Choosing the right donor management software isn’t just about picking a list of features. It’s about finding something that actually works for your team—something that feels simple, gets the job done, and grows with you over time. Whether you're managing a handful of supporters or thousands, you want a system that helps you stay organized, keeps donors engaged, and saves you time.
But even more important than the software itself is the support behind it. The people helping you understand how to use it, troubleshoot when things get tricky, and make smarter fundraising decisions.
That’s why a lot of nonprofits aren’t just looking for tools—they’re looking for partners. In this comparison of Bloomerang vs DonorPerfect, we’re going to look at how both platforms stack up and how much support they really give.
What are Bloomerang and DonorPerfect?
Bloomerang and DonorPerfect are both popular tools built to help nonprofits manage donors and raise more money. They’re kind of like digital filing cabinets, communication hubs, and reporting tools all rolled into one. They help you keep track of who your donors are, when they give, and how to stay in touch with them.
Bloomerang is often chosen by smaller teams or folks who are newer to fundraising software. It’s known for being clean and simple to use, with a big focus on helping you keep donors around longer. If you’re just starting out or don’t want to feel overwhelmed, Bloomerang’s light and focused approach might feel like a good fit.
DonorPerfect has been around for a long time and comes packed with more advanced features than Boomerang. It’s made for teams that want more control and customization—things like detailed reports, custom fields, and more complex workflows. Some nonprofits love the flexibility, but others find it takes more time to learn.
The truth is, both platforms can do a lot. But as we’ll see in the next few sections, the big difference isn’t just what they offer—it’s how they help you use those tools. That’s where having the right support and guidance makes all the difference.
Donor management and donor information: Keeping your database healthy
Donor management is really the heart of any fundraising tool. It’s where you keep all your donor info—names, giving history, contact details, notes, and more. Think of it like your donor brain: if it’s clear and well-organized, it’s easier to remember who gave what, when, and why.
Bloomerang keeps things pretty straightforward. You get easy-to-read donor profiles, basic filters to segment your list, and tools to track interactions. It’s great if you want to keep tabs on donor activity without digging too deep into complex data.
DonorPerfect offers more detailed customization. You can build out donor records with extra fields, set up different kinds of relationships, and run more advanced reports. It’s powerful—but with that power comes a steeper learning curve. If your team has the time and experience to dig into it, that flexibility can pay off.
But here’s something we’ve learned from working with hundreds of nonprofits: it’s not just about storing data—it’s about knowing what to do with it. Having a partner who can help you set up your donor info the right way (and fix it when it gets messy) saves hours down the road. That’s one of those behind-the-scenes things that can quietly make or break your fundraising.
Donor engagement and recurring donations: Turning one-time givers into lifelong supporters
Getting a donation is great—but getting a donor who sticks around year after year? That’s where the real magic happens. The best platforms don’t just help you collect gifts. They help you build relationships.
Bloomerang puts a big focus on donor retention. It shows you a “retention score” for each donor and helps you spot who’s at risk of leaving. You can also set up automated thank-you messages and reminders to follow up. It’s all designed to keep people engaged after they give.
DonorPerfect takes a more customizable approach. You can set up your own donor journey using their tools, but it may take a little more time to configure. If you want to create multi-step engagement campaigns or get really specific about your follow-ups, it can handle that—but you’ll probably need to plan it all out yourself.
Both platforms support recurring donations, and both make it easy for donors to give monthly. But from what we’ve seen, the tech is only half the story. Knowing how to ask for recurring gifts—when to do it, how to phrase it, who to target—is something that takes strategy. And that’s where having a knowledgeable partner can turn a simple donation form into a steady stream of monthly support.
Email marketing and communication tools: Staying connected with your community
Keeping in touch with your donors shouldn’t feel like a chore. The right tools make it easy to send the right message at the right time—without overwhelming your team.
Bloomerang has built-in email tools, so you can create and send messages right from the platform. It’s simple to use and works well for quick updates, appeals, or thank-you notes. You won’t need another platform just to send emails, which can be a big plus for smaller teams.
DonorPerfect, on the other hand, leans more on integrations. It works with tools like Constant Contact, which gives you more design options and advanced features—but also means juggling multiple systems. It can work well if you already use Constant Contact, but some teams find it adds complexity.
Either way, email marketing is more than just hitting “send.” It’s about knowing who to email, what to say, and how often to reach out. And that’s where expert guidance really helps. When you’ve got someone in your corner who understands nonprofit communications, your emails feel more personal—and they actually get results.
Event and volunteer management: Organize, mobilize, and raise more
Fundraising doesn’t stop at emails and donation forms. Events and volunteers are huge parts of what keep your mission moving. Whether it's a gala, a 5K, or a volunteer day, having tools that help you plan, manage, and follow up can make all the difference.
Bloomerang keeps it pretty basic when it comes to events. You can track attendees and send follow-up emails, but you might need to lean on outside tools for registration or ticketing. Same with volunteers—there’s not a ton built in, so smaller teams might find it limiting.
DonorPerfect offers a bit more. It has an event management add-on, and you can keep track of volunteer hours, tasks, and schedules. It’s helpful if you run a lot of events or rely heavily on volunteer support. Just know that, like other parts of DonorPerfect, there might be more setup involved.
But here’s the thing—we’ve seen over and over that planning the event is only half the battle. The real work happens in the follow-up: turning attendees into donors, recognizing volunteers, and keeping people engaged. That’s where a partner like Harness can really come in handy. We help nonprofits think through the full picture—so their events don’t just feel successful in the moment, but actually lead to long-term impact.
Online forms and payment processing: Making it easy to give
If donating online feels confusing or clunky, people leave. Simple as that. That’s why good donation forms and smooth payment processing are must-haves—not nice-to-haves.
