Best Nonprofit Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best nonprofit software:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
The right nonprofit software matters. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes in church life—budgets, calendars, donor records, volunteer schedules. It adds up fast. And most weeks, it pulls your focus away from the people you're called to serve.
Software can't fix everything, but it can take a serious load off your team.
I’ve tested a range of tools built for churches and faith-based nonprofits. In this guide, I’ll walk through the ones that stood out—what they’re good at, where they fall short, and how they can help you get back to the work that actually fuels your ministry.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been hands-on with church management software since 2019. We know the pressure of choosing the right tool—one that actually fits your ministry, your team, and your budget. That’s why we dig deep into each option, so you can make a clear, confident decision without wasting time or money.
We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different church management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.
Best Nonprofit Software Summary
This comparison chart breaks down pricing for the top nonprofit software options, making it easier to find a solution that fits your church’s budget and day-to-day needs.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best for sermon content creation | Free trial available | From $39//month | Website | |
2 | Best for community engagement | Free demo | Custom pricing upon request | Website | |
3 | Best for accounting and donations | 15-day free trial | From $39.50/month | Website | |
4 | Best for faith-based solutions | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
5 | Best for event fundraising | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
6 | Best for financial reporting | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
7 | Best for fundraising campaigns | Free trial available | From $29/month (billed annually) | Website | |
8 | Best for CRM integration | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
9 | Best for member management | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
10 | Best for financial management | 30-day free trial | From $2/month (for 3 months, then $20/month) | Website |
Best Nonprofit Software Review
Below are detailed summaries of the best nonprofit software options that made the shortlist. Each review covers key features, pros and cons, integrations, and ideal use cases—so you can find the right fit for your church’s needs.
Pulpit AI is a platform designed for churches to enhance sermon outreach and content creation. It's ideal for church leaders looking for tools to generate video clips, discussion guides, and devotionals from sermons.
Why I picked Pulpit AI: Pulpit AI is built for sermon content creation. It helps turn a single sermon into over 20 useful content pieces—like video clips, discussion guides, devotionals, and more. The AI sermon assistant offers ideas for openers and metaphors, and it supports multiple file formats to streamline your workflow. It's a solid tool for extending the impact of each message.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include custom video clip generation, an AI sermon assistant for crafting openers and metaphors, and tools for creating group discussion guides. You can also generate daily devotionals and blog posts from a single sermon.
Integrations include YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo for easy content sharing across your church’s social platforms.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Group guide tools
- Daily devotionals creation
- Unlimited video clips
- AI sermon assistant
- Custom video clip generation
Cons:
- Potentially overwhelming features
- Not suitable for all sermon types
- AI suggestions might need refinement
- Limited customization options
- May require learning curve
HiveBrite is a community management platform designed for nonprofits and organizations looking to enhance member engagement. It serves as a tool for managing events, communications, and networking within a community.
Why I picked HiveBrite: HiveBrite focuses on building strong, engaged communities. It offers tools for managing events, communicating with members, and creating custom directories. You can also share content and build private networks to keep your community connected and active—whether online or in person.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include customizable member directories for enhanced networking, private community spaces for focused interactions, and robust content creation and sharing tools to keep members engaged. The platform also offers event management capabilities, allowing seamless organization of both online and offline events.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Eventbrite, Mailchimp, Zoom, Google Analytics, Stripe, PayPal, LinkedIn, and Facebook, enabling streamlined workflows and enhanced community engagement.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible communication options
- Content creation tools
- Supports online and offline events
- Private community spaces
- Custom member directories
Cons:
- Support response time varies
- Initial setup can be complex
- Requires technical knowledge
- Limited customization options
- Steep learning curve
Aplos is a cloud-based financial management software tailored for nonprofits and churches. It helps with accounting, donations, and financial reporting, making it a go-to for organizations needing specialized accounting solutions.
