Nonprofit event management software: Top 18 platforms

Events are a key fundraising opportunity for most organizations, and several virtual event platforms now provide changemakers with better tools to reach audiences, sell tickets, and raise more for their causes.

We’ll walk you through some of the most important features to consider when choosing the right event registration and management software. We’ll also compare these top software brands to help you find the best match for your organization.

What are the different types of event software for nonprofits? 

Event management software can be a game-changer for nonprofits, helping them streamline operations, engage attendees, and maximize the impact of their fundraising events. 

With so many options available, it’s important to understand the different kinds of event tools out there:

• All-in-one event management tools 🏆 Comprehensive platforms that handle everything from event registration and ticketing to attendee management and post-event reporting
• Niche/event-specific tools 🎪 Software tailored to specific event types, such as conferences, galas, or virtual events, with features optimized for those use cases
• Livestreaming 🎥 Tools that enable nonprofits to host online events with interactive features like chat, polls, and Q&A
• Supporting platforms 📢 Apps and services that complement your event management process, such as email marketing, social media integrations, and event listing platforms

Top five questions to ask when comparing nonprofit event management software

Fundraising events are one of the most popular methods for nonprofits to bring in money, but finding the right software to manage and promote your events is key to making them successful. Ask yourself the following questions when selecting your event management platform.

1. Does it have the necessary tools? 🛠️

The first and most important consideration is whether your event management software meets the needs of your particular nonprofit. 

Consider event software for nonprofits that has some or all of the following features to suit your organization:

• Customizable registration pages  
• Multiple ticket types and bundles
• Mobile check-in and ticket sales
• Peer-to-peer and team fundraising pages
• Livestream video capacity
• Silent auction features
• A variety of payment options
• Text-to-donate
• Volunteer management tools
• Email and social media integrations

Every platform won’t be right for all organizations or events, so before you make your decision, determine which features are essential and which you can live without.

2. Is it affordable? 💸

Running events is more costly than ever. Fundraising events expert Samantha Swaim of Swaim Strategies offers this explanation:

Food, venue, and other vendor costs have gotten more expensive because a lot of places closed during the pandemic. Now, the competition is really high, and vendors are trying to make up for a loss of revenue in the past several years.

For this reason, nonprofits must choose software tools that don’t add to their list of significant expenses.

3. Is it easy to use? 🤩

Event software can offer hundreds of features, but it won’t do any good if it’s too complicated.

As you research potential event management platforms, check out online reviews and, if possible, sign up for a free demo for an unbiased view that may open your eyes to potential downsides you hadn’t thought of.  

4. Is it customizable? 🎨

Nonprofits should look for a software solution that adapts to their changing goals. The right tools can accommodate a variety of events—from digital auctions to livestreamed P2P events—and align with all of your unique needs.

5. Is customer support included? 💛

Unfortunately, no matter how much you prepare, not everything goes according to plan. 

That's why a software solution with tailored customer service is essential—so your team can relax knowing you have plenty of support when you need it.

Top five all-in-one event software for nonprofits

You’ve determined what features you need, so now it’s time to find the platform that best fits your organization’s goals and budget. Most nonprofits hold several events throughout the year, so you’ll want to use a platform that facilitates most, if not all, event types you have planned.

1. Givebutter: Easy, fun, and free event management software for nonprofits

An all-in-one fundraising platform, Givebutter helps nonprofits raise more with customized donation pages, auctions, and events—whether they’ll be happening in person, virtually, or a hybrid of the two.

💰 Price: Free! Thanks to optional tips and donor-covered fees, nonprofits can keep more of the funds raised during their fundraising events.

🤩 Top event features:

• Unlimited ticket types, bundles, and promo codes (General Admission, VIP, Early Bird, etc.)
• “Can’t attend? Donate!” option
• Mobile app event check-ins, ticket sales, and donations with Tap to Pay
• Customized auction items with start and end times, buy-now functionality, photos, and video
• Real-time auction updates and notifications for attendees to see new bids and items as they go live
• Text-to-donate, scan-to-donate, and live display
• Peer-to-peer and team fundraising pages
• Livestream events and interactive supporter walls
• A variety of payment options, including Apple Pay and Venmo
• Automatic event reminders via email
• a built-in donation management software

✅ Best for: Changemakers looking for all the fundraising and event management tools they need in one place without the hefty price tag.

