Microsoft’s recent announcement regarding the retirement of its Fundraising and Engagement solution for nonprofits has sent ripples through the sector, creating a wave of uncertainty and concern among charitable organisations. As the tech giant phases out this pivotal tool, with support ending by December 31, 2026, and licensing ceasing as of January 1, 2025, nonprofits are now faced with critical decisions about their technology strategy.

The Immediate Impact

For a number of nonprofits, Microsoft’s Fundraising and Engagement solution has been a critical part of their fundraising operations. The announcement has triggered immediate concerns about the future stability and sustainability of their fundraising efforts. With no further product enhancements and only critical security updates until the end of 2026, nonprofits must now grapple with the challenge of maintaining an effective fundraising infrastructure without ongoing development support.

Loss of Trust and Confidence

This move has inevitably led to a loss of trust within the sector. Nonprofits rely heavily on consistent and reliable tools to manage their fundraising and engagement activities. The sudden discontinuation of a widely used platform by a major player like Microsoft shakes these organisations' confidence in large technology providers. Charities are now more wary of the potential risks associated with relying on commercial platforms that may be retired without ample notice or sufficient alternatives.

Your options

Microsoft suggests in their communications for customers to explore Microsoft partner solutions for donor management and fundraising built on Dynamics 365 Sales that have been specifically designed for customers transitioning from Fundraising and Engagement. 

But that transition is likely to be expensive, requiring data migration, new licensing and retraining of staff. But those are not the only options available to organisations and many are already learning the lessons from their experience with commercial platforms and deciding to explore tooling dedicated to the market.

Why CiviPlus is the Right Choice

CiviPlus, a charity-focused Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform based on the open source CiviCRM, stands out as a perfect alternative for a number of key reasons:

  1. Stability and Assurance: Unlike commercial solutions that may be subject to abrupt retirement, CiviPlus is specifically designed and sustained with the long-term needs of nonprofits in mind. Based on the Open Source CiviCRM, which has been supporting non profits since 2005, there is no concern of the product being pulled from the market, offering nonprofits peace of mind and stability.
  2. Continuous Development: CiviPlus is committed to ongoing product enhancements and updates, ensuring that nonprofits have access to the latest features and technologies. This commitment means that organisations can continuously improve their fundraising and engagement capabilities without the fear of obsolescence.
  3. Tailored Features: As a platform built for charities, CiviPlus offers features and functionalities that are directly aligned with the unique needs of the nonprofit sector. From donor management to campaign tracking and volunteer coordination, every aspect of the CRM is optimised to support the critical operations of charitable organisations.
  4. Community and Support: CiviPlus boasts a robust support system and a community of users who share best practices and insights. This collaborative environment helps nonprofits maximise the effectiveness of their fundraising efforts and navigate challenges with the support of a dedicated network.

Conclusion

The retirement of Microsoft’s Fundraising and Engagement solution is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in relying on commercial technology providers. For nonprofits, the decision to transition to a nonprofit-specific platform like CiviPlus is not just a strategic move, but one that could ensure continuity, reliability, and growth. 

As the sector adapts to this significant change, we’re proud to be able to offer a solution grounded in stability and innovation, empowering nonprofits to focus on their mission with confidence in their long term technological foundation. For more information, visit CiviPlus, get in touch or book a chat with us today.