Last year Microsoft announced that it would be retiring it’s Fundraising & Engagement solution. If your organisation is using Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement, a key component of Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit, you may have already been notified that it is approaching the end of its lifecycle. Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement’s retirement is set for the end of 2026, nonprofits need to start planning their transition as soon as possible.
Let’s have a look at what this means for your organisation. Start planning your move away from Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement. Below we have included key dates to help you prepare, shed light on the migration process and we will explore a Microsoft cloud-based alternative donation management CRM solution designed specifically for nonprofits in Australia and New Zealand.
Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement retirement announcement
Microsoft officially announced that Fundraising & Engagement will be retired by 31 December, 2026. This was announced in July 2024, from the time of this first announcement, Microsoft is no longer actively selling the solution, and by 31 December, 2024, it will be removed from Microsoft’s price list.
The most critical date to note is 31 December, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US)—after which all technical support for MS F&E will cease. While security updates may still be provided, there will be no further enhancements or fixes. This means that any issues arising post-retirement will remain unresolved, and the platform will no longer evolve to meet the needs of modern nonprofits.
What do Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement customers need to do in 2025?
If your organisation relies on Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement, it’s essential to start planning your transition now. After 2026, the platform will become stagnant, making it increasingly difficult to keep up with industry changes, compliance requirements, and technological advancements.
Start thinking about these important considerations:
- Choosing a new platform: Identifying the best replacement for Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement
- Cost evaluation: Understanding the financial implications of a new solution and a migration project
- Migration complexity: Planning for necessary data transfer and system integration
- Staff training: Ensuring adoption of the new platform
- Opportunities for improvement: Leveraging this transition to optimise fundraising and engagement processes
What you need is a smart donation management and donor engagement CRM solution
Klevr Fundraising is a purpose-built donation management CRM created with direct Not For Profit industry consultation, by a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner and Fundraising Institute of Australia supplier member.
Instead of shifting to a completely different ecosystem, nonprofits can continue to leverage the Dynamics 365 platform and wider Microsoft 365 Cloud while adopting the Klevr Fundraising solution. This approach ensures continuity while providing an improved, future-proof alternative.
Why choose Klevr Fundraising?
- A nonprofit-specific data model: Designed to accommodate donor management, grant tracking, event management, and program delivery
- Seamless Microsoft integration: Works with the tools you are already using like Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Copilot and Power BI
- Enhanced flexibility and customisation: Configurable to meet unique nonprofit needs without excessive development effort
- Long-term viability: Backed by our ongoing investment in cloud-based nonprofit solutions, with close collaboration with the Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI) team.
How to plan your transition from Microsoft Fundraising & Engagement
A successful transition requires careful planning and execution, Walkerscott can assist you with the whole project, reach out to start the conversation today. Here’s our structured approach:
- Get a free migration assessment funded by Microsoft
- Our Microsoft Migration Assessment, valued at over $5,000 USD, is funded by Microsoft for eligible Fundraising & Engagement customers.
- This assessment will provide you with a clear roadmap to move to the Dynamics 365-based Klevr Fundraising solution, covering benefits, costs, and timelines.
- Data Migration Planning
- Map existing data to Klevr Fundraising (Dynamics 365-based solution – making this process super easy)
- Clean and standardise data for consistency
- System Configuration
- Set up customised fields, workflows, and automations
- Integrate with existing Microsoft tools and third-party applications
- Data Migration Execution
- Perform test migrations to validate accuracy
- Complete the final migration with minimal disruption
- User Training and Adoption
- Provide training sessions tailored to different user roles
- Ensure ongoing support and guidance during the transition
- Post-Migration Support and Optimisation
- Continue refining processes and configurations
- Document best practices and provide long-term support
Why should you start planning your transition from Microsoft Fundraising and Engagement in 2025?
Although the official end-of-support date seems like a while away in December 2026, migrating from a core system like Microsoft F&E is not an overnight process. Early planning ensures a smoother transition, reduces risk, and allows nonprofits to take advantage of new functionalities that enhance operations and donor engagement.
If you’re ready to explore a Microsoft-compatible solution designed for nonprofits in Australia and New Zealand, we can help guide you through every step of the process. Get in touch today to start planning your transition and future-proof your nonprofit’s digital fundraising and engagement strategy.