FirstGiving Software

I have had to complain twice about the same technical issue. The problem takes weeks to get fixed. People don't call back when they say. I won't use them again after this year unless I see noticeable changes.

Pros

Relatively easy to use and ability to generate reports. The money easily transfers into my account; no issues with that.

Cons

Some parts of the interface don't work and it takes weeks for the company to fix. Only three customer service people tend to the entire country; very poor efficiency.

Cons

We received donations via FirstGiving. The check we received from FirstGiving BOUNCED (seriously, bounced). They gave us some BS excuse about writing it from the wrong account but more than a month later and we haven't received our money and now they aren't answering our emails. We are out a substantial amount of money and our donors were defrauded. STAY AWAY FROM FIRSTGIVING AT ALL COSTS.

Pros

This is one of the most easy fundraising software programs to master. Super user friendly and easily adaptable to any event or organization.

Cons

It can be a little tougher to import or export from the software for some reporting aspects. But, there are really not a lot.

Pros

i like the support team and the reasonable cost. i also like the way reports are set up and accessed.

Cons

I don't like the many difficulties I had setting up site and having to rely on customer support for some of the administration. I also don't like having to use first giving's url instead of being able to go straight to site through my onw url.

Likes Best

It is intuitive, easy to use and you get your own personal webpage for people to access.

Likes Least

The pages are not search engine optimized very well.

Recommendations

See if there is a way to better optimize customized pages.

Likes Best

It's very user-friendly and easy to navigate and share with others.

Likes Least

Sometimes the pages and events can be confusing. You don't know if you are signing up for an event, donating to a cause, or starting your own page.

Recommendations

Test how easily shareable it is through social media.

Likes Best

They are easy to work with and we receive our money in a timely fashion.

Likes Least

I think that the percentage that they charge for their fees is a bit high. I realize they need to make money but I think their fees are one of the highest.

Recommendations

I like to look at the fees charged, how easy it is to work with the company and how quickly the company gives you the donated money.

Likes Best

It's all online, has easy copy and paste inserts, and API access for more complex scenarios.

Likes Least

Sometimes it's difficult to get a good level of support.

Recommendations

Get a developer that has sufficient experience with it.

Likes Best

It was easy to log on, set up an account and start collecting money.

Likes Least

I didn't have any dislikes about this vendor. The sign on was easy and friends accessed it easily.

Recommendations

I have limited experience with this type of software but this worked well for me.

Likes Best

There is a toll-free number to call for assistance.

Likes Least

I can't figure out a way to use my individual page for the team page, so I have to create two different pages.

Recommendations

For our organization, this is the best product we've found.

Likes Best

Simple and friendly customer service. The interface in simple and basic.

Likes Least

Font is too small on the Website and sometimes it is hard to understand.

Recommendations

Recommendations for others evaluating this software or software like this is to look at the font size.

Likes Best

This product is easy to use, and provides me with a safe, secure and trackable way to make a donation.

Likes Least

I did not like the additional charge to the nonprofit, but I did like the fact that I could elect to pay the fee instead of having the organization I was donating to pay the fee..

Recommendations

I have no recommendations for others utilizing this software. It was easy to navigate through so no one should have an issue with it.

Likes Best

It's easy to raise money for charity events that I do for a local animal shelter.

Likes Least

I don't like that they charge a fee for non profits as well as for profits.

Recommendations

I don't have any recommendations at this time.

Likes Best

They make it so easy to donate to a particular cause.

Likes Least

Nothing. I have found it very easy to use every time I have used it.

Recommendations

Give your honest opinion. Follow your gut feeling.

Likes Best

It's easy to use and reasonably priced. Because so many people use it, it's imperative that I not have to take a significant amount of time explaining it. FirstGiving is simple enough that I don't have to.

Likes Least

There's nothing that I don't like about it, although there are at least a couple of other products that are comparable, and it needs to do a little more to stand out.

Recommendations

Pay very close attention to ease of use, not just to the price.

Likes Best

Easy to use for us, easy to use for the customers.

Likes Least

It would be nice if the cost was lower, but otherwise it's fine.

Recommendations

Keep in mind that price isn't everything. Also, ease of use is important.

Likes Best

The service was easy to use and was found easy by common and minimal computer knowledge.

Likes Least

I thought too much of the donation was used for admin charges.

Recommendations

Use it and I think you find it easy to use. It also has decent followup tools.

The Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore, actually the one and only RMH in the State of Maryland, is hosting its first 5K event next month. This is the first time we have used fundraising software for an event. We researched a couple of different software packages prior to choosing FirstGiving. Based on the feedback we received from our event participants, the software has been very easy to use, which is very important to our Charity. We wanted to choose software that people would be willing and able to set up on their own. Our success and experience with FirstGiving has been great!

One of the criteria in selecting fundraising software for our Charity was support; what type of support would be offered and at what level? Well, we are pleased to pass along that FirstGiving has EXCEEDED every expectation in terms of support and response to our questions! From day one to now (one month prior to our event) Nick and Camille in the Support Center have not only answered every question I called or emailed about, but they did so quickly and kindly. There was never a time when I was apprehensive about contacting them.

One of the key aspects to a successful event is support and making sure that everyone involved with the event has a good experience. For our 5K, the capability of online registration and online fundraising was the key to raising key dollars to benefit the care of the Ronald McDonald House families. We are so excited about our 5K and looking forward to Race Day on April 15th. We would strongly recommend using FirstGiving as fundraising software; we are totally hooked and will continue to branch out and use this software in helping our Ronald McDonald House raise support in the future!

Thank you FirstGiving, but a BIG THANKS to Nick and Camille for doing such a great job everyday in helping people and organizations like the Ronald McDonald House produce successful events!

We are very pleased with FirstGiving in every aspect. Thanks for all the support... every time I called I received excellent customer service! The First Tee of Dallas, who has also expressed having a great experience with FirstGiving, referred us.

We at Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest have been using FirstGiving for the last few years for our biggest fundraiser, bigBowl. This is personally my first year running the event and I have been nothing but impressed with the support provided by FirstGiving. The bigBowl event has increased this year and we have over 3,000 bowlers. With the 3,000 bowlers come plenty of questions, which come through me, and I pass them along to the FirstGiving support team. I am beyond impressed by how quickly they answer my questions and make adjustments for our bowlers.

Not only are they very timely (most of the time within a few hours), but also they are extremely polite. Even after the second or third email request I send to them on any single day, they have continued respect for the easiest question. I never feel like my questions are irrelevant. The support team helps me learn more about the program, which I am very thankful for. With the support of the FirstGiving staff and our increased knowledge of the site, we have increased our fundraising greatly from this time last year. I can't thank the support team and out account leader, Lucas, enough for all of their help in making the fundraising process VERY easy.

THANK YOU!