Top Resources Every New Nonprofit Needs to Know About.
- Anthony Marquez
- May 8
- 5 min read
Starting a nonprofit is both rewarding and challenging, and one of the first steps after receiving your 501(c)(3) approval is setting up essential tools and platforms. Below is a list of must-have resources for new nonprofits to help you hit the ground running.
Essential Platforms for Nonprofits
As a newly approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit, these are the first platforms you should register with to maximize your outreach, streamline operations, and leverage key resources:
Google for Nonprofits
Google for Nonprofits provides a powerful suite of tools to help nonprofits boost their online presence, streamline communication, and effectively share their message. This program includes access to Google Workspace, YouTube Nonprofit Program, Google Ad Grants, and Google Voice. Here’s a breakdown of what each component offers:
Google Workspace for Nonprofits (Formerly G Suite)
Google Workspace offers nonprofits access to productivity and collaboration tools at no cost. This includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Meet, and more, all in a secure, cloud-based environment.
Gmail: Access to a professional, ad-free email system with a custom domain (e.g., contact@yourorganization.org), reinforcing brand trust and professional outreach.
Google Drive: Secure file storage with the ability to organize, collaborate, and share documents internally and externally without physical limitations.
Docs, Sheets, Slides: Real-time collaboration allows multiple users to work together regardless of location, improving productivity for remote teams.
Google Meet: Host secure virtual meetings with extended time limits, ideal for donor relations, board meetings, and staff coordination.
These tools are indispensable for nonprofit organizations that want to operate professionally and efficiently while minimizing administrative costs.
YouTube Nonprofit Program
YouTube's Nonprofit Program enables organizations to use video to drive awareness, share impact stories, and connect emotionally with audiences.
Donation Link Integration: Add links directly on video pages for donations.
Call-to-Action Overlays: Guide viewers to take next steps, like subscribing or visiting your website.
YouTube Giving: Enables direct donations through YouTube videos.
Exclusive Tips and Best Practices: Access strategies to grow your audience and convert viewers into supporters.
YouTube is a storytelling powerhouse. For nonprofits, it offers the ability to build emotional resonance with supporters through video, an increasingly preferred form of content.
Google Ad Grants
Google Ad Grants provides up to $10,000/month in free search advertising. It allows nonprofits to:
Promote their mission
Recruit volunteers
Share program information
Drive website traffic
By targeting keywords relevant to your mission, you can increase visibility and engagement with zero advertising costs. This tool is essential for any nonprofit looking to broaden its online presence.
Google Voice for Nonprofits
Google Voice gives your nonprofit a professional phone number that can be managed across devices. Key benefits include:
Unified Communications: Route calls to any device.
Voicemail Transcriptions: Review messages in text format.
Cost Efficiency: Affordable alternative to traditional phone systems.
Google Voice is especially helpful for nonprofits without a dedicated office, as it allows flexible yet professional communication.
GoodStack (Formerly Percent)
GoodStack is an all-in-one platform tailored for small and medium-sized nonprofits. It offers tools for:
Website Creation: Build a simple, effective nonprofit site.
Online Donations: Accept secure payments and track donors.
Fundraising Campaigns: Launch giving campaigns with branded messaging.
GoodStack simplifies online presence for grassroots organizations and helps ensure you can start accepting donations and sharing updates quickly.
Candid (Formerly GuideStar)
Candid is a data-driven platform used by funders, donors, and nonprofits to assess credibility and impact.
Transparency Profile: Share your mission, financials, board, and programs.
Seal of Transparency: Gain levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) that enhance your visibility to potential funders.
Grant Search Tools: Research funding opportunities.
Many donors check Candid before giving, making it a critical step in establishing trust and legitimacy.
Facebook Fundraising Tools
Facebook allows verified nonprofits to raise funds directly through its platform.
Donation Buttons: Place on posts, videos, and live streams.
Birthday Fundraisers: Supporters can raise funds on your behalf.
Peer-to-Peer Campaigns: Empower your community to raise funds for your cause.
