How Charities can save money on websites, software and digital tools

If you run a charity or non-profit, you will probably recognise at least one of these challenges:

The good news is that charities can access a growing range of free tools, discounted software and funding opportunities. Used well, these schemes can reduce everyday running costs, improve how your organisation works and free up more of your budget for the people and communities you support. Yay!!

Here is the Web Goddess roundup of practical ways to make your charity’s digital budget go further:

Free Website Hosting

Website hosting is an ongoing cost, but eligible registered charities with a WordPress website may be able to reduce it to nothing. Krystal Hosting’s Amethyst Plan offers free hosting to qualifying charities, which could save your organisation hundreds of pounds a year. Just make sure you check the current eligibility criteria, storage limits and support included before moving an existing website.

Free Graphic Design

Canva for Nonprofits gives eligible organisations access to premium design tools at no cost. Your team can create consistent social media graphics, presentations, posters and campaign materials using templates and shared brand assets, reducing the need to commission every design job externally.

Desktop Software & Email

Google Workspace for Nonprofits can give eligible charities professional email addresses using their own domain, alongside shared calendars, cloud storage, online documents and video meetings. Bringing these tools together can reduce separate subscription costs and make it easier for staff, trustees and volunteers to collaborate securely.

If your organisation uses Microsoft products, check whether you qualify for Microsoft for Nonprofits. Eligible charities can access donated or heavily discounted Microsoft 365 plans, which may include email, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint and web-based Office apps. Review the current licence terms carefully, as free allocations and included features can change.

Free Google Ads

Eligible charities can apply for Google Ad Grants, which currently provides up to £7,000 a month in free search advertising. This can help people find your services, campaigns, volunteering opportunities and donation pages when they search online. The grant needs active management and compliance with Google’s programme rules, so plan who will maintain the account before applying.

Fundraising with NO Processing Fees

Zeffy offers UK charities a fundraising platform with no platform or payment-processing fees, allowing your organisation to keep the full amount raised. It supports donations, event tickets, raffles, auctions and memberships, as well as donor management. Zeffy funds the service through optional supporter tips, so review the donor journey, Gift Aid process and reporting tools before switching from your current platform.

Discounted Email Marketing

Mailchimp offers a 15% discount to verified non-profit organisations and charities. If you already use the platform, check that the discount has been applied to your account; if you are choosing a new email marketing tool, compare the discounted cost with the size of your mailing list, the automation features you need and any limits on contacts or sends.

Small Website Grants

National Lottery Awards for All England offers grants of £300 to £20,000 for projects lasting up to two years, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. A website or other digital cost may form part of a wider project where it is essential to bringing people together, improving a community or helping people reach their potential. Build the application around the community need, the people who will benefit and the outcomes the digital work will enable, rather than presenting the website as an end in itself.

And, of course, support is available if you would rather not tackle your digital project alone. Web Goddess offers charities and non-profits a 10% contribution against our standard business rates for websites and related services. It is our way of recognising the important work you do and helping your digital budget achieve more.

Just get in touch and we'd love to talk through how we can help.