Just as if you were running a for-profit business, there are overhead costs for nonprofits.
But we know that budgets vary for nonprofits. And you need to get the best bang for your buck!
So we’re helping your budget stretch even further, while still using quality software. We’ve rounded up a list of the top 7 low-cost and free tools for nonprofits to help you boost your cause!
Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits
There is a lot of free software for nonprofit organizations. So we’ve separated them into groups and given you one of the top contenders currently on the market!
*PLEASE NOTE: Our list of the best low-cost and free tools for nonprofits is based on research of what’s currently on the market as of right now. We’ve combed through their websites and dug through user reports to help us determine some of the best tools out there.
We do not receive any compensation for these products at Nonprofit-Apps. We are solely giving you this information to help you find the best CRM software for your nonprofit organization.
However, some of these CRM tools are contributors to our sister sites, Nonprofit Library and Charity How To.*
#1. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Online Fundraising Platform: Fundraise Up
Odds are, as a nonprofit, you’re doing some online fundraising. (lol, some? Ha!)
But to help you streamline your fundraising, increase your donations, and boost your cause, having an online fundraising platform is essential.
There’s plenty on the market right now. So finding an online fundraising platform for nonprofits takes some research.
We’ve done some for you, already. And we’re happy to introduce you to Fundraise Up!
With elements to convert 37% of your visitors into donors (while the industry average is at 18%), Fundraise Up is an incredible platform for your online fundraising.
You can create multiple donation pages and buttons to have throughout your site. You have the ability to customize your fundraising elements so they match your brand strategy. And you can 2x your fundraising (with no extra effort on your part) by allowing donors to opt-in to recurring monthly donations and company matching.
Basically, we’re saying run, don’t walk to this free software for nonprofit organizations!
Pricing for Fundraise Up:
Yes, this platform is free to use! How so? Because 92% of donors using Fundraise Up’s checkout opt to cover the fee. So that means no monthly fee, no setup fee, and no contracts!
#2. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Graphic Design: Canva
Showing up online certainly has changed over the years, hasn’t it?
And now, to break through the crowd of others congregating in the online universe, you’ve gotta find ways to draw attention.
So it’s time for some eye-catching graphic design!
That’s where Canva comes in. Canva is … well, it’s like Adobe Photoshop. But for the average person! You don’t have to have an entire degree in graphic design to create amazing images on Canva.
From social media posts to email templates, you can create just about any visual image you need on this graphic design platform. And if you need a kickstart to get the creative juices flowing, they have plenty of pre-made templates for you to use.
Pricing for Canva for Nonprofits:
Add Canva to the list of free software for nonprofit organizations! You’ll need to fill out an application to be reviewed. But if your nonprofit is accepted, you’ll have access to Canva Pro’s features for free for a team of up to 10 people (including you).
Want a no-hassle, no-marketing, and no-sales pressure opportunity to see a free demo of Canva for Nonprofits? Then click the button below and check it out at NonprofitLibrary!
Click here to watch a FREE Canva Pro for Nonprofits demo!
#3. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Reporting and Analytics: Google Analytics
How can you make sure your nonprofit marketing efforts are working? How do you know who’s viewed your site, where they came from, and what they did on it?
It all comes from reporting and analytics.
And you can’t get any better than Google Analytics for that!
From tracking your website traffic each month to determining which blog posts are bringing the most visitors and conversions, Google Analytics can report it all.
Plus, you can see what pages need some work based on how many visitors “drop-off.” So you can optimize your entire nonprofit website design just from the data from Google Analytics alone.
Pricing for Google Analytics for Nonprofits:
Ooh, we are so happy to say this!
Google Analytics, and its powerhouse self, is free for just about everything you need for your site. However, if you find yourself wanting even more in-depth reporting, you can opt into their premium version.
#4. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Email Marketing: MailChimp
We know, we know. Who is even using email marketing when nonprofits can get on social media?
Well, according to WholeWhale, studies have shown that email marketing has an ROI of 122% for nonprofits. That’s 4x more than using social media! (We know, color us surprised, too!)
And while some CRM software for nonprofits offer in-house email marketing platforms, not everyone does. If yours doesn’t, or you’re finding you need one that’s a little more robust, then the Chimp is the way to go.
