What Is the Best Online Donation Platform for Nonprofits?
Nonprofits need donations to keep doing good stuff in the world, right? But getting people to give money can be tough. That's where online donation platforms come in! They make it easy for folks to give money online, and help nonprofits keep track of donations and donors.
According to the Giving USA 2021 report, online giving increased by 10.6% in 2020, accounting for an estimated 13.3% of total charitable giving. This suggests that online giving is becoming an increasingly important source of funding for nonprofits in the US.
Related: Donor Cultivation
It's worth noting that online giving platforms have become more accessible and user-friendly in recent years, which has likely contributed to the growth in online giving. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to online giving, as many donors have become more comfortable with making donations online.
So, in this article, we're gonna talk about the best online donation platforms for nonprofits, and what you should look for when choosing one.
When you're picking a donation platform, there are a few things to consider:
How much does it cost? Some platforms charge a lot, while others are more budget-friendly.
Is it easy to use? You don't want something that's gonna be a hassle to set up and use.
Payment options, like credit cards or PayPal, and how secure the platform is.
If you use other software or tools, make sure the platform can work with them.
Customization – can you make the platform look like it belongs to your nonprofit?
Reporting and analytics, as well as customer support, to make sure you can get the help you need if something goes wrong.
Let’s examine these more closely.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Donation Platform
Cost
Some online donation platforms charge a monthly fee or a percentage of donations processed, while others offer a flat fee or a free version with limited features. Examples of popular online donation platforms and their pricing models include:
PayPal Giving Fund: Free
Donorbox: Starts at $0 per month plus transaction fees
GiveWP: Starts at $0 per year plus transaction fees
Classy: Starts at $499 per month plus transaction fees
Ease of use
An easy-to-use online donation platform can help simplify the giving process for donors and nonprofit staff. Examples of user-friendly online donation platforms include:
GiveGab: A platform with a clean, modern design and simple donation form
Qgiv: A platform with drag-and-drop form builder and customizable themes
Bloomerang: A platform with intuitive donation pages and donor management tools
Payment options
A variety of payment options can help accommodate donors' preferences and increase the likelihood of donations. Examples of online donation platforms that support multiple payment options include:
Stripe: A platform that supports credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
Network for Good: A platform that supports credit and debit cards, PayPal, and ACH payments
Kindful: A platform that supports credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal
Security
Keeping donor data secure is critical for building trust and maintaining compliance. Examples of online donation platforms that prioritize security include:
Blackbaud: A platform that uses encryption and secure servers to protect donor data
Snowball: A platform that is PCI-compliant and uses SSL encryption to secure transactions
NeonCRM: A platform that provides fraud protection and 24/7 monitoring of data centers
Integration with other software and tools
Integration with other software and tools: Integrating an online donation platform with other software and tools can help streamline operations and reduce manual data entry. Examples of online donation platforms that offer integrations with other software include:
Salesforce.org Nonprofit Success Pack: A platform that integrates with Salesforce for donor management and reporting
DonorPerfect: A platform that integrates with QuickBooks for accounting and financial reporting
Salsa: A platform that integrates with email marketing tools like Mailchimp and Constant Contact
Customizability
Customizing the donation form and other elements of the giving experience can help reinforce a nonprofit's brand and messaging. Examples of online donation platforms that offer customizability include:
GoFundMe Charity: A platform that allows nonprofits to customize their donation pages with images, videos, and stories
Fundly: A platform that offers customizable donation forms and social sharing options
Donately: A platform that lets nonprofits customize donation receipts and confirmation pages
Reporting and analytics
Robust reporting and analytics capabilities can help nonprofits track donations and donor behavior to inform fundraising strategy. Examples of online donation platforms that provide reporting and analytics features include:
DonorSnap: A platform that offers detailed donation reporting and segmentation options
FundRazr: A platform that provides real-time analytics and campaign performance tracking
Fundly CRM: A platform that offers donor behavior tracking and predictive analytics tools
Customer support
Reliable and responsive customer support can help nonprofits troubleshoot technical issues and get the most out of their online fundraising efforts. Examples of online donation platforms that provide good customer support include:
Donorbox: A platform that offers 24/7 customer support via email and chat
GiveWP: A platform that provides dedicated support for nonprofits and developers
GiveGab: A platform that offers a dedicated support team and comprehensive knowledge base
Now that you’ve understand the factors that you need to look for in the best online donation platform for your nonprofit, you might be thinking…This is too hard! How do I decide which one is best for me?
