Hi Judith,
In the past I have always use Eventbright though I have heard great things about it Little Green Light-a donor management software for Nonprofs. Just last year I started using Flipcause for the Bike Library. No huge complications to speak of, but as with anything else there is a learning curve. I like using Flipcause for the most part. You can get it on tech soup for 50% off. If you want to try it out they have a referral program that I can send you an invite to (our org then gets $100), but if not no worries. I have also heard good things about Sales Force.
I'd prefer to simply have folks register on a free platform and pay when they come to the event and/or still contribute when they end up not being able to make it. However, I think those days for my projects are over because I have bought into getting extra assistance with easy donor tracking for large events/fundraisers. Besides, if we want to grow our fundraising efforts one of our main priorities to retaining donors and the paid platforms help do that.
To add the creative touch that I feel is lost using large paid platforms for our fundraisers, we commissioned a local artist to do a print for us and gave them to high donors and all .volunteers. So combining funky with the tech stuff is key for us.
Peace & grease,
Audrey Wiedemeier (She/her/hers)
Iowa City Bike Library, Director
700 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City
Hours: Sat. 10-3, Mon. 5-7, Tues. 6-8,
Wed. 6-8, Thurs. 6-8, Fri. 4:30-6:30
C: (515) 450-1651