Nonprofits operate based on a mission, an idea to bring some changes in the society. When you manage the operations of a nonprofit, you have an unsaid responsibility to make it a success. Managing your members effectively is a crucial part of this, as they are the foundation of your cause.
Managing members is not just about keeping track of names; it’s about building relationships, keeping them engaged, and making them feel valued. The right membership management software can make your nonprofit organization’s operations seamless, automate all the tedious work, improve member retention, and help the cause.
To help you move in the right direction, this blog will examine some of the best nonprofit membership software on the market.
Let’s get going.
TL;DR – Nonprofit Membership Management Software
Can’t read the full thing right now? Here, we have listed some paid as well as free membership management software for nonprofits, which we’ll discuss in detail later in the blog.
Explore all these tools to compare their features and find the perfect solution to enhance your membership management.
Another important aspect of enhancing the number of memberships and retaining the existing ones is to improve engagement. To do that, you need to find an innovative way to connect with your members and keep them informed.
Explore how Hello Audio can help deliver exclusive updates and member-only content through private audio feeds.
Here’s a quick demo video!
What is Membership Software?
Membership management software is a digital tool for communicating with members, keeping them engaged, and evaluating their involvement.
The platform enables two-way communication, helping you connect directly with your members. It also allows you to maintain a database with all the information of your past and present members.
This will help you track member engagement, manage their renewals, and provide a seamless experience.
Benefits of Using Membership Software for Nonprofits
Membership management software helps you build lasting relationships with members and ensures your financial stability, among many other advantages.
Here’s how the right software can benefit your nonprofit:
- Time-Saving Automation: Automating all these tasks can save you a lot of your manual work of sign-ups, renewals, and payment updates.
- Better Member Management: Your strength lies in the members you gain for your organization. The platform helps you foster that connection through consistent communication, event organization, and opportunities for participation.
- Improved Data Organization: Nonprofit organizations must track a lot of data, such as member contact details, event participation, payment history, etc. The software can keep the data in one place for easy tracking.
- Increased Revenue: The system can streamline your financial processes by automating renewals, donations, and event registrations. This will reduce missed payments and lead to better cash flow, securing more consistent funding for the mission.
- Scalability: With increasing members, membership software allows you to efficiently manage and engage more members without the added complexity, making expansion seamless and stress-free.
- Efficient Donor Management: Multiple management platforms have donor management features that make it easier for you to track contributions, manage donor relationships, and streamline fundraising efforts.
Key Features of High-Quality Nonprofit Membership Software
Now, let’s look at the key features of membership software that will help you reap all the benefits:
Membership Applications
Getting new members is exciting, but it also involves manual tasks such as processing the application. Membership software can simplify this process by helping you build customizable, mobile-friendly application forms that automatically feed into your database.
This allows you to easily collect and store new member information, automate approvals or rejections, and link applications directly to payment and onboarding.
Automated Payment and Renewals
The donations and dues you get from members is what keeps your cause running. So, you need a platform that makes payment easy, secure, and automated.
Membership software helps you accept payments directly through your portal, send automated invoices, and enable recurring payments.
Membership Database
You need a centralized system to keep data regarding your members, such as names, contact information, and membership levels.
The system enables you to store membership details in one place, making it easy to organize, update, and access them when needed.
Plus, if you have all your data in one system, it helps you spot engagement patterns and preferences, so you can make smarter decisions and serve your members better.
Communication Tools
Keeping your members informed and engaged is easier when you have the right communication tools. With built-in email marketing, SMS updates, and automated messaging, you can stay connected without the hassle.
Easily segment email lists, schedule newsletters, and send event invitations—all while tracking engagement to see what’s working. Targeted communication means better engagement and stronger member relationships.
Advanced Reporting and Analytics
Want to grow your organization? Understanding your members’ behavior and preferences is key. Advanced reporting and analytics give you a clear picture of membership trends, engagement levels, and financial performance.
You can even spot members who might be at risk of leaving and take action to keep them involved. With smart insights at your fingertips, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and continuously improve your strategies.
Event Management
If you host events, you need integrated event management tools to simplify registration, ticketing, and attendee tracking.
You can seamlessly create event listings, manage RSVPs, and accept payment online.
Customized Member Portal and Directories
A personalized member portal enables members to update their profiles, connect with other members, and access exclusive content, fostering a stronger community.
You can add searchable directories for members to network and build community. By giving members more control over their experience, you can strengthen retention and create a sense of belonging.
Integrations with Essential Tools
While membership management software can help you manage members and automate operations, it won’t be able to do other tasks.
That’s why the tool should be able to integrate CRM, accounting, and marketing tools to enhance functionality and reduce manual work.
Free Membership Management Software for Nonprofits
If you need an affordable membership management tool, you should explore free platforms. They have tools that can help you organize members, process payments, and foster effective engagement.
