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Top 20 CRM Platforms for Nonprofits in 2025 | Expert Guide

May 05, 202512 min read

Top 20 CRM Platforms for Nonprofits in 2025: Features, Pricing, and Reviews

Managing relationships isn’t optional—it’s mission-critical. Whether you're cultivating long-term donors, coordinating volunteers, or running multi-channel fundraising campaigns, having the right tools in place can be the difference between stagnation and scale. That’s where a CRM for nonprofits comes in.

Nonprofit CRMs aren't just databases. They serve as a command center for communication, outreach, donor nurturing, and impact reporting. With the right CRM, your organization can work smarter—not harder—by automating admin tasks, segmenting donor lists, and tracking engagement in real time.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the top 20 nonprofit CRM software platforms for 2025, examining their features, pricing, and real-world performance so your team can choose a solution that supports your mission, values, and growth trajectory.

The Importance of CRM for Nonprofits

For nonprofits, everything starts with relationships—whether with donors, volunteers, grant providers, or beneficiaries. A well-implemented nonprofit CRM system acts as your central nervous system, making every interaction measurable, every campaign more strategic, and every donation more impactful.

Here’s how the right CRM can transform your nonprofit:

  • Centralised Donor Data
    Store and access donor histories, preferences, communication logs, and giving patterns all in one place. No more digging through spreadsheets or email chains.

  • Smarter Fundraising Campaigns
    Segment donors based on interests, giving capacity, or engagement history, and run targeted campaigns that deliver stronger ROI.

  • Streamlined Volunteer Management
    Track hours, coordinate event shifts, send reminders, and keep your volunteer base engaged through a unified dashboard.

  • Targeted Communication Strategies
    Whether it’s email, SMS, or phone outreach, CRMs help you personalise every touchpoint, increasing retention and conversion.

  • Improved Grant and Event Planning
    Track deadlines, manage tasks, and build templates for recurring events or grant applications.

Investing in a robust CRM isn’t just an operational upgrade—it’s a mission multiplier. When your team spends less time on admin and more time on impact, everyone wins.

What is a Nonprofit CRM?

A nonprofit CRM (Constituent Relationship Management system) is purpose-built software designed to help mission-driven organisations build, maintain, and grow meaningful relationships with supporters and stakeholders.

Unlike traditional CRM platforms used in corporate sales environments, a nonprofit CRM is tailored to fit the unique workflows of charities, NGOs, and foundations. Instead of managing sales pipelines, it focuses on:

  • Donation Tracking: Monitor one-time gifts, recurring donations, and major donor pledges over time.

  • Volunteer Coordination: Schedule shifts, track engagement, and streamline communication with volunteers.

  • Event and Campaign Management: Plan, promote, and evaluate fundraising events and community campaigns.

  • Supporter Engagement: Build long-term loyalty by tracking touchpoints and tailoring communications.

At its core, a nonprofit CRM unites fundraising, communications, and operations into a single, intuitive platform—helping your organisation scale without losing its human touch.

Top 20 CRM Platforms for Nonprofits in 2025

1. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud

  • Overview: Industry leader offering tailored solutions for nonprofits.

  • Key Features: Donor management, fundraising tools, grant management, marketing automation.

  • Pricing: Starts at $60/user/month. Discounts available for eligible nonprofits.

  • Best For: Large and mid-sized nonprofits with complex needs.

2. Bloomerang

  • Overview: Popular for donor retention tracking.

  • Key Features: Engagement scoring, donor database, reporting.

  • Pricing: Starting at $119/month.

  • User Insight: Highly praised for its user-friendly interface.

3. DonorPerfect

  • Overview: Flexible CRM trusted by thousands of nonprofits.

  • Key Features: Donation management, event management, mobile access.

  • Pricing: From $99/month.

  • Support Strength: Noted for strong customer support services.

4. Kindful

  • Overview: Focuses on simple donor management and online fundraising.

  • Key Features: Donor database, peer-to-peer fundraising, integrations.

  • Pricing: Starts at $100/month.

  • Integration Perk: Works well with QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Eventbrite.

5. Neon CRM

  • Overview: End-to-end platform for managing donor relationships.

  • Key Features: Fundraising, memberships, event registration.

  • Pricing: From $99/month.

  • Scalability: Suitable for growing nonprofits.

6. Donorbox

  • Overview: Affordable fundraising solution.

