For nonprofits, the challenge isn’t just raising funds – it’s building relationships that last. Over 85% of nonprofits say that keeping donors engaged and encouraging recurring giving are their biggest hurdles. That’s why managing your donor data with sticky notes or a spreadsheet just isn’t enough anymore.
In this guide, we’ll show how the right CRM can turn donor management from a chore into your nonprofit’s biggest advantage. We’ll cover the must-have features and our picks for the best nonprofit CRM software in 2025.
Why a CRM is a way to serve your mission better
Imagine what your team could do if you didn’t have to chase spreadsheets?
What if the time spent on paperwork each week could instead go back into your programs and community impact?
That’s exactly what the right CRM delivers for nonprofits:
- A CRM gives your team hours back every week, freeing you from manual tasks like sending thank-you emails or reminding supporters about events.
- Fundraising becomes more personal and effective, not just a numbers game. You’ll know each donor’s history and interests, so you can send appeals that actually resonate. Many nonprofits using CRMs have raised over 20% more, simply by reaching the right people with the right message.
- Volunteer engagement gets easier to manage. With everything in one place, you can track schedules and recognize volunteers for their contributions. This, alone, can lift volunteer engagement by as much as 20%. Your helpers stay in the loop, and keep coming back.
- You build more trust with your board, supporters, and the public. Accurate records and simple reporting make transparency part of your everyday work. Donor trust increase, with a 17% improvement in financial disclosure.
Top features that nonprofit CRM solutions should have
If you're looking for a solid nonprofit CRM, you need a tool that ticks all the boxes but doesn't try to sell you all the extras you'll never use. These are the core nonprofit CRM features to look out for.
Donor and contact management
Relationships power your mission, so it helps to keep all supporter details in one spot: from names and emails to giving history and event attendance. When your team can see every interaction at a glance, outreach feels personal and timely.
Donation tracking and history
No two gifts are alike, and your CRM should capture each type: from monthly support to one-off donations and in-kind gifts. Having the full picture of a donor’s support helps you plan better campaigns and craft appeals that match their giving patterns. Board updates and grant reports also get a lot easier.
Campaign and communications management
Donor engagement thrives on the right message reaching the right person at the right moment. CRM campaign tools help you keep an eye on all communications by sending targeted updates and understanding what resonates. Every outreach becomes more intentional and effective.
Event management and volunteer coordination
Events and volunteers fuel your impact. A CRM helps you manage RSVPs and track volunteer hours so no one feels overlooked. When people feel welcomed and included, they’re more likely to stay involved and spread the word.
Data security and privacy
Supporters trust you with their information, so keeping it secure matters. Choose a CRM with strong permissions and up-to-date privacy features, giving both your team and your donors peace of mind. Protecting data safeguards your reputation.
7 best CRM for nonprofits in 2025
Looking for a CRM that actually fits the way your nonprofit works? Here are seven top picks – ranging from simple and affordable to feature-packed and nonprofit-specific.
Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM is made for nonprofits that want to build real relationships, but without the tech stress. It’s trusted by hundreds of nonprofits and charities for one reason: you get a powerful, intuitive system that helps you with donor management.
Top features for nonprofits
- Capsule is easy to set up and quick for your whole team (even volunteers) to adopt. Onboarding is self-serve and supported by accessible training, so you’re never left figuring things out alone.
- Nonprofits receive a 30% discount, and if your team has particular specifications, Capsule will work with you directly to better suit your needs.
- Store up to 200,000 donors, volunteers, and stakeholders in one central place. Every donation, conversation, and event is tracked and visible.
- See the progress of every campaign and the direct results of each contribution, with user-friendly pages that keep everyone in the loop.
- Capsule works with QuickBooks, Xero, Mailchimp, Transpond, and over a thousand other apps via Zapier, so your existing workflow just gets easier.
- Capsule’s support team responds fast (with just one-day SLA), so if you’re stuck, you’re never left waiting.
Capsule gives you the foundation to do more good, faster.
Pricing
Starts at $18 per user per month, with a 30% nonprofit discount.
Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud (NPSP)
Salesforce may not be the first name that comes to mind for nonprofit CRMs, but its Nonprofit Cloud does offer a serious toolkit, especially for larger organizations with complex needs. The platform is highly customizable, supporting everything from donor management to grant tracking and analytics. For some nonprofits, the free licenses available through the Power of Us program are a strong incentive to consider it.
Top features for nonprofits
- Donor history, campaign, and grant management
- Program and volunteer tracking for centralized work
- Advanced analytics tools for custom dashboards and in-depth reporting
Pricing
Eligible nonprofits can get up to 10 free licenses. Any extra users or add-on features will require additional costs, which can climb quickly as your needs grow.
