HubSpot CRM for Nonprofits: Features & Benefits

What Makes HubSpot CRM Ideal for Nonprofits?

Nonprofits require a CRM that is cost-effective, easy to use, and scalable to adapt to their unique challenges. HubSpot CRM for nonprofits stands out as an ideal solution due to its tailored features and flexibility.

Free CRM

HubSpot’s free CRM tier provides nonprofits with access to essential tools without adding to their financial burden.

Key features such as contact management, email tracking, and task automation are available at no cost, making it a budget-friendly choice for organisations with limited resources. Nonprofits can start small and upgrade to paid tiers as their operational needs grow.

Intuitive User Interface

The HubSpot CRM platform is designed to be user-friendly, even for teams with minimal technical expertise. Its simple navigation and drag-and-drop customisation features enable nonprofit staff and volunteers to quickly learn and adopt the system. This reduces the need for extensive training and ensures smoother day-to-day operations.

Scalability

Nonprofits often start with modest outreach efforts but may expand their mission and audience over time. HubSpot CRM scales effortlessly to accommodate growing donor bases, more complex fundraising campaigns, and an increasing number of stakeholders. The platform’s ability to support growth ensures that nonprofits can continue to rely on the system as their needs evolve.

Integrations

HubSpot CRM seamlessly integrates with a wide range of tools commonly used by nonprofits, enhancing its overall functionality. For example:

• Eventbrite: Manage events and track attendee engagement.
• Mailchimp: Sync email marketing campaigns for cohesive outreach.
• Salesforce: For organisations that require advanced donor management alongside HubSpot’s features.

These integrations streamline operations, enabling nonprofits to centralise data and ensure that their tools work together efficiently.

By offering these benefits, HubSpot CRM for nonprofits provides an accessible, adaptable, and comprehensive solution that meets the specific demands of nonprofit organisations.

Key Features of HubSpot CRM for Nonprofits

HubSpot CRM offers a comprehensive suite of tools tailored to the unique needs of nonprofits. These features enhance donor relationships, optimise operations, and improve outreach efforts.

1. Donor Management

Managing donor information is critical for any nonprofit, and HubSpot CRM for nonprofits simplifies this process with its centralised database.

• Comprehensive Donor Profiles: Store all donor-related details, including contact information, donation history, and engagement timelines, in one place for easy access.
  
  
• Segmentation Tools: Segment donors by giving frequency, donation amounts, or campaign involvement to create targeted fundraising strategies.
  
  
• Campaign Tracking: Monitor donation progress and campaign effectiveness through intuitive dashboards, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

2. Email Marketing and Automation

Effective communication with donors and volunteers is vital, and HubSpot’s email tools help nonprofits deliver personalised and impactful messages.

• Personalised Outreach: Customise email templates for donors, volunteers, and stakeholders to strengthen relationships.
  
  
• Automated Email Sequences: Set up automated workflows for donation acknowledgments, follow-ups, and newsletters, ensuring consistent engagement with minimal manual effort.

3. Task and Activity Management

HubSpot CRM helps nonprofits stay organised by streamlining task assignment and activity tracking.

• Task Scheduling: Assign tasks like donor follow-ups, volunteer coordination, and meeting preparation to team members with clear deadlines.
  
  
• Activity History: Maintain a detailed timeline of interactions with donors and volunteers, improving relationship-building and ensuring no communication is overlooked.

4. Reporting and Analytics

Data-driven decisions are essential for nonprofit success, and HubSpot provides the tools needed to track performance effectively.

• Basic Dashboards: Visualise key metrics like campaign success, email engagement, and fundraising progress in real time.
  
  
• Advanced Analytics: Paid plans offer deeper insights into donor behaviour and campaign performance, helping nonprofits identify trends and refine their strategies.

5. Forms and Landing Pages

Nonprofits often rely on forms and landing pages to collect vital information and promote campaigns. HubSpot makes this process seamless.

• Custom Forms: Create forms for donation drives, event registrations, or volunteer sign-ups without requiring technical expertise.
  
  
• Landing Pages: Build dedicated pages to highlight specific campaigns or fundraising events, driving more targeted traffic and engagement.

