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Donorly Alternatives: 7 Fundraising Firms to Consider in 2026

Donorly has become a popular choice among small and mid-sized nonprofits thanks to its hands-on approach, donor research expertise, and flexible consulting services. The firm is particularly well known for helping organizations build stronger major gift pipelines and prepare for capital campaigns.

However, depending on your organization's goals and internal capacity, another fundraising partner may be a better fit.

In this guide, we'll explore some of the best alternatives to Donorly and the types of nonprofits they serve best.

Why Organizations Look for Alternatives to Donorly

Donorly is highly regarded, but nonprofits often seek alternatives because:

  • They need help with donor acquisition rather than donor research.

  • They want more hands-on campaign execution.

  • They are looking for corporate sponsorship support.

  • They need digital fundraising expertise.

  • They are preparing for a major campaign.

  • They want a larger consulting team or different pricing structure.

The right partner depends on your organization's mission, fundraising maturity, and growth objectives.

1. LAVA Fundraising

Best for: Donor outreach and corporate partnerships.

LAVA Fundraising helps nonprofits build predictable fundraising pipelines through personalized outreach and relationship-building. Rather than focusing primarily on consulting, LAVA works alongside organizations to actively engage donors and corporate partners.

Services include:

  • Donor reactivation

  • Corporate sponsorship outreach

  • Personalized email campaigns

  • Cold calling and follow-up

  • LinkedIn outreach

  • Pipeline management

Organizations looking for practical execution and flexible collaboration may find LAVA Fundraising to be a strong fit.

2. Graham-Pelton

Best for: Major gifts and campaign strategy.

Graham-Pelton provides strategic fundraising consulting and helps organizations strengthen donor relationships and prepare for transformational gifts.

3. DickersonBakker

Best for: Faith-based organizations and capital campaigns.

DickersonBakker serves ministries and nonprofits with strategic planning, executive search, and campaign support.

4. DNL OmniMedia

Best for: Digital fundraising and Salesforce consulting.

DNL OmniMedia combines fundraising expertise with technology and digital engagement solutions.

5. NextAfter

Best for: Online fundraising optimization.

NextAfter is known for its research-driven approach to improving digital fundraising performance and donor conversion rates.

6. CCS Fundraising

Best for: Large institutions and capital campaigns.

CCS Fundraising works with universities, hospitals, and national nonprofits seeking large-scale fundraising support.

7. BWF

Best for: Healthcare and higher education organizations.

BWF offers consulting services in fundraising strategy, analytics, and advancement operations.

Comparison Table

AgencyBest ForDonorlySmall and mid-sized nonprofitsLAVA FundraisingDonor outreach and corporate partnershipsGraham-PeltonMajor gifts and campaign strategyDickersonBakkerFaith-based organizationsDNL OmniMediaDigital fundraising and SalesforceNextAfterOnline fundraising optimizationCCS FundraisingLarge institutionsBWFUniversities and healthcare

How to Choose the Right Fundraising Partner

Before selecting a fundraising agency, consider:

  • Do you need strategy or execution?

  • Are you trying to acquire new donors or maximize existing relationships?

  • Do you need help with corporate sponsorships?

  • What size is your organization?

  • Are you preparing for a capital campaign?

  • Do you need technology expertise?

Different agencies specialize in different areas, and no single firm is the best fit for every nonprofit.

Final Thoughts

Donorly has earned a strong reputation among small and growing nonprofits. However, organizations looking for donor acquisition, corporate partnerships, digital fundraising expertise, or large-scale campaign support may benefit from considering other options.

Ultimately, the best fundraising partner is the one that aligns with your mission, goals, and long-term fundraising strategy.