Event planning in the education sector is no small feat. From homecoming and graduation ceremonies to parent-teacher conferences and student workshops, K-12 schools and higher education institutions juggle a dizzying array of events each year. The right event management software can be a game-changer—streamlining registrations, automating communications, and ensuring every detail runs smoothly. In this guide, we'll break down what event management software is, what features to look for, and the top solutions for 2025 that are transforming event coordination software for schools, colleges, and universities.

What Is Event Management Software?

An event management software is a digital platform designed to streamline the entire event lifecycle—from planning and promotion to registration, execution, and post-event analytics. These event planning software solutions centralize all event-related tasks, making it easier to coordinate logistics, track attendees, manage communications, and measure event success. For educational institutions, an event management tool can handle everything from classroom bookings and campus tours to large-scale conferences and alumni reunions.

Modern event management platforms often offer features such as:

• Online registration and ticketing
• Automated email reminders and updates
• Attendee check-in and badge printing
• Event website and mobile app creation
• Payment processing and fundraising tools
• Real-time analytics and reporting

By automating manual processes and centralizing information, these platforms help schools and universities save time, reduce errors, and deliver a seamless experience for staff, students, parents, and alumni.

What to Look For in Event Management Software

With so many event management tools on the market, it’s important to choose one that fits your institution’s specific needs. Here are key factors to consider:

• Ease of Use: Intuitive interface for both administrators and attendees.‍
• Customization: Ability to tailor event pages, registration forms, and communications to your school’s branding.‍
• Integration: Compatibility with your existing Student Information System (SIS), Learning Management System (LMS), or CRM.‍
• Communication Tools: Automated emails, SMS reminders, and in-app notifications.‍
• Payment Processing: Secure options for ticket sales, donations, or paid programs.‍
• Analytics & Reporting: Real-time dashboards and exportable reports for attendance, engagement, and ROI.‍
• Mobile Access: Event apps or mobile-friendly portals for on-the-go management.‍
• Support & Training: Responsive customer support and onboarding resources.

Best Event Management Software Options for K-12 & Higher Ed (2025)

Below, in no particular order, are our picks of some of the top event management software platforms making waves in the education sector this year.

1.Almabase

Almabase is an all-in-one event management platform designed specifically for educational advancement, alumni relations, and fundraising teams. It streamlines the planning and execution of complex events—whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid—while offering seamless CRM integration and a user-friendly interface.

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use for both admins and attendees, with quick event setup and branded registration pages.
• Seamless integration Raiser's Edge NXT, enabling real-time data sync and simplified gift reconciliation.
• Robust automation for event communications, reminders, and reporting, reducing manual work and errors.
• Flexible enough to handle everything from small gatherings to large, multi-day events, with strong tools for fundraising and stewardship

Cons:

• Almabase does not offer a free trial or free tier of it’s services
• No dedicated mobile app for on-the-go management

Pricing:

Almabase offers personialized custom pricing based on your needs, number of constituent records, etc. You can request a personalized demo here

2.Blackbaud

Blackbaud is a comprehensive solution built for large nonprofits and institutions, offering robust event planning, CRM, and analytics tools. Its event management features are deeply integrated with donor data to maximize fundraising outcomes.

Pros:

• Purpose-built for fundraising, with robust tools to manage donor relationships, track gifts, and run complex campaigns.
• Customizable reporting and analytics features enable organizations to tailor fundraising strategies and monitor progress toward goals.
• Integrated event management, online registration, and ticketing designed for nonprofit needs

Cons:

• High costs for training, support, and additional modules, which can be a barrier for smaller organizations.
• Data migration can be a lengthy and cumbersome process depending on your institution

Pricing:

Custom pricing. Request a quote.

3. Cvent

Cvent delivers enterprise-grade solutions trusted by higher education institutions managing complex, large-scale events—from campus-wide conferences to alumni reunions.

Pros:

• Supports mass updates and bulk communications.
• Deep integration with CRM and marketing tools, making it ideal for institutions with existing tech stacks.
• Advanced analytics and reporting for post-event insights.

Cons:

• The platform’s extensive options can be confusing and require significant onboarding, especially for smaller institutions.
• Some users report inflexible or slow support team responses at certain times

Pricing:

Custom pricing. Request a demo.

4. OneCause

OneCause is designed specifically for nonprofit fundraising events, offering features like mobile bidding, ticketing, and donor engagement tools. It helps organizations streamline auctions, galas, and peer-to-peer campaigns with ease.

Pros:

• User-friendly platform with an intuitive interface, making it easy for admins and first-time users to set up and manage events.
• Comprehensive fundraising toolkit, including online auctions, donation tracking, event management, and credit card processing.
• Excellent support team, with resources like tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated help center to assist users

Cons:

• Event website builder can be cumbersome, requiring external links for images and videos instead of direct uploads.

- Integration between different modules (e.g., Mobile Bidding Software and Virtual Event Center) is lacking, leading to duplicated processes and manual workarounds

Pricing:

Custom pricing. Request a demo.