It’s simple to use with their drag-and-drop email design and marketing platform. You can fully customize your email designs based on your brand strategy and your separate campaigns.
Because it’s a marketing tool (not just a design tool), you can track analytics on your emails that go out. You can automate your emails so you’re not wasting time sending them individually. Plus, you can A/B test emails to figure out which ones perform best!
And that’s all just the tip of the iceberg with MailChimp, too! You can seriously up your email marketing strategy (and boost your cause) with this little guy on your team.
Pricing for MailChimp for Nonprofits:
MailChimp already falls under the category of “free tools for nonprofits” because of its free plan. And if you’re a small nonprofit organization or just starting out, that’s the perfect one for you.
But if you need to opt in to one of their premium plans, don’t worry. They’re all affordable with the baseline package starting at $11 per month. Plus, MailChimp offers a nonprofit rate with a 15% discount!
#5. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Productivity: Trello
Oooh, there is nothing like streamlining your projects and workflows for your nonprofit! It saves time and money. It saves energy. And it saves countless headaches.
This task management tool will have you breezing through projects, meeting deadlines, and boosting your nonprofit’s mission better than ever before.
And the best part? Trello has a fantastic offer for missions with their Trello for nonprofits program.
Pricing for Trello for Nonprofits:
One of the reasons why Trello is hard to beat is because of its pricing. Their Trello for nonprofits program offers a 75% discount for eligible nonprofit organizations.
They have four plans: their free plan, their standard plan, their premium plan, and their enterprise plan.. The premium plan is best for small to midsize nonprofits that work together. And with that plan, up to 100 team members can use the dashboard!
Enterprise is great for larger nonprofits that have multiple teams and departments that need to coordinate securely.
For the premium plan, the standard pricing is $10.00 per month (billed annually). But with the Trello for nonprofits program, that’s reduced by 75%.
And the same goes for the Trello for nonprofits program with the enterprise plan. While you’ll need to contact a representative for a price based on your needs, you’ll reduce that by 75%.
#6. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Security and Privacy: Malwarebytes Cybersecurity Software
If you’re collecting any type of donor information, then you want to make sure it’s protected. Taking care of your donors and making sure they feel protected is a great way to nurture your relationship with them!
So, using security and privacy protection software for nonprofits is crucial.
We found Malwarebytes Cybersecurity Software to be one of the best tools for nonprofits to use. Compared to other brands, it protects against a wider range of threats. And that ultimately keeps your donors safer!
Plus, they have different selections for your organization’s needs. Whether you have several devices that need protection or just one, there’s software for your nonprofit.
Pricing for Malwarebytes Cybersecurity Software:
Malwarebytes Cybersecurity Software is priced based on how many devices you need to protect and what kind of protection you want.
But no matter what you choose, it’s a low-cost rate. For your team’s devices you’re looking at just $49.99 per device to start with!
#7. Low-Cost and Free Tools for Nonprofits for Miscellaneous: AccessiBe
AccessiBe uses AI to automatically translate your website, donor pages, or any other landing page with text to be accessible for all.
And as the entire world heads for the online domain, this type of software for nonprofit organizations has never been more important!
From screen-reader optimization for blind users to auto-disabling flashing animations for epileptics, this tool is amazing for all of your readers.
Pricing for AccessiBe:
AccessiBe is accessible in terms of pricing. Where other compliant platforms range from $5000 to 50,000 annually, AccessiBe offers a low-cost fee for nonprofits of $490 per year.
And yes, AccessiBe is also compliant with ADA, WCAG 2.1, and more. So while other platforms like One-Click Accessibility offer free plugins, they’re not fully compliant.
Finding high-quality software for your nonprofit doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can find some of the most incredible free tools for nonprofits to help you boost your cause and stay within budget.
These 7 low-cost and free tools for nonprofits are a great starting point!
Want more nonprofit technology tools? Check out these related posts!
Here’s the 5 Best CRM Software for Nonprofits to Streamline Your Organization
The 5 Must-Have Technology for Nonprofits to Help You Grow Your Cause
3 Ways to Streamline Your Organization with Technology in Nonprofits