6. Integration with Third-Party Tools

HubSpot CRM’s compatibility with other platforms enhances its functionality, making it a hub for nonprofit operations.

• Donation Platforms: Sync with tools like GoFundMe or Give Lively to streamline donation tracking.
  
  
• Accounting Tools: Integrate with systems like QuickBooks for financial transparency and reporting.
  
  
• Event Management Apps: Use integrations like Eventbrite to manage events and track attendee engagement seamlessly.

By leveraging these features, HubSpot CRM for nonprofits helps organisations maximise their impact, maintain donor trust, and improve operational efficiency.

How to Use HubSpot CRM for Nonprofit Donors

Effectively managing donor relationships is crucial for nonprofits to maintain their operations and achieve their missions. HubSpot CRM provides a structured, user-friendly platform to help nonprofits manage donor databases, track fundraising progress, and optimise engagement strategies. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use HubSpot CRM for nonprofit donors.

Step 1: Set Up Your CRM

Begin by configuring HubSpot CRM to accommodate the unique needs of your nonprofit.

• Import Donor and Volunteer Data: Upload your existing databases into HubSpot via a CSV file. Ensure all data fields are mapped correctly to maintain accuracy.
  
  
• Create Custom Properties: Tailor your CRM by adding custom fields to capture donor-specific information, such as donation preferences, past campaigns supported, or communication preferences. This ensures your donor profiles are comprehensive and actionable.

Step 2: Segment Your Donors

Segmenting donors helps you deliver personalised communication and target your fundraising efforts more effectively.

• Group Donors by Contribution Patterns: Create categories such as:
  • New Donors: Individuals who recently contributed to your cause.
  • Recurring Donors: Supporters who contribute on a regular basis.
  • Major Contributors: High-value donors who significantly impact your campaigns.
    
    
• Utilise Lists for Targeting: Use HubSpot’s list feature to filter donors based on attributes like donation frequency, location, or interests.

Step 3: Engage Donors with Email Campaigns

Communication is key to retaining donor trust and encouraging future contributions. HubSpot CRM simplifies this with its email marketing tools.

• Customise Email Templates: Use HubSpot’s templates to send tailored messages, such as thank-you notes, event invitations, or campaign updates. Personalisation increases the likelihood of donor engagement.
  
  
• Automate Recurring Communication: For recurring donors, set up automated workflows to send reminders, gratitude emails, or impact reports on a regular basis. Automation ensures consistency and saves time for your team.

Step 4: Track Fundraising Campaigns

Monitoring campaign progress is essential for achieving your nonprofit’s fundraising goals.

• Create Donation Pipelines: Use HubSpot's pipeline feature to visualise your fundraising campaigns. For example:
  • Set up stages like "Donation Pledged," "Donation Received," and "Follow-Up Sent."
  • Track each donor's progress through the pipeline to identify where support might need reinforcement.
    
    
• Monitor Campaign Performance: Assign goals for each campaign and track them in real-time using HubSpot’s dashboards. For instance, you can view how many donations were received against your target amount.
  
  
• Stay Organised with Tasks: Create reminders for follow-ups, phone calls, or thank-you emails to donors after their contributions.

Step 5: Analyse and Optimise

HubSpot CRM’s reporting tools help you evaluate the success of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

• Generate Detailed Reports: Use reports to measure key performance indicators, such as donation amounts, donor retention rates, or email engagement levels.
  
  
• Identify Trends: Spot patterns, such as the most successful communication channels or donor demographics contributing the most.
  
  
• Refine Future Strategies: Based on the insights from your reports, optimise your campaigns. For example, if one donor segment is more responsive to email campaigns, you can allocate more resources to email-based outreach.

By following these steps, nonprofits can get started with HubSpot CRM to build meaningful relationships with donors, improve campaign efficiency, and enhance their overall impact.

Benefits of Using HubSpot CRM for Nonprofits

HubSpot CRM provides nonprofits with a robust platform to manage relationships, streamline operations, and enhance their impact. Here’s a detailed exploration of how nonprofits can benefit from HubSpot CRM:

1. Improved Donor Retention

Donor retention is vital for the sustainability of any nonprofit, and HubSpot CRM makes it easier to nurture and maintain long-term relationships with contributors.

