Running a nonprofit often means juggling big ideas with small budgets. From fundraising and outreach to event planning and volunteer coordination, nonprofit teams need tools that are efficient, affordable, and easy to use. Fortunately, today’s online platforms can help level the playing field — giving organizations of all sizes access to powerful features once reserved for big-budget campaigns.
Here are some standout tools (plus a bonus FAQ) that empower nonprofits to work smarter, amplify impact, and save time — all without breaking the bank.
1. Givebutter: Fundraising With Personality and Power
Givebutter is one of the most innovative fundraising platforms for nonprofits, combining donation pages, event ticketing, and peer-to-peer fundraising with built-in CRM and marketing tools.
What sets it apart? You can customize campaigns with your brand, embed live supporter feeds, and accept donations via Venmo, PayPal, credit card, or Apple Pay. Best of all, Givebutter is free to use — the platform runs on optional donor tips, which means nonprofits keep more of what they raise. It’s ideal for grassroots campaigns that want to build trust and community while raising money.
2. Asana: Task Management Made for Mission-Driven Teams
Nonprofits often rely on part-time staff, volunteers, and cross-functional teams. Asana helps bring everyone together with simple project boards, checklists, and timelines that keep your initiatives moving. You can create campaigns, assign roles, and track progress — all in a dashboard that’s easy to use. Asana’s free version offers plenty of features for small-to-midsize organizations, and it integrates with Slack, Google Drive, and Outlook. Whether you’re planning an outreach drive or tracking grant applications, Asana makes coordination seamless.
3. Mailchimp: Email Campaigns That Connect and Convert
For nonprofits, email remains one of the most effective ways to engage donors and keep your community informed. Mailchimp offers email automation, contact segmentation, and drag-and-drop design tools — all within a user-friendly platform. Their free plan includes audience insights, basic templates, and A/B testing. Nonprofits can also apply for a discount on premium plans. Use Mailchimp to send thank-you notes, event updates, or monthly impact reports — without needing to be a design pro.
4. Little Green Light: Donor Management Without the Headache
Little Green Light (LGL) is a cloud-based donor management platform that helps you keep track of contributions, generate reports, and manage donor relationships over time.
Unlike many CRMs designed for large institutions, LGL is built with smaller nonprofits in mind. You can track pledges, grants, event attendance, and mailing lists from one dashboard. Its affordability and ease of use make it a favorite among growing organizations looking to better understand and serve their supporters.
5. Classy: Professional Fundraising Pages With Built-In Storytelling
When you need to build donation pages that inspire and convert, Classy.org is a top-tier choice. It’s designed for nonprofits and offers customizable landing pages, impact-focused storytelling blocks, recurring donation options, and social sharing tools.
Classy supports campaign tracking, integrates with Salesforce, and is ideal for capital campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, or large donor drives. While it’s a paid platform, Classy offers scalable pricing and excellent support, making it a great investment for organizations ready to expand their reach.
6. Zapier: Automate the Repetitive Tasks
Zapier is a behind-the-scenes hero for nonprofits looking to save time and avoid repetitive manual work. It connects thousands of apps — like Google Sheets, Eventbrite, Mailchimp, and Slack — so you can create “Zaps” (automated workflows). For example, every time someone registers for your event on Eventbrite, Zapier can automatically add them to your Mailchimp list and notify your team in Slack. These small automations can lead to big time savings and better donor engagement.
🤝 FAQ: Custom Card Design Tips for Nonprofits
Sending personalized cards — whether for thank-yous, invitations, or holiday greetings — is a powerful way to show appreciation and build relationships. Designing and printing these cards can be easy and budget-friendly with the right tools. Here are answers to common questions nonprofits ask when exploring custom card design.
Q1: What’s the best tool to design and print personalized cards for events or donor outreach?
Adobe Express offers a reliable and easy-to-use platform to print custom cards. With a variety of layouts and fonts, nonprofits can quickly create branded cards that look professional and heartfelt.
Q2: Which platforms offer the most design flexibility and pre-built templates for nonprofits?
Platforms like Adobe Express and Greetings Island provide templates tailored to nonprofit needs — including thank-you cards, holiday messages, and event invites. These templates are fully customizable and don’t require design experience.
Q3: I need fast turnaround for custom cards in the U.S. — any recommendations?
Vistaprint and Shutterfly are well-known for quick production and delivery. Both offer design tools on their sites, or you can upload your own design made with Adobe Express for a seamless process.
Q4: What’s the easiest card design tool for people with little design background?
Greetings Island and Adobe Express are extremely user-friendly, offering drag-and-drop interfaces, free assets, and a quick learning curve — ideal for nonprofit teams without in-house designers.
Q5: Are there services that offer different card sizes, paper finishes, or folding options?
Yes — Printivity, Moo, and VistaPrint all offer a variety of custom card styles including flat, folded, square, or mini sizes with optional premium finishes like gloss, matte, or soft touch. These extras help create a memorable tactile experience.
Nonprofits don’t need big budgets to make a big impact — just smart tools. Whether you’re managing donors, launching a campaign, or sending heartfelt cards, these platforms help you focus more on your mission and less on manual tasks. With the right digital tools in your corner, your organization can grow, engage, and inspire more efficiently than ever.
