Nonprofit CRMs are software that help nonprofit organizations manage relationships with stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. The top nonprofit CRMs offer core pipeline functions and project management tools, as well as industry-specific features to help organize fundraisers, manage donors and volunteers, spread awareness via social media, and more. To help you choose, check out our list of the best CRM software for nonprofits.
These are the top six nonprofit CRM software options in 2023:
- Zoho CRM: Best overall for increasing donor engagement (free starting price)
- Freshsales: Best nonprofit CRM for workflow automations (free starting price)
- HubSpot CRM: Best free nonprofit platform with upgrades (free starting price)
- DonorPerfect: Best nonprofit CRM option with premium add-ons (free demo)
- Kindful: Best nonprofit CRM option for robust fundraising features (free demo)
- Neon CRM: Best CRM software to manage a large volunteer base (free demo)
While several options scored highly in one category or another, we found that Zoho CRM is the best CRM software for nonprofits, tying for the cost, advanced features, and customization categories. Continue reading to learn about our top nonprofit CRM options’ pricing, key features, and primary use cases, or jump down to see how we evaluated each software.
Note: All per-user prices are with a one-year commitment unless noted otherwise.
Top 5 Nonprofit CRM Features
The top nonprofit CRM software typically has the following feature-set:
Nurture new and existing donors through robust donor management capabilities. This includes customizable donor profiles so you always have relevant data such as engagement levels at your fingertips, as well as communication and nurturing tools like targeted email campaigns and more.
How We Evaluated the Best Nonprofit CRM Software
In evaluating the best nonprofit CRM software, we first divided our scoring criteria into six weighted categories. From there, we used a list of key subcriteria to assign every CRM a score in each category as well as an overall score out of five. Finally, we determined the primary use case for each nonprofit CRM software.
Evaluation Criteria
We placed the most emphasis on cost and core CRM software features since nonprofit CRMs should be affordable and have the right balance of both general and industry-specific tools. Then, we looked at ease of use and customization capabilities, followed by advanced features offered and the quality of customer support solutions available.
This entails each CRM's monthly costs, free trial lengths, billing options, and free forever plans (if available).
We scored each CRM software on the availability of general features (like list segmentation and basic reporting) plus nonprofit-specific functions (such as donor and volunteer management).
We developed this score by looking at real user reviews with regard to company-wide implementations and the availability of their knowledge bases.
We graded each CRM on the customization of reports, dashboards, and donor stages, as well as third-party app integrations.
Does the nonprofit CRM offer donor scoring, social matching and advocacy, ads management, and artificial intelligence?
We evaluated the user feedback and ratings on certified sites, as well as the quality of each CRM’s support channels via phone, email, and live chat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Determine the Best Nonprofit CRM Software for My Organization?
The best nonprofit CRMs help you meet your organization’s needs and achieve your goals. While some CRMs might be a better option for your unique needs, the top nonprofit CRMs offer the right mix of industry-centric tools and core CRM features. To find the best one for your organization, you can read review articles from reputable websites, seek advice from experts, and consider requesting a free demo, trial, or free version (if available) of the nonprofit CRM you’d like to try.
What Features Should I Prioritize When Evaluating Nonprofit CRM Software Options?
When evaluating nonprofit CRM options, consider the features that will be most impactful to your organization and will help you meet your goals. For instance, find a CRM with robust volunteer management features if you rely heavily on your volunteers to operate. Additionally, look for core CRM offerings such as contact segmentation, reporting features, and workflows.
Can Nonprofit CRM Software Help Improve Donor Engagement & Retention?
Nonprofit CRM software can significantly improve donor engagement and retention if used properly. Nonprofit CRMs help organizations enrich and organize donor profiles, track donation history, and segment stakeholders to send personalized nurturing campaigns. CRM software also offers automations that reduce manual tasks and errors, which helps volunteers focus on more important activities and increase donor satisfaction and loyalty.
Bottom Line: Best Nonprofit CRM Software
Our list of the top CRM software for nonprofits includes a mix of options spanning various use cases. Whether your organization needs to improve its fundraising goals, increase awareness, or find a better way to engage with volunteers, we’re confident that you can find those tools (and then some) among our featured nonprofit CRMs. If you’re interested in general CRM options, read our independent review of the best CRM software for salespeople and teams.