Why I picked Aplos: Aplos specializes in accounting and donations, offering tools like fund accounting and donation tracking. Its automated reports help you easily manage and track finances. The platform also supports online giving with customizable donation forms. Budgeting tools are integrated to help your team keep finances in check.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include fund accounting to track multiple funds, budgeting tools to plan and monitor expenses, and custom donation forms for online giving. You can also generate automated reports to gain financial insights and improve stewardship.
Integrations include PayPal, Gusto, and Church Community Builder, allowing you to manage donations, payroll, and church operations more efficiently.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports online giving
- Budgeting tools included
- Automated financial reports
- Customizable donation forms
- Fund accounting options
Cons:
- Limited customization in reports
- Basic customer support
- Not ideal for large nonprofits
- Requires internet connection
- May need training
Coastal provides faith-based solutions aimed at enhancing the mission-driven work of churches and faith organizations. It focuses on data modernization, system implementation, and consulting to improve resource management and community outreach.
Why I picked Coastal: Coastal specializes in faith-based solutions with tools like live dashboards to track spiritual engagement and automated onboarding to support membership growth. Its self-service portal helps manage donations and volunteer activity. Coastal also offers strong metrics reporting and program management tools to help churches stay aligned with their mission.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include live dashboards to track engagement, resource management tools for better stewardship, automated onboarding to support membership growth, and an online portal for managing donations, small groups, and volunteer involvement.
Integrations include Salesforce, Google Analytics, Microsoft Office 365, Slack, Zoom, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Dropbox, Stripe, and Eventbrite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Live dashboards available
- Expertise in program management
- Resource management tools
- Supports donation management
- Automated onboarding processes
Cons:
- Basic customer support
- May need training
- Limited customization options
- Requires technical knowledge
- Can be complex to set up
OneCause is a fundraising software aimed at nonprofits looking to enhance their event fundraising efforts. It provides tools for managing auctions, peer-to-peer fundraising, and mobile bidding, making it ideal for organizations hosting fundraising events.
Why I picked OneCause: OneCause is tailored for event fundraising, offering features like mobile bidding and auction management. It supports peer-to-peer fundraising, allowing your team to engage donors effectively. The platform also includes tools for ticketing and virtual fundraising events.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include mobile bidding to boost auction participation, ticketing tools for smooth event check-in, and virtual fundraising capabilities to expand your reach. Customizable event pages help create engaging, personalized donor experiences.
Integrations include Salesforce, Blackbaud, Greater Giving, Classy, Eventbrite, PayPal, Stripe, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and Double the Donation.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive ticketing options
- Effective peer-to-peer tools
- Customizable event pages
- Mobile bidding features
- Supports virtual fundraising events
Cons:
- Basic customer support
- May need training
- Limited customization in reporting
- Requires technical knowledge
- Can be complex to set up
Accufund is a financial management software designed for nonprofits and faith-based organizations. It focuses on enhancing financial reporting and accounting processes, making it a suitable choice for organizations needing detailed financial oversight.
Why I picked Accufund: Accufund specializes in financial reporting, offering customizable reports tailored to your organization’s needs. It includes tools for budget management and grant tracking—key for nonprofit operations.The platform also supports fund accounting, making it easier to manage multiple funds. Its user-friendly dashboard helps present financial data clearly for better decision-making.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include customizable financial reports for better insight, budgeting tools to help track and control spending, and grant tracking for managing various funding sources. AccuFund also offers dashboards for real-time financial visibility to support strategic decisions.
Integrations include Salesforce, QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, PayPal, ADP, Blackbaud, Sage Intacct, Constant Contact, Fundraising 50, and Raiser's Edge.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fund accounting capabilities
- User-friendly dashboard
- Supports grant tracking
- Effective budget management tools
- Customizable financial reports
Cons:
- Basic customer support
- May need training
- Limited customization in reporting
- Requires technical knowledge
- Can be complex to set up
GiveButter is a fundraising software tailored for nonprofits, focusing on donor management and marketing. It's ideal for organizations seeking user-friendly donation forms and effective payment processing.
