Quickbooks, and others, do not provide an inexpensive option for small non-profits. That and it is a far larger program than many non-profits need.
Microsoft on the other hand does provide free non-profit packages for non-profits that align with their non-profit program.
As to Access, which doesn't always come with the non-profit packages, I have found it to be more complicated for the user and more difficult to create queries. The Excel language is easy, and most of the programming for other sheets I can do by filtering a single General Ledger. i.e. Filter GL for all entries re Bank, gives me a total on what is in the bank.

I don't know.. lots has changed - and I wouldn't even consider it if it weren't for the dynamic functions in Excel. Perhaps my work will only be an exercise in my own learning?