# Sustain Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra

> Is Sustain the right Donation Management solution for you? Explore 20 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/100388/Sustain/reviews

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Sustain

3.6 (20)

Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/)

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Last updated March 13th, 2026

# Reviews of Sustain

Ease of use

3.5

Customer Service

4.0

## Showing most helpful reviews

Showing 1-20 of 20 Reviews

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Most Helpful

Rating

Company Size

Reviewer's Role

Length of Use

Frequency of Use

KL

Kimberly L.  
Development Director  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Love Sustain"

November 13, 2018

5.0

Great Service when I call.

Pros

I love the report system for the donations. I like how I can transfer to other programs in order to save to my files and also email them to others. I also like that it lets me know when there is an address close to another one in case it's the same address.

Cons

I am not a fan of the latest update to plug in donations. I have to go to another part under the person to put it in and before it would go straight to it to enter.

Review Source

PS

Patti S.  
ALumni Relations  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great Customer Service Experience"

March 1, 2017

4.0

In terms of Alumni Relations the software is geared more toward fundrasing, but with the great level of customer support I have received, it does the job.

Pros

Ease of use

Cons

Very geared to fundrasing and less geared toward Alumni Relations. Fundrasing is possible because of Alunmni so the software should be more robust for keeping track of alumni.

Review Source

JS

Jay S.  
Director of Information Systems  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Very Small Company, Very Poor Implementation"

May 13, 2019

2.0

Again the software itself wasn't that bad, it was the implementation/migration from our previous system that was terrible and the reason we were not successful with Sustain. They set an expectation that we could just send them the SQL database from our previous system and they were experienced enough with that system to take it from there, that they had done this before. That's not at all what happened, the data got only half migrated and it was on me the customer to fill in the holes (though we paid them for implementation services). They had very little in terms of documentation, they had a migration template but didn't give it to me, I had to find it. Very disorganized and immature company, very little documentation, cannot be trusted to move all the data over you need to be successful. Also we had to ask for a new trainer, the first one we got was extremely defensive and gruff, can't believe he's in a customer-facing role, simply does not have the temperament for it.

Pros

The software itself isn't that bad. Since Sustain is a very small company with only a handful of employees, it was sort of nice to be able to talk to the guy who developed the software, you get to hear why they made the choices they made directly from the horse's mouth.

Cons

#1 it's not truly web-based, you remote into a Windows server to run essentially a customized Access database. The software was a bit rigid, particularly in reporting. You can't just create your own reports, you only get what Sustain has decided to put in there. None of the canned reports really fit what our team needed and we had to pull the plug on Sustain before they could customize what we needed.

Review Source

LS

Leslie S.  
Business Manager  
Non-Profit Organization Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Donation management"

February 28, 2017

4.0

Overall the software provides me with the information I need. Because it is so multi-faceted, attending training is mandatory. Even after my initial training I find myself clicking around to intuitively get, for instance, the report I need. It would behoove new users to make a list of all the ways you plan or foresee using the product and choose the level of training necessary. And take copious notes because you'll need them for tasks that you do only periodically. I'm certain I'm not using it to its fullest capabilities.

Pros

It's relational. Can record a number of characteristics about each record.

Cons

Unable to generate letters with exactly the write salutation and return address name.

Review Source

LH

Lorna H.  
Director of Advancement  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Very Intuitive"

March 6, 2017

5.0

From the first day Sustain was installed I have found the software easy to use. And the rarity I have encountered a question, great customer service!

Pros

Very intuitive.

Cons

No user manual.

Review Source

MM

Marybeth M.  
Assistant to the CFO  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Disappointed"

February 28, 2017

3.0

We purchased Sustain through Rediker because we were told that it would interact with FinACS. While I am still under the impression that there can be communication, we can't figure out how. Communication only goes one way, and that is a concern because we would be transferring accounting information from Development to Accounting. Not comfortable. Additionally, there seems to only be one person who can help us understand Sustain, and he is not good at customer service. Every conversation I have had with him has been uncomfortable at best. I am bright and pick up software easily and still always leave my calls with him feeling stupid, and yet doing everything in my power to not call back, just figure it out on my own. I am sure Sustain has more capabilities than I know, but I feel like I need to take an Access class in order to really utilize the program. The price we paid for the product and the service is outrageous in my opinion and we are almost 2 years in and just barely scraping by with our information. Certainly, I can't find the reports I need and customizing just seems overwhelming. If I had this decision to make over again, I would not choose Sustain. Unfortunately since we've already invested so much, changing just isn't an option at this point. We were brought in by Rediker, but your relationship with them is tenuous at best. Their customer service, which is fantastic, can't help me with your product. And no one REALLY understands how the programs are supposed to integrate. I would carefully consider that fact when cross selling.

Pros

not sure

Cons

ease of access to information

Review Source

Ian F.  
Associate Executive Director  
Education Management  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Affordable with some bells..."

October 9, 2018

3.0

They're professional, know their stuff, and very helpful!

Pros

The price of this is something that just about any organization or development professional should consider. While the bells & whistles don't hold a candle to Raiser's Edge, or some of the other "cadillac" versions of donor software, you're not paying an exorbitant sum, either. For a more modest office, this is great.

Cons

Reports, reports, reports. Every donor software's issue will come down to reports– how easy it is to find the information you've so meticulously entered. While Sustain has some excellent qualities, like all budget donor software, you lose out on the report customization & dashboard (at a glance).

