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Industry Focus - Nonprofits
Fundraising Software Buying Guide by Mission | Research
Even the least-expensive software delivers a well-rounded solution. The cost of ongoing support and maintenance may be the deciding factor.
Fundraising software and support services have become accessible to all nonprofits. Maintenance and support services are a key element of the enterprise market, while first-time purchases and upgrades drive the market for small nonprofits. Prices have dropped dramatically. A donor management systems should meet at least 80 percent of your current needs. A reasonably complete fundraising package can be purchased for $199, down from an average cost of $10,000 per person just two years ago.
What’s Available
Blackbaud, Best Software, Campagne Associates, Groundspring, Metafile, Mission Research, and Telosa all market and support their own brands of fundraising software. Other companies, such as Convio, eTapestry, Kintera and SofterWare, provide online application services.
Packaged Software
These solutions are ready to go out of the box. Enter or import your own donor information, create mailings, and then track gifts and pledges. These packages also offer comprehensive list management and administrative tools such as built-in reports, task lists, volunteer management, and event management. But some manufacturers charge hefty add-on fees, both for extra functionality and for additional records—as your organization grows, you may end up incurring more costs than you expected. Price range: $200 to $3,000 per person.
Enterprise Software
These customized systems are sold by manufacturers with consulting organizations, and are designed for fundraising departments in large organizations. Advanced integration with accounting and HR systems is a common reason to buy enterprise software. Prices start at $3,000 and do not include add-on modules, additional staff licenses, additional record allowances, customization services, or training. Enterprise software is especially appropriate for large organizations with thousands of employees. Price range: $3,000 to $10,000 per person.
Online Services
Especially good for organizations with many locations, online services (also known as “application service providers”) provide solutions over the Internet. Capabilities are comparable to normal software, but you go online in order to see your information and use features. These services are usually pay-as-you-go, after modest setup fees. Ongoing monthly fees are based on the features that you need, your number of users, the number of PCs being used, and how many donor or gift records you want to track. Make sure that your provider has a credible history in order to minimize the risk of the company—and your data—disappearing. Monitor fees closely to avoid budget surprises. Price range: $600 to $6,000 per person.
For the full article including Key Features, How to Choose, Ratings and Guide to the Rating, click here. |
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