  • Key Features: Recurring donations, crowdfunding, integrations.

  • Pricing: Free to start; 1.5% platform fee.

  • Ease of Use: Simple to embed donation forms into websites.

7. Givebutter

  • Overview: All-in-one fundraising platform.

  • Key Features: Donation forms, event tickets, peer-to-peer campaigns.

  • Pricing: Free platform; 0–5% optional tips from donors.

  • Fundraising Focus: Excellent for events and virtual fundraising.

8. Little Green Light

  • Overview: Compact yet powerful CRM.

  • Key Features: Gift tracking, event management, task management.

  • Pricing: $45/month for up to 2,500 constituents.

  • User Feedback: Great value for smaller nonprofits.

9. Keela

  • Overview: Smart CRM with built-in automation.

  • Key Features: Email marketing, reporting, AI suggestions.

  • Pricing: Starts at $99/month.

  • Automation Benefit: Saves manual follow-up time.

10. DonorSnap

  • Overview: Budget-friendly CRM.

  • Key Features: Custom fields, donor segmentation, online forms.

  • Pricing: Starts at $39/month.

  • Customization Perk: Highly adaptable to niche needs.

11. Virtuous CRM

  • Overview: Designed for growing nonprofits.

  • Key Features: Marketing automation, donor journey mapping.

  • Pricing: Custom quotes.

  • Marketing Edge: Excellent for multi-channel campaigns.

12. HubSpot CRM (Free Plan)

  • Overview: Popular free CRM.

  • Key Features: Contact management, email templates, task automation.

  • Pricing: Free with optional upgrades.

  • Limitation: Lacks nonprofit-specific tools.

13. Zoho CRM (Free Plan)

  • Overview: Versatile CRM for smaller nonprofits.

  • Key Features: Lead management, email marketing, reporting.

  • Pricing: Free for up to 3 users.

  • Best For: Small teams with basic CRM needs.

14. Bitrix24

  • Overview: Collaboration-focused CRM.

  • Key Features: Project management, communication tools, CRM.

  • Pricing: Free basic plan; paid plans from $49/month.

  • Collaboration Boost: Ideal for remote teams.

15. CiviCRM

  • Overview: Open-source nonprofit CRM.

  • Key Features: Event management, mass emailing, donor tracking.

  • Pricing: Free; hosting costs apply.

  • Open-Source Benefit: Highly customizable.

16. Funraise

  • Overview: Fundraising-centric CRM.

  • Key Features: Donation forms, ticketing, fundraising CRM.

  • Pricing: From $0 with percentage-based fees.

  • Event Capability: Great for fundraising events.

17. EngageBay CRM

  • Overview: Affordable all-in-one CRM.

  • Key Features: Marketing automation, donor pipelines, email marketing.

  • Pricing: Free plan available; paid from $14.99/month.

  • Automation Strength: Strong for email campaigns.

18. Eleo

  • Overview: Built for small to mid-sized nonprofits.

  • Key Features: Donor management, event tracking, reporting.

  • Pricing: From $39/month.

  • Ease of Use: Highly rated by first-time CRM users.

19. OnePageCRM

  • Overview: Action-focused CRM.

  • Key Features: Task management, donor follow-ups, email templates.

  • Pricing: $9.95/user/month.

  • Unique Approach: Prioritizes actionable donor engagement.

20. Flowlu

  • Overview: CRM + project management.

  • Key Features: CRM, finance management, task tracking.

  • Pricing: Free for small teams; paid from $29/month.

  • Project Integration: Ideal if project delivery is part of nonprofit services.


🌟 Featured CRM Spotlight: Charity’s Purse

Overview

Charity’s Purse is a modern, all-in-one CRM platform designed exclusively for nonprofits that want powerful functionality without technical complexity. Built with a mission-first mindset, Charity’s Purse empowers small to mid-sized organisations to scale their impact through smarter donor relationships, seamless volunteer management, and actionable insights—all from one intuitive dashboard.

Key Features

  • Smart Donor Profiles: Automatically updates donation history, email interactions, and engagement scores in real-time.

  • Campaign Performance Hub: Track fundraising ROI, segment donors, and launch multi-channel campaigns effortlessly.

  • Volunteer & Event Management: Manage signups, shift scheduling, and event follow-ups all in one place.

