Over 30 Tools Nonprofits Need to Succeed

October 24, 2024

Make your life easier!

by Lori Shecter

Here’s a list of over 30 tools nonprofits need to succeed that will make your staff’s lives easier and help them get the job done more efficiently! These tools cover everything from project management and communication to fundraising and social media marketing. Some of them are completely free, others offer free trials, and some are paid solutions—but all are worth considering based on your organization’s specific needs. Share this list with your team to help them find the tools nonprofits need to succeed and optimize their daily tasks. Share it with other nonprofits, too! 😊

Even though your organization might not require all of these tools right now, there’s a good chance that someone on your team could benefit from using them. That’s the beauty of having a variety of resources—there’s something to help everyone, whether they’re managing events, reaching out to donors, or analyzing data. Plus, many of the tools nonprofits need to succeed are available at a discount on TechSoup, making them more accessible for organizations working on tight budgets.

Have more tools you’d like to add to this list? We’re always looking to expand our recommendations and love hearing from those in the nonprofit sector! Shoot us an email using the form on the right, and we’ll gladly check out your suggestions. By working together and sharing insights, we can ensure nonprofits everywhere have access to the tools they need to succeed.

Some of these tools might also be available at a discount on TechSoup.

Over 30 Tools Nonprofits Need to Succeed:

Here you will find some pretty awesome stuff we are trialing for all of you, awesome nonprofits out there. We’ve selected them based on their ability to help you FIND THE MONEY. These are without a doubt tools nonprofits need to succeed.

Donor Search | We are just demoing this huge database full of individuals and donors. This is a completely robust tool to find the exact donor or sponsor you may need. So far, I love what I am seeing. What’s great about Donor Search? It’s a FREE three-week trial PLUS the account team will help you use the tool and run reports. Worried about not having time to use this tool? Don’t be! Donor Search’s account team is almost like having an on-staff development staff member.

Double the Donation | Another one of the tools nonprofits need to succeed but very different than Donor Search. Most employees don’t know about their company’s donor match programs. This unique little piece of code integrates with your donation software and shows people whether their company will double their donation and guides them down the easy path to do so. Free trials and more!

10-Minute 360MatchPro Overview from Double the Donation on Vimeo.

(Update 10/25/2024)

Latest Discovered:

We have updated this section (and will continue to do so) in case you have bookmarked this list – it makes it easy for you to find the newest listing!

E-Card Widget | We just found this new and clever tool. We are testing it out and hope that you will too. Stay tuned for our results! A very interesting tool for thanking donors and other important email functions.

Digital eCard Donations – https://ecardwidget.com/donor-recognition-software-custom-digital-greeting-cards/
Personalized Donation Thank-you eCards – https://ecardwidget.com/donor-recognition-software-custom-digital-greeting-cards/

Copy.ai | This tool helps people write content. Whether or not you are a great writer, this perfect tool for non-profits (it’s free!) can help you write content for websites, grants, and social media.

Lumen5.com | Their premise is they turn your blogs into videos. Not exactly – more like into a moving PowerPoint. But try it yourself to see for sure.
Uber Suggest IO | This is a free tool from Neil Patel that helps you find the keywords that you need to use in order to make your website easier to find by search engines.
Story Blocks | A paid tool to get stock videos. We like it – it’s a subscription so you can cancel any time.
Motion Array | Paid tools for non-profits for stock videos and music, templates, motion graphics, and more. As a video creator, it’s well worth the $30/month price. For an example of “Motion Array” in action, view this website (top video).

Design Tools

Design Tools Chrome Extensions

Note: Disable extensions when not in use so that your browser doesn’t slow down! Even when they are tools nonprofits need to succeed!

What Font – Helps you to identify Fonts on Website
Eyedropper – Tells you what colors are on websites
UX Principles Helps you understand Website User Experience
Koala Inspector – Shopify
Heurio – Check Visual Feedback on a Website

Conference Calling

Video Editors

Kapwing
Filmora
Vimeo
Animoto
We Video
Lumen 5
Canva

Video Maker

Biteable
Break Out Clips

Project Management

Need help with your website? Schedule a consultation with us.

Email CRM

Email and Ad Writing

Check your Grammar!

Grammarly
Ginger

Donation Software

GiveWP | We use it because it’s completely integrated with WordPress and we use it on our websites. To see an example, visit this live website.
Donor Box | Free
Bloomerang
Little Green Light
Kindful
Neon
FlipCause
Give Box
Auction Software
Cause Vox | This actually is free which always makes me wonder… how do they make money to survive?

Grant Finders

Funds for NGOS
GrantStation
GrantWatch
Grants.gov
Foundation Center
Grant Gopher
Wells Fargo
JP Morgan Chase
Google Ad Grants

Storage

Dropbox | Free and Paid
Google Drive | Free and Paid
One Note | Paid included in Microsoft Packages

Analytics

Surveys and Forms

Survey Monkey | Paid + Free Trial
Typeform | Paid

Social Scheduling

Website Builders

We Are Immediate | The best we highly recommend them – Yes that is our self-promotion!
SquareSpace
Wix
WordPress.com | Not to be confused with “WordPress.org” which is a Content Management System.
Weebly
GoDaddy

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced digital world, having access to the right tools is essential for nonprofits to thrive. The tools nonprofits need to succeed range from project management software and fundraising platforms to analytics tools and content management systems. These resources streamline workflows, enhance engagement, and amplify impact, helping organizations focus more on their core missions rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks. By integrating the right solutions, nonprofits can effectively reach donors, manage campaigns, and measure their success.

Whether it’s simplifying communication with stakeholders or automating routine tasks, the tools nonprofits need to succeed play a crucial role in maximizing their efficiency. These solutions can help organizations manage projects seamlessly, track finances accurately, and even improve collaboration across different teams. From cloud storage to social media scheduling tools, the tools nonprofits need to succeed ensure that they can operate smoothly and scale their efforts as they grow.

Choosing the right set of tools means that every nonprofit, no matter its size, can make the most of its resources and effectively communicate its mission. As the digital landscape evolves, staying updated with the latest tools nonprofits need to succeed will help organizations adapt and grow, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant. The key is to assess their unique needs and select solutions that align with their goals, budgets, and target audience.

Ultimately, leveraging these tools empowers nonprofits to drive more impact, make informed decisions, and create lasting change. By investing in the tools nonprofits need to succeed, organizations can better navigate challenges, optimize their operations, and enhance their overall effectiveness. Whether they are looking to expand their outreach, engage with supporters, or streamline their internal processes, nonprofits will find that the right tools are a crucial investment for long-term sustainability and success.

ADD MORE!

Check Our Non-Profit Web Development Services»

Have questions? Drop us a line.

Ready to grow your organization? We're here to make that happen.

Request a Call Request a Proposal

Non-Profit Websites

Every non-profit needs a high performing website to ensure the success of their missions. And, just like your goal is to increase donations, funding and program availability, our mission is to help you achieve your goals. We immerse ourselves in understanding how to ensure that the goals for your website far exceed expectations.

Riverstone NYC

Increase in donations

500%

View Case Study

Riverstone NYC
500%
Increase in donations

Lori and her team built a beautiful website for Riverstone Senior Life Services, anticipating things we didn’t.

– Mary Ellen Sanger, Riverstone NYC

View Case Study