13 Marketing Tools Your Non-Profit Can Use for Free

Marketing doesn’t have to eat your budget. These 13 tools can help your non-profit advertise events, connect with donors, grow your audience, and stay visible—without blowing your budget.

Many of the platforms below are either built for non-profits, offer deep non-profit discounts, or come with no-cost plans funded through alternate models.

1. Google Ad Grant

What it is: Up to $10,000/month in free Google Search ads.
Perfect for: Driving traffic to your donation page, blog, or events.
Caveats:

• Must be a 501(c)(3)
• Inactivity may result in loss of grant
  • Get started

2. Salesforce for Nonprofits

What it is: Up to 10 free licenses for Salesforce’s nonprofit CRM tools.
Perfect for: Donor management, campaigns, volunteer coordination.
Caveats:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)
• Must pass eligibility screening
  • Apply here

3. HubSpot for Nonprofits

What it is: 40% off annual marketing, CRM, and sales tools.
Perfect for: Email nurturing, contact management, lead tracking.
Caveats:

• Must be a 501(c)(3)
• Annual payment required
• First-time customers only
• View eligibility criteria
  • Apply here

4. Givebutter

What it is: A free donation, ticketing, and campaign platform.
Perfect for: Fundraisers, peer-to-peer campaigns, event ticketing.
Caveats:

• Free basic plan; Givebutter earns through payment processing
  • Register here

5. Zeffy

What it is: A truly free fundraising platform with zero payment fees.
Perfect for: Online donations, ticketing, and fundraising pages.
Caveats:

• 501(c)(3) status required
• Operates on optional donor tipping model
  • Register here

6. Ludus

What it is: Event booking and ticketing for nonprofits and schools.
Perfect for: Theatre groups, benefit concerts, galas.
Caveats:

• Charges are passed to the donor, not the non-profit
  • Get started

7. Hootsuite’s HootGiving Program

What it is: Up to 60% off Hootsuite plans for eligible nonprofits.
Perfect for: Scheduling social posts, audience engagement.
Caveats:

• Must apply through TechSoup or Goodstack
  • Apply here

8. Buffer for Nonprofits

What it is: 50% off all social media management plans.
Perfect for: Scheduling content, analyzing performance.
Caveats:

• Must be a verified 501(c)(3)
  • Apply here

9. LinkedIn for Nonprofits

What it is: 75% off Sales Navigator Core or Recruiter Lite.
Perfect for: Finding donors, volunteers, or top nonprofit talent.
Caveats:

• 501(c)(3) status required
  • Apply here

10. Mailchimp Nonprofit Discount

What it is: 15% off Mailchimp’s powerful email marketing platform.
Perfect for: Email newsletters, donor campaigns, segmentation.
Caveats:

• Must be a 501(c)(3)
  • Apply here

11. GetResponse for Nonprofits

What it is: 50% off email automation and campaign tools.
Perfect for: Advanced email flows, donor journeys, and lead magnets.
Caveats:

• Must not be a political organization
• Must display GetResponse logo on your site
  • Apply here

12. Constant Contact via TechSoup

What it is: 50% off email and event marketing tools.
Perfect for: Contact lists, email design, and donor outreach.
Caveats:

• Available to 501(c)(3)s through TechSoup
  • Apply here

13. Wix for Nonprofits

What it is: 70% off a two-year Wix Premium Plan.
Perfect for: Building beautiful websites and donation landing pages.
Caveats:

• Must be a 501(c)(3)
• Only applies to new Premium accounts
  • Apply here

Marketing Tools FAQ: What Non-Profits Should Know

Q: What’s the best platform for free online donations?
A: Zeffy is the only one with zero fees across the board. Givebutter is also strong, with more features like live event fundraising and messaging.

Q: What if I already use a platform—can I still get the discount?
A: In most cases, no. Discounts like HubSpot and Wix only apply to first-time users or new purchases.

Q: What happens if I stop using Google Ad Grant?
A: Google can revoke your grant if your account goes inactive, so it’s important to stay consistent—even with a small budget and simple ads.

Want help applying for these tools or managing the tech behind them? Managed Nerds can walk you through the setup and make sure your non-profit gets the full value of each grant.