As a nonprofit leader, you already know that nonprofit organizations operate on tight budgets, and that every dollar really counts when it comes to moving your mission forward! Every dollar saved is a dollar earned for your mission!

     Fortunately, both Google and Microsoft offer free and discounted access to their powerful productivity suites—Google Workspace and Microsoft 365—to eligible nonprofits. These programs provide invaluable tools to help nonprofits collaborate, communicate, and manage their operations efficiently. Here’s how you can take advantage of these incredible offerings.

Google for Nonprofits

     Google offers a special program called Google for Nonprofits, which provides access to Google Workspace at no cost. Here’s what nonprofits receive for free:

• Google Workspace for Nonprofits – This includes Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and Calendar with nonprofit branding. So instead of having a basic gmail address like “[email protected]" that means your team can have custom addresses with your own domain, like “[email protected]” which looks more legitimate and professional.  These tools are cloud-based and available across a variety of devices and team structures- whether your team works in a shared space or remotely from your own personal computers. This free plan for nonprofits includes support for up to 2,000 users with up to 30GB of storage per user!
• Google Ad Grants – This program really needs its own post, so subscribe where you’re watching right now to catch my in-depth explanation of ad grants next week!
• YouTube Nonprofit Program – This enables nonprofits to add fundraising buttons to videos and access YouTube’s Creator Academy- which are free resources for sharing your impact and inspiring generosity!
• Google Earth and Maps – These tools can be used to tell compelling stories and visualize data for impact reporting and donor engagement.

To qualify, nonprofits must be registered as charitable organizations in their respective countries and meet Google’s eligibility criteria.

Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits

Microsoft also offers robust tools through its Microsoft for Nonprofits program. Eligible organizations can access Microsoft 365 at no cost (or at a significant discount). Here’s what’s included:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic (Free for up to 300 users) – This includes web versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Teams for collaboration, and Exchange email services.
• Discounted Upgrades – Nonprofits needing desktop versions of Office apps can get Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium at a significant discount.
• Microsoft Azure Credits – Eligible nonprofits receive $3,500 in annual Azure cloud credits to build and scale their digital infrastructure.
• Power BI and Dynamics 365 Discounts – These tools help nonprofits analyze data, track engagement, and manage donor relationships.

Nonprofits must be registered and hold valid charitable status in their country to qualify. Microsoft also requires organizations to go through a verification process conducted by TechSoup, a nonprofit technology assistance provider.

Why Should Nonprofits Take Advantage of These Offers?

1. Cost Savings – Free access to these premium tools allows nonprofits to allocate more funds to mission-driven programs and services.
2. Enhanced Collaboration – Cloud-based tools enable teams to work together seamlessly, whether in the office or remotely.
3. Improved Productivity – With powerful apps at their disposal, nonprofit staff can streamline workflows and focus more of their time and energy on mission-driven activities.

How to Apply

     To get started, nonprofits can visit Google for Nonprofits and Microsoft for Nonprofits, review eligibility criteria, and submit an application. Verification usually takes a few weeks, but once approved, organizations can immediately begin using these free tools.

     Small nonprofits have enough hurdles to overcome, and access to technology should not be a barrier to making a difference. By leveraging Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for nonprofits, your organization can operate more efficiently, increase its reach, and make an even greater impact. If your nonprofit hasn’t yet applied for these free resources, what are you waiting for? Get started by applying to one or both of these programs so that you’re ready to take action on next week’s post about ad grants for nonprofits! You won’t want to mis it, so don’t forget to subscribe!

If you missed the first video in this Free Resources for Nonprofits series, you can view the full playlist here!