Nonprofits work hard to do more with less. Whether you're just getting started or have been at it for years, there's one thing we all have in common: we’re always looking for better ways to stretch our budgets and boost our impact.
And luckily, there’s a whole world of free tools out there built just for organizations like ours.
We’ve pulled together a big list of the best free things for nonprofits, from email marketing tools to design software and donor templates
Best free email marketing tools for nonprofits
Email is still one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay connected with your supporters. But if you're running a small team (or just doing it all yourself), finding time and budget for fancy platforms isn’t always realistic. That’s where these free tools come in.
Mailchimp is one of the most popular choices for nonprofits. Its free plan includes up to 500 contacts, basic automations, and templates that make your emails look clean and professional, even if you’re not a designer.
EmailOctopus is another great option. It’s easy to use, and its free plan includes up to 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails per month. If you're sending monthly newsletters or campaign updates, that’s more than enough to get started.
Benchmark Email is simple and beginner-friendly. Their drag-and-drop editor is great for quick campaigns, and they even offer nonprofit discounts if you decide to upgrade later on.
Here’s the thing, your emails don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be clear, personal, and sent regularly. Start with a tool that feels easy to use, and focus on building relationships over time.
Free project management tools for nonprofit teams
When you’re juggling grants, events, volunteers, and donor outreach all at once, staying organized isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. Good news: there are project management tools that make it easier to keep everything on track, and many of them offer strong free plans.
Trello is a great place to start. Its drag-and-drop boards are simple to use and perfect for mapping out campaigns, assigning tasks, and seeing progress at a glance. Whether you’re tracking an event timeline or managing a grant proposal, it helps you stay focused.
Monday.com is a bit more advanced but still user-friendly. Their nonprofit plan includes a generous free trial, and their visual layouts make it easy to see who’s doing what and when. You can customize boards for fundraising pipelines, social media schedules, or anything else you need.
Asana is loved by teams that want clarity without the clutter. The free plan includes task lists, calendars, and even automations to help with repeat workflows. It’s ideal for teams that need to collaborate without everything getting lost in email threads.
These tools don’t just help you manage tasks, they help you manage time, which is one of the most valuable things your team has.
Graphic design and branding tools with free plans
You don’t need a design degree (or a big budget) to make your nonprofit look polished and professional. With the right free tools, you can create everything from social media graphics to annual reports that actually make people stop and pay attention.
Canva is the top pick here, and for good reason. It’s free, easy to use, and full of templates built specifically for nonprofits. Need a flyer, a donor thank-you card, or a Giving Tuesday graphic? You’ll find it in Canva, and you can customize it in minutes.
Adobe Express is another great choice. It offers pre-made layouts, photo editing, and simple animation tools. If you want a step up in creative control without the steep learning curve of traditional Adobe products, this is a strong option.
Visme and Piktochart are helpful when you need infographics, reports, or slide decks. Both platforms have free versions that let you bring data and storytelling together in a visual way that’s clear and compelling.
Your cause deserves to look as strong as it truly is. These tools help you show the heart of your mission, without paying a designer or spending hours learning complicated software.
Free accounting software for nonprofits
Keeping track of money is critical, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot to do it well. Whether you're tracking donations, budgeting for programs, or preparing reports for your board, these free accounting tools can help you stay organized and audit-ready.
Wave is one of the most popular free accounting tools out there. It offers invoicing, income/expense tracking, and basic reports, all for $0. It's great for small nonprofits that just need the essentials without the clutter.
Zoho Books has a free plan for organizations with annual revenue under a certain threshold. It’s a bit more structured and offers more automation, which can save time when handling recurring donations or reimbursements.
Aplos is built specifically for nonprofits. While it’s not completely free, they do offer a free trial and discounts for smaller organizations. It includes fund accounting, donor management, and built-in nonprofit reporting, which makes it easier to stay compliant.
No matter what you use, the goal is the same: know where your money is going, build trust with your supporters, and make smart decisions. And with these tools, you don’t have to pay extra to get it right.
Free online courses and nonprofit professional development
Running a nonprofit means wearing a lot of hats, and most of us didn’t go to school for all of them. That’s why ongoing learning matters. Whether you’re brushing up on fundraising skills or learning how to manage a team, there are tons of free courses out there to help.
NonprofitReady is a top choice. It offers hundreds of free online courses built just for nonprofit staff and volunteers. Topics include fundraising, grant writing, leadership, and compliance, and all of it is self-paced.
TechSoup doesn’t just offer software discounts, they also provide learning resources on things like digital marketing, tech strategy, and cybersecurity for nonprofits. It’s a great way to build your team’s tech confidence without needing a full-time IT person.
HubSpot Academy is more business-focused, but many of their free certifications on email marketing, social media, and content strategy are perfect for nonprofits looking to grow their digital presence.
You don’t need a budget line for “training” to keep learning. These free tools let you build your skills (and your team’s) in a way that fits into real-life nonprofit schedules.