• Personalised Communication: HubSpot allows nonprofits to segment donors by preferences, donation history, or engagement levels, enabling tailored outreach. For example, major donors can receive personalised updates about the impact of their contributions, while new donors might receive introductory emails about the organisation’s mission.
  
  
• Automated Follow-Ups: With HubSpot’s automation tools, nonprofits can schedule regular communications, such as thank-you emails or updates about upcoming campaigns. This ensures no donor feels overlooked, helping to build loyalty and encourage repeat contributions.

2. Streamlined Operations

Many nonprofits face challenges with limited resources and time, making streamlined operations essential.

• Time-Saving Automation: HubSpot CRM automates repetitive tasks, such as sending donor acknowledgements, assigning follow-ups, or organising fundraising event workflows. This allows teams to focus on impactful activities rather than administrative duties.
  
  
• Task and Campaign Management: HubSpot’s task management feature ensures accountability within teams. Nonprofits can create tasks, assign them to team members, and track progress, ensuring campaigns are executed smoothly and efficiently.
  
  
• Centralised Platform: By consolidating donor, volunteer, and campaign data in one place, HubSpot eliminates the need to use multiple systems, reducing confusion and the risk of errors.

3. Better Data Insights

Data-driven strategies are key to optimising nonprofit efforts, and HubSpot provides tools to gather and interpret actionable insights.

• Analytics for Donor Trends: HubSpot’s analytics dashboards enable nonprofits to track metrics such as donation frequency, average gift size, and donor demographics. These insights allow nonprofits to identify high-value donors and optimise fundraising strategies.
  
  
• Campaign Performance Tracking: Nonprofits can use HubSpot to evaluate the success of fundraising campaigns in real-time, identifying which initiatives are working and which need adjustment.
  
  
• Informed Decision-Making: Detailed reporting helps nonprofits understand engagement patterns and allocate resources to initiatives with the highest impact, enhancing overall efficiency.

4. Enhanced Volunteer Management

Volunteers play a critical role in nonprofit operations, and HubSpot CRM simplifies the management of these valuable contributors.

• Centralised Volunteer Database: Nonprofits can maintain detailed records of volunteer skills, availability, and participation history. This makes it easier to match volunteers with appropriate tasks and roles.
  
  
• Effortless Communication: With HubSpot’s email marketing tools, nonprofits can communicate with volunteers about events, opportunities, or updates, ensuring they remain informed and engaged.
  
  
• Event Coordination: For large-scale events, HubSpot can streamline the process of organising volunteer schedules, tracking registrations, and sending reminders.

5. Cost-Effective Solution

Budget constraints often limit the tools nonprofits can access, but HubSpot CRM offers a cost-effective solution.

• Free Version with Robust Features: HubSpot’s free tier includes essential tools like contact management, email marketing, and basic analytics, making it accessible for small nonprofits with limited budgets.
  
  
• Scalable Paid Plans: As nonprofits grow, they can upgrade to paid plans that offer advanced features like custom reporting, automation workflows, and expanded contact capacity, ensuring long-term usability without breaking the bank.
  
  
• High Return on Investment: By improving donor retention, streamlining processes, and enhancing campaign performance, HubSpot CRM helps nonprofits achieve a higher ROI on their operational and fundraising efforts.

With its comprehensive feature set and focus on accessibility, HubSpot CRM is a transformative tool for nonprofits, empowering them to build stronger relationships, optimise operations, and maximise their impact—all while staying within budget. Whether you’re managing donors, volunteers, or campaigns, HubSpot CRM provides the tools needed to succeed.

HubSpot CRM Pricing for Nonprofits

Understanding HubSpot CRM’s pricing structure is essential for nonprofits to evaluate its affordability and potential ROI. HubSpot offers a range of plans tailored to organisations of different sizes and needs, with discounts specifically designed for nonprofits.

Free Plan

The Free Plan is ideal for small nonprofits or those just starting to explore CRM systems. It offers a robust set of tools without any financial commitment, making it an excellent choice for organisations with tight budgets.

• Included Features:
  • Contact Management: Maintain detailed records of donors, volunteers, and stakeholders.
  • Basic Email Marketing: Send emails to donors, share newsletters, and invite volunteers to events.
  • Dashboards: Track key metrics like donation progress or email engagement using easy-to-understand dashboards.
  • Integrations: Connect with third-party tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Google Calendar to streamline workflows.
    
