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Salesforce is one of the most well-known CRMs in the world, but most nonprofit teams eventually reach the same conclusion: it feels like too much work for what they need, and it's too expensive to maintain year after year. If you are juggling multiple systems, struggling to get clear reports, or constantly duct taping tools together, you are not alone.
Growing nonprofits want something different. They want a CRM that's built for fundraising, easier to manage, and flexible enough to support their next stage of growth. This guide walks through the best Salesforce alternatives for 2026, along with what each one does well for development teams that need simplicity, visibility, and one source of truth.
Quick List: Best Salesforce Alternatives for Nonprofits
Each option includes what it is best for, so you can quickly match tools to your needs.
- CharityEngine
Best for organizations that want one place to run all fundraising and donor engagement without piecing tools together. - Bloomerang
Best for small teams that want simplicity and a strong focus on donor retention. - Neon One
Best for nonprofits that need a flexible CRM with events, membership, and peer-to-peer options. - Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT
Best for large fundraising departments with major gift programs and a dedicated CRM staff. - Virtuous
Best for nonprofits that want advanced automation and dynamic donor journeys. - EveryAction (Bonterra)
Best for advocacy-centered organizations with digital mobilization needs. - GoFundMe Pro
Best for enterprise-level fundraising events and peer-to-peer fundraising. - DonorPerfect
Best for mid-sized nonprofits with standard fundraising programs. - Kindful (Bloomerang)
Best for teams that want Bloomerang’s simplicity with a more modern interface. - Keela
Best for data-driven insights, especially for Canadian and global nonprofits. - Network for Good (Bonterra)
Best for small teams that want a guided, hands-on fundraising approach. - Funraise
Best for nonprofits that prioritize sleek, digital giving experiences. - DonorDock
Best for smaller teams that want a friendly, simple CRM. - Hivebrite
Best for membership and alumni organizations managing large communities. - Little Green Light
Best for small to mid-sized nonprofits that want strong flexibility at an affordable price.
The 15 Best Salesforce Alternatives
1. CharityEngine
Best for nonprofits that want one unified CRM for everything
Salesforce can handle fundraising, but it usually requires multiple apps, paid add-ons, and a consultant or admin to keep the system running. CharityEngine gives nonprofits one platform for CRM, fundraising, online giving, events, marketing, and automation with no extra tools needed. It is built specifically for nonprofit teams that are tired of scattered systems and need a cleaner, more powerful way to manage donors.
Top Features
- All-in-one system with no third-party add-ons
- Built-in payment processing with transparent rates
- Smart donor insights, RFM scoring, and automation
- Online forms, campaigns, peer-to-peer, and events
- Real-time dashboards and clear reporting
- Strong sustainer tools and recurring management
Why your team will feel the difference
Your data is finally in one place. Your reports make sense. You spend less time managing tools and more time engaging donors. For growing nonprofits that are overwhelmed by Salesforce complexity, CharityEngine is the upgrade that restores clarity and control.
2. Bloomerang
Best for small teams focused on retention and ease of use
Bloomerang appeals to nonprofits that want a simple CRM without the layers of configuration required by Salesforce.
Top Features
- Clean interface
- Retention and engagement analytics
- Basic email tools
- Simple reporting
Why your team will like it
It's easy to learn, straightforward to use, and does not require an admin.
3. Neon One
Best for organizations with events, peer-to-peer, and membership needs
Neon One offers a strong mix of fundraising and program management tools.
Top Features
- Events and ticketing
- Membership management
- Donation forms
- Volunteer tools
Why nonprofits consider it
It offers several built-in options that Salesforce would require add-ons for.
4. Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT
Best for large teams with established fundraising operations
Major gifts teams and complex development shops tend to benefit most from NXT.
Top Features
- Prospect research
- Wealth screening
- Workflows for gift officers
- Enterprise reporting
When it works
When you have multiple team members dedicated to development operations and data.
5. Virtuous
Best for automation-driven fundraising
Virtuous excels in dynamic donor journeys and multi-step automation.
Top Features
- Automated workflows
- Personalized messaging
- Email and SMS
- Pipeline management
Why nonprofits compare it to Salesforce
It provides strong automation without the same level of administrative overhead.
6. EveryAction (Bonterra)
Best for advocacy-focused organizations
EveryAction combines fundraising and digital organizing in one environment.