  • AI-Powered Recommendations: Get smart prompts on when to follow up with lapsed donors or high-potential supporters

  • Integrations: Syncs easily with QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, and over 1,000+ apps via Zapier.

Pricing

  • Free Starter Plan: For up to 500 contacts and limited automation

  • Standard Plan: Starts at $49/month

  • Growth Plan: From $129/month, includes automation, advanced reports, and integrations

  • Special nonprofit pricing and annual discounts available.

Best For

  • Small to medium-sized nonprofits

  • Teams that want to scale without IT support

  • Organisations prioritising ease of use and measurable engagement

User Insight

“Charity’s Purse helped us increase donor retention by 27% in one year. The AI alerts and clean UI are game changers.”
– Anna K., Fundraising Director at FeedHope

Comparison Table: Features and Pricing

Here’s a side-by-side CRM comparison table to help you visualise which tools fit your nonprofit’s unique needs in terms of functionality and cost.

Legend:

  • ✅ Full feature available

  • ⚠️ Basic or limited version

  • ❌ Not supported

Best Free CRM Options for Nonprofits

Not every nonprofit has the budget to invest in a premium CRM from day one. Fortunately, several free CRM platforms for nonprofits offer strong foundational features—without compromising too much on quality.

Here are the top free CRM tools to consider in 2025:

HubSpot CRM

  • Best For: Small teams focused on contact management and task automation

  • Key Features: Contact database, email templates, task workflows, deal pipelines

  • Limitations: No built-in donation tracking or nonprofit-specific modules

  • Pros:

    • Easy to use with a clean interface

    • Robust automation tools

    • Integrates with Gmail, Outlook, and over 1,000+ apps

Zoho CRM (Free Plan)

  • Best For: Startups and grassroots nonprofits needing CRM + email outreach

  • Key Features: Lead management, workflow automation, reporting dashboards

  • Limitations: Free plan limited to 3 users; lacks donation-specific tools

  • Pros:

    • Generous feature set for a free CRM

    • Good integration with Zoho’s broader ecosystem (Zoho Books, Campaigns, etc.)

    • Customisable dashboards and forms

Givebutter

  • Best For: Fundraising-first nonprofits needing a donation platform

  • Key Features: Custom donation forms, ticketing, peer-to-peer fundraising

  • Pricing Model: 100% free to use; optional donor tips fund the platform

  • Pros:

    • Built for fundraisers (not general sales)

    • No platform fees

    • Great UX for both donors and admins

    • Integrates with Zapier, Salesforce, Mailchimp

Bonus Mentions:

Key Takeaway:

Free CRMs are ideal for lean teams or new nonprofits—but most will eventually outgrow these tools. Look for platforms that offer a clear upgrade path to paid plans without data loss.


Best Low-Cost CRM Solutions for Small Nonprofits

Budget-conscious? These CRM options deliver maximum value:

  • DonorSnap ($39/month): Full donor management and customization at a low rate.

  • Eleo ($39/month): User-friendly CRM perfect for growing nonprofits.

  • OnePageCRM ($9.95/user/month): Focused on action and simplicity.

Affordable CRMs often offer essential tools without overwhelming complexity.

Community Insights: What Reddit Users Recommend

Beyond pricing sheets and feature charts, real-world user experience often tells a more honest story. That’s why platforms like Reddit—especially communities like r/Nonprofit and r/CRM—have become valuable spaces for nonprofit professionals to share what actually works.

Here are some key takeaways from 2024–2025 Reddit threads discussing the best CRM platforms for nonprofits:

Little Green Light: Budget-friendly and Easy to Use

“We’re a small arts nonprofit and Little Green Light is perfect for us. Clean interface, solid reporting, and doesn’t take hours to train new volunteers.”
—u/CommunityFundraiser (r/Nonprofit)

  • Why users love it:

    • Affordable ($45/month starting)
      Intuitive UI

    • Easy donor tracking for smaller teams

Bloomerang: Strong for Donor Retention and Engagement

“Bloomerang’s engagement scoring helps us see who’s fading before they’re lost. It’s not cheap, but it pays for itself in donor renewals.”
—u/FundDevWizard (r/CRM)

  • Why it stands out:

    • Powerful engagement metrics

    • Emphasis on donor lifetime value

    • Widely recommended for mid-sized nonprofits with renewal goals

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud: Powerful, But Complex

“It’s like having a Ferrari… if you know how to drive it. Amazing capabilities, but we had to hire a consultant just to set it up properly.”
—u/DataDrivenMission (r/Nonprofit)

