We’ve worked with nonprofits of all sizes, and their teams are often asked to do a lot with very little. In many organizations, one or two people manage the work of an entire marketing and communications department (and sometimes development too!) while juggling limited resources, multiple stakeholders, and ambitious goals.
Fortunately, many of the tools marketers rely on every day offer free or discounted plans for registered nonprofits. These programs aren’t always easy to find, so we’ve pulled together a list of tools that can help your team save time and amplify impact without breaking your budget.
How to Find Nonprofit Discounts
Before diving into the list, here are a few notes from our experience. Nonprofit pricing isn’t always obvious, and every platform handles it a little differently. Keep these points in mind as you start your search:
- Look beyond the pricing page. Some discounts are tucked away in FAQs or hidden in help articles.
- Ask directly. If you don’t see nonprofit pricing listed, reach out directly. Many companies have discounts that aren’t publicized on their website.
- Verify your status. Most tools will ask for proof of nonprofit status, usually through TechSoup or a 501(c)(3) letter.
- Check the fine print. Some discounts exclude certain types of organizations, like political, religious, or healthcare nonprofits.
A little research can go a long way! Taking the time to ask and apply can save your team hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars each year.
1. Google for Nonprofits
Google for Nonprofits gives organizations access to a suite of tools for collaboration and communication. It’s especially useful for teams already using Gmail, Drive, Google Calendar, or Google Meet, and for nonprofits that want to take advantage of free ad spend through Google Ad Grants.
What your nonprofit receives
- Google Workspace for Nonprofits: Free access for up to 2,000 users, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Meet. Paid upgrades are available for Business Standard, Plus, and Enterprise tiers at discounted nonprofit rates.
- Google Ad Grants: Up to $10,000 per month in free Google Ads to promote your mission, drive traffic to your site, and increase visibility.
- Note: The Google Ad Grants program has its own application process and eligibility requirements. Ad accounts must be actively managed to remain compliant. We outlined the process and maintenance criteria in our previous blog article, How to Get $10K/mo in Paid Advertising for Your Nonprofit for Free with Google Grants.
- YouTube Nonprofit Program: Donation tools and the ability to link directly to external landing pages in your videos and descriptions, and access to the Creator Academy, which offers lessons tailored specifically for nonprofit storytelling.
- Google Maps Platform Credits: Free monthly credits to use Google Maps APIs on your organization’s website (useful for mapping locations, events, or services).
How to apply
- Visit the Google for Nonprofits page and click “Get Started.”
- Verify your organization’s nonprofit status through TechSoup.
- Once verified, you can activate specific products like Google Workspace, Google Ad Grants, YouTube for Nonprofits, and the Maps Platform within your account dashboard.
- For the Google Ad Grants program, you’ll need to complete an additional application and set up campaigns that meet Google’s eligibility and performance requirements.
2. Microsoft for Nonprofits
Microsoft for Nonprofits offers cloud-based tools to help teams stay organized, communicate, and work securely. It’s a good fit for organizations already using Outlook or Office 365 and looking to expand into tools like Teams or SharePoint.
What your nonprofit receives
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: Free for up to 10 users, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and cloud storage through OneDrive and SharePoint.
- Microsoft 365 E3/E5 Licenses: Discounted plans for larger organizations that need enterprise-grade security, compliance, and advanced analytics tools.
- Azure Credits: $2,000 in annual Azure credits to use toward cloud hosting, app development, or data storage.
- Dynamics 365 and Power Apps Discounts: Reduced pricing on Microsoft’s CRM and workflow automation tools for nonprofits managing complex operations.
How to apply
- Visit the Microsoft for Nonprofits registration page.
- Create an account and verify your nonprofit status through TechSoup or Microsoft’s built-in validation process.
- Once approved, sign in to the Nonprofit Hub to access discounted products and activate services like Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365.
- Assign licenses or credits to your team directly through your Microsoft admin center.
3. Mailerlite
MailerLite is an easy-to-use, affordable email marketing platform that’s perfect for small teams looking for strong functionality without the high price tag. (We’re MailerLite partners and use it for our own email marketing, so we may be a little biased!)
What your nonprofit receives
- 30% discount on any paid MailerLite plan
- Access to drag-and-drop email design, automation workflows, landing pages, and audience segmentation
- Real-time analytics for tracking opens, clicks, and campaign performance
- Integrations with tools like Shopify, WordPress, and Zapier
How to apply
- Visit the MailerLite for Nonprofits page for more information.
- Sign up for a 14-day free trial of MailerLite. We have a referral link here if you would like to use that to sign up!
- During your onboarding process, choose “nonprofit” as your industry.
- During your trial you’ll have access to live chat and email support, so reach out to the Mailerlite support team.
- Provide documentation verifying your nonprofit status, such as your 501(c)(3) letter.
- Once approved, your account will be updated with the nonprofit discount.
4. Mailchimp
Mailchimp is an established name in email marketing and remains a go-to platform for many nonprofits. It includes a range of tools for managing newsletters, donor outreach, and campaign automation. It’s a solid choice for organizations that already use it or need robust integrations with other platforms.
What your nonprofit receives
- 15% discount on any paid Mailchimp plan
- Access to features like audience segmentation, automations, templates, and A/B testing
- Integrations with platforms like Salesforce, Shopify, Eventbrite, and more
- Real-time analytics to track open rates, click-throughs, and campaign performance
- Optional add-ons for SMS marketing, surveys, and landing pages
How to apply
- Visit the Mailchimp for Nonprofits page for more information.
- Create a Mailchimp account or log in to your existing one.
- Contact Mailchimp’s billing or support team through their contact form and request a nonprofit discount.