Top Features
- Advocacy workflows
- Petitions and actions
- Email marketing
- Fundraising forms
Why advocacy groups prefer it
Salesforce requires multiple paid apps to match these capabilities.
7. GoFundMe Pro
Best for enterprise fundraising events
If events and peer-to-peer fundraising are core to your fundraising model, this platform shines.
Top Features
- Event management
- Peer to peer
- Mobile-optimized pages
Why event-heavy nonprofits prefer it
Salesforce usually requires three or more add-ons to replicate this experience. GoFundMe Pro gives event teams a purpose-built toolkit that saves time and dramatically reduces setup complexity.
8. DonorPerfect
Best for mid-sized nonprofits with standard fundraising needs
DonorPerfect is a long-standing CRM known for its stability and predictable workflows.
Top Features
- Reporting
- Online giving
- Mobile tools
Why it works for mid-sized teams
It gives nonprofits a structured, familiar environment without the technical overhead of Salesforce. Teams that want reliability instead of constant configuration find DonorPerfect a comfortable fit.
9. Kindful (Bloomerang)
Best for teams that want modern simplicity
Kindful delivers a clean, intuitive interface that keeps donor data organized without clutter.
Top Features
- Donation forms
- Integrations
- Reporting
Why nonprofits appreciate it
Salesforce can overwhelm staff with its menus and customization options. Kindful strips fundraising down to what teams actually use, which helps organizations stay organized with less training time.
10. Keela
Best for insight-driven fundraising
Keela is known for intuitive analytics and strong affordability for Canadian and international nonprofits.
Top Features
- Analytics
- Email marketing
- Forms and payments
Why data-minded organizations like it
Keela surfaces key metrics without the need to build dashboards or hire an admin. Salesforce can do this, but only after layers of customization that many nonprofits do not have time for.
11. Network for Good (Bonterra)
Best for small teams that want coaching with their CRM
Network for Good blends fundraising guidance with an easy CRM, which can be valuable for nonprofits still building their development foundation.
Top Features
- Simple CRM
- Templates
- Coaching support
- Built-in forms
Why new or growing fundraisers choose it
Salesforce often feels too complex for emerging programs. Network for Good provides organizations with structure, accountability, and direction without introducing complex tech.
12. Funraise
Best for digital-forward fundraising
Funraise provides beautiful giving experiences and modern online donation tools designed for digital-centric organizations.
Top Features
- Polished donation forms
- Mobile giving
- Peer to peer
- Recurring management
Why digital teams love it
Salesforce does not provide an attractive donation page design out of the box. Funraise lets nonprofits launch sleek giving experiences without development work.
13. DonorDock
Best for small nonprofits wanting simplicity
DonorDock is lightweight, user-friendly, and easy to learn, making it ideal for smaller teams.
Top Features
- Simple CRM
- Donor scoring
- Tasks and reminders
- Email tools
Why smaller teams rely on it
It keeps fundraising fundamentals front and center. Salesforce’s complexity often leads to underused features and messy data, while DonorDock keeps things streamlined.
14. Hivebrite
Best for membership and alumni organizations
Hivebrite powers large communities with structured engagement and communication tools.
Top Features
- Membership management
- Community portal
- Messaging tools
- Events
Why community organizations like it
Salesforce community features typically require expensive configuration. Hivebrite provides a ready-made platform that works immediately and supports large groups with ease.
15. Little Green Light
Best for affordable flexibility
Little Green Light gives small and mid-sized nonprofits a customizable toolkit without requiring technical expertise.
Top Features
- Flexible data structure
- Forms and events
- Simple reporting
- Integrations
Why budget-conscious teams choose it
It offers strong customization at a fraction of the complexity and cost of Salesforce. Teams get control without the administrative burden.
Choosing the Best Salesforce Alternative
Choosing a Salesforce alternative is really about giving your team room to breathe again. Nonprofits need clarity, not a maze of add-ons. They need systems that make reporting easier, not harder. They need tools that support real fundraising work instead of creating more administrative tasks.
The good news is that you have strong options. Whether you want an all-in-one platform, a lighter CRM that your team can pick up quickly, or a system designed to handle complex donor journeys, the solutions in this guide give you a path forward without the overwhelm of Salesforce.
The right CRM should make your next chapter easier. It should help you stay organized, build stronger donor relationships, and understand your data without hiring a consultant to decode it. Once you find the fit that aligns with your team’s capacity and your fundraising strategy, you will finally have the confidence, clarity, and control you need to grow.
