I’ve got great news: Your nonprofit can access the same enterprise-grade software that Fortune 500 companies use—and you can get most of it for free.
Not “freemium with limited features.” Not “trial period then pay.” Actual, full-featured, enterprise software. Completely free or steeply discounted specifically for nonprofits.
Over my 15+ years working with nonprofits, I’ve helped organizations save hundreds of thousands of dollars by taking advantage of programs most people don’t know exist. Salesforce. Google Workspace. Microsoft 365. Adobe Creative Cloud. Slack. And dozens more.
The challenge isn’t whether these discounts exist—they absolutely do. The challenge is knowing:
- Which programs are available
- How to qualify
- How to apply
- Which discounts save you the most money
This guide solves that problem. I’m sharing everything I know about nonprofit software discounts, including specific links, discount amounts, and application processes.
In this post, you’ll discover:
- The “must-have” free tools every nonprofit should claim
- 50+ discounted software programs and exact discount amounts
- How TechSoup becomes your gateway to thousands in savings
- Application tips to speed up approval
- A free downloadable discount tracker
Let’s dive in—your nonprofit’s budget will thank you.
The Big Three: Claim These First
If you do nothing else after reading this post, claim these three free programs. They alone are worth $10,000+ per year.
1. Google Workspace – 100% FREE
What You Get:
- Professional email (yourname@yournonprofit.org)
- Unlimited Google Drive storage
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms
- Google Calendar
- Google Meet (video conferencing up to 100 participants)
- Shared drives for collaboration
Retail Value: $12/user/month × 10 users = $1,440/year
Apply: Google for Nonprofits
Eligibility: Must hold valid 501(c)(3) status or equivalent
Pro Tip: Don’t skip this because you already have email. Google Workspace includes unlimited storage and powerful collaboration tools that most nonprofits desperately need.
2. Salesforce NPSP – FREE for 10 Users
What You Get:
- Full enterprise CRM
- Nonprofit Success Pack (built for nonprofits)
- Donation tracking
- Program management
- Volunteer coordination
- Robust reporting and dashboards
Retail Value: $300/user/month × 10 users = $36,000/year
Apply: Salesforce Power of Us
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations
Why This Matters: Salesforce is the #1 CRM in the world. Nonprofits get the same platform that major corporations pay hundreds of thousands for—free. We specialize in Salesforce customization for nonprofits if you need help getting started.
3. Canva Pro – FREE for Up to 10 Team Members
What You Get:
- Premium design templates
- Brand kit for consistent branding
- Remove backgrounds from images
- Premium stock photos and graphics
- Resize designs for different formats
- Team collaboration features
Retail Value: $120/user/year × 10 users = $1,200/year
Apply: Canva for Nonprofits
Eligibility: Registered nonprofit with valid documentation
Why You Need This: Creating professional graphics is essential for social media, fundraising, and donor communications. Canva Pro makes it easy.
Total Value of These Three Alone: $38,640/year
And we’re just getting started.
The TechSoup Gateway
Before we go further, you need to understand TechSoup.
TechSoup is a nonprofit that connects other nonprofits with technology. They’ve partnered with major tech companies to offer software at 90-95% off retail prices.
Here’s what makes TechSoup special:
- One validation opens many doors – TechSoup validates your nonprofit status. Many other companies accept this validation, so you don’t have to prove your 501(c)(3) status over and over.
- Administrative fees, not retail prices – You pay a small admin fee (usually $10-50) instead of the retail price. A $1,200 software package might cost you $30.
- Trusted by major vendors – Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, Symantec, and dozens more partner with TechSoup.
- Free services included – TechSoup also offers free technology consultations and educational resources.
Apply for TechSoup Validation:
- Register at TechSoup.org
- Submit your 501(c)(3) documentation
- Wait 2-4 weeks for validation
- Access their entire catalog of discounted software
Pro Tip: Even if you don’t need anything immediately, get validated now. When you suddenly need software, you won’t want to wait for approval.
Microsoft 365: Free + Discounted Options
Microsoft offers several tiers for nonprofits:
FREE Options:
- Office 365 E1 – Email, web versions of Office apps, Teams, OneDrive (1TB)
- Office 365 Business Essentials – Smaller organizations
Heavily Discounted:
- Office 365 E3 – Downloadable Office apps, advanced compliance tools
- Office 365 E5 – Everything plus advanced security and analytics
Also Available:
- Azure Credits – $3,500/year in free cloud services
- Dynamics 365 – CRM and business apps at discounted rates
Apply: Microsoft Nonprofits or through TechSoup
Choose Google or Microsoft? Both are excellent. Choose based on what your team already uses and which interface they prefer. Many organizations actually use both for different purposes.
