Event Fundraising Software Subscription: From Managing Events To Maximizing Your Fundraising 

Nonprofit fundraising is always changing and improving, thanks to advancements in technology. One example of this is event fundraising software. This can be a valuable and cost-effective tool that amplifies the reach and overall impact of campaigns and initiatives. Whether you need help with event registration and ticket sales, or overall campaign management, your nonprofit can use software to make the most of its fundraising efforts. Businesses can combine this with tools to ensure smoother running of events, donor databases management, and to enhance existing fundraising features, to see a greater impact for a more targeted fundraising approach.

Subscription models for event fundraising software allow users to choose from several tiers, depending on the needs and budgets of the nonprofit. Some of these models will include features like online event management, payment processing, and contact management, in addition to specialized capabilities for auction management and peer-to-peer fundraising. These subscriptions may allow organizations to select flexible packages that best fit their changing fundraising goals, whether they need to streamline tasks for a one-off event or need help with ongoing campaigns. The pricing structures are designed to provide value at whichever tier you select. Some software will offer free tiers to cover basic needs, and premium subscriptions that help with custom branding, share enhanced donor insights, and provide personalized training and support. 

In this article, we look at everything you need to know about fundraising software, and how to choose the right one for your organization. From knowing which features you need, to sharing insights into some of the best subscriptions, we’ll help you understand how to make software work for your nonprofit.

Finding the right software can reduce your workload and end up saving you money, which means more donations can be used to fulfill your nonprofit’s mission, and less is wasted on event management.

Why Choose Based Software for Your Fundraising Events?

Choosing to sign up for subscription-based event fundraising software can have many advantages for nonprofits. One main benefit of the subscription model is the financial savings. It may seem like committing to a regular expense, rather than making a one-time purchase software. However, subscription-based services can turn out to be more cost-effective. These platforms usually include regular updates, ongoing technical support, and sometimes training sessions are included as part of the subscription fee. The predictable pricing structure, allows nonprofits to budget for the subscription and all its features, without having to be financially prepared for unexpected costs such as software upgrades or emergency technical support. This model also changes with your nonprofit. For example, if an organization expands, they can upgrade their plan. Alternatively, if they need to downsize or cut back on certain operations, they can choose a cheaper subscription. In either case, they only pay for what they need.

Software can quickly become out-dated without essential upgrades and adaptations. This is why having access to free upgrades keeps the organization running smoothly and helps them to adapt quickly to relevant changes. Subscription-based event fundraising software gives nonprofits access to the latest features, security enhancements, and integrations through continuous updates. These updates are compatible with any other tools and technologies the business uses. This improves the user experience and continues to protect donor data against any emerging security threats. The ongoing technical support is also a useful part of the subscription model. It provides nonprofits with immediate assistance to resolve issues, minimizing downtime, and ensuring that fundraising events run smoothly. This support means that new members of staff can quickly get to grips with the software, so the organization doesn’t have to rely on any one person’s expertise. 

Subscription-based platforms tend to offer a greater range of features compared to one-time purchase software, which quickly becomes reductant as each new version is released. Features such as donor management, event registration, payment processing, and campaign analytics, help to manage fundraising events efficiently. Because these are integrated with other tools, they lead to better data management, enabling organizations to gain deeper insights into donor behavior, such as how frequently they donate, when and how; as well as successful strategies that encourage them to donate to the cause. This information makes it possible to streamline operations and tailor fundraising strategies to see better outcomes. Many providers also offer customizable plans, allowing nonprofits to choose the features most suited to their needs.

Key Features to Look for in Fundraising Event Software

When looking for the right fundraising software for your nonprofit, focusing on the features that will streamline operations will help you get the most from your chosen software. Here are some of the key features you might consider.

1. Ease of Use: User-friendly Interface for Both Organizers and Participants

How accessible the software is will impact its effectiveness. A user-friendly interface allows organizers with limited technical knowledge to set up and manage events with minimal hassle. This means they focus their efforts on fundraising instead of spending time troubleshooting software issues. It also means that more people within the business can use the software, which is useful if there are lots of part-time employees and volunteers, and few full-time employees. Easy-to-navigate event pages, make it easy to register events, and accept donations, by encouraging engagement and repeat contributions. Software that offers a straightforward dashboard, intuitive event setup processes, and simple donation procedures will contribute to a more positive experience for both staff and donors.

2. Customization: Ability to Tailor Event Pages and Donation Forms

Customization really is key to standing out against the many other fundraising initiatives and nonprofits. If your event fundraising software allows you to tailor event pages and donation forms, you can personalized these to match your nonprofit's brand and mission. This feature creates a consistent look and feel across all event materials, and builds a stronger connection with donors and participants. Customizable templates, color schemes, and being able to add recognizable logos and images will create a unique and memorable event presence that your supporters come to associate with your organization and specific cause.

3. Integration: Compatibility with Other Tools and Platforms

In today's world, businesses can be easily connected to their audience by technology. Your event fundraising software works with other tools and platforms to build on these connections. Integration capabilities can simplify processes, from marketing and communication tools to donor management and CRM systems. This creates a seamless flow of data across platforms, while protecting sensitive details. It increases efficiency and adds a personal touch to your fundraising efforts. People respond better when they feel like they are being talked to, rather than talked at. Before choosing software, check its compatibility with the tools your organization already uses to communicate with and connect with people.