    
• Ideal For: Nonprofits that need essential tools to organise contacts, manage basic campaigns, and keep operations running smoothly without added costs.

Starter Plan (£16/month)

The Starter Plan is designed for small to medium-sized nonprofits that want additional functionality to enhance their donor engagement efforts.

• Key Features:
  • Ad Retargeting: Target donors who have visited your website with ads, encouraging them to engage further or donate.
  • Advanced Email Tracking: Monitor email opens and clicks to assess donor engagement levels.
  • Priority Support: Access faster customer support for quicker issue resolution.
    
    
• Additional Benefits: This plan also includes more customisation options for branding and templates, enabling nonprofits to deliver a professional experience.
  
  
• Ideal For: Nonprofits ready to take their outreach and engagement to the next level without making a large financial commitment.

Professional Plan (£640/month)

The Professional Plan is a comprehensive solution for larger nonprofits managing multiple campaigns or needing advanced automation and reporting capabilities.

• Key Features:
  • Advanced Analytics: Gain deeper insights into donor trends, campaign effectiveness, and volunteer engagement.
  • Automation Workflows: Automate complex processes such as donor follow-ups, event registrations, and campaign updates.
  • Custom Reporting: Create tailored reports to align with specific organisational goals and KPIs.
  • Collaboration Tools: Improve team collaboration with shared dashboards, task assignment, and notes.
    
    
• Ideal For: Medium to large nonprofits with established operations and a need for data-driven decision-making and process optimisation.

Enterprise Plan (£2,560/month)

The Enterprise Plan is tailored for large-scale nonprofits managing highly complex campaigns, extensive donor databases, and multi-channel outreach efforts.

• Key Features:
  • Premium Customisation Options: Build bespoke properties and workflows to align the CRM with unique operational needs.
  • Advanced Permissions: Manage access rights for different team members, ensuring data security and streamlined collaboration.
  • Scalable Campaign Management: Manage expansive campaigns involving diverse stakeholders, donors, and volunteers across multiple locations.
  • Enterprise-Grade Features: Leverage advanced tools such as predictive lead scoring and custom behavioural events for highly targeted outreach.
    
    
• Ideal For: Large nonprofits with a significant global presence or complex operational requirements.

Discounts for Nonprofits

HubSpot offers generous discounts to nonprofits through its Nonprofit Discount Programme, significantly reducing the cost of paid plans.

• Discount Details:
  • Eligible nonprofits can save up to 40% off HubSpot’s paid plans.
  • The discount applies across Starter, Professional, and Enterprise tiers, making advanced tools more accessible.
    
    
• Additional Benefits:
  • Access to free resources and training through HubSpot Academy.
  • Enhanced support to help nonprofits maximise their investment in the platform.

HubSpot CRM’s pricing structure provides flexible options for nonprofits of all sizes, from free tools for grassroots organisations to advanced solutions for large-scale operations. With its nonprofit discount programme, HubSpot ensures affordability while delivering value, empowering nonprofits to enhance their donor relationships, streamline operations, and achieve their mission.

For nonprofits evaluating which HubSpot plan to choose, our Enterprise vs Professional Plans blog offers a detailed comparison, guiding you through the features and benefits of each option to find the best fit for your organisation's needs.

Alternatives to HubSpot CRM for Nonprofits

While HubSpot CRM offers a powerful and flexible solution for nonprofits, it’s essential to consider alternative options to ensure the best fit for your organisation’s unique needs. Several nonprofit-specific CRM platforms are popular in the sector, each offering features tailored to fundraising, donor management, and stakeholder engagement. Below, we explore some notable alternatives and how they compare to HubSpot CRM.

1. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud

Salesforce is one of the most widely recognised CRM platforms globally, and its Nonprofit Cloud is specifically designed for charitable organisations.

• Key Features:
  • Donor Management: Offers comprehensive tools to manage donor relationships, track donations, and optimise fundraising campaigns.
  • Program Management: Helps track program outcomes and measure impact.
  • Grant Management: Streamlines grant applications and tracking processes.
  • Customisation and Scalability: Highly customisable, making it suitable for nonprofits of all sizes.