Collaboration & Communication Tools
Slack – FREE or 85% Off
- 250 or fewer members: FREE Pro upgrade
- Larger teams: 85% discount on Pro and Business+ plans
Apply: Slack for Nonprofits
Retail Value: $7.25/user/month saved
Zoom – 50% Off
Available through TechSoup
Retail Value: Significant savings on Pro and Business plans
Microsoft Teams
Included free with Microsoft 365 nonprofit plans
Project Management Tools
Asana – 50% Off
Discount: 50% off Starter or Advanced plans
What You Get:
- Project and task management
- Timeline views (Gantt charts)
- Custom fields and workflows
- Pro-bono consultations with Asana Advisors
Apply: Asana for Nonprofits
Best For: Fundraising campaigns, program delivery, volunteer engagement
Monday.com – First 10 Seats Free + 70% Off
Discount: 10 free seats, then 70-75% off additional seats
Apply: Contact Monday.com directly
Trello – 75% Off
Discount: 75% off Standard and Premium plans
Part of: Atlassian Community License (also includes Jira, Confluence)
Apply: Atlassian Community License
Airtable – 50% Off
Discount: 50% off Pro or Plus plans
What You Get: Flexible database/spreadsheet hybrid for custom workflows
Apply: Through their nonprofit application form
Email Marketing & Communications
Mailchimp – 15% Off
Discount: 15% off all paid plans
Free Tier: Also available for up to 500 contacts
Apply: Sign up, then contact billing team with 501(c)(3) proof
Note: 15% isn’t huge, but combined with the free tier, Mailchimp remains popular with nonprofits.
Constant Contact – Up to 30% Off
Discount: 30% off with excellent customer support
Apply: Contact Constant Contact directly
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Discount: Nonprofit pricing available
Includes: Email and SMS marketing
Design & Creative Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud – Significant Discounts
Available through TechSoup:
- Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps
- Individual apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)
Discount: 75-85% off retail pricing
Apply: Through TechSoup
Best For: Organizations doing significant design work
Piktochart – Nonprofit Discount
What: Create infographics, presentations, reports
Free version available; paid tiers discounted
Payment Processing
Stripe – Discounted Rates
Discount: Lower processing fees for nonprofits accepting donations
Apply: Contact Stripe with 501(c)(3) documentation
Best For: Online donation processing
PayPal – Reduced Fees
Discount: Lower transaction fees for 501(c)(3) organizations
Apply: Through PayPal Giving Fund or directly
Accounting Software
QuickBooks – 50% Off First 3 Months
Discount: 50% off, then nonprofit pricing
Apply: Through Intuit or TechSoup
Why QuickBooks: Built-in nonprofit features, widely used. We’ve helped many clients with QuickBooks integrations with Salesforce.
Xero – Nonprofit Pricing
Discount: Available upon application
Alternative: Cloud-based accounting
Aplos – Nonprofit-Specific Pricing
What: Built specifically for nonprofits and churches
Includes: Accounting + donor management
Security & Password Management
1Password – 50% Off
Discount: 50% off for nonprofit organizations
Why You Need This: Securely manage and share passwords across your team
Norton/Symantec Security
Available through TechSoup at heavily discounted rates
Social Media & Marketing Tools
Buffer – 50% Off
Discount: 50% off Pro, Premium, or Business plans
What: Schedule and manage social media posts
Hootsuite – 50% Off
Discount: 50% off Pro and Team plans
Alternative to Buffer: Similar features, choose based on preference
Sprout Social – Up to 50% Off
Discount: Up to 50% off
What: Advanced social media management and analytics
Bitly – FREE
Discount: FREE through Spotlight on Inclusion program
What: URL shortener, custom links, QR codes
Apply: With 501(c)(3) documentation
Forms & Surveys
JotForm – 50% Off
Discount: 50% off for nonprofits
What: Online form builder
SurveyMonkey – Special Pricing
Discount: Nonprofit discounts available
What: Surveys and forms
Website & Hosting
Wix – 70% Off for 2 Years
Discount: 70% off premium subscription through TechSoup
Includes: Free 1-year domain registration
DreamHost – FREE Hosting
Discount: FREE shared hosting plan (includes email)
Eligibility: US-based 501(c)(3) organizations
Note: One hosting plan per nonprofit
Automation & Integration
Zapier – 15% Off
Discount: 15% off all paid plans
Free Tier: 5 single-step zaps, 100 tasks/month
What: Connect 2,000+ apps and automate workflows
Why This Matters: Essential for connecting your CRM, email, donations, and other systems
Lesser-Known Gems
Google Ad Grants – $10,000/Month FREE
This deserves special attention: Google Ad Grants gives eligible nonprofits $10,000/month in free Google Ads.