Review Source

SD

Sandy D.  
Development Director  
Non-Profit Organization Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Wish my predecessor had never purchased this system."

February 28, 2017

2.0

We use the software as a comprehensive donor tracking tool. We have come to learn no other school uses it to the degree we do and it is very evident. There are constant issues with the system and upgrades. Not a fan at all.

Review Source

CW

Cindy W.  
Director of Institutional Advancement  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Most unreliable software"

February 28, 2017

1.0

Seacrest has had more issues with Sustain and although we call for customer support, it typically falls short. We have been told multiple times the problem is on "our end" or with Finalsite or Admin+. We have learned to work around to solve issues on our own. Reporting functions are almost non-existent and when they do work the report is, more times than not, incorrect. Edited information is often reverted back to previous information. General ease of is not user-friendly. The dashboard appears to be from 1970. We are budgeting for replacement software.

Pros

nothing

Cons

everything, especially reliability and reporting

Review Source

jlE

jonnie lyn E.  
assistant director  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "sustain experience"

February 28, 2017

3.0

it has been a fairly positive experience. it would be helpful to have free, regular, short web based training sessions on specific topics (similar to what rediker does for their software) more documentation, with samples of best practices some parts are a little clunky and difficult to navigate. perhaps info when hovering (i.e., "use xx for xxx")

Pros

integration to school MIS system

Cons

lack of documentation, perhaps too many options. if the software is truly for schools then it might not need to be quite as robust

Review Source

LL

Lisa L.  
Director of Advancement  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Sustain Review"

March 7, 2017

4.0

The best thing about the Sustain database system is that it works with the Rediker products so that I can bring the information into my advancement office with little effort. The training is important to learn so you can take advantage of all the options. I find the support is excellent and always get a quick answer and willingness to work with me to find the answer.

Review Source

KM

Kathleen M.  
Non profit Consultant  
Non-Profit Organization Management  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great Software for Fundraisers!"

March 17, 2017

5.0

Accessible, intuitive and a bargain. I have worked with the Sustain team for years and you can't beat the hands on customer service. Why overpay for useless features overpriced technical support?

Pros

Logical interface, customer support, easy to use and train others

Cons

A little cumbersome with Macs

Review Source

MF

Missy F.  
Director of Development  
Education Management  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Review of Sustain"

February 28, 2017

4.0

Support staff has been incredible and responsive. They work with us to create the kinds of reports we need. I am not a database expert, but even I can figure out intuitively how to perform most functions.

Pros

How intuitive it is. Tracks most all important data we need. Team works with us to add new functionalities to improve it. I love that I can access it from home if I need to.

Cons

The Platform of Ericom that we use to connect is sometimes not consistent, but I don't think this is Sustain's fault.

Review Source

JP

Jon P.  
Principal  
Education Management  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Overall positive experience"

February 28, 2017

5.0

Sustain has overall been a positive experience. Customer support has been prompt and helpful. In running reports or mail merges, there can be an excessive lag, but I think that is because it our system is hosted. My feeling is that if we were running the software locally, there would not be this lag.

Review Source

LJ

Louise J.  
  
  
Used the software for:

### "Upgrade for us"

February 28, 2017

4.0

Sustain was definitely an upgrade for us after years using another good, but basic, student information software system which integrated admissions, development, and contact databases. We have used Sustain with Rediker since the beginning of this academic year, and I am happy with the capabilities of Sustain so far. Pros: (relatively) intuitive, lots of features, good volunteer tracking feature. Cons: clunky at times, training could have been more comprehensive, interface could be updated.

Review Source

JD

Jane D.  
  
  
Used the software for:

### "Intuitive and effective for any budget"

February 28, 2017

4.0

I have been using Sustain for several years now. We were never able to afford proper ongoing training so it's got to be pretty good if I've figured out how to use the basics! There are still functions that I don't know how to use but it works for tracking our donors and members and kicking out letters easily. The reports are useful and I like that it is a Maine born company. If I get really desperate, I know that I can email customer support and they will get right back to me.

Review Source

JS

Jenny S.  
  
  
Used the software for:

### "I am a happy customer!"

February 28, 2017

4.0

I have been using Sustain for eight years and I have found Sustain to be a very user friendly software for the most part. The customer services is EXCELLENT! Anytime I have a question or a problem, the support staff is very prompt and helpful. I love that the Sustain team is always looking for ways to integrate functions (such as wealth engine) to make it a one stop shop as much as possible. I would recommend this software to any non-profit.

Review Source

KR

Katie R.  
  
  
Used the software for:

### "Development Director"

February 28, 2017

4.0

Sustain is one of the most user friendly fundraising programs I've ever worked this. I enjoy working in this program and if I ever run into a snag, Sustain customer service is available to help work through it. I would definitely recommend this company and software to anyone looking for a new program to track donor information.

Review Source

BC

Bart C.  
  
  
Used the software for:

### "Tampa Catholic High School"

March 7, 2017

4.0

We have been very pleased with the product and the support offered. As with any software, as we use it we find features and functionality that we would like to see added. They have been very responsive to our suggestions.

Review Source

JC

Jill C.  
  
  
Used the software for:

### "Sustain review"

February 28, 2017

3.0

Really would like written procedures on how to use features. There are many that I don't know how to use. Excellent value for cost.

Cons

No written procedures.

Review Source

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