Let's Compare: Online Fundraising Capture Options

For the many nonprofit organizations, fundraising is essential. In fact, almost 75% of nonprofits in the United States indicate that collecting donations is a priority for their organization and operations. And yet, fundraising is evolving. With technology and younger generations, online giving is often the preferred method. It’s convenient, safe, and quick. Plus, there are many software options to choose from, too. But which platform is best for your nonprofit’s online giving capture efforts? 

In this blog post, we’ve researched four online fundraising capture platforms so you don’t have to. We compare Classy, Donorbox, Give Lively, and Raisely on their key features, limitations, and estimated costs. Each platform integrates with Salesforce’s Nonprofit Cloud. 

Online Fundraising Capture Basics

Before we dive in, let’s review a few terms that will help us understand online fundraising platforms. 

• Payment Platform - provides the user with the functionality to securely capture payment details (usually in the format of a payment form with credit card or bank information)
• payment processor (or payment gateway) - these terms are used interchangeable; they process the payment information entered into a payment platform and determine whether the entered payment details are valid. Valid payment information is processed and sent to your nonprofit’s bank.some text
  • Examples of common Salesforce-compatible payment processors include:
    • Authorize.net
    • iATS
    • Paya Sage
    • PayPal
    • Stripe
    • Worldpay Express & VAP

As a process, online donation capture with Salesforce and Quickbooks (or similar) integrations involves a few different parties. Let’s use Give Lively in this example to understand what a standard capture may look like from start to finish. 

If you have questions or need someone with experience to help you set up your online payment capture, please reach out to us! Our team of consultants are well versed in these types of integrations and would be happy to help. 

The Comparison

Classy

• Key Features: Classy offers comprehensive fundraising tools, including peer-to-peer fundraising, event management, and donor management.
• User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive interface makes it easy for nonprofits to create compelling fundraising campaigns and donation pages.
• Customization: Classy allows organizations to customize their donation pages to match their branding, enhancing trust and engagement.
• Integration: It integrates with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, streamlining donor data management.
• Fees: Classy's pricing includes a platform fee and payment processing fees, which vary based on the plan chosen.

Donorbox

• Recurring Donations: Donorbox specializes in recurring donations, making it ideal for nonprofits looking to establish steady funding streams.
• Embeddable Donation Forms: Organizations can embed Donorbox's donation forms directly into their websites, providing a seamless giving experience.
• International Support: Donorbox supports multiple currencies and payment methods, catering to a global donor base.
• Fee Structure: It operates on a transparent pricing model with a platform fee and payment processing fees, which are competitive compared to other platforms.

Give Lively:

• Zero-Fee Platform: Give Lively stands out for its zero-platform fee, allowing nonprofits to receive 100% of donations.
• Text-to-Donate: It offers text-to-donate capabilities, enabling donors to contribute via SMS, which can be beneficial for fundraising events.
• Live Fundraising Thermometers: Give Lively provides live fundraising thermometers to track progress and motivate donors during campaigns.
• Integration: It integrates with various nonprofit software, enhancing data management and reporting capabilities.

Raisely:

• Campaign Flexibility: Raisely allows organizations to create customized fundraising campaigns tailored to specific causes or initiatives.
• Social Fundraising: It emphasizes social fundraising features, encouraging supporters to share campaigns on social media and amplify impact.
• Donor Engagement: Raisely prioritizes donor engagement through personalized communication and storytelling tools.
• Transparent Pricing: Its pricing structure is transparent, with a platform fee and payment processing fees that are competitive within the industry.

Comparison Summary:

• Classy is ideal for comprehensive fundraising needs with customizable features and robust integration capabilities.
• Donorbox excels in recurring donations and seamless website integration, catering to organizations focused on sustainable funding.
• Give Lively stands out for its zero-platform fee, text-to-donate functionality, and live fundraising tools, making it suitable for events and campaigns.
• Raisely prioritizes campaign flexibility, social fundraising, and donor engagement, appealing to organizations seeking personalized fundraising approaches.

Ultimately, the choice among these platforms depends on the specific needs and goals of your nonprofit organization, whether it's establishing recurring donations, hosting fundraising events, or enhancing donor engagement. Evaluating features, fees, and integration capabilities can help nonprofits make informed decisions to optimize their online fundraising efforts. As always, we're here if you'd like to talk through the options!

‍