4. Reporting and Analytics: Insights into Event Performance and Donor Management

Making decisions based on the latest accurate data can make all the difference to the effectiveness of your fundraising. High-quality event fundraising software provides thorough reporting and analytics features, giving insights into event performance, donor behavior, fundraising trends, and much more. This information can contribute to your future strategies, allowing nonprofits to invest time and resources into connecting with their audience. If you look for software that offers real-time data, customizable reports, and the ability to track key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your fundraising goals, this helps you speak directly to your audience.

5. Support and Training: Availability of Customer Service and Resources

Even the most intuitive software can have its limits. Sometimes you and your employees or volunteers will still have questions and face challenges. That’s why it helps to have access to customer support and training resources. These can help to answer questions and teach users how to use specific features to increase their fundraising efforts, with minimal disruption to your activities. Quality event fundraising software providers offer a range of options, from live chat and phone support to a range of online resources and training sessions. This helps your team to quickly learn how to use the software and fix any issues that occur while minimizing downtime, without having to put the brakes on your fundraising efforts.

Top Event Fundraising Software Subscriptions for Your Fundraising Platform

When looking for software for nonprofit organizations, selecting the right event fundraising software is essential for all the reasons previously mentioned in this article. It can be a lot to consider and if you’ve never used this type of software before, you might not know where to start with your search. To help you, we look at some of the top event fundraising software subscriptions, and their unique features, benefits, and suitability for various types of fundraising events and nonprofit sizes.

PayBee

Starting with PayBee, this platform is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive suite tailored for fundraising events. One aspect that sets PayBee apart is its unique pricing model. It offers unlimited events for two years with a one-time fee, making it a good choice for nonprofits planning multiple events but wanting to keep their costs down. The platform has tools that can be used for online auctions, ticket sales, and running virtual events. This helps nonprofits manage a broad range of fundraising activities with minimal effort. With real-time reporting and analytics, organizations can easily track their event's success and donor engagement.

OneCause

OneCause is another option if you’re looking for event management features that understand and meet the needs of nonprofits looking to organize events, Whether you’re planning a gala event, auction, or peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, the platform includes event planning tools, mobile bidding, and online auctions. OneCause helps in planning engaging and personalized donor experiences, from seating arrangements and iPad check-in to offering different ticket packages and allowing the use of promotional codes by your biggest supporters, the small details are taken care of. Additionally, the software provides valuable insights through its analytics and reporting tools, enabling nonprofits to make data-driven decisions to improve future events.

DonorPerfect

Donor perfect is a multi-purpose fundraising platform that offers a wide range of tools designed to support nonprofits in their fundraising efforts. Like other software, that includes donor management and payment processing. The core subscription simplifys donation management with customizable giving forms, integrated payment processing, and in-depth reporting capabilities. One advantage of DonorPerfect is being able to integrate with other services and platforms, to enhance its efficiency by syncing data across different systems. This makes it a good option for organizations that want a complete donor management and fundraising solution. With this software, it’s easy to find specific information all in the same place.

Blackbaud TeamRaiser

Blackbaud TeamRaiser is specifically designed to support peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives, using the networks of an organization's supporters to raise funds. This platform enables organizations to create customized fundraising pages that supporters can share within their networks. It also offers tools for event management, social media integration, and real-time reporting, which are critical for managing large-scale peer-to-peer campaigns. Blackbaud TeamRaiser may be best suited for organizations that want to get their community actively involved and engaged in their fundraising efforts, providing the necessary tools to boost their reach and impact. 

Classy

Classy provides some great tools that increase ticket sales and donations for events. Its range of features includes customizable event pages, secure payment processing, and social media sharing capabilities. All of this can improve the attendee experience and boost fundraising efforts. Classy is flexible and easy to use, making it possible for organizations of all sizes to create professional-looking event pages that speak to their target audience. It also contains analytics and reporting tools to help organizations track event performance and donor engagement in real-time. With changing trends and new technology being introduced, it’s important to keep up with what works and what is no longer as effective as it once was. These can then be adapted accordingly.

Mightycause

Mightycause can be used by nonprofits of various sizes, with flexible pricing and a selection of features to support fundraising goals. The platform provides tools that you might expect by now, such as online giving, event fundraising, and donor management, to help reduce some of the more repetitive tasks in your business. Mightycause has a pricing structure, which is designed to be affordable for small to medium-sized nonprofits, while still offering the advanced features needed by larger organizations. The platform also emphasizes donor engagement and retention, offering personalized communication tools and detailed reporting capabilities to help nonprofits build lasting relationships with their supporters. Donors also have the option to further help your cause by covering the donation fees themselves. However, if they choose not to, these are capped, so you’ll never pay more than the set percentage and the low transaction fee. 

