Not a University? Here's Why AlumnIQ Isn't Built for Your Nonprofit

AlumnIQ charges 3% per gift and requires a demo. Zeffy is free, instant, and built for any nonprofit.

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Zeffy VS AlumnIQ

Zeffy VS AlumnIQ: What nonprofits should know before choosing.

Zeffy
AlumnIQ
Pricing
Zeffy:

$

0.

Completely free. Always. But how? →

AlumnIQ:

3%.

platform cut + card fees per gift

Processing fees
Zeffy:

$

0.

$0 in credit card and transaction fees. Zeffy covers these. How? →

AlumnIQ:

Varies.

Credit card processing fees vary by payment gateway

Platform fees
Zeffy:

$

0.

Zeffy never takes a cut. Unlike platforms that skim 3–5%, you keep 100% of every donation.

AlumnIQ:

3%.

per gift as an admin platform fee

Monthly fees
Zeffy:

$

0/month.

No subscriptions, no paywalls. Every org, big or small, gets full access for free.

AlumnIQ:

N/A.

Custom quote-based pricing — no public monthly pricing available

Other fees
Zeffy:

$

0.

We've never charged a single cent to nonprofits and we never will.

AlumnIQ:

N/A.

No other fees mentioned

Pricing transparency
Zeffy:

10/10.

No platform fees, no credit card fees, no hidden fees, no fees period!

AlumnIQ:

3/10.

No public pricing page. Fees buried in terms, help docs, and third-party sites. Requires demo for costs.

Value for money
Zeffy:

5/5.

450+ reviews on Capterra. All-in-one fundraising, zero fees, unbeatable value.

AlumnIQ:

N/A.

Features
Zeffy:

5/5.

No training needed. Built for busy nonprofit teams, not tech pros. Launch a campaign in under 30 minutes.

AlumnIQ:

N/A.

Built for alumni engagement, not fundraising - requires separate platforms for donations and year-round campaigns

Donations
Zeffy:
Yes

Donations without the cut. Custom forms, tax receipts, donor tracking — all fee-free.

AlumnIQ:
No

AlumnIQ focuses on alumni engagement and CRM - fundraising tools require integration with separate platforms

Ticketing
Zeffy:
Yes

Sell tickets, check in guests, track sales — and keep 100%. No fees. No fine print.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Event registration available but limited to alumni events - not built for broader nonprofit ticketing needs

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Zeffy:
Yes

Teams or individuals launch fundraising pages in minutes. Track progress, keep 100%. No fees.

AlumnIQ:
No

No peer-to-peer fundraising - focuses on direct alumni engagement rather than campaign-based fundraising

Auctions
Zeffy:
Yes

Run auctions without giving up a percentage. List items, track bids, collect payments — all fee-free.

AlumnIQ:
No

No auction tools - CRM focused on alumni engagement and giving, requires separate auction software

Raffles
Zeffy:
Yes

Host online raffles and 50/50s. Track sales, set ticket limits, stay compliant — all without paying a cent.

AlumnIQ:
No

No raffle tools - would need third-party integration to run fundraising raffles or contests

Online Store
Zeffy:
Yes

Skip the tool sprawl. Sell merch and manage your store in one place — no fees, no add-ons.

AlumnIQ:
No

No online store functionality - designed for alumni engagement, not merchandise or product sales

Memberships
Zeffy:
Yes

Automate memberships with no per-member fees. Dues go straight to your org — perfect for clubs, alumni, and supporters.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Alumni membership tracking with engagement scoring and lifecycle management built for educational institutions

Donor management/CRM
Zeffy:
Yes

Ditch the expensive CRM. Track donations, send thank-yous, and build donor loyalty — all fee-free.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Alumni-specific CRM with engagement tracking, giving history, and relationship management tools

Emails & Newsletter
Zeffy:
Yes

Manage contacts and send newsletters from the same place you fundraise. Unlimited sends, no fees.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Built-in email campaigns with templates, segmentation, and engagement tracking for alumni communication

Payment Processing
Zeffy:
Yes

Accept donations, ticket sales, and payments — all 100% fee-free. No cuts, no hidden fees, ever.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Integrates with Stripe and other processors - requires connecting third-party payment platform

Payment Methods
Zeffy:
Yes

All-in-one fundraising: donations, events, memberships, email, and donor CRM — 100% free.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Card payments only via an integrated payment partner; no digital wallets, ACH bank transfers, or native in-person payment tools.