Requirements:
- Active website
- Valid 501(c)(3) status
- Comply with Google’s policies
- Maintain campaign performance standards
Potential Impact: $120,000/year in free advertising
The Catch: Managing it requires knowledge of Google Ads and ongoing maintenance
Pro Tip: We’ll cover Google Ad Grants setup in detail in a future blog post.
YouTube Nonprofit Program
What You Get:
- Live streaming
- Call-to-action overlays
- Custom thumbnails
- Access to Creator Academy
Free for verified nonprofits
LinkedIn – Discounted Job Postings
Discount: Reduced rates for nonprofit job postings
Apply: Through LinkedIn
Application Tips: Get Approved Faster
After helping dozens of nonprofits through these applications, here’s what speeds up approval:
1. Have Your Documentation Ready
- IRS determination letter (501(c)(3))
- Organization’s EIN
- Mission statement
- Website URL
- Operating budget (sometimes required)
2. Use a Consistent Email Domain
Apply with your @yournonprofit.org email (not Gmail or Yahoo)
3. Start with TechSoup
Their validation is accepted by many other programs
4. Read Eligibility Requirements Carefully
Some programs exclude:
- Hospitals and hospital auxiliaries
- Political organizations
- Organizations not aligned with anti-discrimination policies
5. Plan for Processing Time
Allow 2-4 weeks for most applications
6. Set Renewal Reminders
Most discounts require annual reverification
7. Keep Records
Document which programs you’ve applied to and save approval emails
The Hidden Value: Time Savings
These discounts aren’t just about money—they’re about time.
When I calculate ROI for clients, I include:
- Money saved on software licenses
- Time saved through automation and integration
- Opportunity cost of staff time
- Quality improvements from better tools
A small nonprofit might save:
- $20,000/year in software costs
- 10 hours/week in manual processes (worth $25,000/year)
- Countless hours in frustration and workarounds
Total annual value: $45,000+
That’s not money you’re spending on software. That’s money you’re spending on your mission.
Common Questions
Q: Can we use multiple discounts?
A: Generally, you choose one path per product (TechSoup OR direct discount, not both). Compare to see which saves more.
Q: What if we’re fiscally sponsored?
A: Some programs accept fiscal sponsorships. Check individual program requirements.
Q: Do discounts renew automatically?
A: Usually no. Most require annual reverification of nonprofit status.
Q: Can we use these for client work?
A: No. These discounts are for your nonprofit’s operational use, not for resale or client services.
Q: What about churches?
A: Many programs include churches. Google requires 501(c)(3) status specifically, but others may include religious organizations with different exemptions.
Your Action Plan
Don’t let this overwhelm you. Start with the big three:
This Week:
- ✅ Apply for Google Workspace (FREE)
- ✅ Apply for Canva Pro (FREE)
- ✅ Register with TechSoup
This Month:
- Apply for Salesforce NPSP (if you need a CRM)
- Apply for Slack for Nonprofits
- Review which other tools you currently pay for and check for nonprofit discounts
This Quarter:
- Systematically go through your software subscriptions
- Apply for relevant discounts
- Calculate your total savings
Download our free Nonprofit Software Discount Tracker to keep everything organized.
Need Help Navigating These Programs?
Applying for nonprofit discounts takes time, and knowing which tools fit your needs requires experience.
We help nonprofits:
- Assess which tools best fit their needs
- Apply for nonprofit discounts and programs
- Set up and integrate chosen solutions
- Train teams for successful adoption
In a free consultation, we’ll:
- Review your current software and spending
- Identify discount opportunities you’re missing
- Recommend which tools best fit your situation
- Discuss implementation support if needed
No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest advice about maximizing your technology budget.
Schedule Your Free Technology Assessment
Download the Complete Nonprofit Software Discount Guide (PDF)
Get the Discount Tracker Spreadsheet
Next week: Why Your Disconnected Systems Are Costing You Money (And How to Fix It)
