Quick Overview
- 1#1: Raiser's Edge NXT - Comprehensive CRM platform for fundraising, donor management, and advancement operations in nonprofits and higher education.
- 2#2: Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud - Customizable cloud-based CRM tailored for nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, and program management.
- 3#3: Ellucian Advance - Integrated advancement solution for higher education institutions handling alumni relations, philanthropy, and prospecting.
- 4#4: DonorPerfect - User-friendly donor management software with fundraising tools, online forms, and reporting for nonprofits.
- 5#5: Bloomerang - Intuitive donor CRM that simplifies relationship management, engagement, and year-end giving for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
- 6#6: NeonCRM - All-in-one CRM for nonprofits supporting fundraising, events, memberships, and online donations.
- 7#7: Virtuous CRM - AI-powered revenue growth platform combining donor CRM with marketing automation for faith-based and nonprofit organizations.
- 8#8: Classy - Fundraising and donor management platform focused on peer-to-peer, events, and online campaigns for nonprofits.
- 9#9: EveryAction - Integrated platform for advocacy, fundraising, and digital engagement with CRM capabilities for progressive organizations.
- 10#10: iWave - Prospect research and wealth screening tool providing donor insights and philanthropic data for advancement teams.
Tools were ranked based on feature depth, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they deliver tangible results for advancement teams managing complex fundraising, relationship management, and program needs.
Comparison Table
Understanding the right advancement software is critical for nonprofits and organizations, and our comparison table breaks down tools like Raiser's Edge NXT, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, Ellucian Advance, DonorPerfect, and Bloomerang, highlighting key features, strengths, and best-fit scenarios for different needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raiser's Edge NXT Comprehensive CRM platform for fundraising, donor management, and advancement operations in nonprofits and higher education. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud Customizable cloud-based CRM tailored for nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, and program management. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | Ellucian Advance Integrated advancement solution for higher education institutions handling alumni relations, philanthropy, and prospecting. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | DonorPerfect User-friendly donor management software with fundraising tools, online forms, and reporting for nonprofits. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Bloomerang Intuitive donor CRM that simplifies relationship management, engagement, and year-end giving for small to mid-sized nonprofits. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | NeonCRM All-in-one CRM for nonprofits supporting fundraising, events, memberships, and online donations. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 7 | Virtuous CRM AI-powered revenue growth platform combining donor CRM with marketing automation for faith-based and nonprofit organizations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Classy Fundraising and donor management platform focused on peer-to-peer, events, and online campaigns for nonprofits. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | EveryAction Integrated platform for advocacy, fundraising, and digital engagement with CRM capabilities for progressive organizations. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | iWave Prospect research and wealth screening tool providing donor insights and philanthropic data for advancement teams. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
Comprehensive CRM platform for fundraising, donor management, and advancement operations in nonprofits and higher education.
Customizable cloud-based CRM tailored for nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, and program management.
Integrated advancement solution for higher education institutions handling alumni relations, philanthropy, and prospecting.
User-friendly donor management software with fundraising tools, online forms, and reporting for nonprofits.
Intuitive donor CRM that simplifies relationship management, engagement, and year-end giving for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
All-in-one CRM for nonprofits supporting fundraising, events, memberships, and online donations.
AI-powered revenue growth platform combining donor CRM with marketing automation for faith-based and nonprofit organizations.
Fundraising and donor management platform focused on peer-to-peer, events, and online campaigns for nonprofits.
Integrated platform for advocacy, fundraising, and digital engagement with CRM capabilities for progressive organizations.
Prospect research and wealth screening tool providing donor insights and philanthropic data for advancement teams.
Raiser's Edge NXT
enterpriseComprehensive CRM platform for fundraising, donor management, and advancement operations in nonprofits and higher education.
AI-powered ResearchPoint integration for predictive prospect scoring and wealth screening
Raiser's Edge NXT is Blackbaud's premier cloud-based advancement management platform, designed for nonprofits and higher education institutions to streamline fundraising, donor management, and constituent engagement. It offers robust tools for gift processing, prospect research, event management, alumni relations, and advanced reporting with real-time dashboards. The software excels in handling complex relationship data, enabling personalized outreach and data-driven strategies at scale.
Pros
- Unparalleled depth in donor and prospect management with 360-degree constituent views
- Powerful AI-driven analytics and customizable reporting for strategic insights
- Extensive integrations with Blackbaud ecosystem and third-party tools like payment processors
Cons
- High implementation costs and steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be prohibitive for smaller organizations
- Customization requires technical expertise or Blackbaud support
Best For
Large universities and nonprofits with complex, high-volume advancement operations needing enterprise-grade scalability.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $20,000+ annually for mid-sized organizations, scaling with users, modules, and data volume.
Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud
enterpriseCustomizable cloud-based CRM tailored for nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, and program management.
