Having a strong online presence is crucial for any organization, including non-profits. Shopify, as a leading e-commerce platform, recognizes this and offers special pricing plans tailored to the needs and budgets of charities and non-profit organizations.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Shopify for non-profits pricing, highlighting the benefits, eligibility criteria, and steps to sign up. You’ll see why it’s a popular choice for many charities and non-profit organizations.

What Is A Non-Profit Organization?

A non-profit organization (NPO) is a group or institution that operates for a specific mission rather than for profit. Its main goal is to serve the public good by addressing social, educational, cultural, or environmental issues. 

Unlike for-profit businesses, NPOs rely on funding from donations, grants, and fundraising events. Any revenue is reinvested back into the organization’s mission rather than being distributed to owners or shareholders.

Common examples of non-profit organizations include:

• Charities
• Foundations
• Educational institutions
• Religious organizations
• Social advocacy groups

Why Is Shopify The Best Platform For Non-Profit Organizations?

Here are the key reasons why Shopify is the best platform for non-profits:

• Commitment to sustainability: Shopify actively fights climate change through its Sustainability Fund and by operating a carbon-neutral platform. Nonprofits choosing Shopify contribute to a greener future and benefit from Google Cloud’s sustainable infrastructure.
• Affordable Non-Profit Plans: Shopify offers discounted pricing specifically for non-profits, making it easier for organizations with limited budgets to establish an online presence.
• User-Friendly Experience: The platform’s intuitive interface allows non-profits to easily set up and manage their online store without requiring technical skills.
• Fundraising Capabilities: Shopify supports various fundraising features, such as donation buttons, crowdfunding campaigns, and recurring donations.
• E-commerce Functionality: Non-profits can sell merchandise, tickets to events, or other products to generate revenue and support their cause.
• Brand Building: Shopify allows for extensive customization, enabling non-profits to create a unique and professional online presence that reflects their brand identity.
• Marketing and Communication: Shopify integrates with various marketing and communication tools, allowing non-profits to reach their audience and engage with supporters.
• Secure Payment Processing: Shopify ensures secure transactions through its built-in payment gateways and compliance with industry standards protects donor and customer data.

How to Sign Up for Shopify’s Nonprofit Plans

To sign up for one of Shopify’s nonprofit plans, you’ll first need to sign up for a Shopify account.

You can use the 3-day free trial to set up your store before applying for the special Shopify non-profit pricing.

But here’s an important thing: you cannot directly buy these plans off the rack. You’ll need to connect with Shopify’s live support team, and they’ll guide you through the verification process. Be ready to provide documents that prove your non-profit status, especially if you plan to accept donations. Once verified, they will assist you in activating either the NPO Lite or NPO Full plan based on your organization’s needs.

Shopify Non-profit Pricing

There are two unique Shopify NPO Plans: NPO Lite and NPO Full.

Shopify NPO Lite Plan

• Target audience: Nonprofits just starting their online journey or requiring essential features beyond the basics.
• Pricing: $29 per month

Key features & benefits

• 1% transaction fees with third-party payment providers (lower than the 2% on the Basic plan).
• Lower credit card rates via Shopify Payments.
• Ability to accept donations via Shopify Payments if registered as a charity in the US or Canada.
• Unlimited staff accounts (a feature typically reserved for the Shopify Plus plan).
• Real-time carrier shipping (normally found in the Advanced plan).

Shopify NPO Full Plan

• Target audience: Nonprofits seeking a comprehensive online solution with enhanced features, paralleling the offerings of the regular Shopify plan with added advantages.
• Pricing: Priced at $99 per month 

Key features & benefits

• 0% transaction fees with third-party payment providers (better than the Shopify and Advanced Shopify plans).
• Advanced credit card rates with Shopify Payments.
• Unlimited staff accounts (compared to the 5 offered in the Shopify plan).
• Ability to accept donations if registered as a charity in the US or Canada.
• Real-time carrier shipping (similar to the Advanced plan).

Top 5 Shopify Apps for Nonprofits 

Shopify has a huge library of over 8,000 apps that can add unique features and improve your online store, some are specifically designed for non-profit organizations. 

Let’s take a look at 5 apps that cater to the unique needs of nonprofits.

EComposer – Shopify Page Builder

EComposer stands out as a must-have Shopify app for nonprofits, combining user-friendly functionalities with high-end design capabilities.

Why we like it

EComposer is a notable Shopify page builder app tailored for nonprofits, facilitating the creation of attractive web pages with its user-friendly drag-and-drop feature. Even without coding experience, users can easily design pages using EComposer’s vast collection of ready-made templates. 

Importantly, nonprofits can take advantage of EComposer’s free plan, allowing them to design up to three custom pages, showcasing their offerings and influence efficiently.

Key features & Benefits

• Real-time Designing: With the live drag-and-drop editor, visualize your page’s evolution as you make changes.
• Extensive Customization: Design a myriad of pages, from landing to product pages and even “coming soon” or contact pages.
• Simplified Categorization: The Section Builder enables you to construct and categorize sections for your store theme.
• Diverse Layouts: Access to an expansive library with over 200 section layouts and a variety of components, and it’s still growing!
• SEO Boost: Optimize your site with custom titles, meta descriptions, and image adjustments for improved search engine visibility and faster page loads.
• Mobile-Optimized: Ensures a seamless browsing experience across all devices.
• Round-the-Clock Support: Avail 24/7 live chat support for any assistance or troubleshooting.