Here are some free options, each with unique strengths:
WildApricot
WildApricot is a cloud-based membership management platform designed for small—to mid-sized nonprofits.
It can help automate important admin work, such as membership applications, renewals, event registrations, and website management.
Key Features:
- Store and manage member information in one centralized platform.
- Automate membership renewals by setting up auto-reminders and online payments.
- Manage events with online registration, ticketing, and waitlists.
- Manage membership tasks on the go with their mobile app.
- Create a membership website with members-only sections and drag-and-drop functionality.
It offers a free trial that allows you to manage your members, but after the trial, you have to pay to continue the subscription.
Zeffy
Zeffy stands out as a completely free fundraising and membership platform for nonprofits.
Unlike most software that charges transaction fees, this platform allows you to keep 100% of your donation and membership payments by relying on voluntary contributions from donors.
Key Features:
- Eliminate transaction fees as the platform doesn’t take any transaction fees and lets nonprofits keep all their donations.
- Create custom donation pages for easy online donation.
- Automate membership renewals for recurring donations and memberships.
- Enable supporters to raise funds on your behalf.
For nonprofits that focus heavily on fundraising and event-based engagement, Zeffy is an excellent cost-free solution.
Raklet
Raklet is a cloud-based membership and event management platform designed to help nonprofits build and engage their offline and online community.
It offers a free plan for organizations with fewer than 50 contacts but charges transaction fees on payments.
Key Features:
- Integrate CRM to maintain a detailed contact database with engagement tracking.
- Plan and promote events with online registration.
- Improve communication through automated emails and scheduled messages.
- Encourage member engagement and networking.
- Offers a mobile app for Android, iOS, and Windows phones.
Some advanced features are only available on paid plans, limiting the platform’s functionality for growing organizations. Nevertheless, Raklet is a good choice for nonprofits looking to enhance community engagement while efficiently managing memberships and events.
CiviCRM
If you need an open-source membership management system with highly customizable solutions, CiviCRM is for you. It offers unlimited uses and contacts but requires some technical expertise to set up and maintain.
Key Features:
- Track members, renewals, and tiered membership structures.
- Manage donors, volunteers, and supporters in one system with constituent databases.
- Send targeted campaigns with segmentation.
- Accept donations and process event registrations.
- Embed seamlessly with nonprofit websites.
- Create tailored dashboards and analytics.
The biggest advantage of this platform is that it is completely free and open-source, meaning there are no licensing costs.
While these tools help manage your nonprofit’s membership and fundraising efforts, effectively engaging members is just as important. That’s where Hello Audio can help.
With us, you can transform your content into private podcasts, making it easier for members to stay informed and engaged on the go. Whether you’re planning to run a membership program, host virtual events, or offer exclusive content, Hello Audio enables you to connect with your audience in a more accessible and engaging way.
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Paid Membership Management Software for Nonprofits
If you want to experience advanced features, scalability, and dedicated support, then paid membership software would be the right solution for you.
Here are some top-paid options to consider:
MemberClicks
MemberClicks is a complete membership management solution specially built for nonprofits, associations, and trade groups of all sizes.
It simplifies administration tasks like automated renewals, financial tracking, and communication.
Key Features:
- Automated membership renewals and invoicing.
- Event management with registration and payments.
- Custom website builder and CMS integration.
- A member portal is used for secure access to directories and resources.
- Email marketing and communication tools.
- Analytics dashboards for tracking engagement and renewals.
While it offers strong customer support and an intuitive interface, some users report a steep setup process.
The pricing plan has 2 categories: MC Trade plan for $3,500 annually and MC Professionall plan for $4,500 annually. The lattert is a better fit for organizations with larger budgets.
MightyNetworks
MightyNetworks is a powerful membership management platform that helps nonprofits foster online engagement and meaningful interactions among members.
It integrates membership tracking, event management, and content creation tools into a single, user-friendly platform.
Key Features:
- Foster engagement with a built-in community space for discussions and networking.
- Welcome new members with an onboarding checklist to guide them through the platform.
- Customize your nonprofit’s app with unique branding elements.
- Host live and different types of virtual events with seamless Zoom integration.
- Manage a comprehensive member list to track participation and engagement.
- Automate communication with email marketing tools like ConvertKit.
With pricing starting at $41 per month for the Community Plan, Mighty Networks is an affordable option for growing nonprofits. However, its intense focus on community interaction over donor management may not fully justify nonprofit needs.
JoinIt
JoinIt is a straightforward membership management platform primarily focusing on backend administration.
It’s not one of those platforms with public-facing engagement tools, but it is more for organizations looking to replace spreadsheets with a structured member database.
Key Features:
- Categorize members with membership CRM tools.
- Generate digital membership cards and self-serve member portals.
- Automate renewal reminders and enable recurring billing.
- Build membership pages with an intuitive website builder.
- Analyze membership data with built-in reporting tools.
