Fundraising Tools & Software     |     4 April 2025

7 Best CRMs for Fundraising — Features, Reviews, and Pricing Included

Find the right fundraising CRM to build donor relationships and simplify event management

15 minute read

Raising money for a cause is never as simple as just asking for donations. Between organizing events, tracking contributions, and keeping donors engaged, there's a lot to manage. Everything, from running a school auction to a nonprofit gala or an annual pledge drive, requires having the right tools.

That’s where customer relationship management (CRM) for fundraising comes in. These platforms help nonprofits and organizations stay on top of donor relationships, automate communication, and process donations all in one place. But with so many CRMs available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Some are built for large charities, while others cater to smaller community groups. Some focus on event fundraising, while others prioritize donor retention and analytics.

This guide breaks down the best CRM for fundraising, covering their features, pricing, and real-world usability. Whether you’re looking for a simple donor database or a full event management suite, there’s an option to fit your needs.

What is CRM in fundraising?

A fundraising CRM is a tool designed to help organizations manage donor relationships and track fundraising efforts. While businesses use CRMs to manage customer interactions, nonprofits use them to build long-term connections with supporters.

Unlike standard CRMs, which focus on sales pipelines and lead generation, a fundraising CRM is built for nonprofit needs. It helps organizations do the following. 

• Keep donor contact information and giving history in one place.
• Automate personalized thank-you emails and tax receipts.
• Track event registrations, pledges, and sponsorships.
• Generate reports to analyze fundraising trends and donor engagement.

For example, a local animal rescue might use a fundraising CRM to send automatic donation acknowledgments, track major donors, and plan annual giving campaigns. A school’s booster club could use one to manage auction bidders, send event reminders, and accept online donations. The right CRM streamlines these processes, saving time and reducing administrative headaches.

How a fundraising CRM makes event planning easier

Fundraising events bring in critical revenue, but they also come with a long to-do list. Keeping track of attendees, bids, and payments can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. A CRM for fundraising simplifies the process by handling the details for you.

Here’s how it helps.

• Managing donor and guest lists. Store donor data, track RSVP statuses, and keep contact details updated in one place.
• Automating emails, texts, and donation receipts. Send event reminders, bidding updates, and thank-you messages without lifting a finger.
• Tracking pledges, sponsorships, and in-event contributions. Monitor who donated what, when, and how much they pledged to give in the future.
• Integrating with event software. Some CRMs, like those that pair with Silent Auction Pro, allow for real-time bidding, raffle tracking, and auction management.

For instance, an organization running an online auction can set up automatic text notifications for bidders who get outbid. Instead of checking back manually, supporters receive a quick nudge to increase their bid, keeping the excitement going and raising more money.

7 best CRMs for fundraising

Choosing the right CRM for fundraising can make a huge difference in how efficiently an organization manages donations, donor relationships, and event planning. Each nonprofit has different needs, from basic donor tracking to advanced automation and reporting tools. Below are seven CRMs that stand out for their features, usability, and pricing.

Bloomerang

Why it's a great choice

Bloomerang is built with donor engagement in mind, making it a great choice for nonprofits focused on donor retention. It provides an easy-to-use dashboard that helps organizations track interactions and build stronger relationships with their supporters.

Key features

• Donor database with real-time engagement tracking
• Automated email marketing and personalized outreach
• Fundraising reports and performance insights
• QuickBooks integration for simplified accounting
• Mobile-friendly access

Pricing

Starts at $125/month for small organizations with various packages for different features. Pricing increases based on donor database size and additional features.

Pros

• Easy to use, even for beginners
• Strong donor retention tracking
• Responsive customer support

Cons

• Customization options are limited for larger nonprofits
• Some users find reporting features less flexible than competitors

DonorPerfect

Why it's a great choice

DonorPerfect is a scalable option for nonprofits looking for advanced donor tracking and fundraising tools. It’s designed to grow with organizations, offering customization, automation, and detailed analytics.

Key features

• Mobile-friendly donor and event management
• Automated receipts and thank-you emails
• Fundraising analytics and performance tracking
• Event registration and ticketing integration
• Customizable reports and dashboards

Pricing

Organizations can find tiered pricing based on features and database size. Contact DonorPerfect for a quote.

Pros

• Strong automation and workflow tools
• Customizable reports for better donor insights
• Excellent customer support

Cons

• Steeper learning curve compared to simpler CRMs
• Some advanced features require additional costs

Salesforce for Nonprofits

Why it's a great choice

Salesforce for Nonprofits is one of the most powerful options available, offering deep customization and AI-driven insights. It’s ideal for larger nonprofits or organizations that need extensive donor segmentation and automation tools.

Key features

• AI-powered analytics and predictive fundraising insights
• Event management and donor segmentation tools
• Customizable dashboards and workflows
• Integration with a wide range of third-party apps
• Cloud-based platform with mobile accessibility

Pricing

Paid plans vary depending on organization size and needs, but organizations can start at $60 per user per month.

Pros

• Highly customizable and scalable
• Robust donor segmentation and data tracking
• Integrates with a wide variety of nonprofit tools

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge or IT support for setup
• Can be overwhelming for smaller nonprofits

Little Green Light

Why it's a great choice

Little Green Light is a straightforward, budget-friendly fundraising CRM designed for small to mid-sized nonprofits. It offers essential donor management and event tracking tools without overwhelming users with unnecessary complexity. If you need a system to manage donors, send automated emails, and track event participation without breaking the bank, this is a solid option.

Key features

• Centralized donor management system
• Event and fundraising tracking
• Payment processing for online donations
• Automated email acknowledgments and reminders
• Customizable reports for donor insights

Pricing

Starts at $45/month or $486 yearly, with pricing based on database size.