Einstein AI for predictive donor scoring and personalized engagement recommendations
Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is a robust CRM platform tailored for nonprofits, offering end-to-end advancement capabilities including donor management, fundraising campaigns, grant tracking, volunteer coordination, and program management. Built on the Salesforce ecosystem, it provides scalable, customizable tools with AI-driven insights via Einstein for Nonprofits to optimize engagement and revenue. It excels in delivering a unified 360-degree view of constituents, automating workflows, and integrating seamlessly with third-party apps for comprehensive advancement operations.
Pros
- Extremely customizable and scalable for growing nonprofits
- Powerful AI analytics and reporting for data-driven fundraising
- Seamless integrations with thousands of apps and Salesforce tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve requires training and expertise
- High implementation and customization costs
- Ongoing subscription fees can strain smaller budgets
Best For
Mid-to-large nonprofits with complex donor management and fundraising needs, plus IT resources for customization.
Pricing
Nonprofit discounts available; starts with free Starter Pack for small orgs, then ~$36-$200+/user/month for Growth/Enterprise editions plus implementation fees.
Ellucian Advance
enterpriseIntegrated advancement solution for higher education institutions handling alumni relations, philanthropy, and prospecting.
AI-powered Prospect Insights and predictive scoring for prioritizing high-value donors
Ellucian Advance is a cloud-based CRM platform tailored for higher education advancement offices, enabling efficient management of fundraising campaigns, donor relationships, alumni engagement, and prospecting. It provides tools for pipeline management, gift processing, reporting, and analytics to drive philanthropy strategies. The solution integrates deeply with Ellucian's ecosystem, including Banner and Colleague, for a unified view of constituent data.
Pros
- Deep integration with Ellucian ERP systems for seamless data flow
- Robust analytics and reporting for campaign optimization
- Configurable workflows and donor journey mapping
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- High implementation costs and time
- Limited flexibility for highly custom needs outside Ellucian stack
Best For
Mid-to-large universities already using Ellucian products and needing an integrated advancement CRM.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; annual subscriptions typically range from $100,000+ based on modules, users, and institution size.
DonorPerfect
enterpriseUser-friendly donor management software with fundraising tools, online forms, and reporting for nonprofits.
Advanced donor householding and relationship mapping for precise stewardship and solicitation targeting
DonorPerfect is a longstanding cloud-based donor management and fundraising CRM platform tailored for nonprofits and advancement teams. It provides robust tools for tracking donor relationships, processing gifts and pledges, managing events, and conducting prospect research. The software excels in segmentation, reporting, and online fundraising, helping organizations streamline advancement workflows from solicitation to stewardship.
Pros
- Comprehensive donor database with advanced segmentation and householding
- Powerful reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
- Seamless online giving and event management integrations
Cons
- Dated user interface that can feel clunky
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Pricing scales quickly for smaller organizations
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits and educational institutions needing a scalable, feature-rich advancement CRM.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at around $100/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+ per month based on users, contacts, and features.
Bloomerang
specializedIntuitive donor CRM that simplifies relationship management, engagement, and year-end giving for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
Engagement Meter, which automatically scores donors based on interactions to prioritize stewardship and retention efforts.
Bloomerang is a cloud-based donor management CRM tailored for small to mid-sized nonprofits, enabling efficient tracking of donors, gifts, and interactions. It supports online fundraising, event management, email campaigns, and automated reporting to boost donor retention and engagement. The platform stands out with its user-friendly design and focus on relationship-building tools like the Engagement Meter.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with quick onboarding
- Excellent donor engagement and retention tools
- Responsive customer support and training resources
Cons
- Reporting lacks advanced customization for complex needs
- Pricing scales steeply with growing contact lists
- Limited integrations compared to larger CRM platforms
Best For
Small to mid-sized nonprofits seeking an easy-to-use donor management system without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $119/month for up to 500 contacts, with tiers up to $689/month for 50,000+ contacts; no setup fees but add-ons available.
NeonCRM
specializedAll-in-one CRM for nonprofits supporting fundraising, events, memberships, and online donations.
Highly customizable, mobile-optimized online donation forms with built-in A/B testing and one-click upgrades for recurring gifts.
NeonCRM is a cloud-based CRM platform tailored for nonprofits, providing robust tools for donor management, online fundraising, event registration, membership tracking, and email communications. It excels in creating customizable donation forms and pages that integrate seamlessly with payment processors for efficient revenue collection. The software emphasizes ease of use and reporting to help advancement teams nurture relationships and track campaign performance effectively.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Powerful online fundraising tools and forms
- Responsive customer support and training resources
Cons
- Reporting lacks depth for complex analytics needs
- Customization options limited without developer help
- Scalability challenges for organizations over 50,000 contacts
Best For
Small to mid-sized nonprofits seeking an affordable, user-friendly all-in-one CRM for fundraising and donor engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $119/month for up to 1,000 contacts; scales to $749+/month for larger volumes, with transaction fees on donations.