Credit Card Payments
Zeffy:
Yes

Accept all major credit cards with zero processing fees. Zeffy covers the cost — you keep 100% of every donation.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Card payments through integrated processor - limited to AlumnIQ's payment partner with standard processing fees

Apple Pay & Google Pay
Zeffy:
Yes

One-tap donations and tickets with Apple Pay & Google Pay. No fees, just smooth mobile checkouts.

AlumnIQ:
No

No digital wallet support - donors limited to traditional card entry which can reduce conversion rates

ACH / Bank Transfers
Zeffy:
Yes

Accept bank transfers with zero fees. Full donation amounts go straight to your mission.

AlumnIQ:
No

No ACH bank transfer options - card-only donations mean higher fees on large gifts from major donors

Tap to Pay App
Zeffy:
Yes

Anyone on your team can take payments from their phone. No card reader, no fees, no friction.

AlumnIQ:
No

No in-person payment tools - CRM focuses on digital engagement, requires separate hardware for events

Support
Zeffy:

5/5.

Real humans, real fast. Free email and phone support — no bots, no paywalls, no runaround.

AlumnIQ:

N/A.

Support access depends on subscription tier - free trial users get limited help, and phone support requires paid plans.

Help Center
Zeffy:
Yes

Searchable help docs, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides — all free, all the time.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Yes - Comprehensive help center with guides, tutorials, and FAQs at no charge

Email Support
Zeffy:
Yes

Email us anytime. Most questions answered within hours — not days.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Email support available but gated behind paid plans - free trial users get limited help options

Phone Support
Zeffy:
Yes

Need to talk? Call us. Real support from real people who understand nonprofits.

AlumnIQ:
Yes

Phone support available for paid customers only - no free tier access to live help

Onboarding
Zeffy:
Yes

Get set up in under 30 minutes. No training required — but we're here if you need us.

AlumnIQ:
No

No dedicated onboarding — self-serve setup via the help center and guides

Community
Zeffy:
Yes

Join thousands of nonprofits sharing tips, templates, and best practices.

AlumnIQ:
No

No community forum or user groups available

Zeffy is 100% free, always.

Why Zeffy over AlumnIQ?

You don't need alumni software to run a nonprofit

🔗

You don't need alumni software to run a nonprofit

Zeffy gives you donations, ticketing, CRM, and email in one place with zero fees, so you can focus on your mission instead of stitching tools together

🎓

Built for alumni relations, not grassroots fundraising

AlumnIQ is designed for higher education institutions with dedicated advancement teams, not small nonprofits running multiple campaigns on tight budgets.

💸

Hidden costs add up before you even launch

AlumnIQ requires a custom quote, charges 3% per gift, and adds card processing fees on top — making it hard to budget or predict your real costs upfront.

⚡

Get started in minutes, not months

Zeffy's built for small teams who need to launch fast — no demos, no sales calls, no waiting on custom quotes. Sign up free and start fundraising today.

Questions nonprofits ask when choosing between Zeffy and AlumnIQ

How much does Zeffy cost compared to AlumnIQ?

Zeffy is 100% free with zero platform fees or monthly charges. AlumnIQ requires a custom quote, charges 3% per gift, and adds card processing fees on top. With Zeffy, donors can leave a voluntary contribution to keep the platform running.

Can I use Zeffy without scheduling a demo or waiting for a custom quote?

