How We Compare

Why CharityEngine is the Best Bonterra Alternative for Nonprofits

Bonterra combines multiple acquired technologies. CharityEngine delivers one fully unified fundraising platform built for growth.

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Acquired vs. Unified

Built for Stability and Scale

Bonterra has grown by acquiring multiple nonprofit platforms and bringing them together under one brand. This approach expands functionality but often means managing separate systems and databases.

That’s where CharityEngine stands apart.

Instead of connecting acquired technologies, CharityEngine delivers a fully unified fundraising platform with native tools and real-time data, designed to grow with your organization without adding complexity.
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Real Talk

Bonterra Pros

Bonterra has quickly become a major presence in nonprofit technology through acquisitions and expansion. Here are a few advantages many organizations recognize.

Diverse Product Suite

Bonterra brings together functionality from multiple acquired platforms, offering a broad range of tools across fundraising and engagement.

Ambitious Mission

The company positions itself as a social good software provider with a bold goal of increasing charitable giving nationwide.

Continued Industry Growth

Bonterra continues to expand through acquisitions, strengthening its market presence and growing its range of offerings.
Real Talk

Bonterra Cons 

While Bonterra offers a broad ecosystem of tools, many organizations encounter challenges related to managing multiple platforms and operational complexity. Here are some common concerns nonprofits often share.

Siloed Systems

Multiple platforms can mean separate databases, requiring syncs and manual work to consolidate data that may not be in real time.

Platform Changes and Migrations

As Bonterra evolves through acquisitions, products may be sunset, requiring organizations to move to new systems — often at additional cost.

Political Perception Concerns

Some nonprofits report concerns about political alignment associated with certain Bonterra platforms.
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Delayed Fund Distribution

Donations may be routed through the Bonterra community foundation before reaching nonprofits, and some organizations report extended payout timelines.
See how CharityEngine stacks up

CharityEngine vs. Bonterra

CharityEngine
Bonterra
Differentiators

A complete fundraising platform that puts all your data in one place

Popular and evolving nonprofit technology under one umbrella

 Pricing

$$ to $$$

$$ to $$$$

CRM & DONOR MANAGEMENT
Membership Management
Included
Included
Major Gift Management
Included
Included
Donor Pipelines
Included
Not Included
Requires Database Administrator

No

No

SustainerIQ: RECURRING GIVING
Monthly Billing Collection Rate

Up to 98.6%

70% – 90%

Sustainer Management
Included
Included
AI-Powered Payment Recovery
Included
Not Included
Automated Reactivation Communications
Included
Included
Credit Card Updater
Included
Included
Real-Time Sustainer Dashboard
Included
Not Included
FUNDRAISING
Custom Donation Forms
Included
Included
Payment Processing
Included

Third-party integration (Stripe)

MULTICHANNEL MARKETING
Advanced Email Automation
Included
Included
Text-to-Give
Included
Included
Direct Mail
Included
Included
Multichannel Attribution Tracking (including DRTV)
Included

Limited

CMS
Included
Not Included
EVENTS & VOLUNTEERS
Event Management
Included
Included
Volunteer Management
Included
Included
Auctions
Included
Included
Peer-to-Peer
Included

Yes (Acquired GiveGab)

REPORTING & ANALYTICS
Out-of-the-Box Reports

Yes (200+)

Included
Custom Dashboards
Included
Included
Query Builder
Included
Included
ADDITIONAL BUILT-IN TOOLS & MODULES
Advocacy
Included
Not Included
Case Management
Included

Requires purchase of Bonterra Impact Management

Grant Management
Included

Requires purchase of Bonterra Grants Management

Shopping Cart
Included
Not Included
Custom Surveys
Included
Included
DONOR PORTAL
Giving History/Tax Receipts
Included
Included
Membership Account Management
Included
Not Included
Monthly Gift Management
Included
Included
Ability for Donors to Manage Event Tickets and Registrants
Included
Not Included
Volunteer Shift Sign-Up
Included
Not Included
Ability for Volunteers to Report Hours
Included
Not Included
Topic of Interest/List Sign-Up Preferences
Included
Not Included
OTHER
Multi-Organization & Chapter Management
Included
Not Included
Open API
Included
Included
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Real Feedback

Customer Voices

Easy to Use

The folks at Bonterra have developed a platform that syncs all the things necessary for good development and fundraising work, then crafted software that allows someone with modest tech skills to create content like an expert.

Marketing Manager, Nonprofit Organization 
Review by G2

Delayed Payouts

We had to jump through multiple hoops to get our own money. Barely make it in time to save the event. 90 days from when the original should have arrived. Then, they delayed subsequent checks! WE COULD NOT GET THE MONEY WE RAISED!

Development Director, Nonprofit Organization
Review by G2
Next Step

See What’s Possible for Your Organization

Join the growing number of organizations achieving stronger results with a unified fundraising platform. Let’s explore what this could look like for you.
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