Virtuous CRM
enterpriseAI-powered revenue growth platform combining donor CRM with marketing automation for faith-based and nonprofit organizations.
Generosity Score, an AI-powered metric that predicts donor giving potential and engagement likelihood
Virtuous CRM is a cloud-based fundraising and donor management platform tailored for nonprofits, particularly faith-based organizations, offering integrated tools for donor engagement, online giving, and relationship building. It combines CRM functionality with marketing automation, AI-driven insights, and automated workflows to streamline advancement efforts and boost generosity. The platform emphasizes data privacy, mobile accessibility, and seamless integrations with tools like QuickBooks and email services.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with excellent mobile app support
- Powerful AI insights like Generosity Score for donor predictions
- Strong focus on donor-centric engagement and automated workflows
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small organizations
- Less flexible for highly customized enterprise needs
- Primarily optimized for faith-based and mid-sized nonprofits
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits and faith-based organizations looking for an user-friendly, all-in-one advancement platform to enhance donor relationships and fundraising.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting around $500/month for small teams and scaling with donor volume and features.
Classy
specializedFundraising and donor management platform focused on peer-to-peer, events, and online campaigns for nonprofits.
Campaign Pages 2.0, offering fully customizable, mobile-optimized pages with dynamic personalization based on donor data
Classy is a powerful fundraising platform tailored for nonprofits and advancement teams, enabling the creation of customized online campaigns, events, peer-to-peer fundraising, and text-to-give initiatives. It excels in delivering personalized donor experiences through dynamic pages, video integration, and real-time analytics. The platform integrates seamlessly with CRMs like Salesforce and Blackbaud, making it a strong complement to advancement software stacks focused on digital giving.
Pros
- Highly intuitive drag-and-drop builder for stunning, branded fundraising pages
- Robust analytics and reporting for tracking donor engagement in real-time
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs enhance advancement workflows
Cons
- Custom pricing can be expensive for smaller advancement teams
- Limited native CRM capabilities, relying heavily on integrations
- Transaction fees add up for high-volume campaigns
Best For
Mid-to-large nonprofits and university advancement offices seeking cutting-edge digital fundraising tools to drive online donations and donor retention.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $10,000/year plus 2.2% + $0.30 platform fee per transaction.
EveryAction
specializedIntegrated platform for advocacy, fundraising, and digital engagement with CRM capabilities for progressive organizations.
Seamless integration of advocacy actions (via Action Network) that automatically trigger fundraising appeals to engaged supporters
EveryAction is an all-in-one fundraising, advocacy, and engagement platform tailored for nonprofits and political campaigns. It integrates donor management CRM, email marketing, peer-to-peer fundraising, online donations, and digital organizing tools to streamline supporter engagement and revenue generation. The software is particularly strong for progressive organizations, offering robust analytics and mobile-responsive features to drive action and donations at scale.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration of fundraising, CRM, and advocacy tools in one platform
- Powerful reporting and segmentation for targeted campaigns
- Scalable for growing organizations with high-volume donor management
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup for smaller teams
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be costly for startups
- Limited flexibility for heavy customizations outside advocacy/fundraising focus
Best For
Mid-sized to large nonprofits and advocacy groups prioritizing integrated digital fundraising and mobilization efforts.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $1,500/month for mid-tier plans with add-ons for advanced features.
iWave
specializedProspect research and wealth screening tool providing donor insights and philanthropic data for advancement teams.
Proprietary iWave Score for predictive donor capacity and affinity ranking
iWave is a comprehensive fundraising intelligence platform designed for nonprofits and advancement teams, offering donor prospect research, wealth screening, and philanthropic data aggregation from over 40 billion records. It helps identify high-potential donors through scoring models, relationship mapping, and detailed profiles on individuals, foundations, and corporations. The platform integrates with CRMs like Salesforce and Blackbaud to enhance prospecting and campaign strategies.
Pros
- Vast database with global wealth and philanthropic data
- Advanced donor scoring and relationship mapping tools
- Strong CRM integrations for seamless workflows
Cons
- Interface can feel dated and has a learning curve
- Pricing is premium and may not suit smaller organizations
- Occasional data gaps or inaccuracies in niche profiles
Best For
Mid-to-large nonprofits and university advancement offices needing deep prospect intelligence for major gift fundraising.
Pricing
Subscription tiers (Essential, Professional, Enterprise) start at around $5,000/year, scaling with user count and features; custom quotes for enterprises.
Conclusion
The reviewed advancements tools offer varied strengths, with three leading as top performers. Raiser's Edge NXT stands out as the top choice, providing comprehensive CRM capabilities for nonprofits and higher education, while Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud and Ellucian Advance excel with customizable features and integration for specific organizational needs.
To elevate your advancement efforts, consider exploring Raiser's Edge NXT—the top-ranked tool, designed to streamline fundraising, donor management, and operations for maximum impact.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison