iWave vs. DonorSearch: How They Compare

Both iWave and DonorSearch are leading wealth screening and donor research tools for nonprofits, but they cater to slightly different needs and offer distinct features.

1. Data Sources and Focus:

• iWave:
  • Pulls data from a wide range of sources, including real estate holdings, stock ownership, foundations, political contributions, and charitable giving records.
  • Offers a comprehensive donor profile, combining wealth data with philanthropic and biographical insights.
  • Known for its customizable scoring system, allowing users to prioritize prospects based on specific criteria like giving history, wealth, or affinity to the cause.
• DonorSearch:
  • Specializes in philanthropic giving history, focusing heavily on donors’ previous contributions to other nonprofits.
  • Its database is designed to help nonprofits identify individuals who are not only wealthy but also actively engaged in philanthropy.
  • Offers a Predictive Modeling tool that leverages charitable and wealth data to forecast giving potential, emphasizing high-affinity donors.

2. Wealth Data vs. Charitable Data:

• iWave:
  • Provides a more holistic view of a prospect by offering insights into both wealth and philanthropic behavior.
  • Great for organizations that want to balance financial capacity with a prospect’s connection to charitable causes.
• DonorSearch:
  • Places a heavier emphasis on charitable giving history, making it a preferred choice for nonprofits that prioritize donors’ philanthropic behavior over raw wealth data.

3. User Base:

• iWave:
  • Used by a variety of organizations, including healthcare institutions, universities, and nonprofits.
  • Known for its flexibility and customizable prospect scoring, allowing organizations to tailor research to their specific goals.
• DonorSearch:
  • Primarily focused on nonprofit organizations, especially those looking to build or refine their major donor portfolios.
  • Its core strength is in identifying high-affinity donors based on their philanthropic engagement.

4. Pricing and Accessibility:

• iWave:
  • Known for offering tiered pricing models that cater to both small and large organizations. It’s flexible, but some smaller nonprofits might find the higher-end plans a bit expensive.
• DonorSearch:
  • Often viewed as more affordable for small to mid-sized nonprofits, particularly with its focus on providing detailed philanthropic data rather than high-end wealth insights.

5. User Experience and Integration:

• iWave:
  • Offers a highly customizable platform, which allows users to create donor scores based on multiple criteria. It integrates with popular CRM systems, giving nonprofits flexibility in how they use the data.
• DonorSearch:
  • Known for its user-friendly interface and easy integrations with many nonprofit CRM platforms, making it easier for organizations to pull in donor insights and wealth screening data.

A Great Alternative for Small Nonprofits: NPOAuthority

For smaller nonprofits or those looking for a more affordable, user-friendly alternative to the big players like iWave and DonorSearch, NPOAuthority is an excellent option.

NPOAuthority offers wealth screening and prospect research tools tailored to the needs of smaller nonprofits, providing them with the insights they need without the steep learning curve or high costs often associated with larger platforms. It’s a simpler, more accessible solution for organizations that need powerful donor data but want a more budget-friendly and approachable platform.

If you’re a nonprofit looking for affordable wealth screening with a focus on ease of use and scalability, NPOAuthority is definitely worth checking out!