Most nonprofits run on donated time and tight budgets. Software subscriptions quietly eat into both. This article explains what to look for in free nonprofit software and how our program works.
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Free Software for Nonprofits: What You Actually Get (and What It Costs)
October 21, 20261 min read4 sections
The short version
A plain look at free nonprofit software: which tools matter, where "free" usually has strings attached, and how Proximent provides its platforms to nonprofits at no cost.
01
Why "free" often isn't
- Free tiers that cap users, so volunteers share logins.
- Discounts that expire after the first year.
- Separate tools for books, scheduling, and messaging that never connect.
02
The tools a nonprofit really needs
- Bookkeeping to track donations, grants, and expenses.
- Volunteer and staff management for hours, calendars, and events.
- Team communications so coordinators aren't buried in group texts.
- A website people can find and trust.
03
How Proximent's nonprofit program works
Qualifying nonprofits receive our software free. The only cost is $20 per month for website hosting, if you choose to have us host a site. There are no user limits, so every volunteer can have their own login.
The program is funded by our commercial clients — part of what local businesses pay supports nonprofits in their own community. Read how that partnership works.
04
Getting started
Tell us about your organization and what you're using today. We'll set up the tools you need and walk your team through them.
Next step
Have questions about your business?
Tell us what you need and we'll show you how we'd set it up.
Contact us to apply for the nonprofit program