  • What to consider:

    • Highly customisable

    • Great for large nonprofits with IT resources

    • Steeper learning curve compared to out-of-the-box CRMs

Givebutter: Top Pick for Event-Based Fundraising

“We used Givebutter for our virtual gala—it was plug-and-play. Zero cost upfront, and we got great support.”
—u/EventsForChange (r/Nonprofit)

  • Popular features:

    • Peer-to-peer fundraising tools

    • Great mobile experience for donors

    • “Tip model” keeps platform use free

DonorPerfect and Kindful: Reliable, Scalable Options

Both platforms receive consistent shoutouts for offering balanced feature sets with responsive customer service.

“DonorPerfect grows with you. We started with the basics and added modules over time. Their support is fantastic.”
—u/GrassrootsGrowth (r/CRM)


Common Community Advice:

  • Prioritise ease of use over feature bloat

  • Strong onboarding and customer support is critical

  • Always test with a trial or sandbox before committing

  • Don’t underestimate data migration—bad imports = bad reporting


How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Nonprofit

With dozens of options available, selecting the right CRM for nonprofits can feel overwhelming. But with a clear framework in place, you can confidently choose a solution that meets your organisation’s size, strategy, and budget.

Here’s a quick decision-making guide:

  • Define Your Core Needs
    What are your biggest operational challenges? Are you focused on donor retention, managing events, volunteer scheduling, or all of the above? Prioritise based on impact.

  • Determine Your Budget
    Free CRMs like HubSpot and Zoho are ideal for small nonprofits, while platforms like Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud cater to mid-sized and large organisations with bigger budgets and deeper needs.

  • Check Integrations
    Ensure your CRM integrates with your existing tools—think email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp), accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks), and donation processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal).

  • Test Usability
    A CRM is only useful if your team uses it. Look for an intuitive interface, clean dashboards, and a manageable learning curve. Free trials or demos are a must.

  • Confirm Support and Onboarding
    Solid customer support, training resources, and responsive onboarding are non-negotiables—especially if your team lacks in-house tech expertise.

Bonus Tip: Start small and scale. Many CRMs offer tiered pricing and modular features so you can begin with essentials and grow as your operations expand.

Conclusion: Empowering Your Nonprofit with the Right CRM

The right nonprofit CRM doesn’t just store contact info—it helps your mission thrive. From driving donor loyalty to streamlining your team’s workflows, investing in a CRM means investing in your capacity to create change.

In 2025, nonprofits can’t afford to rely on spreadsheets or disconnected tools. The right CRM empowers your team to act faster, communicate better, and raise more—so you can focus on what matters most: your impact.

Take the time to evaluate your needs, explore the options in this guide, and make an informed choice. The right CRM won’t just fit your nonprofit today—it will grow with you for years to come.

FAQs

What is the best free CRM for nonprofits?

HubSpot CRM and Zoho CRM remain top free choices for nonprofits, especially small teams that need contact management, task tracking, and email tools. However, Givebutter is also a great option for fundraising-focused organisations thanks to its zero-cost entry model with optional tips from donors.

How do I migrate data to a new nonprofit CRM?

Most leading nonprofit CRMs offer data migration services to ease the transition. You can also manually export your existing data in CSV format and import it into your new CRM. For larger or more complex datasets, third-party tools or consultants can provide custom migration solutions—reducing downtime and avoiding data loss.

How long does it take to implement a nonprofit CRM?

Implementation timelines vary based on the platform and your organisation's size. For smaller nonprofits using plug-and-play tools like Little Green Light or Givebutter, setup can be completed in a few days. For enterprise-grade CRMs like Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, expect 4–12 weeks, especially if data migration and workflow automation are involved.

Can a CRM help improve donor retention?

Yes, absolutely. A CRM enables personalised communication, tracks giving patterns, and sets reminders for follow-ups. Features like donor engagement scoring, thank-you automation, and segmentation can significantly boost donor retention over time.

Do I need technical expertise to manage a CRM?

Not necessarily. Many CRMs for nonprofits are designed to be user-friendly with minimal setup. Platforms like Bloomerang, Keela, and DonorSnap are built with non-technical users in mind. However, more advanced systems like Salesforce or CiviCRM may require training or a consultant for initial setup and customisation.

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