Introduction (100–200 words)
Online fundraising tools are software platforms that help organizations collect donations digitally—through donation pages, recurring giving, peer-to-peer campaigns, events, text-to-give, and more—while tracking donors and campaign performance. In 2026+, they matter more than ever because donors expect fast, mobile-first checkout, multiple payment methods, transparent impact reporting, and personalized follow-ups. Meanwhile, nonprofits and mission-driven teams are under pressure to do more with leaner staff—making automation, integrations, and reliable data essential.
Real-world use cases include:
- Nonprofits running year-end campaigns with recurring giving upsells
- Schools and PTAs collecting donations and event tickets in one flow
- Churches using text-to-give and donor statements
- NGOs running peer-to-peer fundraising and team challenges
- Foundations and large charities integrating donations into a CRM and finance stack
Buyers should evaluate:
- Donation conversion optimization (UX, checkout speed, payment methods)
- Recurring giving and donor self-service
- Peer-to-peer, events, and ticketing support
- Reporting, attribution, and analytics
- CRM capabilities (built-in vs integrations)
- Automation (receipts, segmentation, workflows)
- Security posture and permissions (RBAC, audit logs, SSO/MFA)
- International support (currencies, localization, tax receipts)
- Fees and pricing model clarity
- Integration options (CRM, email, accounting, data warehouse)
Mandatory paragraph
Best for: nonprofits, charities, foundations, schools, religious organizations, community groups, and mission-driven brands—especially fundraising, development, marketing, and operations teams needing reliable donation flows and donor management. Tools in this category serve everyone from solo fundraisers to global organizations, depending on CRM depth and governance needs.
Not ideal for: teams that only need a simple “tip jar” link with no donor tracking, organizations that require a fully custom self-hosted payments stack, or groups with extremely specialized compliance constraints where a dedicated payments architecture (or a broader nonprofit ERP/CRM program) is a better fit.
Key Trends in Online Fundraising Tools for 2026 and Beyond
- Conversion-first donation experiences: faster checkout, fewer fields, smart defaults, and more accessible, mobile-native forms.
- AI-assisted fundraising operations: automated donor segmentation, suggested ask amounts, message personalization, and anomaly detection (features vary widely).
- Modern payment expectations: digital wallets and region-specific payment methods; donors increasingly expect “one-tap” experiences.
- Deeper lifecycle automation: receipts, acknowledgements, lapsed-donor reactivation, and recurring gift upgrades triggered by behavior.
- Interoperability over monoliths: more teams prefer tools that plug into CRMs, email platforms, and accounting systems via APIs and automation.
- Data governance pressure: better role-based permissions, audit trails, and structured data export to support privacy and internal controls.
- Peer-to-peer and community-led fundraising: teams, challenges, live goal meters, and social sharing remain high-impact for growth.
- Event fundraising convergence: tickets, sponsorships, auction/raffle, and onsite giving increasingly live in one platform (or tightly connected tools).
- Internationalization: multi-currency, localized receipts, and region-specific compliance expectations are more commonly requested.
- Fee transparency: donors and boards scrutinize platform fees, processing fees, and optional “donor-covered fees.”
How We Selected These Tools (Methodology)
- Considered market adoption and mindshare among nonprofits, schools, and community organizations.
- Prioritized tools with proven online donation flows (not just general CRMs).
- Looked for feature completeness across donation forms, recurring giving, campaigns, and reporting.
- Evaluated signals of operational reliability (mature platforms, established vendors, and broad usage).
- Assessed security posture indicators (permissions, authentication options, and typical enterprise expectations). Where unclear, marked as not publicly stated.
- Included tools that represent different approaches: all-in-one fundraising suites, donation conversion platforms, and peer-to-peer-first tools.
- Considered integration ecosystem (CRMs, email, analytics, accounting, automation).
- Balanced recommendations across SMB, mid-market, and enterprise needs.
- Avoided claiming specific certifications or ratings unless confidently known; used “Not publicly stated” and “N/A” where appropriate.
Top 10 Online Fundraising Tools
#1 — Donorbox
Short description (2–3 lines): Donorbox is a popular online donation platform focused on easy-to-embed donation forms and recurring giving. It’s commonly used by small-to-midsize nonprofits and community organizations that want a quick setup and straightforward operations.
