways donation software works to optimize your operations:
- Collects donor data. Having accurate and detailed information on your supporters is critical for your organization. This way, you’re able to make decisions about communications, fundraising, and more in an informed manner. With the help of suitable donation software, these critical processes are automated, cutting down on the time your team may spend manually entering information. It also eliminates the potential for human error.
- Reporting and analytics. Your donation software should pull insights from your collected data with both pre-built and customized reports. This way, your team will make more accurate projections about your future efforts and adjust your fundraising accordingly.
- Creates donor segments from your supporters’ profiles. Donor segmentation is essential to targeting the right supporters at the right time for your team’s future endeavors. For example, you’re able to discover which segment of supporters are at risk of lapsing and communicate accordingly.
- Quick donor communications. Through your CRM software, you can readily send material such as event invitations and thank-you emails to the contact information stored in your database.
- Recurring gift management. Regular gift options allow for automatic gifts to be transferred regularly. It’s important that your donation software processes these donations, generates receipts, and alerts donors if their payment fails.
- Providing 24/7 real-time access to donation data. Your donation software is a central storage location for all of the information collected by your organization. Your team can access and use this data anywhere. This is especially helpful if your organization has remote workers.
Your organization may require some features more than others, but the capabilities mentioned above are necessary for efficient donation software. Before purchasing, take note of the tools you already have access to, any tools you still need, and any that your team should invest in.
Donation Software Qualities to Look For
Consider looking for donation software products with the following attributes:
- Strong data security measures. Unfortunately, nonprofit organizations can be targets for security breaches because they hold sensitive personal and financial information. Ensure your donor data remains secure by investing in donation software with proactive security measures for payment processing and data security.
- Seamless integration. If your nonprofit is currently using other software systems, check to ensure the donation software you choose integrates well with your existing tools. To do this, you can ask providers questions about integration capabilities and what is needed on your end to make sure that your data will move quickly from one system to another.
- Scalability. Inevitably, your organization will grow larger and set higher fundraising goals. When shopping for donation software, consider your five-year plan. Find a donation software that can handle your current donor base size and continue to support your organization as you expand.
- Client support. Finally, when implementing any new software, you’ll need customer support. Make sure the software provider you choose offers comprehensive training and outreach.
Find a software provider that caters to your needs and allows room for your organization’s growth. It’s recommended that your team invests in a solution that will keep your data secure, builds important donor relationships, and increases fundraising.
iATS Payments: Best Donation Software Overall
iATS Payments is the only payment processor dedicated to the nonprofit sector. Over the last 20+ years, organizations have relied on this software to process payments to drive fundraising causes forward securely.
iATS Payments’ Top Features
- Secure credit card processing. iATS Payments accepts most major credit cards to cater to a wide range of donors. Because donor data security is a pertinent priority, your organization can access custom fraud prevention tools and 24/7 online reporting of suspicious transactions.
- Accepts direct debit & ACH. With ACH processing, iATS Payments donor software can receive donations directly from the supporter’s bank account. You’re even able to offer recurring giving with this option for reliable contributions.
- Tokenization and encryption on all payments. iATS Payments encrypts donor’s card information as it goes through the payment process to avoid any breaches in sensitive financial information.
- PCI compliant. iATS Payments is Level 1 Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliant. This is a security measure to ensure all businesses meet the same security standards.
These security options are vital to consider when purchasing an online payment processor. A breach in your donor’s sensitive information may negatively impact your organization for a long time. And, with a payment processor dedicated to the nonprofit sector, your organization can receive specialized support and focus on driving your mission forward.
Brickwork: Donation Software for Salesforce Users
Brickwork is a fully integrated Salesforce app for capturing donations and streamlining the overall online payment process. It works to expedite data entry associated with nonprofit giving. Getting started with Brickwork donation software is straightforward to install for all Salesforce users and is managed by iATS Payments.
Brickwork’s Top Features
- Saves your team time and money by reducing manual data entry costs.
- Seamlessly integrates with your existing Salesforce CRM and the Nonprofit Success Pack.
- Accepts all donation types, including credit card and ACH processing.
Minimize your team’s time spent on manual data entry and streamline your nonprofit’s donor journey with this helpful and efficient app.
DonationPay: Donation Software For Custom Donation Pages
DonationPay is both a donation page software and a comprehensive fundraising solution. With this platform, your organization can retain only the data you need. This is important in eliminating errors in your database that can cost your team. Plus, their custom donation pages make for a straightforward donation process for your supporters.
DonationPay’s Top Features
- Real-time donation updates.
- Customized forms for any type of fundraiser, dues collection, or fees.
- Streamlined data collection abilities.
The ability to provide a customized donation page for each of your organization’s fundraising efforts can significantly boost your donor’s experience and capture only the most critical data you need.