Bloomerang gives you basic online forms that are easy to customize and mobile-friendly. They’re clean and get the job done, especially for quick campaigns or general donations. But if you want more advanced styling or features, you might run into limits.
DonorPerfect offers more flexibility, especially if you add on their WebLink tool. You can build different forms for events, donations, or volunteer signups. But again, the setup can take more time, and you may need some support to get it looking and working just right.
Both platforms integrate with payment processors, and both are secure—but payment fees and setup steps vary. It’s worth looking closely at how payments are handled, because even a small hiccup can cost you donations.
We’ve worked with nonprofits where just tweaking the layout of a form or switching a processor made a huge difference. That’s the kind of insight you get when you’ve got someone watching your back. It’s not just about putting a form on your site—it’s about making it so easy to give that more people actually do.
Usability and learning curve: What users find easiest to manage
Even the most powerful tools don’t help much if they’re too hard to use. For a lot of nonprofits, the difference between a tool they love and one they dread comes down to everyday usability.
Bloomerang is often praised for being simple and clean. The dashboard is easy to understand, and most people can find their way around without much training. If you’ve never used donor software before, it feels approachable and doesn’t overwhelm you with options right out of the gate.
DonorPerfect gives you more control, but it can take longer to get comfortable. The menus go deeper, and the system can do a lot—but you’ll likely need time (and possibly support) to unlock all of it. For teams with experience or staff dedicated to data management, it can be a great fit. For smaller teams wearing multiple hats, it might feel like a lot.
We’ve seen nonprofits thrive with both tools—when they had the right guidance. Because even if the software is “easy,” figuring out how to use it for your mission isn’t always obvious. That’s where a hands-on support team makes all the difference. With Harness, for example, we walk nonprofits through every step, making sure you’re not just using the tool—but actually making it work for you.
Customer support and service: When you need help, who’s there?
Things go wrong. People change roles. New campaigns come up. That’s why customer support isn’t just a bonus—it’s a lifeline. When you're stuck or need advice, having someone reliable to call makes a huge difference.
Bloomerang gets strong marks for its friendly support team. They offer chat and email help, plus a solid library of how-to articles. For most questions, you’ll find an answer fairly quickly. But if you’re looking for strategic advice—like how to run a better campaign or clean up your donor database—you may need to figure that part out on your own.
DonorPerfect offers more technical support options, including phone support on certain plans. They also have a large knowledge base and training videos. Like the rest of their platform, their help is there—but you may need to know what to ask for or dig around to find it.
Now here’s what we’ve noticed after working closely with nonprofits: the best support doesn’t just answer questions—it solves problems before they become headaches. That’s what we aim for at Harness. Our support team includes fundraising experts who’ve actually been in your shoes. We don’t just fix things—we guide you, plan with you, and stick with you through every campaign and pivot.
Pricing, features, and flexibility: What Bloomerang offers vs DonorPerfect
When you’re choosing a donor management system, pricing isn’t just about the number on the page—it’s about what you actually get for that price, and how well it fits your needs now and down the line.
Bloomerang keeps pricing fairly simple, especially for small nonprofits. You get core features in each plan, and things like donor retention tools and email are included without extra fees. But some features—like more advanced reports or integrations—may only come with higher-tier plans.
DonorPerfect offers more customization, but that also means it’s more à la carte. You might start with a lower-cost plan, then add on things like event tools, web forms, or advanced reports. It’s flexible, which some teams love, but it can also mean surprises when the bill shows up.
One thing we always tell folks: price is important, but so is value. A system that costs less but leaves you stuck or scrambling isn’t really saving you anything. That’s why full-service platforms like Harness are worth looking at. We include not just the tech, but the people—real fundraising pros who help you use every feature to its fullest. That kind of support often ends up saving time, money, and missed opportunities.
Which donor management platform is a good fit?
At the end of the day, both Bloomerang and DonorPerfect bring a lot to the table. Bloomerang shines when you want something clean, simple, and focused on donor retention. DonorPerfect is built for teams that want more customization and have the time to dig into a deeper system.
But if you’re still not sure which one’s right for you, maybe that’s a sign to look at the bigger picture. What if you didn’t have to choose between simplicity and depth—because you had a team helping you make it all work?
That’s what we do at Harness. We’re not just a platform with tools—we’re partners in your fundraising. Our team becomes part of your team, giving you expert guidance, hands-on support, and strategies that actually make sense for your mission. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow fast, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the main difference between Bloomerang and DonorPerfect?
Bloomerang focuses on being simple and easy to use, with built-in tools for donor retention. DonorPerfect offers more customization and advanced features, but can take longer to learn.
Which is better for small nonprofits?
Bloomerang tends to be a smoother fit for small teams or organizations just starting with donor software. It’s easy to pick up and doesn’t require a lot of setup.
Do either platforms include expert guidance?
Both offer customer support, but it's mostly technical help. If you’re looking for strategic, hands-on guidance from nonprofit experts, that’s where Harness really stands out.
How do they handle recurring donations?
Both platforms support recurring donations and let donors set up monthly gifts. The tools are there—but knowing when and how to ask is just as important, and that’s something we help our partners with at Harness.
What about integrations with tools like Constant Contact?
DonorPerfect connects with Constant Contact for email marketing, while Bloomerang has its own built-in email tools. Depending on your setup, you may need to manage multiple systems.
Are there any hidden costs?
DonorPerfect can involve more add-ons for features like web forms or event management. Bloomerang keeps more tools included, but advanced features may still cost more on higher plans. It’s always smart to ask for a detailed quote before deciding.