It offers seamless integration with well-known platforms like Eventbrite and Mailchimp, allowing nonprofits to automate workflow and communication.
Pricing starts at $29/month.
Doubleknot
Doubleknot is specifically designed for nonprofits and cultural organizations, making membership and admission management easier.
It brings everything together—ticketing, fundraising, visitor management, and even point-of-sale systems, so you can focus on what matters.
Key Features:
- Membership database and automated renewals.
- Event and admissions management with timed ticketing.
- Donation tracking and integrated fundraising tools.
- Point-of-sale (POS) system for in-person transactions.
- Reporting and analytics for visitor and member insights.
You can get their pricing upon request, and nonprofits can schedule a free demo before committing.
How to Choose the Right Nonprofit Membership Management Software
Choosing good membership management software for your nonprofit depends on multiple factors, including the organization’s size, budget, and operational needs.
Here’s how you can make the right choice:
- Define Your Organization’s Needs: You must assess your nonprofit’s specific requirements. Consider factors like membership size, automation needs, engagement tools, and technical expertise.
- Set Your Budget: Your budget plays a crucial role in choosing the right membership software. It will determine what features and support you can access. Free platforms are more budget-friendly but may lack advanced features; paid software offers advanced automation and support but comes with a larger investment.
- Look for Key Features: Prioritize features you require for your organization, like automated renewals and payments, a member database, event and fundraising management, reporting analytics, etc.
- Assess User Experience & Support: Choose a platform with an intuitive interface to ensure easy adoption by your members and staff. Also, look for the platform’s support feature, as it can help make a big difference in solving technical issues.
- Consider Future Scalability: For your growing organization, evaluate software that offers tiered pricing, add-ons, or integrations to accommodate increasing membership sizes and complex needs.
- Try Free Trials & Demos: Before committing to any one platform, take advantage of free trials or demos. This allows you to explore the features, test usability, and assess customer support.
Best Practices for Implementing and Using Membership Software
You can implement these best practices to make the most of your chosen platform:
- Plan for Implementation: Before you execute the software, develop a clear strategy for staff training, data migration, and integration with existing tools. A smooth setup makes everything easier down the line.
- Train Your Team: Train staff and volunteers using the software so they can get familiar with its functionality.
- Maintain Clean and Updated Data: Regularly update and organize your member database to avoid outdated or duplicate information. Use automation, segmentation, and tagging to keep member records neat and accurate.
- Automate Membership Renewals & Communications: Use automation to streamline membership renewals, event reminders, and email campaigns to maintain engagement effortlessly.
- Monitor Performance Metrics: Use built-in analytics tools to monitor key metrics, like membership growth, event attendance, and engagement rates. The more you know, the better decisions you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now, let’s look at some common questions regarding nonprofit membership tools:
How Often Should a Nonprofit Upgrade Its Membership Software?
Nonprofits need to evaluate their membership software every 2 to 3 years to meet their growing needs. If the software lacks essential features like automation, integration with other tools, or mobile access or is causing inefficiencies, it may be time for an upgrade.
Additionally, if software support ends or new security updates are unavailable, upgrading becomes crucial to protect member data and optimize operations.
Does Membership Software Offer Mobile App Support?
Many modern membership management platforms include mobile apps for both administrators and members. These apps allow nonprofits to manage member data, event registrations, payments, and communications on the go.
For members, mobile apps provide easy access to directories, event schedules, and self-service options, improving engagement and convenience.
How Much Does Membership Software Cost?
Nonprofits run on tight budgets, and getting membership management software might cost you a bit. The cost will depend on the number of members you need to manage and any additional features you want to incorporate.
The cost of membership management software typically ranges from $29/month to $300/month. Some tools also offer a free version that allows you to manage a limited number of contacts.
Is Cloud-Based or On-Premise Membership Software Better?
Cloud-based membership software is generally the better option for nonprofits due to its flexibility, automatic updates, and remote accessibility.
While on-premise software offers more control over data security and customization, it requires higher upfront costs, dedicated IT resources, and manual updates.
When choosing the best solution for your nonprofit organization, consider your budget, technical capabilities, and data security needs.
Conclusion
With the right membership management software, you can grow your nonprofit organization.
The right software will simplify admin work and help build stronger relationships with your members, ultimately driving greater support for your mission. So, before you buy a solution, take advantage of free trials, explore user reviews, and assess how well a platform integrates with your existing tools.
Beyond managing your members, you need to engage with them. Whether you’re sharing updates, hosting events, or educating supporters, audio is one of the most effective ways to reach your online community.
With Hello Audio, you can effortlessly turn your existing content — video, webinars, or recorded messages — into private podcasts. Unlike traditional podcasting platforms, we simplify the process with an intuitive interface.
Amplify your nonprofit’s message, increase engagement, and make your content more accessible.
Sign up today to repurpose your content!