Grassroots Unwired: Donation Software for In-person Giving
When your organization is searching for the best in-person donation software for an advocacy campaign, Grassroots Unwired can help engage your supporters and process their donations. For example, if one of your members is canvassing to an interested supporter, they can collect a digital gift on the spot!
Grassroots Unwired’s Top Features
- Works to help facilitate face-to-face fundraising for advocacy efforts.
- Provides a political canvassing mobile app.
- Your advocates can collect donations and supporter info readily with this app.
Grassroots Unwired will improve your advocacy campaign with an easier way to collect contributions on the go.
Helping Habit: Donation Software for Volunteer Management
Helping Habit assists nonprofits in coordinating and organizing their volunteer schedule and managing online giving. With this tool, your organization’s volunteers can easily access your opportunities and sign up for slots based on their interests and schedules.
Helping Habit’s Top Features
- Provide event categories such as one-time or ongoing events.
- Encourage volunteers to share your organization’s mission on social media.
- Attract those who are passionate about and want to help your cause.
- Collect donations from participants.
If your team hosts various volunteer opportunities, Helping Habit software can help streamline the registration process so that your event runs smoothly. You’ll attract more volunteers and drive your mission forward with more helping hands.
OneCause: Donation Software for Mobile Bidding
OneCause is a mobile bidding donation software for organizations hosting auction fundraising events. This platform provides your team assistance in planning your auction by creating an event and registration page unique to your organization.
OneCause’s Top Features
- Manage your silent auctions, live auctions, and online auctions you host.
- Seamlessly capture your guest’s data through donation forms.
- Securely process credit cards for registration fees or bid payments.
Consider this option if your team is hosting lots of auction events, as your bidders can pay for their prizes from their own mobile devices, making the process that much easier!
Neon Fundraise: Donation Software for Crowdfunding
Neon One’s Neon Fundraise tool creates optimized donor experiences through both digital marketing engagements and virtual crowdfunding pushes. This tool can enhance your fundraising strategies to strengthen your donor relationships through easy-to-use donation interfaces.
Neon Fundraise’s Top Features
- Crowdfunding donation pages.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities.
- Virtual event support.
Fund your next endeavor with crowdfunding while hosting online events with a robust tool.
Elevate: Donation Software for Campaign Management
Salesforce.org’s Elevate software provides integrated offerings for the nonprofit and education sectors. Namely, this tool functions to engage donors and alumni of educational institutions and retain their donations. This software is a native Salesforce app and integrates well if you use the Salesforce software.
Elevate’s Top Features
- Alumni engagement specialization.
- Scalable to your organization’s goals.
- High-security measures.
If your educational institution is looking for donation software for its next campaign, this tool works to retain donors and help reach your fundraising goals.
Engaging Networks: Donation Software for Advocacy
Engaging Networks is a donation software and campaign tool for advocacy groups, especially those who cater to a wide range of donors in the international community.
Engaging Networks’ Top Features
- Customizable donation pages and communications to your brand.
- Dedicated nonprofit support.
- International transaction capabilities.
With this tool, your team can collect donations for your organization’s advocacy campaign and concurrently organize the data you receive from your donors.
FormAssembly: Donation Software for Form Building
FormAssembly, a Salesforce application, helps your organization build easy-to-use donation forms for your next campaign. FormAssembly’s form builder allows your team to organize data, asks the most pertinent questions to drive donor relationships, and keeps your data secure.
Form Assembly’s Top Features
- Intuitive form builder.
- Donation form customization.
- Functionality on both desktop and mobile browsers.
If you’re looking for donation software with excellent form customization capabilities, FormAssembly is an essential tool.
Frontstream: Donation Software for Peer-to-peer Events
Frontstream offers a complete peer-to-peer fundraising software. This tool can help your organization manage any event from 5k’s to walk-a-thons. This solution will help your supporters build branded, mobile-friendly fundraising pages to raise more.
Frontstreams’s Top Features
- Robust reporting and analytics.
- Deep cross-channel engagement tools.
- Comprehensive post-event reports.
For your next “-thon” fundraiser event, be sure to check out all that Frontstream has to offer to raise more.
GiftTool: Donation Software for Members
GiftTool is a customizable donation tool your organization can use to receive funds from your existing members. When you use their platform, they provide you with a donation page template that encompasses your website's look and feel.
GiftTool’s Top Features
- Integrations with payment gateway partners.
- Comprehensive reporting capabilities.
- High levels of transaction volumes.
If your team is looking to maintain the branding of your organization and process payments securely with a streamlined integration, this is an excellent option.
Give: Donation Software for WordPress Users
Give is a WordPress plugin that helps users accept donations through their blogs. With this tool, your team can accept both one-time and recurring donations, set your campaign goals, and receive payments quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’re able to receive robust analytics on each transaction and donor.