Why I picked GiveButter: GiveButter makes fundraising simple and effective. It offers flexible campaign types—events, auctions, and peer-to-peer—along with donation forms that help boost conversions. Its built-in tools for automation and analytics help teams grow donor engagement over time.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include customizable donation forms to enhance conversion rates, tools for organizing fundraising events and auctions, and support for peer-to-peer fundraising, providing versatility for various campaign types.
Integrations include PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Zapier, QuickBooks, Google Analytics, Facebook, and Twitter, facilitating streamlined operations and enhanced communication.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 24/7 customer support
- Advanced analytics available
- Integrates with popular payment services
- Supports various fundraising types
- High-converting donation forms
Cons:
- Basic customer support
- Initial setup can be complex
- May need training
- Requires internet connection
- Limited customization in forms
Charity Engine is a nonprofit software solution designed to streamline fundraising, donor management, and CRM tasks for charitable organizations. It serves nonprofits seeking to enhance their donor relationships and improve their fundraising efforts.
Why I picked CharityEngine: CharityEngine offers powerful donor management and campaign planning tools to help organize and track fundraising efforts. Its built-in reporting and automated communication features support consistent, timely engagement with your supporters.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include campaign management tools to streamline planning and execution, automated donor communications to boost engagement, and robust reporting for deeper insight into donor behavior and fundraising results.
Integrations include PayPal, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Double the Donation, Google Analytics, and Facebook.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports CRM integration
- Automation of communications
- Robust reporting features
- Effective campaign management
- Comprehensive donor management tools
Cons:
- Basic customer support
- May need training
- Limited customization options
- Requires technical knowledge
- Can be complex to set up
GlueUp is a nonprofit management software designed to assist organizations with member engagement and event management. It caters to nonprofits looking to enhance their community interactions and streamline administrative tasks.
Why I picked GlueUp: GlueUp excels in member management with features like automated membership renewals and detailed member directories. It includes tools for event ticketing and registration, along with built-in communication features to keep your community informed. Its analytics offer insights into member engagement and event performance, helping you make smarter decisions.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include automated membership renewals to reduce admin work, detailed member directories to improve networking, and ticketing and registration tools for managing events. Built-in communication tools help keep your community informed and engaged.
Integrations include Salesforce, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Stripe, PayPal, Zoom, Eventbrite, Slack, Google Analytics, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Insightful analytics
- Communication tools available
- Effective ticketing options
- Detailed member directories
- Automated membership renewals
Cons:
- Basic customer service
- May need technical support
- Limited customization options
- Requires learning curve
- Can be complex to set up
Xero is an online accounting software designed for small businesses and nonprofits, focusing on financial management and reporting. It's ideal for church managers and financial teams looking to simplify bookkeeping and track financial performance.
Why I picked Xero: Xero is tailored for financial management, offering features like automated bank reconciliation and invoicing. It supports real-time financial reporting, helping your team make informed decisions. You can track expenses and manage payroll efficiently. Xero’s dashboard provides a clear overview of cash flow, essential for nonprofit financial health.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include automated bank reconciliation to simplify bookkeeping, real-time financial reporting to keep you informed, and tools for expense tracking and payroll management, ensuring comprehensive financial oversight.
Integrations include Stripe, PayPal, Square, HubSpot, Gusto, Shopify, Bill.com, Expensify, Harvest, and Mailchimp, enabling seamless connectivity with various platforms to streamline your church's financial operations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Clear cash flow dashboard
- Comprehensive payroll management
- Expense tracking available
- Real-time financial reporting
- Automated bank reconciliation
Cons:
- Basic customer support
- May need training
- Limited customization in reports
- Requires internet connection
- Can be complex to set up
Other Nonprofit Software
Here are some additional nonprofit software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- ChMeetings
For church event scheduling
- Gracely
For donor relationship management
- SteepleMate
For church operations
- Neon One
For donor management
- Sage
For financial tracking
- Tithe.ly
For mobile giving
- Planning Center
For worship service planning
Nonprofit Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best nonprofit software for this list, I focused on real-world needs like donor tracking, event coordination, and day-to-day admin challenges. I used a clear framework to evaluate each tool fairly and practically.