• Comparison to HubSpot CRM:
  • Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud provides a deeper focus on nonprofit-specific needs, such as grant and program management.
  • HubSpot CRM, while less tailored, offers superior marketing tools and ease of use, particularly for smaller teams with limited technical expertise.
  • Salesforce requires more training and technical resources for setup and maintenance, while HubSpot’s intuitive interface ensures a shorter learning curve.

2. Bloomerang

Bloomerang is a donor management platform specifically created for small to mid-sized nonprofits.

• Key Features:
  • Donor Retention Insights: Includes tools to measure donor retention rates and identify lapsed donors.
  • Fundraising Tools: Enables campaign tracking, online donation forms, and email marketing.
  • Volunteer Management: Provides basic tools for tracking and communicating with volunteers.
    
    

• Comparison to HubSpot CRM:
  • Bloomerang focuses heavily on donor retention and is built with nonprofits in mind, offering tailored features that HubSpot CRM lacks, such as donor retention scorecards.
  • HubSpot CRM, however, offers more robust marketing and sales features, making it ideal for nonprofits with broader operational needs.
  • Bloomerang is better suited for smaller organisations with a singular focus on fundraising, while HubSpot CRM supports nonprofits aiming to manage donors, volunteers, and marketing simultaneously.

3. DonorPerfect

DonorPerfect is a long-standing CRM specifically for nonprofits, with features designed to optimise fundraising efforts and donor management.

• Key Features:
  • Fundraising Management: Allows for tracking pledges, donations, and recurring gifts.
  • Donor Segmentation: Tools to segment donors for targeted campaigns.
  • Event Management: Streamlines the organisation of fundraising events, including ticketing and attendance tracking.
  • Payment Processing: Built-in tools for online donations and secure payment processing.
    
    

• Comparison to HubSpot CRM:
  • DonorPerfect excels in fundraising and donation-specific features, making it a go-to for nonprofits focused on these areas.
  • HubSpot CRM, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive solution with robust marketing, automation, and analytics tools that extend beyond donor management.
  • DonorPerfect is ideal for nonprofits needing highly specialised donor tools, while HubSpot CRM is better for organisations with diverse operational goals.

4. Other Alternatives

• Kindful: A user-friendly CRM with strong integration capabilities for online donations and donor analytics. However, it lacks the advanced marketing features offered by HubSpot CRM.
• Neon CRM: Provides comprehensive fundraising and volunteer management tools, but it may be more complex for small organisations compared to HubSpot’s simpler interface.

Which CRM Is Right for Your Nonprofit?

When comparing alternatives to HubSpot CRM, it’s essential to consider your nonprofit’s:

• Primary Needs: Are you focused on donor retention, program management, or overall operational efficiency?
• Budget: Platforms like Salesforce and DonorPerfect can be costly, while HubSpot CRM offers a free plan and nonprofit discounts for paid tiers.
• Team Size and Expertise: If your team has limited technical expertise, HubSpot CRM’s user-friendly interface may be the better choice.
• Marketing and Outreach Goals: HubSpot CRM’s superior marketing and automation tools make it ideal for nonprofits with significant outreach needs.

While alternatives like Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud and DonorPerfect excel in donor-specific features, HubSpot CRM offers an all-in-one solution for nonprofits aiming to manage donors, volunteers, and marketing strategies simultaneously. With its intuitive interface, free tier, and robust tools, HubSpot CRM is an excellent option for nonprofits seeking to grow their impact efficiently.

Maximising Impact with HubSpot CRM for Nonprofits

HubSpot CRM offers nonprofits a powerful and versatile tool to overcome common challenges like donor retention, resource management, and stakeholder engagement. Its comprehensive features—ranging from donor management to email automation and advanced analytics—equip organisations to streamline operations and drive meaningful impact.

One of the standout benefits of HubSpot CRM is its scalability and accessibility. Nonprofits of all sizes, from grassroots initiatives to large-scale organisations, can benefit from its free tier, which includes essential tools without financial strain. As the organisation grows, HubSpot’s paid plans and nonprofit discount program provide access to advanced capabilities at affordable rates, making it a long-term solution tailored to evolving needs.