‍🔥 Our take: Givebutter makes planning your next fundraiser easy and fun, and its donor-friendly features create a stress-free experience for your staff and attendees alike.

2. OneCause: Versatile event platform for growing nonprofits

Like Givebutter, OneCause provides numerous fundraising and event planning tools like auctions, peer-to-peer fundraisers, and text-to-donate features.

💰 Price: While OneCause does not publicly share pricing information, you can request a demo or give them a call to get more information about their three different packages.

🤩 Top event features:

• Personalized ticket packages, options, and promo codes
• Upload table layouts and receive real-time data on table sales
• Attendees can manage their profiles and check out independently
• Automated paddle raises
• Customized individual donation prompts
• Ability to display scoreboards and slide shows
• Live chat to engage in-person and virtual attendees

✅ Best for: Organizations that hold a significant number of events throughout the year or expect to raise a large amount of funds through their events.

🔥 Our take: OneCause has several unique and exciting options to upgrade your event experience. If you can afford it or find the features worth stretching your budget for, it may be the solution for you.

3. Classy: Simple and straightforward—yet pricey 

Classy is a robust solution for nonprofit fundraising, events, and supporter management. The Classy Live platform offers a suite of tools to streamline event registration, ticketing, and promotion.

💰 Price: Requires a custom quote

🤩 Top fundraising event features:

• Custom event websites and donation pages
• Simple online registration forms
• Real-time reporting
• Peer-to-peer and crowdfunding features

✅ Best for: Midsize to large nonprofits seeking an integrated solution for event management and online fundraising.

🔥 Our take: Classy is a user-friendly platform that offers a range of basic, essential features for successful fundraising. But, the cost may be prohibitive for smaller organizations with limited budgets.

4. Neon One: Built for performing arts fundraisers

Neon One is a nonprofit management platform that offers event planning and ticketing capabilities specifically designed for theater, dance, and other performing arts groups. It helps organizations streamline event logistics, promote fundraising, and track performance across the entire event lifecycle.

💰 Price: Starts at $99/month

🤩 Top fundraising event features:

• Customizable event websites and registration flows
• Ticketing, donor management, and peer-to-peer fundraising tools
• Integration with popular CRMs and payment processors
• Advanced reporting and analytics to measure event success

✅ Best for: Arts-based nonprofits that require a highly customizable solution to manage complex events and fundraising activities.

🔥 Our take: Neon One has many advanced CRM and data features that can make event management for nonprofits a breeze. However, the pricing might not be affordable for small, grassroots organizations.

5. Regpack: Comprehensive fundraising solution for teams

With a different take on event registration and management, Regpack focuses on data collection and personalized event registrations.

💰 Price: Plans start at $125/month per admin, plus a 2.1% payment processing fee.

🤩 Top fundraising event features:

• Customized landing pages 
• Multiple ticket types
• Group registration
• Automated emails and texts to donor segments 
• In-person, virtual, or hybrid paddle raises for real-time donations
• Team member access to donor data insight and communication tools
• Post-event surveys

✅ Best for: Nonprofits looking to engage fundraising teams and raise money through peer-to-peer campaigns.

🔥 Our take: Team fundraising to the max! While it may be on the pricier side, RegPack empowers teams with data and mobilized event registration tools to engage larger audiences and bring in more donations.

Top three niche nonprofit event software platforms

Organizations that host very specific events—like hybrid events, endurance events, and others—could benefit from tools that offer more tailored services and features.

1. Grassroots Unwired: Endurance events

For nonprofits holding outdoor events or visiting supporters door-to-door, Grassroots Unwired is an excellent option. Their 4EventDay Mobile Platform is built to streamline and simplify all day-of-event activities.

💰 Price: Pricing info isn’t listed on their website, but you can request a demo for more information.

🤩 Top mobile fundraising event features: 

• Real-time tracking of check-ins, registrations, donations, bib assignments, and more
• Cash and check donations
• Card reader integration for payment collection

…all of which work without wifi coverage!

