The right platform depends on your organisation's size, digital maturity and long-term goals. However, most not-for-profits benefit from selecting a CMS that balances ease of use, governance, security and integration capabilities.
What not-for-profits should prioritise
When evaluating a CMS, look for:
- Easy content editing for non-technical users
- Strong security and maintenance processes
- Accessibility support
- Flexible content structures
- Scalable architecture
- Long-term vendor stability
- Integration capabilities
Integration is often more important than features
Most not-for-profits rely on multiple systems to operate effectively. Your website should work seamlessly with:
- CRM platforms
- Donation and fundraising systems
- Marketing automation tools
- Event management platforms
- Membership systems
- Analytics and reporting tools
A CMS that integrates well with these systems will often deliver more value than one with a longer list of built-in features.
Popular CMS options for not-for-profits
Umbraco
A strong choice for organisations that prioritise usability and flexibility.
Benefits of Umbraco include:
- Intuitive content editing
- Strong accessibility support
- Flexible information architecture
- Low to no licensing costs
- Extensive integration options
Xperience by Kentico
Well suited to larger organisations with more complex requirements.
Benefits include:
- Enterprise-grade governance
- Advanced content management capabilities
- Personalisation and marketing functionality
- Support for large digital ecosystems
- Strong integration capabilities
Choosing the right CMS
A CMS should help your organisation communicate its mission, manage content efficiently and support fundraising, engagement and service delivery goals. The best platform is the one that aligns with your organisational needs, rather than the one with the longest feature list.