This platform taps into your supporters’ networks, offering a powerful word-of-mouth fundraising tool. (Be prepared to be ghosted)
PayPal Giving Fund
PayPal Giving Fund integrates with PayPal, eBay, GoFundMe, and other platforms to allow nonprofits to collect donations fee-free.
Automatic Enrollment: Connect through your PayPal account.
No Transaction Fees: Receive 100% of each donation.
Donor Receipts Provided: Automatically issued to supporters.
A widely recognized and trusted platform, PayPal Giving Fund helps streamline online donations and build credibility with donors.
TechSoup
TechSoup is a nonprofit that provides other nonprofits with deeply discounted software, hardware, and services.
Microsoft Office Licenses
Adobe Creative Cloud Discounts
Zoom and DocuSign
However, some discounts come with a small administrative fee. Still, the savings can be substantial and essential for professional operations.
Canva for Nonprofits
Canva offers free premium accounts to nonprofits, helping them create polished marketing materials and branded content.
Social Media Graphics
Flyers & Posters
Donor Reports and Presentations
It’s an essential platform for organizations without in-house graphic designers, allowing teams to produce visually engaging content.
Additional Resources Worth Considering
Walmart Local Community Grants
Walmart offers Local Community Grants to support nonprofits making an impact in their communities. With awards ranging from $250 to $5,000, this program is a great opportunity for small and growing organizations like Creator Terminal to fund specific programs or events. Learn more or apply at walmart.com/nonprofits.
Taproot Plus
Taproot Plus matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers in areas like marketing, HR, and strategy.
Pro Bono Services
Short- and Long-Term Projects
Wide Range of Skills
This is especially helpful when you're short on staff or budget but need specialized expertise.
Calendly
A scheduling tool that simplifies booking meetings without back-and-forth emails.
Automated Booking
Custom Availability Settings
Meeting Reminders
This tool saves administrative time and helps keep donor and volunteer engagement running smoothly.
Notion is an all-in-one digital workspace that helps nonprofits centralize their operations, planning, and documentation. From managing content calendars to organizing meeting notes, grant trackers, and project workflows, Notion is a flexible platform that adapts to your needs. Its collaborative features make it easy for teams to stay aligned, and its nonprofit discount makes it an accessible and cost-effective resource for growing organizations.
Microsoft provides free or low-cost access to productivity tools, including:
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Outlook for Email
OneDrive Cloud Storage
This suite complements Google Workspace and offers compatibility for organizations that prefer Microsoft tools.
Monday.com for Project Management
Monday.com offers free nonprofit plans for task and project management.
Collaborative Boards
Timeline Tracking
Workflow Automation
It helps streamline operations and keeps everyone aligned on program goals.
Reflections on the Nonprofit Resource Landscape
Starting a nonprofit is empowering but reveals how segmented and gatekept resources can be. Some platforms charge fees for access to tools that should be more readily available to nonprofits.
For instance, TechSoup charges administrative fees for license codes, even though those codes are free to generate. Candid asks for extensive board demographic data, which may feel excessive or irrelevant to your mission.
While these platforms often do good work, there is still room for improvement in access and transparency. A future where nonprofit resources are streamlined and equitable is within reach – and worth advocating for.
Final Thoughts
These tools provide the infrastructure to support nonprofit growth, credibility, and outreach. Evaluate each platform’s pros and cons to determine what suits your organization best, and continue to advocate for better access to tools and funding.
With the right resources in place, your nonprofit can build momentum and make a lasting impact.
About the Author
Anthony Marquez is the founder of Creator Terminal, a nonprofit built to bridge the gap between creativity, technology, and opportunity. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and active law enforcement officer, Anthony applies real-world discipline and leadership to every project he takes on. He also runs Mystic Media Film and MyShowBro, platforms dedicated to supporting digital storytellers, small businesses, and aspiring creatives. With experience in real estate and media production, Anthony’s work centers on building tangible paths for people to turn vision into reality
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