Key Features
- Embeddable donation forms and hosted donation pages
- Recurring donations with donor self-service management
- Donor communication tools (receipts/acknowledgements workflows vary)
- Campaigns, goal tracking, and donation designation options
- Peer-to-peer fundraising support (availability varies by plan)
- Integrations with common payment methods (processor-dependent)
- Basic donor management and exports for downstream systems
Pros
- Fast to launch with minimal technical overhead
- Strong fit for recurring giving and simple campaign setups
- Works well for organizations that already have a CRM and just need donation capture
Cons
- Not a full nonprofit CRM; larger teams may outgrow built-in donor management
- Complex event fundraising and advanced attribution may require other tools
- Some capabilities vary by plan and configuration
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Common workflows include connecting donations to email marketing, accounting, and a nonprofit CRM. Integration options depend on plan and preferred stack.
- Payment processing integrations (varies)
- CRM/export workflows (varies)
- Email marketing integrations (varies)
- Zapier or automation tooling (varies)
- Analytics tracking (varies)
Support & Community
Documentation is generally geared toward nonprofits and small teams; support quality and tiers vary by plan. Community presence is moderate; many best practices come from nonprofit peer groups.
#2 — Classy (from GoFundMe)
Short description (2–3 lines): Classy is a fundraising platform aimed at nonprofits running high-volume campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, and events. It’s often considered by mid-market and enterprise nonprofits that want robust campaign tooling and professional-grade donor experiences.
Key Features
- Campaign pages optimized for nonprofit fundraising
- Peer-to-peer fundraising and team fundraising flows
- Event fundraising capabilities (online and hybrid patterns)
- Recurring giving and donor account experiences (capabilities vary)
- Reporting and campaign performance tracking
- Checkout optimization features (varies by configuration)
- Admin tools for managing campaigns and fundraising teams
Pros
- Strong campaign and peer-to-peer capabilities for larger initiatives
- Well-suited to organizations running multiple concurrent fundraising programs
- Often paired with established nonprofit operations processes
Cons
- Can be heavier to implement than lightweight donation tools
- Costs and packaging may be better suited to larger budgets
- Integrations and data model considerations require planning
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Classy is commonly evaluated alongside CRM and data needs—especially for development teams that require clean gift records and attribution.
- CRM integrations (varies; often a core requirement)
- Email marketing integrations (varies)
- Analytics and ad tracking (varies)
- Data exports and APIs (availability varies)
- Automation tooling (varies)
Support & Community
Support tends to be more structured for mid-market/enterprise buyers (onboarding and account support may be available). Community and partner ecosystems vary by region and nonprofit segment.
#3 — Fundraise Up
Short description (2–3 lines): Fundraise Up focuses on donation conversion optimization—helping nonprofits increase online revenue through modern checkout, personalization, and testing-oriented features. It’s often used by digital fundraising teams that care deeply about UX and performance.
Key Features
- High-conversion donation forms with modern checkout patterns
- Recurring giving prompts and donor self-service
- Personalization options (ask arrays and suggested amounts vary)
- A/B testing or experiment-friendly workflows (capabilities vary)
- Multi-step flows designed to reduce friction
- Analytics and attribution support (varies)
- Integrations designed for marketing and fundraising stacks (varies)
Pros
- Strong fit for organizations optimizing paid media and conversion rate
- Modern donor experience that can outperform legacy forms
- Works well alongside a separate CRM
Cons
- Not a full donor CRM; depends on integrations for system-of-record
- Some features are geared toward digitally mature teams
- Implementation may require coordination across web, analytics, and fundraising ops
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Designed to connect into a broader growth and fundraising data stack, especially where CRM attribution and marketing analytics matter.
- CRM integrations (varies)
- Email marketing integrations (varies)
- Analytics platforms (varies)
- Data export/API patterns (varies)
- Tag management and tracking support (varies)
Support & Community
Often positioned with hands-on onboarding for serious fundraising programs; support structure varies by plan. Community footprint is smaller than legacy vendors but tends to be active among digital fundraising practitioners.
#4 — Givebutter
Short description (2–3 lines): Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising platform that blends donation pages, events, peer-to-peer fundraising, and lightweight CRM features. It’s commonly adopted by SMB nonprofits, schools, and community groups looking for speed and simplicity.