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage donor relationships
- Track donations and pledges
- Organize fundraising events
- Generate financial reports
- Facilitate volunteer coordination
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Customizable dashboards
- AI-driven donor insights
- Multi-channel communication tools
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Integrated payment processing
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface design
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Responsive design for mobile devices
- Accessibility features
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates and guides
- Webinars and live demos
- Responsive chatbots and support
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Response time to inquiries
- Quality of support documentation
- Availability of a dedicated account manager
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Tiered pricing options
- Features included in each plan
- Transparency in pricing
- Discounts for nonprofits
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly mentioned pros and cons
- Feedback on customer support
- Ease of use feedback
- Reports of return on investment
Related Reviews
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for here, check out these other tools that we’ve tested and evaluated:
How to Choose Nonprofit Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
Factor | What to Consider |
Scalability | Make sure the nonprofit software you choose can grow with your church. Look for a solution that can handle more data, users, and ministry activity as your congregation expands. |
Integrations | Make sure the nonprofit software you choose connects with tools you already use—like your church’s CRM, accounting system, or email platform—so everything stays in sync and nothing falls through the cracks. |
Customizability | Look for nonprofit software that lets you tailor features to fit the way your church operates—things like custom fields, forms, and workflows can make daily tasks much smoother. |
Ease of Use | Choose nonprofit software with a simple interface so your team and volunteers can start using it with little to no training. Time saved here means more energy for ministry. |
Budget | Determine if the software fits within your financial constraints, considering both upfront and ongoing costs. |
Security | Make sure it fits your church’s budget—both the initial cost and what it’ll take to keep it running month to month. Count the real cost, not just the price tag. |
Support Services | Look for nonprofit software with live chat, phone, and email support. Quick, reliable help keeps your church running smoothly when issues come up. |
Reporting Capabilities | Choose nonprofit software with reporting tools that give clear, useful insights for wise ministry decisions. |
Trends in Nonprofit Software
As part of my research, I looked through product updates, release notes, and announcements from a wide range of nonprofit software vendors. Here are a few trends that church leaders may want to keep an eye on:
- AI-Powered Insights: Nonprofit software is increasingly using AI to analyze giving patterns and donor data. This helps churches personalize outreach and improve fundraising. Some tools now suggest the best times to connect with donors.
- Virtual Event Tools: With more churches hosting events online, many platforms now offer tools for virtual fundraisers and webinars. These features make it easier to reach people beyond your local community and keep remote supporters engaged.
- Blockchain for Transparency: Some nonprofit software vendors are exploring blockchain to improve donation transparency. This allows donors to track how their gifts are used—building trust and accountability..
- Social Media Integration: Vendors are adding tools to manage social media directly within the platform. This helps your team run campaigns, post updates, and monitor engagement across multiple channels without switching between apps.
- Sustainability Features: There’s growing interest in features that track environmental impact. If your church is involved in creation care or community outreach, this can help you report on your efforts and show donors the broader impact of their support.
What Is Nonprofit Software?
Nonprofit software is built to help churches and ministries stay on top of the behind-the-scenes work—things like donation tracking, event management, volunteer coordination, and reporting. These tools are used every day by staff, volunteers, and lay leaders to keep things running smoothly. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and paper forms, you get a centralized system that helps you stay organized and communicate better.
With the right nonprofit software, you can track giving patterns, plan outreach events, follow up with visitors, and generate reports that give you real insight into how your church is doing. It takes a lot of pressure off your team, cuts down on busywork, and gives you more space to focus on people and ministry.
Features of Nonprofit Software
When selecting nonprofit software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Donor management: Helps track donor information and interactions, enhancing relationships and fundraising efforts.
- Event management: Organizes and manages events, streamlining logistics and boosting participation.
- Financial reporting: Provides insights into financial health through detailed reports, aiding in decision-making.