Social media strategy and management tools for nonprofits
Social media is where many people first hear about your mission. But keeping up with posts, comments, and strategy can feel like a full-time job. The right free tools can help you stay consistent and grow your reach, even if you're short on time and staff.
Buffer is a favorite for scheduling posts. The free plan lets you connect up to three accounts and schedule ten posts per profile. It’s simple, clean, and doesn’t overwhelm you with features you don’t need.
Hootsuite offers a limited free version too. It’s helpful if you want to monitor mentions, schedule content, and respond to comments, all in one place. They also provide nonprofit discounts if you outgrow the free tier.
Later is built with visuals in mind. It’s especially handy for Instagram and Facebook content planning. If your nonprofit relies on photo-driven storytelling, this tool can help you stay organized without logging in and out all day.
You don’t have to post every day to make an impact, you just need a clear plan and a way to stick to it. These tools can give you that, with just a few clicks.
Cloud-based collaboration and communication tools
When your team is spread out, or when you're managing volunteers, board members, or part-timers, good communication matters even more. Cloud-based tools make it easier to stay connected, share files, and work together in real time, no matter where everyone is.
Google Workspace for Nonprofits offers Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive, all for free. You can use your custom nonprofit domain (like info@yourorg.org) and collaborate on documents without sending endless attachments back and forth.
Slack keeps conversations organized. You can create channels for events, fundraising, or different teams. The free plan is perfect for small groups and saves you from long email threads and lost messages.
Dropbox is helpful for storing and sharing files. If you need a central place for grant documents, marketing materials, or reports, it’s a solid, easy-to-use option.
When your communication tools are cloud-based, everyone’s always working from the same playbook. That means fewer mix-ups and more time spent doing what matters.
Free templates and toolkits for nonprofit organizations
Sometimes you just need a head start. Whether it’s a donor letter, a budget sheet, or a full campaign calendar, templates can save hours, and help you look more polished along the way.
Givebutter offers a huge library of free nonprofit templates. You’ll find everything from donor phone scripts and fundraising calendars to annual report templates and outreach emails. They’re built by people who’ve done this work, so you’re not starting from scratch.
Nonprofit Library is another solid resource. They offer free downloads like welcome packets, sponsorship letters, and board onboarding tools. It’s especially helpful for newer nonprofits that are building systems from the ground up.
Harness also provides smart, easy-to-use resources that work hand-in-hand with your fundraising strategy. Whether you're planning an event or streamlining donor communication, our tools are designed to save you time and raise more support.
Templates may seem simple, but they can help your team move faster, stay consistent, and spend less time rewriting the same document over and over again.
Free tech tools to optimize your nonprofit operations
There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to keep a nonprofit running smoothly, things like data tracking, task automation, donor insights, and reporting. The right tech tools can make all of that easier (and free up your team to focus on impact instead of admin work).
Zapier is a favorite for automation. It helps your tools talk to each other. For example, when someone donates, you can automatically add them to your email list or send a thank-you message. The free plan lets you build simple workflows that save time every day.
Salesforce for Nonprofits offers powerful donor management and reporting tools. It’s more complex, but they provide a free edition for eligible nonprofits, and there’s a huge support community to help you get started.
Airtable combines the best of spreadsheets and databases. You can use it for tracking grants, managing volunteer hours, or even planning events. The free version is flexible and surprisingly powerful for smaller teams.
Tech doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These tools help bring your data, systems, and people together, so you can make smarter decisions and grow with confidence.
Exclusive nonprofit discounts and partner programs
Some of the best tools out there don’t start off free, but they do offer serious discounts for nonprofits. These programs can unlock professional-grade software at a fraction of the cost, or in some cases, at no cost at all.
Google for Nonprofits gives you access to free Google Workspace, YouTube tools, and even $10,000/month in Google Ad Grants to help drive traffic to your website.
Microsoft for Nonprofits offers free or discounted access to tools like Office 365, Teams, and Azure. If your team needs secure email, document sharing, or cloud hosting, this is worth applying for.
Adobe, Salesforce, Atlassian, and QuickBooks all have nonprofit programs that either slash the cost of their products or offer lighter versions for free. These can cover everything from design software to accounting and workflow tools.
And then there’s Harness, we offer a full suite of donor engagement tools, website support, and expert fundraising help, all tailored to the needs (and budgets) of growing nonprofits.
These programs are often overlooked, but they can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to apply, you might be surprised by what’s available to your organization.
Work together
Getting access to free tools is a huge win, but turning those tools into real results? That’s where the magic happens. It takes more than a good platform. It takes support, strategy, and systems that actually work together.
That’s exactly what we offer at Harness. Whether you need a personalized website, hands-on fundraising help, or just a smarter way to manage your donor outreach, our team is here to help you grow with confidence, without burning out.
We’ve helped hundreds of nonprofits raise more, save time, and focus on what matters most: their mission.