✅ Best for: Organizations with a strong ground game can use Grassroots Unwired to upgrade outreach to donors, but the mobile platform is really why they’re on this list. This software is best for organizations that hold 5k walks, swims, and cycling fundraisers.

🔥 Our take: Anyone who’s hosted an outdoor event knows how difficult registration and donor collection can be without reliable wifi. Grassroots Unwired takes the stress out of scanning QR codes, checking in pre-registered participants, syncing peer-to-peer pages, and capturing donations in the wild.

2. Cvent: Large in-person conferences

An industry-leading, enterprise-level event management platform, Cvent is used by large nonprofits and organizations that need to coordinate many details and moving pieces.

💰 Price: Custom pricing based on the nonprofit's event needs and expected attendee volume.

🤩 Top enterprise event features:

• Venue sourcing and contract negotiation
• Speaker management
• Room blocking
• Event diagramming
• Badging 

✅ Best for: Larger nonprofits with complex event requirements and big budgets.

🔥 Our take: Cvent offers powerful, end-to-end event management capabilities and is ideal for global or national nonprofits that host big annual conferences.

3. GEVME: Virtual and hybrid events

GEVME is an all-in-one platform that really shines when it comes to helping nonprofits host engaging virtual and hybrid events. 

💰 Price: GEVME offers a free plan with limited features. To upgrade, pricing starts at $960/year.

🤩 Top virtual/hybrid event features:

• Event design
• Livestreaming
• Virtual exhibitor booths
• Gamification, polls, and Q&A to boost engagement
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics

✅ Best for: Nonprofits transitioning to or expanding their virtual and hybrid event offerings—or wanting to offer both experiences at the same time.

🔥 Our take: GEVME provides a robust set of tools for hosting immersive virtual and hybrid events and is perfect for nonprofits that are looking to give supporters new and exciting ways to engage with their cause. 

Top 5 nonprofit event software for livestreaming

Livestreaming has become a popular tool for organizations to connect with broader audiences by allowing supporters to tune in to events from anywhere in the world.

1. Twitch: Immersive livestreaming 

Twitch is a popular livestreaming platform known for its gaming content, but nonprofits can also leverage it for engaging and interactive virtual events. 

💰 Price: Twitch subscription prices are adjusted to reflect the cost of living in different geographic areas.

🤩 Top features: 

• Chat function 
• Polls
• Alerts
• Channel branding

✅ Best for: Nonprofits seeking to host interactive virtual events and livestreams using a popular, well-known platform with lots of regular users.

🔥 Our take: Twitch offers robust livestreaming capabilities and can be a good fit for organizations that want to tap into an existing audience. Plus, it’s a solid option for leveraging interactive elements for top-tier audience engagement. However, it’s important to note that Twitch may have a steeper learning curve for some users.

2. Facebook Live: Simple social media livestreaming

As a free, built-in feature of the Facebook platform, Facebook Live provides nonprofits with an easy way to reach their existing social media followers through live video.

💰 Price: Free

🤩 Top features: 

• Instant access to Facebook audience
• Comments and reactions
• Donations
• Live polls

 ✅ Best for: Nonprofits looking for a low-effort approach to engage their social media audience. 

🔥 Our take: Facebook Live is a straightforward option for nonprofits with a large Facebook following and engagement that want a tool that's simple to use yet packs a punch.

3. Vimeo: Professional-grade livestreaming

Vimeo is a high-quality, enterprise-grade video platform that provides nonprofits with a polished, customizable experience for livestreaming events.

💰 Price: Plans start at $12/month

🤩 Top features: 

• Host live broadcasts and webinars
• Stream to multiple destinations
• Branded invite and reminder emails
• Live chat, polls, and Q&A

✅ Best for: Nonprofits requiring a branded, professional-level livestream experience. 

🔥 Our take: Vimeo delivers advanced capabilities and is perfect for organizations that want to take their livestreams up a notch. However, the platform doesn’t offer as many nonprofit-specific or interactive features as other tools.

4. YouTube Live: Livestreaming for nonprofits on Youtube 

YouTube Live allows nonprofits to leverage the platform's massive user base and integrate livestreams directly into their existing YouTube channels.

💰 Price: Free with a YouTube account

🤩 Top features: 

• Easy to use 
• Data and analytics 
• Live chat moderation tools 

✅ Best for: Nonprofits with an established YouTube audience. 