- Volunteer coordination: Facilitates scheduling and communication with volunteers, improving engagement and efficiency.
- Communication tools: Offers channels for reaching out to donors and stakeholders, ensuring clear and consistent messaging.
- Fund accounting: Manages multiple funds separately, ensuring accurate financial tracking and compliance.
- Customizable dashboards: Allows users to tailor their interface for quick access to important metrics and data.
- AI-powered insights: Analyzes data to provide actionable insights, helping optimize fundraising strategies.
- Social media integration: Connects with social platforms to manage campaigns and track engagement from one place.
- Security safeguards: Protects sensitive data with encryption and access controls, ensuring compliance and trust.
Benefits of Nonprofit Software
Using nonprofit software lightens the admin load and helps your church run more smoothly. These tools improve communication, simplify operations, and support better stewardship. Here are some of the practical benefits churches often experience:
- Stronger donor relationships: Built-in donor tracking helps you follow up, thank people promptly, and keep giving from becoming transactional.
- Simpler event planning: From outreach events to volunteer training, these tools help coordinate schedules, teams, and communication in one place.
- Clear financial oversight: Built-in reporting gives you visibility into your church’s financial health without having to dig through spreadsheets.
- Better volunteer coordination: Volunteer tools make it easier to schedule, communicate, and reduce burnout—especially with part-time or seasonal help.
- Smarter decision-making: Some platforms offer data insights to help you track ministry trends, improve fundraising, and plan more effectively.
- Broader outreach: Integrations with email and social tools make it easier to promote events and stay connected with your congregation and community.
- Secure information: Strong data protection keeps member info, financials, and records safe and in compliance.
Costs and Pricing of Nonprofit Software
If you’re comparing nonprofit software, it helps to know how pricing usually works. Costs change depending on your team size, feature needs, and support level. The table below gives a clear breakdown of plan types, average prices, and what’s included.
Plan Comparison Table for Nonprofit Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic donor management, event scheduling, and limited reporting. |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Enhanced donor tracking, volunteer coordination, and basic financial reporting. |
Business Plan | $30-$75/user/month | Advanced reporting, customizable dashboards, and social media integration. |
Enterprise Plan | $80-$150/user/month | AI-powered insights, full CRM capabilities, and personalized support. |
Nonprofit Software FAQs
Here are answers to common questions church leaders ask when considering nonprofit software:
What is the 33% rule for nonprofits?
The 33% rule means that at least one-third of your church or ministry’s support needs to come from the public to be considered a public charity. If you don’t meet that threshold, you’ll need to show other forms of public support. This affects your tax-exempt status and the way you report to the IRS.
What do nonprofits struggle with the most?
Churches and nonprofits often wrestle with things like managing grants, staying compliant with financial rules, maintaining donor relationships, and keeping volunteers engaged. Without a system in place, these tasks pile up. Strategic planning—and the right tools—can help carry the load.
Does a nonprofit need a CRM?
Yes, if you’re tracking donors, volunteers, or members, you need a CRM. Without one, your data ends up scattered across spreadsheets, email lists, and giving platforms. A good nonprofit software solution with CRM features brings it all into one place, making follow-up and engagement much easier.
How can nonprofit software improve donor engagement?
Donor engagement is about connection and consistency. Nonprofit software helps by segmenting your donor list, automating personalized communication, and tracking giving patterns—so you can thank people promptly, follow up meaningfully, and build stronger long-term relationships.
What features should I prioritize in nonprofit software?
Focus on features that help you manage giving, plan events, and stay financially clear—donor tracking, event coordination, and reporting tools. Once those are covered, look for extras like volunteer scheduling, AI-powered insights, and social media integrations to expand your reach.
How do I evaluate the ROI of nonprofit software?
Start with the basics: how much time are you saving? Are donations increasing? Is your team less overwhelmed? If the software helps you raise more, retain donors, or cut down admin work, that’s a strong return. The best tools don’t just save money—they free you up to do ministry more effectively.
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