Key Features
- Donation pages, campaign pages, and goal meters
- Peer-to-peer fundraising and supporter-led pages
- Event ticketing and fundraising (capabilities vary)
- Donor management features and basic CRM workflows
- Text-to-give or mobile-friendly giving patterns (availability varies)
- Email and messaging workflows (varies)
- Live fundraising tools for streams or in-person events (varies)
Pros
- Broad feature set for small teams (campaigns + events + P2P in one place)
- Quick setup and easy-to-use admin interface (for many orgs)
- Strong fit for community-driven fundraising
Cons
- Advanced enterprise governance and deep CRM needs may exceed scope
- Reporting depth may be limited for complex development operations
- Integration depth varies depending on the stack
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Givebutter is often used as a hub for online campaigns with optional connections to email, accounting, and CRM depending on maturity.
- Payment methods (varies)
- Email marketing integrations (varies)
- CRM/export options (varies)
- Zapier/automation tooling (varies)
- Analytics tracking (varies)
Support & Community
Generally oriented toward self-serve onboarding with responsive support (tiers vary). Community presence is strong in grassroots nonprofit circles; documentation is usually approachable for non-technical teams.
#5 — Bloomerang
Short description (2–3 lines): Bloomerang is a nonprofit CRM with fundraising tools and donation functionality geared toward donor retention and relationship management. It’s often chosen by small-to-mid nonprofits that want CRM + fundraising in a tighter package.
Key Features
- Donor CRM and constituent profiles
- Online donation tools (capabilities vary by package)
- Retention-focused reporting and engagement tracking
- Email and outreach tools (availability varies)
- Task/workflow support for development teams (varies)
- Segmentation and list management
- Reporting for fundraising performance and donor insights
Pros
- Strong option when CRM and donor retention are top priorities
- Reduces tool sprawl for teams that want one primary system
- Reporting can be practical for everyday development work
Cons
- If you want best-in-class donation conversion UX, you may still pair with a specialized tool
- Advanced enterprise customization may be limited compared to larger CRMs
- Integrations may require planning depending on your stack
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Bloomerang typically sits at the center of a nonprofit’s fundraising operations, with donations and outreach connected to accounting and marketing where needed.
- Email marketing integrations (varies)
- Accounting integrations (varies)
- Donation and form integrations (varies)
- Data import/export tools
- APIs/automation (varies)
Support & Community
Support is oriented toward nonprofit teams and ongoing usage. Training resources are commonly part of the value proposition; details depend on plan and service package.
#6 — Neon One
Short description (2–3 lines): Neon One offers a suite that combines nonprofit CRM, donation management, event tools, and communications. It’s often evaluated by organizations that want an integrated fundraising and engagement platform rather than standalone donation forms.
Key Features
- Donation processing and online giving experiences (varies by module)
- Constituent CRM and engagement history
- Event management and ticketing support (varies)
- Email and communications tools (varies)
- Membership programs (if applicable to the org)
- Reporting and dashboards for fundraising activity
- Workflow tooling for development operations (varies)
Pros
- Broad suite can simplify operations for small-to-mid teams
- Good for organizations mixing fundraising, events, and memberships
- Centralized reporting across engagement types
Cons
- Suite complexity can increase implementation time
- Best results often require process discipline and data hygiene
- Some teams still prefer specialized tools for conversion optimization
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Neon One is typically integrated with finance, email deliverability tools, and external analytics—especially when attribution matters.
- Accounting integrations (varies)
- Email and marketing integrations (varies)
- Website/CMS embedding options (varies)
- Data exports and APIs (varies)
- Automation connectors (varies)
Support & Community
Support and onboarding tend to be structured (especially for CRM migrations), but experiences vary by package. Community resources exist, with training often important for adoption.
#7 — Blackbaud (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT + online fundraising modules)
Short description (2–3 lines): Blackbaud is an enterprise nonprofit software vendor known for CRM and fundraising operations. It’s typically used by larger nonprofits, universities, and complex organizations that need governance, multi-team workflows, and mature reporting.
Key Features
- Enterprise-grade donor management and fundraising CRM capabilities
- Online fundraising components (modules vary by product/package)
- Gifts, acknowledgements, and operational workflows
- Reporting and analytics for development leadership (varies)
- Role-based access needs across departments (capabilities vary)
- Data management for large constituent databases
- Ecosystem of nonprofit-focused tools and services
Pros
- Strong fit for complex organizations with mature development operations
- Designed for multi-user governance and operational workflows
- Broad product ecosystem for different nonprofit functions
Cons
- Implementation and admin overhead can be significant
- Total cost may exceed what small organizations can justify
- Customization and integrations often require specialist time
Platforms / Deployment
- Web (desktop access); mobile options vary by product
- Cloud / Hybrid (varies by product)
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Blackbaud environments often connect to finance, email, analytics, and sometimes data warehouses—depending on reporting maturity.
