There are a lot of cost-saving strategies and discounts for nonprofits. From discounted services and rates to donated products, storage, training, and development, the resources to succeed and create impactful work are out there.
However, there is yet to be a concise manual for setting up and properly utilizing the staggering number of products, services, tools, and resources that are available for supporting nonprofits without breaking the bank. Even if you know about some of them, it can be intimidating to take the plunge with unfamiliar tools in hand. That’s why we want to give you a quick overview on some life-changing and cost-saving benefits offered under the nonprofit umbrella.
The following is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is a useful one. If you have yet to investigate strategies to save you money, this is the perfect place to start.
Join Techsoup To Access a Variety of Tech Discounts for Nonprofits
Techsoup is about connecting people working for good with the tools and resources they need to succeed. They serve nonprofits, libraries, and foundations not only throughout the US, but abroad as well.
Not only does Techsoup offer a wide variety of discounts for nonprofits on services and programs through their website, but registering your nonprofit with Techsoup also grants your organization validation tokens to access even more benefits through their partners such as Google for Nonprofits, Hubspot, and Twilio. Suffice to say, Techsoup is a powerful cost-saving tool.
(To be eligible for Google for Nonprofits, organizations must be nonprofit charitable organizations in good standing in their country, and be registered with the local TechSoup partner. View country-specific eligibility guidelines here.)
The average nonprofit saves $12,000 on technology products over the course of TechSoup membership.
Nonprofits are not generally known for expansive budgets, so cost-saving steps are always a relevant item on the agenda. Saving money on the technology needs of your nonprofit can be an excellent way to slim down some costs for necessary tools and services.
Techsoup offers a comprehensive list of heavily discounted tools and services through more than 60 donor partnerships. These partnerships greatly work to the advantage of nonprofits who need affordable options for supporting and running their cause. Some partnerships offer discounts for nonprofits while others donate their product and services to them through Techsoup.
Because the world is constantly changing, with platforms and technology along with it, Techsoup is also a useful resource in the technology sector with other free content like: blog posts, forums, and articles and how-tos about tech and support. They also provide an array of community events and webinars covering training and education, fostering connection, as well as creating impactful work.
Apply for a Google Ad Grants and Save 10K per Month
The Google Ad Grant is a great way to get your message out into the world without spending an arm and a leg. Qualifying nonprofits can receive access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads that show up on Google. That’s huge. Imagine the relief of not having to budget a ton of money on ads each month just to get your cause seen! Better yet, getting started is only a handful of steps.
How to get started with Google Ad Grants
You can also watch this video to review the application process from start to finish.
“We’ve seen double-digit percent increases in our online fundraising for each of the past two years. And we really attribute that to Ad Grants.” Daniel Meloy, Development Director at Thrive DC
Become a YouTube Nonprofit Program Partner for Some Sweet Perks
With YouTube being the second most visited site on the internet, with one billion viewers on YouTube every month, it should definitely be an important part of your digital marketing strategy alongside Search Engine Optimization, Calls to Action, and Backlinks. In fact, in the US, YouTube reaches more consumers between the ages of 18 and 49 than all cable TV networks put together.
Nonprofits can use YouTube videos to share their causes with a global audience, drive empathy, and engage new supporters. By becoming a Program Partner, you can gain access to a number of partner-level benefits, such as linking straight to your site in videos, optimizing your Youtube content, and access to their dedicated technical support.
If you’ve already checked on your eligibility for a Google for Nonprofits Account, then you’re ready to get this ball rolling too. Check this list to be sure that the YouTube for Nonprofit Program is available in your country/region.
You will need
- A Google for Nonprofits Account
- A YouTube channel for your organization
- Your organization’s YouTube channel ID
To activate the YouTube Nonprofit Program
- Sign into your Google for Nonprofits administrative account
- Click “Get Started” under your ‘YouTube Nonprofit Program’ tab, and follow the steps laid out.
Your request will be reviewed within three business days. Once the review is complete, you should receive an email notification that your YouTube Nonprofit Program has been activated. From there, you can start using its channel features and access all of the benefits available to nonprofit organizations.
Collaborate and Communicate More Efficiently
Having the tools to collaborate and communicate effectively is essential for any venture. Without the means to fulfill this necessity, businesses of all types fail. That is why finding the tools that work well with your team dynamics as well as your budget is so important.
Asana
Asana is a tool to manage projects and campaigns, get real-time insights, and track progress. The Asana for Nonprofits program provides a 50% discount for an annual Asana Premium or Business plan. Discounts for nonprofits like this one provide better access to helpful planning tools for nonprofit organizations that could not otherwise afford it.
Slack
Slack is a communication tool to keep your entire team on the same page and to collaborate over any distance. The Slack for Nonprofits program offers free or discounted plan upgrades to eligible organizations.
Zoom
Zoom provides nonprofits reliable video and phone quality, regardless of the distance between participants. If eligible, your organization may receive one discounted product per fiscal year.
Take Advantage of Social Media Tools that have Discounts for Nonprofits
Managing social media platforms is another necessary component to visibility and organic growth for your nonprofit. There are some basic tools offered at no cost depending on the platform; Facebook’s Audience Insights is a great place to start on that front. But, if you find yourself needing more than this, here are some more social media tools that give discounts for nonprofits to consider taking advantage of.
Awario, Mention, and BuzzSumo are all tools geared towards social media monitoring, management, and research. Each has specific strengths that could benefit your nonprofit and which is the best fit will depend on your specific needs. Each of these provide discounts for nonprofits ranging from 20% to 50%.
Keep in mind though that not all of these discounts are highly publicized on the website. For example, both Mention and BuzzSumo require you to contact their support team directly to confirm your nonprofit status before offering your organization a discount. Which just goes to show that it never hurts to ask for some help!
Hootsuite offers a social media marketing and management dashboard, enabling you to schedule posts across all your profiles, manage content as a team, and analyze your social media efforts. With a 50% discount on Professional and Team plans, it is worth consideration as an economical option for nonprofits.
Products like these don’t just save you money with discounts, either. The time and energy saved through increased efficiency can continually add exponential value to your nonprofit’s efforts.
Final Thoughts
Although this is by no means an exhaustive list, it is still a lot to consider and a lot to potentially benefit from. The bottom line is that there are many ways to shave off some costs for your nonprofit while improving your social reach, internal and external communication, and technology needs—if you put in the legwork to get it done.
Don’t focus on the potential headache of applications and approvals and end up wasting money by delaying implementing some cost-saving strategies today. These discounts are sure to return your value in more ways than one.
At KSR, working with nonprofits is one of our specialties – and we’ve learned a thing or two about helping them save money along the way. If you have questions on what we covered today, our inbox is always open!
For more tips and tricks to maximize your nonprofit’s impact (and minimize overhead costs), check out the rest of our blogs and follow us on social – we’re always sharing the latest advice!
