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Blackbaud Raiser's Edge vs Charity Navigator

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge logo

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Software

Enterprise-grade donor management system

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Charity Navigator logo

Charity Navigator

Software

Nonprofit intelligence and rating platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Charity Navigator has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Blackbaud Raiser's Edge pricing is not published and requires a sales conversation; Charity Navigator charity Navigator is a free 501(c)(3) nonprofit service funded by donor donations rather than charging the charities it rates, so it has no vendor pricing model to compare (own about-us page).
  • They diverge on capability: Blackbaud Raiser's Edge covers Donor management, Charity Navigator covers Nonprofit ratings.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and Charity Navigator actually diverge.

Attributes where Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and Charity Navigator differ
AttributeBlackbaud Raiser's EdgeCharity Navigator
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, MobileWeb, Mobile-responsive
Founded19812001

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

  • Donor management
  • Gift tracking
  • Prospect research
  • Campaign management
  • Advanced reporting
  • Stripe
  • PayPal
  • Salesforce

Only in Charity Navigator

  • Nonprofit ratings
  • Financial analysis
  • Donor reviews
  • Impact metrics
  • Fundraising data
  • GiveWell
  • BBB Wise Giving Alliance
  • Mobile-responsive support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

  • Donor management and gift processing for nonprofitsnot Charity Navigator
  • Major gift portfolio management for fundraisersnot Charity Navigator
  • Campaign and appeal trackingnot Charity Navigator
  • Prospect research and wealth screeningnot Charity Navigator
  • Fundraising reporting for boards and fundersnot Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator

  • Business operationsnot Blackbaud Raiser's Edge
  • Productivitynot Blackbaud Raiser's Edge
  • Automationnot Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

  • Pricing is not published and requires a sales conversation
  • Aimed at mid-sized and large nonprofits with dedicated development teams rather than small charities

Charity Navigator

  • Charity Navigator is a free 501(c)(3) nonprofit service funded by donor donations rather than charging the charities it rates, so it has no vendor pricing model to compare (own about-us page).

Pricing, plan by plan

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

On request
  • Standard$200/month
    • Donor database
    • Gift tracking
    • Reports
  • Premium$500/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Prospect research
    • Custom reporting

Charity Navigator

Free
  • Free ProfileFree
    • Nonprofit profile
    • Ratings
    • Financial data

Which should you pick?

Choose Blackbaud Raiser's Edge if

  • You need donor management.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want gift tracking.
Blackbaud Raiser's Edge review

Choose Charity Navigator if

  • You need nonprofit ratings.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
  • You also want financial analysis.
Charity Navigator review

Questions people ask

Is Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or Charity Navigator better?
Neither clearly leads. Blackbaud Raiser's Edge starts at On request and Charity Navigator at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or Charity Navigator?
Charity Navigator has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and Free for Charity Navigator.
Does Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or Charity Navigator run on more platforms?
Blackbaud Raiser's Edge runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. Charity Navigator runs on Web, Mobile-responsive.
Can I use Charity Navigator for free?
Yes. Charity Navigator has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blackbaud Raiser's Edge starts at On request.
What is Blackbaud Raiser's Edge best used for?
Blackbaud Raiser's Edge is most often used for donor management and gift processing for nonprofits, major gift portfolio management for fundraisers, campaign and appeal tracking, prospect research and wealth screening. Of those, donor management and gift processing for nonprofits and major gift portfolio management for fundraisers are not what Charity Navigator is typically brought in for.
What can Blackbaud Raiser's Edge do that Charity Navigator cannot?
Blackbaud Raiser's Edge covers Donor management, Gift tracking, Prospect research, Campaign management. Charity Navigator covers Nonprofit ratings, Financial analysis, Donor reviews, Impact metrics. Both handle Web support.
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