- Blackbaud product ecosystem integrations (varies)
- Accounting/ERP integrations (varies)
- Data exports and APIs (varies)
- Email/marketing tooling connections (varies)
- Professional services/partner ecosystem (varies)
Support & Community
Support is typically enterprise-oriented with formal onboarding options; community is large due to widespread adoption. Documentation and training are important given platform breadth; specifics vary by contract.
#8 — Bonterra (e.g., EveryAction / Network for Good portfolio)
Short description (2–3 lines): Bonterra offers fundraising and engagement software across nonprofit segments, including donor management and digital fundraising. It’s often considered by organizations that want an integrated approach across fundraising, communications, and constituent engagement.
Key Features
- Donation and online fundraising tools (varies by product)
- Constituent management and segmentation features (varies)
- Email, outreach, and engagement tooling (varies)
- Reporting and dashboards for fundraising performance (varies)
- Workflow support for teams and approvals (varies)
- Data import/export and list management
- Multi-program support for organizations running diverse campaigns
Pros
- Portfolio approach can cover multiple nonprofit needs
- Useful for teams that want fundraising + engagement under one vendor
- Can scale from SMB to more complex operations (product-dependent)
Cons
- Product packaging can be complex to evaluate (multiple modules/lines)
- Integrations and migrations may require careful planning
- UX consistency can vary across products
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Bonterra deployments often involve connecting donation and engagement data with finance and reporting systems.
- Email and marketing integrations (varies)
- CRM/data model integrations (varies)
- Accounting integrations (varies)
- APIs/export tools (varies)
- Automation connectors (varies)
Support & Community
Support and onboarding vary by product and contract. Community and training resources exist, often with implementation partners for more complex rollouts.
#9 — Raisely
Short description (2–3 lines): Raisely is a fundraising platform known for flexible campaign creation and peer-to-peer fundraising. It’s often used by nonprofits that want configurable pages, community fundraising, and solid digital campaign tooling.
Key Features
- Campaign and donation pages with customization options
- Peer-to-peer fundraising and supporter pages
- Team fundraising and leaderboards (varies)
- Donation designations and campaign structures
- Reporting and exports for fundraising operations
- Integrations to connect into CRM and marketing stacks (varies)
- International fundraising support patterns (varies)
Pros
- Flexible for building multiple campaign types without heavy development
- Strong peer-to-peer/community fundraising capabilities
- Good fit for digitally active teams that run frequent campaigns
Cons
- Not a full CRM; often needs integration with a donor database
- Event management depth may be limited compared to event-first tools
- Some advanced governance needs may require additional tooling
Platforms / Deployment
- Web
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
Raisely is typically used with a broader nonprofit stack, especially when lifecycle comms and finance reconciliation are needed.
- CRM integrations (varies)
- Email marketing integrations (varies)
- Payment processing options (varies)
- Webhooks/APIs (varies)
- Automation tools (varies)
Support & Community
Support is generally positioned for nonprofit campaign teams; documentation tends to focus on campaign building. Community size is moderate; adoption varies by region.
#10 — GoFundMe
Short description (2–3 lines): GoFundMe is a widely recognized crowdfunding platform often used for individuals, community causes, and some nonprofit campaigns. It’s best for quick public fundraising pages rather than full donor lifecycle management.
Key Features
- Fast setup for public fundraising pages
- Social sharing and community-driven discovery dynamics
- Donor commenting/updates (campaign storytelling features)
- Basic reporting and withdrawals (varies by context/region)
- Mobile-friendly donor experience
- Team fundraising patterns (varies)
- Platform-level trust and familiarity for many donors
Pros
- Extremely easy to start; minimal configuration required
- Strong for one-off or urgent campaigns with broad social reach
- Donor familiarity can reduce friction in some audiences
Cons
- Limited CRM depth and donor stewardship tooling
- Integrations and data portability can be more constrained than nonprofit-first platforms
- Not ideal as a long-term system for development operations
Platforms / Deployment
- Web / iOS / Android (mobile app availability varies by region)
- Cloud
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Not publicly stated
- SSO/SAML: Not publicly stated
- MFA: Not publicly stated
- RBAC/audit logs: Not publicly stated
- Compliance (SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA): Not publicly stated
Integrations & Ecosystem
GoFundMe is typically used as a standalone crowdfunding destination rather than an integrated fundraising operations system.
