Free Software And Free Services For Nonprofits You Should Know About

Running a nonprofit organization requires heart, strategy, and resourcefulness. Whether you’re supporting your community, protecting the environment, or offering essential services, your mission depends on tools that help you stay organized, communicate effectively, and raise funds. But with limited budgets and small teams, investing in expensive software isn’t always possible.

The good news is that nonprofits today have access to a wide range of free or deeply discounted tools designed to help them operate more efficiently. From communication platforms to fundraising tools, project management systems, and design software, these resources can dramatically lighten your workload and strengthen your impact.

Below is a comprehensive guide to some of the most valuable free services and software available to nonprofit organizations.

Free Productivity and Collaboration Tools

Nonprofits thrive when communication is clear and collaboration is seamless. Fortunately, several major tech companies offer free or low‑cost tools to help teams stay connected and organized.

Google Workspace for Nonprofits

Google offers an entire suite of tools—including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meet—at no cost for eligible nonprofits. This gives your team professional email addresses, cloud storage, and real‑time collaboration tools without paying for licenses.

Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits

Microsoft provides free and discounted access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive. For nonprofits that prefer Microsoft’s ecosystem, this is an invaluable resource for document creation, communication, and secure file storage.

Slack Free Plan

Slack’s free tier is often enough for small nonprofits. It allows teams to communicate through channels, share files, and integrate with other tools. For organizations that rely heavily on volunteers, Slack can help keep everyone aligned.

Free Website and Design Tools

A strong online presence is essential for credibility, fundraising, and community engagement. Thankfully, nonprofits don’t need to hire a full design team to create beautiful, professional materials.

Canva for Nonprofits

Canva offers its premium plan free to nonprofits. This includes access to thousands of templates for social media graphics, brochures, presentations, posters, and more. Even beginners can create polished designs that elevate their brand.

WordPress

WordPress is free, open‑source, and highly customizable. Many nonprofits use it to build websites without paying for expensive proprietary platforms. With thousands of free themes and plugins, you can create donation pages, event calendars, blogs, and volunteer sign‑ups with ease.

Wix and Squarespace Discounts

While not fully free, both platforms offer discounts for nonprofits. Wix, in particular, provides free templates specifically designed for nonprofit organizations.

Free Fundraising and Donor Management Tools

Fundraising is the lifeblood of most nonprofits. While many donation platforms charge fees, several offer free or low‑cost options that still provide essential features.

PayPal Giving Fund

PayPal Giving Fund allows nonprofits to receive donations with no platform fees. Donors can give through PayPal, eBay, and other partner platforms. While it doesn’t replace a full donation system, it’s a great supplemental tool.

Give Lively

Give Lively offers a completely free fundraising platform for nonprofits, including:

• Donation pages

• Peer‑to‑peer fundraising

• Event ticketing

• Text‑to‑donate

Their model is funded by philanthropists, allowing nonprofits to use the platform without subscription fees.

Facebook & Instagram Fundraising

Meta allows nonprofits to collect donations directly through Facebook and Instagram with no fees. Supporters can create birthday fundraisers, donate through posts, or give during livestreams.

Free Marketing and Outreach Tools

Reaching supporters, volunteers, and donors requires consistent communication. These free tools help nonprofits amplify their message without stretching their budget.

Mailchimp Free Tier

Mailchimp’s free plan allows nonprofits to send email newsletters, manage contacts, and create automated welcome messages. It’s ideal for smaller organizations building their email list.

Google Ad Grants

One of the most powerful free tools available, Google Ad Grants provides eligible nonprofits with up to $10,000 per month in free Google Search ads. This can dramatically increase website traffic, event attendance, and donations.

Hootsuite and Buffer Free Plans

These social media scheduling tools help nonprofits plan posts, track engagement, and maintain a consistent online presence.

Free Project and Volunteer Management Tools

Nonprofits juggle programs, events, volunteers, and administrative tasks. These tools help keep everything organized.

Trello

Trello’s free plan is perfect for managing projects, campaigns, and volunteer tasks. Its visual boards make it easy to track progress and assign responsibilities.

Asana Free Plan

Asana’s free version supports task lists, calendars, and project timelines. It’s ideal for small teams that need structure without complexity.

SignUpGenius

This free tool simplifies volunteer coordination, event sign‑ups, and scheduling. It’s especially helpful for nonprofits that rely heavily on community participation.

Free Accounting and Financial Tools

Managing finances is essential for transparency and compliance. While many accounting platforms are paid, some offer free or low‑cost options.

Wave Accounting

Wave provides free accounting software that includes:

• Income and expense tracking

• Invoicing

• Financial reporting

It’s a strong option for small nonprofits that don’t need advanced features.

QuickBooks Nonprofit Discounts

QuickBooks isn’t free, but it offers significant discounts for nonprofits. For organizations that need more robust financial tools, this can be a cost‑effective solution.

Free Cybersecurity Tools

Protecting donor data and sensitive information is critical. Fortunately, nonprofits can access strong security tools at no cost.

Cloudflare for Nonprofits

Cloudflare provides free website protection, including DDoS mitigation and SSL certificates, helping nonprofits stay secure online.

LastPass Free Tier

Password managers like LastPass help teams store and share passwords securely, reducing the risk of breaches.

Final Thoughts

Nonprofits don’t need large budgets to operate efficiently or present themselves professionally. With the right free tools and services, even the smallest organization can streamline operations, strengthen communication, and expand its reach.