🔥 Our take: YouTube Live is a straightforward option that's great for nonprofits that already have a presence on the platform. However, it may not be the best fit for organizations whose primary audience is less active on this site.  

5. Zoom: Interactive virtual events 

Zoom is a widely-used video conferencing platform that also offers robust livestreaming capabilities. 

💰 Price: Zoom offers a free basic plan. To get access to longer meeting times and more advanced features, paid plans start at $13.32/month. 

🤩 Top features:

• Breakout rooms
• Polls
• Webinar mode

 ✅ Best for: Nonprofits hosting intimate virtual events and meetings. 

🔥 Our take: While Zoom can be a versatile platform, nonprofits have to pay a subscription to access advanced livestreaming capabilities.

Top five supporting platforms for nonprofit event software

Nonprofits need a lot more than just event registration and livestreaming tools to be successful. Incorporating other powerful software into your planning will help your event stand out.

1. Canva: Graphic design 

Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that allows nonprofits to create and customize visually impactful event materials.

💰 Price: Canva offers a free plan. Paid plans, which offer access to more advanced features, start at $120/year per person, but nonprofits can apply for free access. 

🤩 Top features: 

• Simple drag-and-drop interface
• Customizable event flyers
• Social media graphics
• Ticket creation

 ✅ Best for: Nonprofits creating visual assets for event promotion and branding. 

🔥 Our take: Canva is an affordable, user-friendly design tool with thousands of templates for creating custom flyers, social media graphics, tickets, and more to promote their events. 

2. POINT: Volunteer management

An all-in-one volunteer management platform, POINT allows organizations to engage and mobilize volunteers for any event.

💰 Price: POINT offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $99/month. 

🤩 Top features: 

• Customizable registration pages
• Reporting tools
• Check-in stations
• Volunteer document storage
• Background checks

 ✅ Best for: Nonprofits leveraging a larger volunteer force to launch and host a successful event.

🔥 Our take: POINT is an excellent choice for organizations that rely on their volunteers to help them put on successful events. 

3. Winspire: Travel auction packages

For nonprofits that are looking to wow supporters at their next auction, Winspire is the way to go. The platform offers premium, full-service travel auction packages that are sure to boost donor engagement and elevate the attendee experience.

💰 Price: Custom pricing 

🤩 Top features: 

• Unlimited access to global locations
• More than 200 experiences to choose from 
• Curated packages
• Expert concierge support

✅ Best for: Nonprofits looking to auction off exclusive travel packages at their next event.

🔥 Our take: If your nonprofit is looking to offer luxury travel accommodations, Winspire is a great fit. With excellent customer service, unmatched luxury stays, and more, nonprofits can use the platform to really inspire donors to bid.

4. AddEvent: Event promotion

AddEvent is an event calendar and promotional platform that helps nonprofits extend their reach and efficiently manage events.

💰 Price: AddEvent offers a free basic plan. Paid plans start at $29/month.

🤩 Top features: 

• Simple event sharing 
• Collect RSVPs
• Customizable landing pages
• Subscriber tools

✅ Best for: Nonprofits promoting events across multiple channels. 

🔥 Our take: AddEvent is perfect for organizations that want to list their events, schedule social media posts, and integrate with existing registration systems. 

5. Google Maps: Mapping and location services 

Nonprofits can use Google Maps to easily map event venues, create location-specific event pages, and provide event attendees with directions.

💰 Price: Free 

🤩 Top features: 

• Venue mapping
• Event location pages

 ✅ Best for: Nonprofits needing to provide location details and wayfinding for events.

🔥 Our take: Google Maps is a familiar, free platform with event-specific capabilities that help organizations ensure their attendees can easily find lesser-known or hard-to-locate venues.

Free event registration software for nonprofits is within reach

Use this comparison guide to find the right nonprofit event planning software and management platform for your organization’s needs and budget. As you research, remember that event fundraising doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Here at Givebutter, we’re proud to be a hub for nonprofits to access all the tools to sell tickets, collect donations, run online auctions, promote events, and track donor activity—all for free. If you’re looking for an affordable option for your next event, sign up for your free Givebutter account today.