Considerations
- Salesforce is a strong fit if you need deep functionality and have the time or expertise to tailor it to your organization. For smaller nonprofits or teams looking for simplicity, it can feel like overkill, both in terms of features and cost.
- Expect a steeper learning curve and a higher price tag if you plan to use Salesforce to its full potential.
- If you’re after something purpose-built for nonprofits and ready to use out of the box, there are simpler options on this list worth a look.
Bloomerang
If you take donor retention seriously – and you should – Bloomerang gives you a CRM designed with that in mind. Instead of piling on features you’ll never use, Bloomerang focuses on helping you truly understand your supporters and keep them engaged year after year.
Top features for nonprofits
- Donor engagement tracking
- Built-in email marketing tools
- Online donation forms for easier collection
Pricing:
Pricing varies depending on donor records, with entry-level plans starting at around $119 per month.
Considerations
- Reporting options are basic, so you may find it limiting if you need deeper analytics or custom dashboards for your board.
- Not the best fit for managing large-scale grants or complicated, multi-step campaigns, since Bloomerang is geared toward steady, everyday donor management.
- As your fundraising and outreach efforts grow more complex, you might eventually need a more flexible or feature-rich CRM.
NeonCRM
Instead of piecing together spreadsheets or bouncing between different platforms, you get a single dashboard to track and engage your entire community. Neon’s suite covers the basics and goes a bit further, with peer-to-peer fundraising tools and customizable donation pages for a more modern approach to giving.
Top features for nonprofits
- Customizable donation pages
- Event registration and ticketing
- Membership and volunteer management
- Peer-to-peer fundraising tools
Pricing
Neon CRM pricing starts at around $99 per month and scales with your contacts and chosen features.
Considerations
- The starting price is on the higher side, which may be a hurdle for smaller nonprofits or those new to CRM systems.
- Expect to spend time with support or digging through documentation to get the most out of the platform.
- The interface packs in a lot, so it can feel overwhelming if you prefer a more straightforward experience.
DonorPerfect
The name says it all – DonorPerfect is built for nonprofits that want to put donor management front and center. It’s a longtime favorite among nonprofits running multiple campaigns or switching between board and grant requirements.
Top features for nonprofits
- Donation and pledge tracking
- Donor management and communication history
- Flexible reporting and data analytics tools
- Online donation integrations
Pricing
Pricing is tiered based on records and features, starting around $99 per month.
Considerations
- Advanced features often come as paid add-ons. This means that your total cost may rise as your needs grow.
- The interface isn’t as sleek as some newer tools, so don’t expect a cutting-edge user experience.
HubSpot CRM for nonprofits
HubSpot CRM gives nonprofits a familiar, no-cost starting point for organizing donors and volunteers, especially if your team has already used HubSpot in another job. For small organizations looking to centralize communications and boost their supporter base, HubSpot’s free plan is an easy way to get started without a budget hit.
Top features for nonprofits
- Email marketing and automation
- Meeting scheduler and forms for easy donor management
- Customizable contact properties
Pricing
Pricing is free for core features, with a 40% nonprofit discount on paid plans if you need more advanced tools.
Considerations
- Lacks built-in donation tracking and donor history, which limits its use for fundraising or stewardship.
- Customization options are basic, so you may find it hard to tailor HubSpot to typical nonprofit workflows.
- Most advanced automation, reporting, and outreach features are locked behind paid plans, and costs can climb quickly.
- While the core is free, HubSpot can get very expensive. You’ll need to carefully review which features you actually need to avoid surprise expenses as your needs grow.
Zoho CRM
Nonprofit teams looking for both flexibility and affordability often end up considering Zoho CRM. The platform lets you connect with Zoho’s other tools, which help track donors, volunteers, and campaigns be always up-to-date.
Top features for non profits
- Customizable pipelines and modules
- Workflow automation for tasks and emails
- Mobile access and multichannel communication
You can get started for free with up to three users, and paid plans are budget-friendly, with nonprofit discounts to keep costs in check.
Considerations
- Customizing Zoho for nonprofit workflows can take time and patience, especially if your team is new to CRM software.
- Some advanced reporting and donor management features are only available with paid add-ons or higher-tier plans.
- Getting everyone up to speed may require extra training and internal support.
Conclusion
Nonprofits grow stronger when they track every supporter interaction, from the first gift to ongoing advocacy or major donations. A good CRM helps your team stay organized, show real impact, and keep every donor or volunteer engaged for the long haul. When every note, call, or thank-you is easy to find, you build trust and make people feel like true partners in your mission.
Lasting relationships don’t happen by accident—they need ongoing attention and the right tools behind the scenes. Spreadsheets and scattered notes just can’t keep up with all the details and connections that matter.
Capsule CRM gives your nonprofit a simple way to nurture supporters and keep your mission moving forward.
Start free today and see how simple and powerful it can be.