- Data export options (varies)
- Limited CRM integrations (varies)
- Social sharing as the primary “ecosystem” lever
- Payment and payout tooling (varies by region)
- Limited extensibility compared to nonprofit platforms
Support & Community
Support resources exist for campaign organizers; community is massive due to broad consumer usage. Nonprofit operational support (migrations, CRM strategy) is typically out of scope.
Comparison Table (Top 10)
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Deployment (Cloud/Self-hosted/Hybrid) | Standout Feature | Public Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donorbox | SMB nonprofits wanting simple donation + recurring | Web | Cloud | Quick-to-launch embeddable donation forms | N/A |
| Classy (GoFundMe) | Mid-market/enterprise nonprofit campaigns + P2P | Web | Cloud | Robust peer-to-peer and campaign tooling | N/A |
| Fundraise Up | Conversion-focused digital fundraising teams | Web | Cloud | Donation UX optimization focus | N/A |
| Givebutter | All-in-one campaigns + events for small teams | Web | Cloud | Broad feature set for grassroots fundraising | N/A |
| Bloomerang | CRM-first nonprofits focused on retention | Web | Cloud | Donor CRM with retention-oriented reporting | N/A |
| Neon One | Orgs needing CRM + fundraising + events/membership | Web | Cloud | Integrated suite for engagement + fundraising | N/A |
| Blackbaud | Enterprise fundraising operations and governance | Web | Cloud / Hybrid (varies) | Enterprise CRM + nonprofit ecosystem | N/A |
| Bonterra | Integrated fundraising + engagement (product-dependent) | Web | Cloud | Portfolio covering multiple nonprofit needs | N/A |
| Raisely | Flexible campaigns and peer-to-peer fundraising | Web | Cloud | Configurable campaign building | N/A |
| GoFundMe | Quick crowdfunding for broad social reach | Web / iOS / Android (varies) | Cloud | Massive consumer familiarity | N/A |
Evaluation & Scoring of Online Fundraising Tools
Scoring model (1–10 per criterion) with weighted total (0–10):
- Core features – 25%
- Ease of use – 15%
- Integrations & ecosystem – 15%
- Security & compliance – 10%
- Performance & reliability – 10%
- Support & community – 10%
- Price / value – 15%
| Tool Name | Core (25%) | Ease (15%) | Integrations (15%) | Security (10%) | Performance (10%) | Support (10%) | Value (15%) | Weighted Total (0–10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donorbox | 7.5 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.46 |
| Classy (GoFundMe) | 8.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 7.56 |
| Fundraise Up | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.0 | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.48 |
| Givebutter | 7.5 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 7.63 |
| Bloomerang | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.46 |
| Neon One | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.30 |
| Blackbaud | 9.0 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 7.44 |
| Bonterra | 8.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.11 |
| Raisely | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 7.30 |
| GoFundMe | 6.5 | 9.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.88 |
How to interpret these scores:
- Scores are comparative, not absolute; a “7.5” can be excellent for the right segment.
- “Security & compliance” is scored conservatively because many details are not publicly stated in a way that’s easy to verify.
- “Value” reflects typical fit: tools that reduce tool sprawl or launch time often score higher for SMBs.
- Use the weighted total to shortlist, then validate with a pilot using your payment flow, CRM, and reporting needs.
Which Online Fundraising Tool Is Right for You?
Solo / Freelancer
If you’re running a single campaign, a local drive, or testing an idea:
- Choose GoFundMe if speed and social sharing matter more than donor management.
- Choose Donorbox if you need recurring donations and a more “nonprofit-like” donation flow.
- Choose Givebutter if you also need event ticketing or peer-to-peer pages without building a full stack.
Key tip: prioritize time-to-launch and payout simplicity, and keep your data export needs realistic.
SMB
For small-to-midsize nonprofits (often 1–10 staff) balancing campaigns, events, and stewardship:
- Givebutter is a strong all-arounder when you need campaigns + events + P2P in one place.
- Bloomerang or Neon One are good choices when you want a CRM-first setup to improve retention and reporting.
- Donorbox works well if you already have a CRM (or plan to use spreadsheets initially) and just need dependable donation capture.
Key tip: evaluate receipting, refund workflows, and how donor data syncs to your CRM/accounting.
Mid-Market
For growing organizations with multiple campaigns, channels, and internal stakeholders:
- Classy is a strong fit for robust peer-to-peer and multi-campaign programs.
- Fundraise Up is compelling when you’re investing in digital acquisition and want conversion gains.
