Our Favorite Free and Low-Cost Resources for Nonprofits
Running a nonprofit means juggling big goals with limited time and resources, but you don’t have to do it alone. The good news? There are incredible (free or discounted) tools out there that can help you simplify your operations, grow your reach, and increase your impact. At Inbloom Consulting, we are always on the lookout for smart, effective resources that truly support the work you are doing. Below, we continue to round up our favorite go-to tools to help your organization work smarter and thrive.
FREE and Discounted Technology TOOLS For Nonprofits
Google for Nonprofits Google offers free tools to nonprofits including free access to Google Workspace with Gmail, Drive, Meet, and Calendar capabilities. Google also offers up to $10,000 per month in Google Ad Grants to help nonprofits attract donors and supporters through Google Ads. See our prior post below for information on the Google Ads Grant.
Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits Microsoft offers nonprofits free or discounted access to Microsoft 365, which includes Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and OneDrive. Manage donor communications and outreach with Outlook and Teams. Store and share important documents securely with OneDrive. Host online meetings and training sessions with Microsoft Teams.
Givebutter Fundraising Software For Nonprofits An all-in-one fundraising platform designed to assist nonprofits in streamlining their fundraising, donor management, and marketing efforts. It offers a suite of tools that enable organizations to collect donations, manage events, run auctions, and engage with supporters effectively.
Platform Fees: The core features are free to use, supported by optional tips from donors. If you choose to disable these tips, a platform fee applies: 1% for donation forms, 3% for fundraising pages, and 5% for events and auctions.
Payment Processing Fees: A standard processing fee is charged for all transactions: 2.9% + $0.30 for credit cards and digital wallets, and 1.9% + $0.30 for ACH payments (available to verified nonprofits).
Canva for Nonprofits Eligible nonprofits can access Canva Pro for free. Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool nonprofits can use to create professional-quality materials. Our favorite benefit for nonprofits is you can create a brand kit in Canva to maintain consistent branding with logos, images, colors, and fonts. Plus easily create brand social media templates to increase engagement, presentations, event visuals, case for support, and fundraising campaigns.
Docusign U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status who are eligible can receive a 30% discount on annual DocuSign plans for up to five users. This offer is available to new customers purchasing directly through DocuSign's website.
FREE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS For nonprofits
LinkedIn for Nonprofits LinkedIn offers a dedicated program for nonprofits, providing discounted access to LinkedIn Premium, fundraising insights, and recruitment tools to help organizations find top talent and build meaningful partnerships. It’s also a great platform for thought leadership, networking, and engaging potential donors.
YouTube for Nonprofits Through the YouTube Nonprofit Program, organizations can access features like donation buttons, YouTube Giving tools, and the ability to add call-to-action overlays to videos—making it easier to connect with supporters and drive engagement. Video storytelling is one of the most effective ways to inspire action, and YouTube’s nonprofit resources help you make the most of it.
HubSpot is great if you are looking for a new website platform as HubSpot offers an all-in-one digital platform to streamline operations. With a 40% discount, eligible nonprofits gain access to premium-level software that includes tools for email marketing, social media management, donor cultivation pipelines, and customizable website builders.
Buffer: Plan, Create, and Share Social Media Content Buffer is a social media management tool that allows users to schedule, publish, and analyze content across multiple social media platforms. It is widely used by businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to streamline their social media marketing efforts. Buffer offers a free plan with limited features, which can still be beneficial for nonprofits looking to improve their social media presence without incurring additional costs.
How to Leverage Google Ad Grants of up to $10,000 per Month for Nonprofits
Great news for non-profits! Google has made it simpler for mission-based organizations to apply for Ad Grants, a program that provides up to $10,000 per month in search and advertising credits to eligible nonprofits. The goal of the ads is to help nonprofits connect with people who are searching for their mission, raise awareness, attract donors and program participants, and recruit volunteers The credits can be used to create text-based ads that appear on Google Search results pages, either independently or below paid ads. The process has been streamlined from completing a survey and quiz and then waiting for a review. Now it’s just three steps: Enter your website domain, Watch a short video, Submit your application. Approval can range from 12 hours to a few days. This means you can start your ad campaigns faster and make a bigger impact with less hassle.
How to Apply : Make sure your website meets Google’s requirements; go to the Google for Nonprofits sign-up page: Google Ads Grant, enter your domain, and watch the video; submit your application for review.
If you need assistance applying for or utilizing the Google Ads Grant, reach out to Inbloom Consulting. We can guide you through the application process, ensure your website meets the necessary requirements for approval, and help optimize your site for the best results. Once approved for the grant, we can also manage and run your Google Ads campaign to maximize your nonprofit’s visibility and impact. Let us help you make the most of this valuable opportunity! Contact us here.