Ready to see the difference HubSpot CRM can make? Start with the free version to explore its capabilities, and discover how it can transform your organisation’s operations and engagement. Take advantage of the nonprofit discount program to unlock even greater value while ensuring your resources are maximised for mission-driven impact.

FAQs About HubSpot CRM for Nonprofits

1. Does HubSpot CRM offer discounts specifically for nonprofits?

Yes, HubSpot offers a nonprofit discount program, making it easier for organisations to access its premium features at a reduced cost. Eligible nonprofits can enjoy discounts of up to 40% on HubSpot’s paid plans, including Starter, Professional, and Enterprise tiers. This program is designed to support mission-driven organisations in leveraging robust CRM tools for donor management, marketing, and operations. To qualify, nonprofits must provide proof of their nonprofit status, such as tax exemption documentation or charity registration details. The program also ensures that nonprofits can scale their operations while staying within budget.

2. Can HubSpot CRM handle recurring donations?

Although HubSpot CRM doesn’t process recurring donations directly, it integrates seamlessly with third-party payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, or specialised donation platforms such as Donorbox. These integrations enable nonprofits to set up recurring donations and track them effectively. Within HubSpot, organisations can create custom properties to categorise recurring donors, monitor their contribution history, and automate thank-you emails or renewal reminders. By combining HubSpot CRM with a payment solution, nonprofits can maintain comprehensive records of recurring donors and foster long-term relationships.

3. How does HubSpot integrate with common nonprofit tools like Eventbrite or QuickBooks?

HubSpot offers native and third-party integrations with widely-used nonprofit tools such as Eventbrite and QuickBooks.

• Eventbrite Integration: With this integration, nonprofits can sync event attendee data into HubSpot, enabling them to track participation, manage follow-ups, and engage attendees post-event. For example, after a fundraising gala, organisations can use HubSpot to send personalised thank-you emails or event feedback forms.
  
  
• QuickBooks Integration: HubSpot’s integration with QuickBooks simplifies financial management by syncing transaction details, donor contributions, and invoices. This ensures accurate accounting records and streamlined reporting, reducing manual data entry.

These integrations empower nonprofits to unify their operational, financial, and donor engagement efforts under one platform, creating a more cohesive workflow.

4. What’s the best way to transition from another CRM to HubSpot?

Transitioning from an existing CRM to HubSpot requires careful planning to ensure data integrity and minimal disruption. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Audit Your Existing Data: Review your current CRM data, removing duplicates, outdated records, and incomplete entries. Ensure that the data you migrate is accurate and relevant.
2. Prepare Your Data for Import: Export your data into a compatible format, such as a CSV file. Include key fields like donor names, contact details, donation history, and engagement preferences.
3. Customise HubSpot for Nonprofit Use: Set up custom properties in HubSpot to align with your organisation’s needs, such as donor tiers or event participation history.
4. Import Data into HubSpot: Use HubSpot’s import tools to upload your data. During the import process, map your existing data fields to HubSpot’s CRM fields to ensure consistency.
5. Train Your Team: Conduct training sessions to familiarise your team with HubSpot’s interface, features, and workflows. Take advantage of HubSpot Academy’s resources tailored for nonprofits.
6. Monitor and Optimise: After migration, monitor your data for any discrepancies and make adjustments as needed. Regularly review your processes to optimise your use of HubSpot.

By following these steps, nonprofits can smoothly transition to HubSpot CRM and quickly leverage its tools to enhance donor engagement and streamline operations.

At Pixcell, we understand the unique challenges nonprofits face and the immense potential HubSpot CRM holds for transforming donor management, streamlining operations, and driving impact.

As a HubSpot Solutions Partner, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, whether you’re transitioning to HubSpot or looking to maximise its features for your nonprofit's needs.

If you’re exploring more ways to make HubSpot work for your organisation, check out our blog on How to Navigate the HubSpot Solutions Partner Directory to find trusted partners who can help tailor HubSpot to your goals.

Additionally, our blog on the 20 Best HubSpot Features provides insights into tools that can elevate your nonprofit’s strategy. With Pixcell’s expertise and HubSpot’s capabilities, your nonprofit can achieve more meaningful connections and lasting impact.