Pros

• Affordable and user-friendly
• Strong customer support
• Good core features for small nonprofits

Cons

• Lacks advanced tools for larger organizations
• Limited customization options compared to higher-end CRMs

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT

Why it's a great choice

Raiser’s Edge NXT is built for large nonprofits that require robust donor management and fundraising analytics. With AI-driven insights and powerful automation tools, this CRM helps organizations maximize donations and donor engagement.

Key features

• AI-powered donor analytics and forecasting
• Donor segmentation and personalized engagement tools
• Event and campaign planning
• Mobile-friendly donation tracking
• High-level security features for donor data protection

Pricing

Custom pricing based on organization size and needs. Reach out for a personalized quote. 

Pros

• Advanced donor analytics for large nonprofits
• Secure, cloud-based platform with scalable features
• Strong reporting and data-driven insights

Cons

• High cost, making it less ideal for smaller organizations
• Requires training to fully utilize all features

Abila Millennium

Why it's a great choice

Abila Millennium is a powerful option for grant-based nonprofits and organizations that manage multiple funding sources. It excels in donor segmentation, financial reporting, and membership management.

Key features

• Grant and donor tracking tools
• Membership and subscription management
• Financial reporting and compliance tools
• Donor engagement tracking
• Customizable data fields for tailored reporting

Pricing

Custom pricing based on organizational needs. Quotes are available via the Abila website. 

Pros

• Excellent for nonprofits that rely on grant funding
• Strong financial reporting tools
• Customizable donor segmentation

Cons

• Interface feels outdated compared to newer platforms
• Can be complex to set up without dedicated support

QuickBooks

Why it matters for fundraising

While QuickBooks isn’t a CRM for fundraising, it is one of the most requested integrations for nonprofits managing payments. Many organizations use QuickBooks to track donations, event revenue, and expenses alongside their donor databases. A CRM that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks can make financial reporting and donor tracking much more efficient.

Key benefits of integrating QuickBooks with a fundraising CRM

• Simplifies donation tracking and financial reconciliation
• Ensures accurate bookkeeping for tax reporting
• Reduces manual data entry and errors
• Generates financial reports that align with donor contributions

Compatible CRMs

Many fundraising CRMs, including Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, and Raiser’s Edge NXT, offer QuickBooks integrations. Silent Auction Pro is also working on enhanced financial tracking tools that will complement QuickBooks functionality.

Considerations

While QuickBooks is a great accounting tool, it doesn’t replace the donor management features of a CRM. Organizations should look for a fundraising CRM that offers native QuickBooks integration to get the best of both worlds.

Silent Auction Pro: Future CRM Integration Coming Soon!

Why it's a great choice

For organizations that rely on fundraising events, auctions, and raffles, Silent Auction Pro is a top choice. While it currently focuses on event management, communication, and analytics its upcoming CRM integration will offer even more comprehensive donor tracking features. Combining Silent Auction Pro with your CRM will take your fundraising efforts and data tracking abilities to brand new levels. 

Key features

• Donor tracking and personalized outreach
• Seamless auction and event integration
• Customized tax receipts and thank-you messages
• Real-time bid tracking and outbid notifications
• Customizable event pages and ticketing
• Numbered raffle ticket sales and winner selection tools
• Detailed event checklists built into the software to help you stay on track

Pricing

Pricing varies based on event needs with annual plans starting as low as $449. 

Pros

• Designed specifically for fundraising events
• Top-rated customer support team with real event experience
• Full suite of tools for auctions, ticketing, and donor engagement

Cons

• A generic CRM export is currently available but more customized CRM features are rolling out soon

How to choose the right CRM for fundraising

Picking the right CRM for fundraising depends on your organization’s size, goals, and budget. Smaller nonprofits may benefit from affordable, user-friendly options like Little Green Light, while larger organizations might need the power and scalability of Raiser’s Edge NXT. For those running frequent fundraising events, Silent Auction Pro is an excellent solution, especially with its upcoming CRM features.

Before making a decision, consider:

• Does the CRM fit your organization’s current and future needs?
• Does it integrate with essential tools like QuickBooks and event software?
• Is the pricing model sustainable for your budget?

Think about integrations

A CRM for fundraising is most effective when it connects with the tools you already use. Ask yourself:

• Do you need QuickBooks integration for donation tracking and accounting?
• Are you running events and auctions that require Silent Auction Pro or similar event software?
• Will you be using text-to-give campaigns or automated email marketing?

If a CRM doesn’t integrate with your existing tools, it may cause more frustration than benefits.

Assess your budget

Cost is always a factor, but a higher price tag doesn’t always mean a better solution. Some CRMs charge based on the number of contacts, while others have tiered pricing based on features. Before committing, weigh the subscription cost against the potential increase in donor engagement and funds raised.

Look for free trials or demos

A CRM may look great on paper, but how does it actually work? Many platforms offer free trials or live demos, allowing you to test the interface and features before making a long-term commitment. Silent Auction Pro, for example, offers live demos so you can see how their system supports auctions, donor tracking, and event management in real-time.

The right CRM can change the game

Choosing the best CRM for fundraising isn’t just about managing donor data. It’s about making fundraising easier, more effective, and more enjoyable. Whether you’re planning events, tracking pledges, or automating donor outreach, the right CRM can save time and increase donations.

If you’re looking for a solution that supports fundraising events, donor management, and auctions, keep an eye on Silent Auction Pro’s upcoming CRM features. Their tools are designed specifically for nonprofits, with expert support and a simple, user-friendly system.

Request a free Silent Auction Pro demo today and explore how their fundraising tools can support your next big event.