Choosing the right event fundraising software subscription is an important task that can free up time and save money in your nonprofit. Each of the platforms above offers some similar and other unique features and benefits that can be tailored to different aspects of event fundraising and nonprofit management. Prioritizing the features you need, then looking at what would be useful, and finally at those you will probably never use, will help you make your decision.

How to Evaluate and Choose the Right Event Software

It’s clear that choosing the right event fundraising software can directly influence the efficiency of a nonprofit’s fundraising efforts and the overall experience of its donors. Both of which are important. So, this process calls for an in-depth evaluation of your organization's specific needs, a careful comparison of pricing and plans, and a forward-looking approach toward scalability.

The first step in selecting the right software is to complete a full assessment of your nonprofit's unique requirements. Look at the types of events you plan to host, and those you’ve already hosted that were successful. Then, consider the expected size of your donor base, by looking at past support and any increase over a set period of time. Ask yourself which specific features would make things easier for you and your team. Perhaps you need software that can manage large events. Or you could be looking for tools that store secure and detailed information about donor activity. If you understand your primary goals, this will help narrow down your options.

Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, the next step is to complete a price comparison between the plans of different event fundraising software options that match both your budget and requirements. The comparison should look at more than just the initial cost and also consider what is included in each plan. Look for software options that have transparent pricing to avoid hidden fees, then assess the value of each feature offered within the plan. Some may cost a little more, but the extra features might be more beneficial than you think and can free up more time to focus on other tasks.

Scalability is often overlooked when selecting event fundraising software. However, it's useful for the long-term success of your fundraising efforts. The software you choose may meet your current needs, but can it grow with your organization? You might benefit from choosing a lower-priced subscription to begin with, then upgrading to an advanced version of the same software when your nonprofit grows and your fundraising campaigns become more elaborate. The ability to add features or upgrade plans, without significant disruptions or having to change to unfamiliar software, will make growth easier to manage. You should also evaluate the software's ability to integrate with other tools and platforms you may use in the future.

Implementing Software in Your Nonprofit Fundraising

Using event fundraising software for the first time can be a big step for nonprofits. A smooth transition will lead to more successful fundraising events without all the menial tasks, but it’s important to make sure your team can maximize the software’s potential.

During the initial setup, work closely with the software provider to set up your account. This involves configuring basic organizational details, payment processing settings, and any customizations you’ve chosen for your nonprofit.

If you’re switching over from another system, moving your existing donor data into the new software is essential. Work with the software provider to ensure a secure and accurate transfer of data. This step may also be an opportunity to check your data first, then remove duplicates and outdated information.

To streamline your workflow, integrate the event fundraising software with other tools you use, such as email marketing platforms, CRM systems, and accounting software. Proper integration leads to an efficient data exchange and automates many manual processes, saving time and reducing human error. 

You will need to provide training sessions for your staff and volunteers. These sessions should cover the software’s key features, best practices for data entry, and how to fix common issues. Make use of the training resources provided by the software vendor, including tutorials, webinars, and documentation, as this allows individuals to learn independently, which is beneficial if you have a large team and can’t find a time for training that suits everyone.

Following the training, the best way for your team to get used to the software is through hands-on practice, such as using mock event setups and donor management scenarios. This will build confidence in their ability to use the software effectively for managing real events.

Even after learning, there may still be times when issues occur. So, it’s important to establish a support system for your team, listing key contacts for technical support within your organization or from the software provider. Making sure they have access to ongoing support helps address any challenges while your team familiarizes themselves with the software. 

For your first event using the new software, it could be less pressure to use it to manage a smaller event. This approach allows your team to gain practical experience and identify any adjustments needed in your processes or the software settings.

When getting to grips with using the software’s communication tools, you can engage your donors by sending personalized invitations, updates, and thank-you messages that use the software’s data insights to create and build on meaningful interactions.

FAQs

What is the average cost of a subscription?

The average cost of a subscription for event fundraising software varies widely depending on the features, scale, and provider. Basic plans can be between $20 to $50 per month, while some top-tier packages can range from $100 to $1,000 or more per month. Paying for 1 or more years in one lump sum can lower the overall monthly cost.

Can I switch plans or cancel at any time?

Most event fundraising software providers recognize that nonprofits may need the flexibility to switch plans or cancel at any time, but the specifics of what they provide can vary. Some allow monthly subscribers to change plans without a penalty, while annual contracts might have restrictions or early termination fees. If you review the terms of service or contact the provider directly before paying for a subscription, this will help you understand how their policy on plan changes or cancellations would impact you. 

How does fundraising event software impact donor engagement?

Event fundraising software can significantly enhance donor engagement by making it easier and less time-consuming to personalize communications and provide interactive experiences. Features like customized donation pages, targeted email campaigns and social media integration improve how nonprofits communicate with their audience. The software also analyzes detailed donor data, giving the organization a better picture of their donors’ interests and motivations. 

What support is available for troubleshooting and questions?

Support options for event fundraising software usually include a mix of online resources, such as FAQs and tutorial videos, and direct support through email, chat, or phone. Many providers have a dedicated customer service team available during business hours. Some provide 24/7 support for urgent issues. Premium plans might offer more personalized support such as account managers or onboarding specialists to help with setup, training, and ongoing troubleshooting.

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