Free tools and discounts for nonprofits

Many companies give nonprofits their tools for free, or charge them much less. Most small organizations never claim these offers because nobody told them. This page lists the ones worth your time, in the order we'd do them.

None of these programs are run by Occam. We're not affiliated with them and can't promise you'll be approved. We just think you should know about them.

First, check you qualify

Almost every program below asks for the same thing: your organization's own 501(c)(3) status, confirmed with your EIN.

• Fiscally sponsored? If you operate under another organization's 501(c)(3), most of these programs will turn you down. Some will accept your sponsor's application on your behalf, so ask your sponsor.
• Part of a school or school district? Google and several others exclude schools. A separately incorporated parent group or "friends of" nonprofit with its own 501(c)(3) usually qualifies.
• Have your EIN and IRS determination letter handy. Most applications ask for one or both, and some ask for a photo ID of the person applying.

1. Lower your payment fees

What you get: Stripe and PayPal both charge registered charities less per payment. On Stripe the nonprofit rate is 2.2% + 30¢ instead of 2.9% + 30¢, which is about $7 more for every $1,000 you raise.

Time: about 10 minutes. Do this first, because it isn't backdated.

See Lower your payment fees.

2. Show up on Google Maps and search

What you get: a free Google Business Profile. When someone searches your name, Google shows your address, hours, photos and a link to your website. It's one of the best ways for local people to find you.

Who qualifies: anyone with a place people visit, or a local area you serve. You don't need to be a 501(c)(3).

Time: 20 minutes, then Google verifies you by phone, video or a postcard. Start at business.google.com.

3. Google for Nonprofits

One approval unlocks several Google programs. Apply at google.com/nonprofits.

Who qualifies: your own 501(c)(3), plus a working website on your own domain. If you don't have a domain yet, see Connect your own domain first.

Once you're approved, you can turn on:

• Google Workspace for Nonprofits. Free email at your own domain, like info@yourorg.org, plus Google Drive, Docs and Calendar. See Get email on your domain.
• Google Ad Grants. Up to $10,000 a month of free Google Search ads. Ad Grants requires you to track donations made from your ads on your website, and Occam websites can't do that tracking yet. If you're planning to apply, email us at info@occam.gives.
• YouTube Nonprofit Program. Add a donate button to your videos and live streams.

Time: about 15 minutes to apply. Approval usually takes a few days.

4. A free Candid profile

What you get: Candid (formerly GuideStar) is where funders and many donors look you up. A complete profile earns a Seal of Transparency, and Candid shares your profile with more than 200 giving sites, including the donor-advised fund platforms that larger donors give through. Candid has also offered small nonprofits that earn a Gold Seal free access to Candid Premium, a database for finding foundations that fund work like yours.

Time: an hour or two to fill in. Start at candid.org.

5. Benevity, for employer matching

What you get: many large employers match their staff's donations, and send those matches through Benevity. If you're not registered there, the match often can't reach you. Registering is free.

Time: about 20 minutes. Start at causes.benevity.org.

When a donor tells you their employer will match a gift, you can record it on the gift in their donor profile, under Matching.

6. Canva Pro, free

What you get: Canva's paid plan for up to 50 people on your team, for designing social posts, flyers and newsletters.

Time: 10 minutes to apply. Search for "Canva for Nonprofits".

Also worth knowing

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: free for up to 300 people, if you prefer Outlook to Gmail. Microsoft's more complete plans are discounted, not free.
• Slack Pro: free for workspaces of up to 250 people.
• TechSoup: discounted software from Adobe, Zoom and others, for a small fee per product.
• USPS nonprofit mail rates: much cheaper postage for mailings of 200 or more pieces, like a year-end appeal. Apply at your post office with PS Form 3624.

Need a hand?

If you get stuck on any of these, or aren't sure whether you qualify, email us at info@occam.gives and we'll help.

Last checked October 2026. Programs change their offers often, so check each program's own site before you apply.