With 88% of US institutions using some type of CRM solution, two choices in particular, Raiser’s Edge NXT (also referred to as RE NXT) and Salesforce, have emerged as the time-tested options for institutions and nonprofits not looking to build a custom CRM system from scratch.

In this blog, we’ll compare RE NXT vs. Salesforce and dissect where they each excel, where they fall behind, and which option you should consider.

Raiser’s Edge NXT overview

With Blackbaud having over 30 years of experience in the field, they have developed an understanding of what goes into making a CRM focused on engaging alumni and raising funds. In 2015, Blackbaud introduced Raiser’s Edge NXT, a modernized, cloud-based version of Raiser’s Edge (also called Raiser’s Edge 7). Built specifically for donor management and fundraising, it has thrived as one of the most popular CRM choices for advancement teams and nonprofits over the years.

Blackbaud maintains both versions at the moment but currently focuses on updating RE NXT to replace the legacy Raiser’s Edge CRM eventually.

💡Advancement teams often extend the power of Raiser’s Edge NXT with Almabase, enabling powerful alumni engagement, streamlined events, and the best two-way sync with RE NXT in the industry — eliminating manual pulls or connectors.

Salesforce overview

Salesforce itself probably needs no introduction. Being a big player in the global CRM market, it is no surprise that they eventually moved into advancement needs as well. Their Education Cloud and Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP), in particular, are what advancement teams look to as the other major offering to consider beyond Raiser’s Edge NXT.

Depending on your needs, Salesforce may provide you with simple donor management software or an all-around student and alumni management ecosystem.

Raiser’s Edge NXT vs Salesforce: Feature comparison

Now that you have a general refresher on these two CRM choices, let’s break down the key differences between them.

What makes Raiser’s Edge NXT a good choice?

RE NXT is undeniably a strong choice for institutions and nonprofits whose main goal is to manage constituents and raise funds without having to think about too many integrations. Blackbaud’s long-term experience in their specific niche means that teams can have incredibly deep processes and granular data for advancement needs.

On the other hand, Blackbaud’s more focused approach does mean that for-profits and teams looking for deep integrations with a wide variety of multi-industry tools may find Raiser’s Edge lacking in certain areas.

💡See how Almabase’s Raiser’s Edge NXT integration helped The Master’s Seminary automate its process and get 37% of its database updated in 45 days.
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What makes Salesforce a good choice?

Salesforce’s strengths lie in its ecosystem and the extensive customization it offers. If you have the time and resources to allocate to setting everything up properly and training staff, Salesforce can fulfill your advancement needs and your institution’s other needs, such as admissions, recruitment, student success, etc., pretty well.

On the flipside, Salesforce requires a lot of investment to bring out its true potential as integrations add up, and more people need to be assigned for maintenance.

Raiser’s Edge NXT vs Salesforce: Final Thoughts

The two choices essentially boil down to whether you are looking for a CRM specialized for advancement and fundraising or an all-in-one CRM that you can spend some time with to build your preferred CRM environment.

While both options offer great CRM functionality, Raiser’s Edge NXT, in our opinion, slightly edges it out as the go-to for teams focused solely on fundraising, constituent management, and engagement. When paired with a platform like Almabase, institutions unlock a new level of functionality for all their engagement, fundraising, and event management needs.

Regardless of which choice seems better for you at this point, it will require a huge chunk of your time and effort to migrate to any CRM, as well as investment and training to find all the integrations you need and get your staff up to speed with the respective environments.