Get Better Organized and Connected with These Top Online Services
If youʻre running a nonprofit organization, youʻll want to know that countless companies offer free or deeply discounted services to nonprofit organizations. Here are 12 online tools your organization should be using to streamline operations, boost donations, and engage your board and volunteers.
1. Google for Nonprofits
Google for Nonprofits gives you access to Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Calendar, Meet, Forms, Sites—and $10,000/month in Google Ad Grant advertising. The Workspace plan includes professional email accounts, shared storage, video conferencing, and collaboration tools. You also get free access to YouTube fundraising and Google Maps/Earth to visualize impact. It’s a powerhouse suite with everything from communication to marketing—all supported by Google at zero cost.
2. Canva for Nonprofits
Canva for Nonprofits gives you the full Pro experience free: 420,000+ templates, 75 million premium images/videos, 100 GB storage, and brand kit tools. Its easy drag-and-drop interface helps you create stunning social media graphics, flyers, reports, and videos—even with no design experience. You can set brand fonts/colors, collaborate with your team in real time, and resize designs across platforms. It’s ideal for creating polished marketing materials on a tight budget.
3. Typito
Typito is a free video creation tool with a drag-and-drop interface. Create short videos or slideshows for social media, supporter thank-yous, or campaign updates. Add text overlays, branding, and simple animations. The free version includes a watermark, but Typito offers a 50% discount for nonprofits for paid plans. It’s a cost-effective way to build engaging video content without learning complex editing software.
4. Buffer (Free Plan)
Buffer allows nonprofits to schedule social media posts (up to a few profiles) across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Its free plan supports limited posting and one user, but includes analytics to track engagement and reach. If you need advanced features, such as multiple users and unlimited posts, Buffer Instead of manually posting daily, Buffer offers a 50% discount for nonprofits. Plan ahead and free up time, while keeping your social media presence consistent and professional.
5. Slack (Free Plan)
Slack brings team conversations into one organized place. Use channels for different projects, internal chat, and file-sharing. Features include searchable message history, voice/video calls, and integrations with Google Drive, Asana, and Trello. While message history is limited to 10K messages on the free plan, it’s enough for small teams to streamline communication, reduce email clutter, and encourage quick responses. Slack for Nonprofits offers a free upgrade for workspaces with 250 or fewer members.
6. Zoom (Free Plan)
Zoomʻs Free Plan allows unlimited 1-to-1 video calls and group sessions of up to 100 participants for 40 minutes. Use it for volunteer training, donor meetings, board updates, and virtual events. Features include screen sharing, breakouts, chat, and recording. The free plan covers most basic video needs, but if youʻre needing Zoomʻs advanced features, such as accommodating larger groups or using the AI Companion, Zoom offers a 50% discount for nonprofits for paid plans.
7. Trello (Free Plan)
Trello uses a card-and-board interface that makes task planning simple and visual. For volunteer scheduling, event planning, or board responsibilities, you can create boards, lists, and assign members. Drag-and-drop cards track progress and due dates. With checklists, labels, attachments, and comments, Trello keeps small teams organized. Its free plan offers unlimited personal boards and cards—perfect for nonprofits that need structure without cost.
8. Asana (Free Tier)
For larger teams or more complicated projects, consider Asana. Asana’s free version supports up to 15 team members, task assignments, timelines, and project boards. It helps nonprofits keep track of who’s responsible for what, deadlines, and meeting prep. Integration with tools like Slack and Google Drive streamlines collaboration. You can plan events, fundraising drives, and communications all in one place. With clear visual workflows, your team stays productive and accountable—without paying a dime.
9. Donorbox
Donorbox is a secure donation platform nonprofits can embed on their website or pop-up during campaigns. It supports recurring gifts, covers processing fees, and links to multiple payment options. The free plan lets you customize forms, thank-you emails, and donor management. Only credit-card fees apply. It’s an easy and powerful way to grow funds online without subscription cost.
10. Zapier (Starter Plan)
Zapier’s free tier offers basic automation: connect two apps to create workflows like “when a donation comes through Donorbox, add the donor info to Google Sheets and notify Slack.” This saves time by automating repetitive tasks and keeps your team informed. It offers up to 100 tasks/month and single-step Zaps—ideal for boosting efficiency with no code required.
11. VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch helps nonprofits recruit skilled volunteers by posting opportunities on its national platform—for free. Interested people can apply directly, and coordinators can track applicants and communicate via the dashboard. It brings visibility to smaller groups and connects you with motivated helpers—streamlining recruitment without spending on job boards.
12. You Tell Us!
Over the years here at PacBiz, weʻve tried out various online tools to try to make things easier on ourselves. With each new product, weʻre always sure to ask whether the company offers a discount for nonprofits, even if itʻs not listed on the companyʻs site. Youʻd be surprised at how many say yes. Let us know in the comments what tools you canʻt live without, free or worth the price!
Now, Where to Start?
- Set up a TechSoup account. Many companies verify nonprofit status through this clearinghouse of great deals for nonprofits.
- Activate Google for Nonprofits to unlock Workspace, Ad Grants, Forms, and more.
- Set up your brand kit in Canva and start designing your social media and fundraising graphics.
- Use Asana or Trello to organize tasks and track project deadlines.
- Streamline communication with Slack and Zoom.
- Start taking online donations with Donorbox, automate with Zapier, and track finances with Wave.
Start exploring these tools one by one, and you’ll soon build a powerful, low-cost digital toolkit.
💬 Did we miss your favorite, or do you want to second these emotions? Let us know in the comments!