That’s what I’m here for. To do the research—so you don’t have to (as much; because I believe that you always have to do your own due diligence!)
That being said, let’s look at some of the best online donation platforms for nonprofits.
Comparison of the Best Online Donation Platforms for Nonprofits
PayPal Giving Fund
PayPal Giving Fund is a free platform that allows nonprofits to receive donations from donors through PayPal. The platform doesn't charge any fees for donations, and nonprofits receive 100% of the donation amount. However, PayPal Giving Fund has limited customizability and reporting features compared to other platforms.
Stripe
A payment processing platform, Stripe allows nonprofits to accept credit and debit card payments online. The platform supports Apple Pay and Google Pay as well and charges a processing fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. Stripe offers a range of customization options and integrations with other software and tools but doesn't provide any built-in donation pages or forms.
Donorbox
Donorbox is a donation processing platform that charges a flat fee of 1.5% per transaction, in addition to payment processing fees. The platform offers customizable donation forms and pages, as well as integration with other software like Salesforce and Mailchimp. Donorbox also provides robust reporting and analytics features but has limited customer support options.
GiveWP
A donation platform for WordPress websites, GiveWP offers a free version as well as paid plans starting at $240 per year. The platform provides a range of customization options for donation forms and pages, as well as integrations with popular WordPress plugins like Gravity Forms and Mailchimp. GiveWP also offers advanced reporting and analytics features but may require technical expertise to set up and use effectively.
Bloomerang
Bloomerang is a comprehensive donor management platform that includes online donation processing features. The platform offers a range of customization options for donation pages and forms, as well as integrations with other software like QuickBooks and Mailchimp. Bloomerang provides extensive reporting and analytics features, as well as customer support options like email and phone support.
Network for Good
This all-in-one nonprofit fundraising platform also includes online donation processing features. Network for Good charges a transaction fee of 3.95% but also provides customizable donation pages and forms, as well as integrations with other software like Salesforce and QuickBooks. The platform offers reporting and analytics features, as well as customer support options like live chat and phone support.
Classy
Classy is a fundraising platform that offers online donation processing as well as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising features. The platform charges a fee starting at $499 per month. While it’s on the pricey side, it provides extensive customization options for donation pages and forms, as well as integrations with other software like Salesforce and Mailchimp. Classy also offers advanced reporting and analytics features, as well as customer support options like email and phone support.
Donately
Donately is an online donation platform that charges a fee starting at $0 per month, plus payment processing fees. It provides customizable donation pages and forms, as well as integration with other software like Salesforce and Mailchimp. Donately also offers reporting and analytics features, as well as customer support options like email and phone support.
Qgiv
This online donation platform charges a fee starting at $0 per month, plus payment processing fees. It provides a range of customization options for donation pages and forms, as well as integrations with other software like Salesforce and Mailchimp. Qgiv also offers reporting and analytics features, as well as customer support options like live chat and phone support.
Kindful
This donor management platform includes online donation processing features. The platform charges a fee starting at $100 per month and provides extensive customization options for donation pages and forms, as well as integrations with other software like QuickBooks.
Pick the Best Online Donation Platform for Your Nonprofit
So, to sum it up, we've learned that online donation platforms are crucial for nonprofits to raise funds and support their cause. We've looked at some interesting stats on nonprofit donations in the US, discussed the factors that nonprofits should consider when choosing an online donation platform, and compared the best platforms out there.
When choosing an online donation platform, take into account your unique needs and budget, the payment options you want to offer, your customization and reporting needs, and the level of customer support you require. It's also important to choose a platform that integrates well with other tools and software your organization is already using.
Online donation platforms can make a huge impact on your nonprofit's ability to raise funds and support your community. By selecting the right platform for your needs, you can make the most out of your fundraising efforts and support your cause effectively.
Are you using an online donation platform? Share in the comments!
Also, check out my eBook on The Organizational Budget.