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Nonprofit & Fundraising · head to head

Facebook Fundraisers vs Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Facebook Fundraisers logo

Facebook Fundraisers

Nonprofit & Fundraising

Integrated fundraising on Facebook

From
Free
Rated
-
Blackbaud Raiser's Edge logo

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Nonprofit & Fundraising

Enterprise-grade donor management system

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Facebook Fundraisers has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Facebook Fundraisers no donor email collection unless donor explicitly opts in, limiting donor stewardship and relationship-building; Blackbaud Raiser's Edge pricing is not published and requires a sales conversation
  • They diverge on capability: Facebook Fundraisers covers Campaign creation, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge covers Donor management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Facebook Fundraisers and Blackbaud Raiser's Edge actually diverge.

Attributes where Facebook Fundraisers and Blackbaud Raiser's Edge differ
AttributeFacebook FundraisersBlackbaud Raiser's Edge
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20041981

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Nonprofit & Fundraising).

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 Facebook Fundraisers

  • Campaign creation
  • Donation collection
  • Social sharing
  • Donation tracking
  • Team fundraising
  • Facebook Pages
  • Instagram
  • Messenger

Only in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Facebook Fundraisers

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

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

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

Where each one falls short

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

Facebook Fundraisers

  • No donor email collection unless donor explicitly opts in, limiting donor stewardship and relationship-building
  • Slow payouts of 15-45 days for enrolled nonprofits, up to 90 days for unenrolled organizations
  • No recurring giving option after discontinuation in 2023, limiting lifetime donor value
  • Limited customization and branding control compared to dedicated fundraising platforms
  • Not available in European Economic Area countries as of July 1, 2024

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Facebook Fundraisers

Free
  • Standard$undefined/mo
    • Donation collection
    • Birthday fundraisers
    • Matching donations on Instagram

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Facebook Fundraisers if

  • You need campaign creation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want donation collection.

Choose Blackbaud Raiser's Edge if

  • You need donor management.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want gift tracking.

Questions people ask

Is Facebook Fundraisers or Blackbaud Raiser's Edge better?
Neither clearly leads. Facebook Fundraisers starts at Free and Blackbaud Raiser's Edge at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Facebook Fundraisers or Blackbaud Raiser's Edge?
Facebook Fundraisers has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Facebook Fundraisers and On request for Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.
Does Facebook Fundraisers or Blackbaud Raiser's Edge run on more platforms?
Facebook Fundraisers runs on Web, iOS, Android. Blackbaud Raiser's Edge runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Facebook Fundraisers for free?
Yes. Facebook Fundraisers has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blackbaud Raiser's Edge starts at On request.
What is Facebook Fundraisers best used for?
Facebook Fundraisers is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation. Of those, business operations and productivity are not what Blackbaud Raiser's Edge is typically brought in for.
What can Facebook Fundraisers do that Blackbaud Raiser's Edge cannot?
Facebook Fundraisers covers Campaign creation, Donation collection, Social sharing, Donation tracking. Blackbaud Raiser's Edge covers Donor management, Gift tracking, Prospect research, Campaign management. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Facebook Fundraisers: Are there any fees for Facebook Fundraisers for nonprofits?

Meta covers payment processing fees for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. However, PayPal Giving Fund, which processes all donations, applies 1.99% + $0.49 per donation in the US. For eligible nonprofits, Meta covers these fees, so the nonprofit keeps 100% of donations.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: When will I receive my donations?

Enrolled nonprofits receive donations within 15-45 days. Unenrolled organizations wait up to 90 days. Payouts go through PayPal Giving Fund.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: Can I collect donor email addresses?

No. Facebook only provides the donor's name and donation amount unless the donor explicitly opts in to share their email during the donation process.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: Does Facebook Fundraisers support recurring monthly donations?

No. Native recurring giving was discontinued in October 2023. Donors can only make one-time contributions.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: What platforms can I use to fundraise on?

Facebook Fundraisers are available on Facebook Pages, Instagram, and WhatsApp for verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Donors can contribute via donation buttons on posts, stories, live streams, and matching donation features on Instagram.

Source

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