Idealware: Candid Information about Nonprofit Software

Idealware, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, provides candid Consumer-Reports-style reviews and articles about software of interest to nonprofits. Through product comparisons, recommendations, case studies, and software news, Idealware allows nonprofits to make the software decisions that will help them be more effective.

Comparing Options for Collaboration Software
By Laura S. Quinn, June 2009
If you’re looking for software tools that can help your group collaborate, you’ll find a lot of options. There are many different types of solutions that support many different types of needs. This article compares your options. Read more>

Please help Idealware create the reviews and articles that save you time and money. Donate now >

Many Thanks to Our Sponsor:

Beaconfire

Serving nonprofits in the evaluation, design and implementation of
Internet technology.

Introduction to Website Analytics
Wednesday, July 8th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST

Editing a Website without Technical Skills
Thursday, July 16th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST

View more seminars >

Implementing Your Donor Management Software
Your implementation plan can mean the difference between success and disaster. Keith Heller talks about the people, processes, and schedule you’ll need to smoothly implement your donor management software. Read more >

A Consumers Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems
Written in partnership with NTEN, this detailed, impartial report walks through the features that might be useful, summarizes and compares 33 different donor management systems that cost less than $4250 in the first year, and provides detailed reviews of twelve of them. Read more (free registration required) >

A Few Good Tools for Online Distributed Fundraising
by Stella Hernandez, April 2009
Distributed fundraising isn't a new thing - but the definition of distributed fundraising is evolving, and now includes the use of online tools to facilitate fundraising by supporters. Is online distributed fundraising right for your organization? Stella Hernandez explores the options. Read more>

Comparing Open Source Content Management Systems: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and Plone
March 2009
This 60-page report provides compares four free and open source systems that can help you to build and manage a website. We provide both a feature summary and detailed reviews, as well as a directory of consultants.
Read more (free registration required) >

Four Principles of Choosing Donor Management Software
By Keith Heller, March 2009
Choosing a new donor management package can inspire both excitement and dread. What principles can help you pick a system that your staff will be happy with now and for years to come? Read more >

Using RSS Tools to Feed Your Information Needs
By Peter Campbell, March 2009
The internet gives you access to a virtual smorgasbord of information. But how do you separate the useful data from all the rest? RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, can bring the information you want to you. Peter Campbell investigates the RSS tools that can help you efficiently manage your information. Read more >

Do You Need New Donor Management Software?
By Keith Heller, February 2009
Will a new software package really support your fundraising strategy better? Or will it just be an expensive path to get you back to the same place? Keith Heller explores. Read more>

Getting Your Videos Onto the Web
By Michael Hoffman, February 2009
Online videos can be a great way to showcase your organization's mission and work - but you'll need to make sure they reach your intended audience. Michael Hoffman looks at some of the ways you can distribute videos online. Read more >

A Few Good Email Discussion List Tools
December 2008
Many organizations would like to foster community and information sharing using email discussion lists. What software packages can help? We asked six nonprofit experts about the systems that have worked for them. Read more >

Selecting Software on a Shoestring
By Laura S. Quinn, December 2008
If you need an inexpensive software tool that’s not particularly strategic for your organization, traditional software selection techniques can seem awfully complicated. Here’s a simplified six-step process that can help when you just need to make a simple choice quickly. Read more >

A Few Good Association Management Systems

By Eric Leland, December 2008
Association management systems can help track your members, special gifts, invitations to events and workshops, discounts, and more. We asked five different nonprofit experts about the systems that have worked for them. Read more >

A Few Good Donor Management Tools

By Eric Leland, November 2008
The right donor management software can make a big difference in your ability to raise funds. We asked six different nonprofit technology experts about donor management software that have worked well for their nonprofit colleagues. Read more >

Open Source vs. Vendor-Provided Software: Comparing Them Side by Side

by Jeff Walpole, November 2008
Open source software applications are becoming an increasingly viable alternative to vendor provided commercial software. Jeff Walpole explores the differences between these types of software, and the pros and cons of each alternative. Read more >

A Few Good Broadcast Email Tools

November 2008
One of our most popular articles, now fully updated! Email newsletters, action alerts, or fundraising emails can be a very cost effective way to communicate with your supporters, but it can be complex to send and track thousands of emails. We talked to eleven nonprofit technology experts to find out what eNewsletter tools have worked well for them. Read more >

The Truth About Hosted Software Packages

November 2008
Should you consider hosted or Software As a Service software applications for your nonprofit? There are a lot of conflicting and often inaccurate messages out there: They're not secure! Use them – they'll replace your IT staff! Perhaps they'll change your life… or perhaps they're evil. What's the truth? Read more >

A Few Good Online Survey Tools

October 2008
Online surveys can be a huge help in understanding what your constituents think and how successful your programs are - without breaking your budget. We spoke to a number of nonprofit staff members to understand how the existing online survey tools compare. Read more >

The Basics of Email Metrics: Are Your Campaigns Working?

October 2008
Email metrics can help you determine the effectiveness of email communications - like your eNewsletter or email appeals. We talk through the data points and the calculations that can be useful, and how to use them to improve results. Read more >

The Perfect Fit: A Guide to Evaluating and Purchasing Major Software System

By Peter Campbell, September 2008
A major software package shouldn't be chosen lightly. In this detailed guide, Peter Campbell walks through how to find software options, evaluate them, make a good decision, and then purchase the system in a way that protects you. Read more>