- Provide documentation verifying your organization’s nonprofit status (such as a 501(c)(3) determination letter).
- Once approved, the 15% discount will be applied to your account automatically.
5. Canva
Canva is a great option for small nonprofit teams that need to create social graphics, flyers, or presentations quickly. It’s especially helpful for organizations without in-house design support, offering thousands of ready-made templates to make professional-looking materials quickly.
What your nonprofit receives
- Free access to Canva Pro for verified nonprofits
- Templates for social media graphics, print materials, presentations, and reports
- Brand Kit tools to keep your organization’s colors, fonts, and logos consistent across designs
- Tools for scheduling and publishing directly to social media
How to apply
- Visit the Canva for Nonprofits page and click “Apply Now.”
- Submit documentation verifying your nonprofit status (such as your 501(c)(3) letter or local equivalent).
- Once approved, your organization will gain free access to Canva Pro for all team members.
6. Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud gives nonprofits access to industry-standard tools for design, photography, and video production. It’s ideal for organizations that create their own campaign materials, social graphics, or storytelling content and want professional-grade results.
What your nonprofit receives
- Adobe Creative Cloud for Individuals Pro Plan: Approximately 50% off through TechSoup. Includes full access to apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and Acrobat Pro.
- Note: The exact discount can vary slightly depending on region, tax, or additional software bundles available through TechSoup.
- Adobe Express for Nonprofits: Free access for up to 10 users, including premium templates, stock photos, and fonts for quick content creation.
- Access to Adobe Fonts, Stock, and Creative Libraries.
- Cloud storage and collaboration tools for sharing and reviewing creative assets.
How to apply
- Visit the Adobe for Nonprofits page for more information.
- Register your organization with TechSoup to verify nonprofit status.
- Once verified, purchase discounted Creative Cloud licenses directly through TechSoup.
- For Adobe Express, apply separately through Adobe Express for Nonprofits for free access.
7. Notion
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that helps teams organize information in one place. At First Ascent, we use Notion for project management and note-taking, and we love how flexible it is. It does take some customization though, even with pre-built templates, but once it’s set up, it can replace multiple tools at once.
What your nonprofit receives
- 50% discount on Notion’s Plus Plan
- Free access to nonprofit-specific templates for fundraising, donor management, volunteer tracking, and more
How to apply
- Visit the Notion for Nonprofits page for more information.
- Apply by submitting documentation verifying your nonprofit status.
- Notion partners with TechSoup to validate 501(c)(3) registration.
- Once approved, your organization will receive the discount automatically.
8. Airtable
Airtable is a flexible platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database. Airtable is a strong fit for nonprofits that want more structure and automation than a traditional spreadsheet but don’t need the complexity of a full CRM system. It’s great for managing projects, tracking content calendars, and organizing donor information.
What your nonprofit receives
- 50% discount on Airtable’s Team and Business plans
- Integrations with tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Zapier
- Templates for project management, CRM tracking, and campaign planning
How to apply
- Visit this FAQ page to see Airtable’s nonprofit plans.
- Submit an application verifying your nonprofit status.
- U.S. organizations: Provide a 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter.
- International organizations: Provide equivalent certification from a governing body.
- Once approved, Airtable will apply the discount to your chosen plan.
9. HubSpot
HubSpot is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform for managing your contacts, marketing campaigns, and fundraising pipeline in one place. It’s ideal for nonprofits that want to bring marketing, communications, and donor management under a single system.
What your nonprofit receives
- 40% discount on HubSpot’s suite of tools
- Access to CRM and automation features for managing donor relationships, volunteers, and outreach campaigns
- Built-in email marketing, landing pages, and analytics tools
- Integrations with platforms like Eventbrite, Zapier, Salesforce, and payment systems such as Stripe or PayPal
- Training and certification through HubSpot Academy, including nonprofit-specific learning tracks
How to apply
- Visit the HubSpot for Nonprofits page for more information.
- Click “Apply Now” and complete the eligibility form.
- Provide proof of nonprofit status (such as a 501(c)(3) letter or equivalent documentation).
- HubSpot’s team will review your application and confirm your discount eligibility.
- Once approved, you can choose the Hubs and plan levels that fit your organization’s needs.
10. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an AI-powered assistant that helps with writing, research, and content planning. It’s great for building outlines, summarizing reports, or brainstorming ideas. We’ve found it especially useful for getting past the blank-page stage and speeding up our processes.
What your nonprofit receives
- 20% discount on ChatGPT Team plans (monthly or annual)
- 50% discount on ChatGPT Enterprise for larger organizations with advanced security and administrative needs
- Access to advanced features like custom instructions, shared team workspaces, and collaboration tools
How to apply
- Visit the OpenAI for Nonprofits FAQ page to review eligibility.
- Complete the nonprofit verification form through OpenAI’s website.
- Provide documentation confirming your organization’s nonprofit status.
- Once approved, OpenAI will provide access to discounted Team or Enterprise plans.
How to Get the Most from These Tools
Finding the right tools is only half the work. The real value comes from how you use them day to day. Here’s a few tips to help you get more out of every platform and keep things running smoothly.
- Train your team. Even the best tools fall flat if no one knows how to use them. Take time to learn the basics and share knowledge internally.
- Consolidate where you can. Fewer platforms mean less admin work and more focus on doing work that moves your mission forward.
- Stay connected. Reach out to vendors or partner programs directly. Many offer early access to new features, ongoing discounts, or training designed just for nonprofits.
The Bottom Line
Nonprofits already do so much with limited resources. These discounts can make your work a little easier and help your marketing budget go further. If you need help choosing the right platforms, setting them up, or building campaigns that make the most of them, the First Ascent team can help. Just send us a message!