Give’s Top Features
- Multiple payment gateways.
- Payment history reports.
- Powerful donor management.
When you use a tool like Give, which emphasizes the importance of donor data best practices, your team can put actionable information to use in your next strategy.
MobileCause: Donation Software for Mobile Giving
MobileCause is an end-to-end mobile giving solution. Their solution is used to support online, mobile, in-person, and virtual events. Your supporters can easily give to your cause from anywhere in the world via their mobile devices. This convenience will encourage frequent and repeat giving because it’s so easy!
MobileCause’s Top Features
- Campaign management.
- Donation tracking.
- Donor management.
When you use a tool like MobileCause, you can gain valuable insights for your nonprofit and better understand your constituents and their donation behaviors.
ACS Technologies: Donation Software for Churches
If you’re running a religious organization, consider investing in software like ACS Technologies, explicitly designed for churches’ unique needs and goals. And, this accounting software is scalable, so it grows with your congregation.
ACS Technologies’ Top Features
- Accessible from anywhere due to cloud-based technology.
- Manages congregants’ information
- Customized to fit your church’s objectives.
If your church is growing quickly and needs a payment tool to keep up with your trajectory, this is an excellent choice for accomplishing just that.
AES: Donation software for Paper Bidding
Auction & Event Solutions (AES) is perfect for aiding nonprofits in streamlining auction and event management tasks. If your fundraising efforts rely on silent and live auctions, make sure you have a dedicated tool to help your event end-to-end and efficiently accept bid payments.
Auction & Event Solutions’ Top Features
- Mobile bidding.
- DIY solutions per needs.
- One-on-one support.
AES can provide your organization and participants alike with positive and easy bidding and auction experience. When guests remember your event as well-organized, they’re sure to keep coming back.
Auction Frogs: Donation Software for Gala Events
An excellent option for organizations that often fundraise with gala events that include auction components is Auction Frogs. With Auction Frogs, your nonprofit can effectively plan online auctions, engage gala event guests digitally, offer mobile bidding, and even facilitate crowdfunding. Quickly process donations and bids for all these tools and streamline the entire fundraising process while also increasing revenue.
Auction Frogs’ Top Features
- Facilitate a gala or online auction end-to-end.
- Provide real-time virtual bidding.
- Use robust crowdfunding tools.
Elevate your online fundraising auction events with Auction Frogs’ helpful toolkit for nonprofits.
Anthology: Donation software for Alumni Fundraising
Anthology is excellent for alumni fundraising efforts. Suppose your school or university manages events like alumni weekends and homecoming games. In that case, this tool will help you collect donor information, achieve your financial goals, and provide a positive experience for your alumni.
Anthology’s Top Features
- Automatic gift processing.
- Matching gift identification.
- Donor stewardship opportunities.
With Anthology’s tool, you can facilitate deepened relationships with alumni and engage with them for a lifetime of support.
Neon One: Donation Software for Constituent Relationship Management
NeonCRM is a cloud-based nonprofit CRM solution developed to help both nonprofits and associations reach their fundraising goals by developing deep relationships with supporters. Use this software to identify which donors are most likely to give now and which require attention. This is especially important in reaching your fundraising goals promptly.
NeonCRM’s Top Features
- Encourage recurring donations.
- Track activities and communications in your donor database.
- Help your team identify at-risk donors.
Whether you run an association or a nonprofit, you can use this solution to raise donations and improve the membership retention rate.
Silent Partner Software: Donation Software for HR Management
Silent Partner Software is an end-to-end HR management solution that ensures seamless integration with many existing third-party accounting applications. Their tool is excellent for organizations that handle a large number of donations as well as constituent data.
Silent Partner Software’s Top Features
- Donor management.
- Supporter outreach.
- Marketing tools to promote your cause.
If you’re looking to streamline your HR donations in secure cloud-based software, SIlent Partner is an excellent choice.
Wrapping up
By investing in an all-in-one donation software solution, your organization can collect more funds and make an even greater impact on your cause. When you choose an option that emphasizes security and scalability, you’ll have a tool that will grow alongside your organization and your donors.
The right donation software will also deepen your relationships with your constituents. After all, they’re people who care about your cause as much as your team does and aren’t just a resource for funds. Using a tool that promotes donor stewardship goes a long way in a sustainable fundraising strategy. Happy fundraising!
Additional Resources
- Donor Stewardship: 4 Tips to Build Relationships Remotely: Your long-term supporter relationships are so meaningful because they convert first-time donors into advocates for your cause. Find out more about the best tips for building these relationships!
- 10 Donation Page Best Practices (& Examples!): Your donation page is the most crucial aspect of your organization’s website. Learn more about how to provide an optimal online donation experience for your users.
- iATS Payments Blog: Learn and discover more about payment processing best practices on our blog!
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