Bonterra Penelope

Overview

Bonterra Penelope is case-management software for nonprofit and public-sector organizations coordinating essential services and evaluating results. It is most compelling when a service record must connect with client communication, medication work, and formal outcome measurement. Buyers should balance that specialist scope against custom pricing and the need to verify the current Penelope offering.

Key features

Custom intake forms let agencies shape data collection around their programs instead of forcing every client into a fixed template. Built-in outcome tracking is similarly useful for teams that need to follow change over time and report on results, not merely log interactions.

ClientConnect extends the system with a mobile portal for secure communication between clients and staff. That can give clients a direct channel without exposing staff case-management tools, making it relevant to organizations with ongoing client contact.

The medication-management module links Penelope to DrFirst Rcopia with a two-way interface. Demographic, allergy, and diagnosis information can pass between systems, and staff can launch Rcopia through single sign-on. Rcopia supports creating and managing prescriptions, checking drug and allergy interactions, viewing eligibility, formulary data and medication history, and electronically prescribing controlled substances through EPCS Gold. This is a meaningful advantage for health and human-service programs with prescribing responsibilities, but unnecessary complexity for agencies that only need general case notes.

Penelope Online Dashboard reporting provides Tableau access and a standard-report package for one Penelope database. It gives managers a defined route to statistical reporting, while the one-database scope matters to organizations consolidating information across multiple databases.

The ORS Measures module contains ORS, SRS, CORS, CSRS, YCORS, and GSRS content, plus OpenFit, an API for statistical information used to monitor and measure outcomes. That combination suits programs with structured clinical or service-improvement measures and teams prepared to use statistical data.

Athena Software Corporation's information-security management system is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2013; the certificate records a June 20, 2023 date and annual audits. A legacy SSG support agreement describes basic system support, 24/7 client-portal access, and chat and email support Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central. Phone consultations are offered through fee-based support packages, so organizations requiring included telephone assistance should budget accordingly.

Pricing

Penelope pricing is custom: no public price is given for the Penelope plan, so organizations must request a quote. Bonterra's current case-management pricing page presents Apricot plans and a request-pricing option rather than a Penelope rate, while legacy terms still reference Penelope modules. Confirm which Penelope components remain available, what implementation includes, and how support is charged before signing.

Platforms

Penelope is offered on Android, iOS, the web, and through an API. That mix supports staff using mobile devices, browser-based administration, and integrations with other systems; the API is particularly relevant to agencies connecting reporting or service infrastructure.

Who it's for

Nonprofits and public agencies coordinating essential services are the intended audience. It is a strong fit for programs that need custom intake, outcome measurement, secure client communication, or medication and prescription workflows in one case-management environment. A simpler case-recording product is likely a better match for teams that do not use those specialized capabilities, especially when custom procurement is undesirable.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Medication workflow integration: Rcopia connectivity, interaction checks, eligibility and formulary data, medication history, and EPCS Gold cover substantial prescribing needs.
• Outcome measurement depth: Multiple ORS-family measures and the OpenFit API support structured monitoring and statistical analysis.
• Flexible data capture: Custom intake forms and outcome tracking can reflect varied nonprofit and public-service programs.
• Reporting and access options: Tableau-based dashboard services, mobile portals, web access, mobile platforms, and an API accommodate different operating models.

Cons

• Custom pricing: Without a published Penelope price, budgeting and plan comparison require a sales process.
• Product-position uncertainty: Current navigation emphasizes Apricot and Apricot for Government, while Penelope appears in legacy terms, so buyers must confirm availability and module coverage.
• Phone support costs extra: The legacy agreement places telephone consultations in fee-based packages.
• Reporting scope: The standard Tableau report package applies to one Penelope database, which may constrain organizations operating several databases.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see Nonprofit Case Management Software. Organizations comparing grant-focused systems can also review Grant Management Software.

Choose AIMS Grant Management Software instead when a single or low-complexity grant scheme and self-hosted deployment matter; its Foundation plan is £43,000.00 per year, billed annually. NonProfit+ suits organizations wanting quote-based pricing with unlimited users across web, Android, iOS, or self-hosted environments.

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is the alternative for organizations seeking a financial-management product with web and API access and personalized implementation, training, and support. Pick Euna Budget when budgeting for small or complex jurisdictions is the priority, with Professional and Enterprise tiers offering different levels of configurability and guidance.

OpenWater Grant Management is a web and Android option with subscription pricing tailored to usage. Benevity Employee Groups is designed for custom-scoped employee programs. CommunityForce and Foundant CommunitySuite are alternatives with organization-specific quotes.

Verdict

Choose Bonterra Penelope when a nonprofit or public agency needs case management tied to medication workflows, secure client communication, reporting, and measured outcomes. Its Rcopia and outcome-measure integrations are the main reasons to select it. Look elsewhere if you need transparent pricing, assured current Penelope availability, or phone support included in the base agreement.