5. idloom

Idloom is crafted specifically for universities and colleges, supporting diverse academic events from online examinations to graduation ceremonies.

Pros:

• Flexible event structures—supports recurring sessions, multi-day events, and hybrid formats.
• Departmental autonomy: Each department can manage its own events with custom branding and access rights.
• Integrated communication tools for reminders, surveys, and post-event certificates.

Cons:

• Some users report that the interface, while powerful, can be less intuitive for non-technical staff.
• Advanced features (like custom badges or analytics) may require additional setup or training.

Pricing:

Custom pricing. Request a demo.

6. Eventbrite

Eventbrite is a versatile event management platform perfect for everything from concerts to community meetups. It offers intuitive tools for ticketing, promotion, and on-site check-ins, making it easy to manage both virtual and in-person events.

Pros:

• Highly accessible and easy-to-use event creation and ticketing tools for both in-person and virtual events of any size.
• Can handle donations directly through the platform, allowing organizers to create donation ticket types and collect contributions alongside ticket sales.
• Offers a 50% discount on all Pro plans for eligible nonprofits, making it a cost-effective solution for charitable organizations.

Cons:

• Limited customization options for event pages and registration flows.
• Some users report a steep learning curve for advanced features and event setup.
• Some users report occasionally slow responses from customer support as well as a lack of transaction security for attendees.

Pricing:

Pricing is 2% + $0.79 per paid ticket (Essentials) or 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket (Professional); free for free events. See pricing.

7. Giveffect

Giveffect combines event management with nonprofit automation, allowing you to handle ticketing, email campaigns, and donor records in one platform. It’s ideal for organizations looking to unify event planning with fundraising and CRM.

Pros:

• All-in-one platform that centralizes event management, volunteer coordination, and donor tracking, reducing the need for multiple systems.
• Seamless integration of volunteer and donation data, allowing for comprehensive supporter profiles and easy access to analytics.
• Customizable event pages and donation forms that can reflect the nonprofit’s brand and include real-time fundraising progress bars

Cons:

• Higher price point, which may be prohibitive for smaller nonprofits despite the robust feature set.
• Data migration and automation can potentially be glitchy, leading to issues such as erroneous emails or incomplete data transfers during onboarding.

Pricing:

Custom pricing. Request a demo.

8. Remo

Remo, now integrated with Events.com, delivers an immersive platform for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, with unique emphasis on networking and engagement.

Pros:

• Fast and simple check-in via app; supports QR code scanning and mobile access.
• Customizable event spaces and real-time networking tools for interactive experiences.
• AI-powered matchmaking and analytics for attendee engagement.

Cons:

• Unconventional interface: The unique, interactive design can be confusing for users accustomed to traditional event tools.
• Customization learning curve: Customizing event spaces and features requires time to learn.

Pricing:

Starts at $299 per month. See pricing.

9. Swoogo

Swoogo is engineered for frequent, large-scale events and provides flexible tools for customized registrations, marketing efforts, and analytics.

Pros:

• Over 30 free integrations, including CRM and marketing tools, enhance workflow efficiency.
• Robust security features and advanced analytics for data-driven institutions.
• Unified event dashboard for managing content, agendas, and logistics.

Cons:

• Setting up virtual event pages can be challenging due to advanced customization options.
• Pricing is on the higher end, making it less suitable for small schools or single events.

Pricing:

Custom pricing. Request a demo.

10. Qgiv by Bloomerang

Qgiv supports nonprofits with customizable tools for event registration, peer-to-peer fundraising, and mobile giving. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to plan and promote fundraising events of all sizes.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface designed specifically for nonprofit fundraising, making it easy to set up donation forms and manage events.
• Supports a variety of fundraising activities, including peer-to-peer campaigns, auctions, and ticketed events.
• Real-time analytics and reporting tools to monitor campaign performance and donor engagement.

Cons:

• Qgiv may feel limited for seasoned professionals who want to organize donor and transaction data in many different ways simultaneously.
• Advanced features, such as text-to-give and auction management, may require additional fees or higher-tier plans.

Pricing:

Plans start at $0/month with no contracts, plus a 3.95% + $0.30 per transaction fee. Learn more.

Conclusion

Choosing the right event management software can transform how your institution plans, promotes, and executes events—whether you’re managing a single school assembly or a multi-day university conference. The platforms highlighted above offer a range of solutions tailored for K-12 and higher education, each with unique strengths and a few caveats to consider. Take advantage of free demos, explore user reviews, and assess your specific needs to find the event management tool that will best support your school’s goals in 2025 and beyond.

Looking for more inspiration? Explore event ideas that raise money and connect with alumni or see how advanced event management can drive registrations and engagement for your institution.

About the author

Kiran is an educator and pedagogy enthusiast, passionate about the transformative impact of education, kindness, and creativity on individuals and communities.

As an artist, she brings a unique perspective to her work and is committed to inspiring growth, empathy, and understanding

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