Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only

  • 1.  Can Anyone Suggest a great CRM, and a FREE donation processing service for nonprofits?

    Posted 07-24-2025 07:42 AM

    Hello Everyone,

    If this topic has previously been discussed please provide me with the links.

    I must admit that selecting a great CRM (donor database) is overwhelming.  Every data base says that they are the best. I've reviewed several and just go into the 'deer in the headlights' phase, where they all seem to just blur together.

    I also have been researching fee-free payment/donation processing for 501(C)(3) organizations. Same result ... Too much to take in and not fully understanding the repercussions of choosing one.  Plus bad customer reviews. Help.

    So many of you here at Maddie's have much experience in managing funds for animal welfare organizations.

    I would greatly appreciate learning about your thoughts, experiences and suggestions in relation to these two areas.

    Thank you in advance for your time and for your willingness to share your expertise.


    #DataandTechnology

    ------------------------------
    Leslie Moran
    Executive Director
    Emerald Ark
    NV
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Can Anyone Suggest a great CRM, and a FREE donation processing service for nonprofits?

    Posted 07-24-2025 03:39 PM

    @Leslie Moran  I have found two fundraising platforms that offer free processing.  They ask the donor to cover the cost, but it is optional.   Zeffy.com and BetterWorld.org Most of the other companies do have very reasonable processing fees though.  



    ------------------------------
    Diana Kelley
    Executive Director
    https://HealingHorseTouch.com
    Kenneth, MN United States
    Discover Healing, Connection, and Renewal through Horses.
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Can Anyone Suggest a great CRM, and a FREE donation processing service for nonprofits?

    Posted 07-25-2025 06:33 AM

    Hi Diana,

    Thanks!

    Yes, I have read about Zeffy. I am hoping that people who have hands on experience with Zeffy, or other options, will reply to this query. As I find the cons in the rating of Zeffy to be a bit concerning.

    I appreciate you taking the time to offer you ideas.

     



    ------------------------------
    Leslie Moran
    Executive Director
    Emerald Ark
    NV
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Can Anyone Suggest a great CRM, and a FREE donation processing service for nonprofits?

    Posted 07-25-2025 07:18 AM

    Hi, Leslie,

    I'm on the board of an FeLV+ cat rescue called Leuk's Landing (www.leukslanding.org). We did some research two or three years back and decided on GiveButter (www.givebutter.com). They support our fundraising efforts, managing our contacts/mailing lists and donations. We use it both for collecting donations and for managing an auction we do annually. I've been a fan of it - pretty easy to use and full featured. At least, it matches our needs.  Not only does it make the auction quite simple, it makes it easy to put donation links in all of our digital materials, with a QR code for physical materials. It supports both single and recurring donations.

    I believe our only costs are transactional, as they take a small percentage of money that passes through. It's quite manageable, with no out of pocket costs. As with other systems, the donation cost can be passed on to the donor - our CEO opted not to do that, but honestly, I think it might be worth trying. 

    Good luck with your search, and feel free to pass on any questions. Happy to pass on what I know. 

    Gary



    ------------------------------
    Gary Evans
    President
    Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs
    MI
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Can Anyone Suggest a great CRM, and a FREE donation processing service for nonprofits?

    Posted 07-25-2025 07:30 AM

    Thanks Gary,

    I'll check out the transactions fee and compare it to our current processor.



    ------------------------------
    Leslie Moran
    Executive Director
    Emerald Ark
    NV
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content