- Neon One can work well if you want a suite approach and can commit to process adoption.
Key tip: demand clarity on data ownership, attribution, UTM handling, and gift record structure.
Enterprise
For universities, hospital foundations, large NGOs, and complex multi-entity orgs:
- Blackbaud is often considered when enterprise governance, permissions, and large-scale donor ops are primary drivers.
- Classy can complement enterprise CRMs when you need sophisticated digital fundraising experiences.
- Fundraise Up can be layered in for conversion optimization while the CRM remains the system of record.
Key tip: run a security and architecture review: RBAC, audit logs, SSO, data retention, webhooks/APIs, and finance reconciliation.
Budget vs Premium
- If budget is tight, look for tools that minimize additional software: Givebutter (breadth) or Donorbox (simplicity).
- If you can invest for scale, consider Classy (campaign complexity) or Blackbaud (enterprise ops), and layer specialized tools where ROI is clear.
Feature Depth vs Ease of Use
- Easiest launches: GoFundMe, Donorbox, Givebutter
- Deeper fundraising ops: Bloomerang, Neon One, Blackbaud
- Best-of-breed digital optimization: Fundraise Up
Integrations & Scalability
- If your CRM is the source of truth, prioritize clean integrations and exports: Classy, Fundraise Up, Raisely (varies by stack).
- If you want fewer moving parts, prefer suite-style tools: Bloomerang, Neon One, Bonterra (product-dependent).
Security & Compliance Needs
- For higher governance needs, plan for SSO/MFA, RBAC, and audit logs—and request evidence during procurement.
- If certification requirements are strict, treat “Not publicly stated” as a cue to run a formal vendor security review and consider enterprise vendors with documented programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What pricing models are common for online fundraising tools?
Most use a combination of platform fees (subscription and/or per-transaction) plus payment processing fees. Packaging varies widely, so compare effective cost based on your average gift size, volume, and feature needs.
Can donors cover fees, and should we enable it?
Many tools offer donor-covered fees or “tip” models. It can increase net revenue, but test donor sentiment and ensure the checkout messaging is transparent and aligned with your brand.
How long does implementation usually take?
Simple donation tools can launch in hours to days. CRM migrations, complex integrations, and finance reconciliation can take weeks to months depending on data cleanup and stakeholder approvals.
What’s the biggest mistake teams make when choosing a tool?
Overbuying a complex suite before they’ve defined processes (acknowledgements, codes, reconciliation), or underbuying by ignoring integration and reporting needs until after launch.
Do these tools replace a nonprofit CRM?
Some include CRM features, but not all. If you need moves management, major gifts workflows, or complex segmentation, you may still want a dedicated CRM (or an enterprise platform).
How do we evaluate donation-form conversion quality?
Run a pilot with the same campaign on your site: measure page load, completion rate, mobile usability, payment method coverage, and how often donors successfully set up recurring gifts.
What security controls should we ask vendors about in 2026?
At minimum: encryption, MFA, role-based access control, audit logs, data export controls, incident response processes, and SSO/SAML for staff accounts (especially for mid-market/enterprise).
Can we integrate with email marketing tools?
Often yes, but depth varies: some tools sync lists and donation activity, while others require CSV exports or automation connectors. Confirm whether donation events can trigger segmented campaigns.
How hard is it to switch fundraising platforms later?
Switching can be manageable if you keep clean exports and a clear system of record. Recurring donations are typically the hardest part—plan a donor communication strategy and a careful migration timeline.
What are good alternatives if we only need event ticketing?
If your primary need is ticketing, sponsorship packages, or auctions, you may be better served by event-first platforms or a dedicated ticketing stack, with donations handled separately.
Should we use one platform for everything or best-of-breed tools?
“One platform” can simplify admin work for small teams. Best-of-breed can outperform for conversion, analytics, and scalability—but increases integration and governance complexity.
Conclusion
Online fundraising tools have converged on a shared baseline—mobile-friendly donation pages, recurring giving, and basic reporting—yet they differ sharply in conversion performance, CRM depth, peer-to-peer/event capability, and integration maturity. In 2026+, the “best” tool isn’t universal: it depends on whether you’re optimizing for quick launch, donor retention, digital acquisition ROI, or enterprise governance.
Next step: shortlist 2–3 tools that match your operating model, run a small pilot campaign, and validate the essentials—payment methods, data sync to CRM/accounting, reporting accuracy, and security controls—before committing long-term.