Yes. Sign up for Zeffy in minutes and start fundraising right away. AlumnIQ requires scheduling a demo and waiting for custom pricing before you can get started, which delays your ability to launch campaigns.

Does Zeffy work for nonprofits that aren't universities or alumni groups?

Absolutely. Zeffy is built for all types of nonprofits, from animal rescues to community groups. AlumnIQ is designed specifically for higher education institutions with alumni relations teams, making it less practical for grassroots organizations.

Can I accept ACH bank transfers and digital wallets with Zeffy?

Yes. Zeffy supports ACH bank transfers, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. AlumnIQ only accepts card payments through third-party processors, which means higher fees on large donations and fewer payment options for your donors.

What support does Zeffy offer?

Zeffy offers unlimited email and chat support to all users at no extra cost. AlumnIQ gates phone support behind paid tiers and focuses help resources on alumni relations professionals, not general nonprofit teams.

Does Zeffy include a CRM for tracking donors?

Yes. Zeffy includes built-in donor management tools so you can track giving history, segment supporters, send personalized thank-you messages, and set up automated receipts — all in one platform with no extra cost.

How does Zeffy compare to ToucanTech for alumni engagement?

Zeffy offers zero-fee fundraising with integrated CRM and email tools for any nonprofit, while ToucanTech focuses on alumni networks for schools. Zeffy lets you start immediately without a demo, and you keep 100% of what you raise.

Can I run events and sell tickets with Zeffy instead of AlumnIQ?

Yes. Zeffy includes event ticketing, registration, and donor management in one free platform. AlumnIQ focuses on relationship tracking for higher ed and doesn't offer the same all-in-one event tools.

How much can my nonprofit save by switching from AlumnIQ to Zeffy?

AlumnIQ charges 3% per gift plus card processing fees. With Zeffy, you pay zero platform or transaction fees — nonprofits using Zeffy for alumni engagement have reported saving $2,000+ per year.

Is Zeffy really free, or are there hidden costs?

Zeffy is 100% free for nonprofits — no platform fees, no monthly charges, no hidden costs. The platform is funded by optional donor tips, which are never required. You keep every dollar you raise.

Still undecided?

Keep comparing — and see why nonprofits choose Zeffy

100,000+ nonprofits trust Zeffy — and keep their fees at $0.

For 7+ years, Zeffy has supported nonprofits with free, user-friendly fundraising tools.

As a startup nonprofit with only two members, and no funding (yet) we’d need something with low (or no) fees. Zeffy was a dream come true.

Masey, Loose Ends.

Read the full story
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“We were incurring a ton of fees for our past fundraising platform and Zeffy has helped us receive so much more of our donations.”
Amy R
Amy R
Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago
Zeffy has been invaluable in helping me track our donors, sales, events, and revenue in one spot. The coolest thing about Zeffy is it really is free!
Debra B
Debra B
Glory to Glory Women's Mentoring Ministry
Everything about Zeffy suits us starting with (of course, NO fees) but also the ease of use and customer experience as well as their client support!!
Carmen M
Carmen M
DIVINA World Foundation
Zeffy is very easy to use and ensures that every dollar quickly gets into our account.. A huge help to our work!
Nathan C
Nathan C
Jiwa International
Zeffy is very simple, allows for a lot of customization and seamlessly integrates into our website. The fact that all of this is free is still wild to me.
Ryan S
Ryan S
Jesters Theatre: Youth Unlimited
We couldn't believe there was a free payment platform for our Girl Scout group. Zeffy took ZERO fees from us, which is huge when you run on very small amounts of money.
Jennifer H
Jennifer H
GSCB Troop 144
We were ready to sell tickets in less than 30 minutes. The reporting capabilities were better than some other paid-for sites.
Mark B
Mark B
Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation
Since using Zeffy, our conversion rate of donations has skyrocketed. It's an easy platform to use. Plus customer support has always been responsive and helpful!
Stevie C
Stevie C
We Are HER