If you run a non-profit organization, you may be unaware of some of the resources that are available to you. With the list of free (or highly discounted) services for non-profits growing every year thanks to the rapid expansion of cloud-based and online solutions, there’s no reason that your limited funding should hold back your organization’s success.
We’ve compiled a list of popular free services for non-profit organizations ranging from hosting solutions and content management to email marketing and more. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with some of the service providers on the list, you may find that you’re currently paying for a product that you could be getting for free!
Google for Nonprofits – By meeting the basic requirements, your non-profit could be eligible for some serious perks from Google. Services include $10,000 of AdWords advertising per month for absolutely free, access to the YouTube Nonprofit program, a free version of the Google Apps business suite, and free access to the One Today mobile fundraising platform from Google.
Google Analytics – Speaking of Google, this popular product gives you access to valuable data about your website and social media activity. Through Analytics, you can track your patrons’ activity, measure their level of engagement, and use all of the data gathered to make powerful decisions about the way you run your business. Google Analytics is free to use and, while it doesn’t come with the Google Apps business suite included with Google for Nonprofits, it can help you measure the effectiveness of your AdWords ads.
Discounted Software
The Nonprofit Cloud (npCloud) – Getting the necessary technology your organization needs to operate can be an expensive endeavor. Cutting edge software is absolutely necessary for making your organization a success but software and hardware doesn’t necessarily come cheap. npCloud helps non-profits by providing cloud-based technology and services to nonprofits at an affordable price.
TechSoup – TechSoup offers heavily discounted software to non-profit organizations. Before you purchase vital programs for your organization (such as any Windows Office or Adobe products), consider checking TechSoup first for the best deal. They’re also a great resource for trending technology topics, how-to guides, and refurbished hardware.
Web Hosting
Dreamhost and Drupion – If you’ve ever tried to register a domain name, setup your organization’s website, or just generally inquire about hosting services, you know just how expensive these services can be- especially if you’re looking for a unique, professional looking website.
Dreamhost and Drupion help you make the most out of your online presence by providing a free shared webhosting plan to non-profit organizations. While the scope of each package is limited, they’re both great resources for organizations that are looking for an affordable hosting option. Dreamhost also offers direct mail service with their web hosting account.
Accorn Host also offers deeply discounted hosting services to qualifying non-profits, but unfortunately its not free.
Content Management
WordPress – WordPress is a popular blog and content management system for the back end of your website. You can set up your website for free (or you can map your existing domain name for a small fee). WordPress is easy to use and doesn’t require any knowledge of HTML, so you can make changes to the words, pictures, and links on your page without having to pay a web designer.
Drupal and Joomla also offer similar content management services, but with a higher level of customization. The only catch? You’ll need a programmer or a web designer to help set things up for you.
Mobify – With so many of us browsing the internet on mobile devices, you’ll want to make sure the beautiful webpage you spend your time designing looks equally as beautiful on smartphones and tablets. Mobify helps you do just that and offers a basic version of their services for free to non profits.
Guides and Samples
Non-Profit Guides – sometimes you just need a solid example of what you’re looking to do, and Non-Profit Guides does just that. From guidelines for grant proposals to sample cover sheets and budgets, Non-Profit Guides is a great resource for smaller non profit organizations that may not have a large or heavily experienced staff.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing – Many non-profits are highly dependent on grants, which is why good grant writing skills are vital. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing offers step-by-step instructions and tips for writing powerfully effective grant proposals, and the entire book is available for free on Google Books.
If you’re a non-profit organization looking for a ticketing solution, don’t overlook Tix! By passing on our low per-ticket fees to your customers, you can completely offset the cost of using Tix and have unlimited access to a comprehensive ticketing platform that includes a full CRM, marketing, and reporting suite at absolutely no cost to your organization.