Pricing Plans

• Free: Ideal for nonprofits just starting their online journey and offers the ability to design up to three custom pages.
• Standard: $19/month, or choose the annual package at $190/year, saving you 17%.
• Pro: At $39/month with an annual option of $390/year, you save 17%.
• Premium: Priced at $149/month, or for more savings, the annual package at $1,490/year cuts down 17% of your costs.

Rating & Reviews 

• Rating: 5/5 

The user highlights EComposer’s user-friendliness and free features, which are particularly beneficial for those with limited programming knowledge and startups. The prompt technical support from Andy adds to EComposer’s reliability.

The app user emphasizes EComposer’s adaptability and the importance of fast support, making the design process smoother. They highly recommend EComposer due to their positive experience.

The customer shares a comprehensive review, emphasizing EComposer’s transformative impact on their Shopify store, user-friendly interface, and efficient layout. They also praise the exceptional customer service, which has resolved issues promptly, allowing them to run their store smoothly.

Overall, EComposer is said to be a user-friendly interface with extensive customization features, making it accessible to users with varying technical backgrounds.

ShoppingGives 

ShoppingGives is a platform that enables brands to support nonprofits while ensuring compliance with regulations. 

Why we like it

ShoppingGives enhances customer loyalty and engagement for nonprofits, allowing them to make a meaningful impact while building customer bonds. 

Key features & Benefits

• Seamless Donation Management: Enjoy a comprehensive, fully managed donation process that follows regulatory standards.
• Assured Donation Delivery: The platform guarantees that 100% of your donations go to your chosen nonprofits.
• Data-Driven Insights: Utilize actionable data to optimize budget allocation and personalize marketing strategies more effectively.
• Omnichannel Giving: Extend your reach beyond online spaces. Create a unified giving experience digitally and physically through Shopify POS integration.
• Granular Donation Control: Customize your donation initiatives by managing amounts and exclusions to individual product SKUs and variants.

Pricing Plans

• Starter: Priced at $29 per month with a 7-day free trial, this plan is perfect for budding entrepreneurs looking to weave purpose into their brand’s story.
• Plus: Tailored for well-established eCommerce brands at $271 per month. It provides advanced tools for nurturing customer relationships and enhancing giving programs.
• Partner: Priced at $846 per month, this plan is ideal for scaling brands. It offers a rich, integrated experience that personalizes customer interactions.
• Pro: For those seeking a truly customized experience, this plan seamlessly integrates the platform’s APIs into your systems. Pricing details can be obtained directly from the sales team.

Rating & Reviews 

• Rating: 4.4/5 

Many entrepreneurs, constrained by circumstances, find it challenging to support their chosen causes. ShoppingGives addresses this need, offering a streamlined method to weave philanthropy seamlessly into business practices.

Flexible pricing is vital for growing businesses. While the app delivers value, diverse businesses benefit from adaptable pricing structures. This highlights the need for precise and incremental price adjustments, particularly for platforms integral to a business’s objectives.

Customer support can significantly impact user satisfaction. ShoppingGives, as seen from this feedback, excels in its core functionality and fosters a supportive user community. This underscores the importance of a comprehensive service approach, where the product and post-sales support work together.

ShoppingGives has made an impact in the world of online retail philanthropy. Users appreciate its core functionality, user-friendliness, and the mission-driven approach it brings to online stores. However, there’s a shared sentiment among small businesses regarding the need for a more adaptable pricing structure.

>> Watch more: Shopify Pricing in Malaysia: The Latest Updates

Shop for Good

Shop for Good helps businesses drive customer loyalty by integrating charitable initiatives.

Why we like it

We’re impressed by how easily it lets brands connect with trending causes and makes compliance and donation handling straightforward.

Key features & Benefits

• Consumer Engagement: Offer customers the option to round up their change during the checkout process, thereby fostering a sense of participation in the charitable act.
• Rewards for Donating: Enhance customer experience by providing discounts or gifts in exchange for their donation.
• Tailored Giving: Merchants can choose to donate a percentage from select products or collections or set a fixed or custom donation amount during the buying process.
• Expansive Charity Database: Stay relevant by supporting causes that resonate with the current societal pulse, leveraging DailyKarma’s extensive charity catalog.
• Comprehensive Analytics: Gain insights into customer engagement, Average Order Value (AOV) trends, and detailed donation metrics to fine-tune your charitable strategies.

Pricing Plans

• Startup Brands: $0/month

It’s free to install, but there’s a 10% deduction from donations. Features include a percentage of sales, cart round-up, $1 donation, among others.

• Emerging Brands: $299/month

Designed for established Shopify merchants seeking enhanced campaign options and customization to solidify their brand’s philanthropic narrative.

• Scaling Brands: $700/month

Suited for growing Shopify merchants, handling up to 20,000 transactions monthly, and looking for a fully customized brand experience with premium support.

• Enterprise Brands: Custom pricing.

Tailored for mission-driven brands craving custom API integrations and unparalleled support. Moreover, a demo can be scheduled to obtain a personalized quote.

Rating & Reviews 

• Rating: 4.9/5 

The customer praised the DK (Shop for Good) team for helping them activate their brand’s social impact mission. The outstanding point is the app’s ease of integration and versatility, making it ideal for socially responsible brands.

Users commend the Shop for Good app for its user-friendly setup, clear customer-facing features, and responsive support. It’s seen as invaluable for startups with charitable initiatives.

The user appreciates the app’s ability to make a positive impact and its straightforward setup, as well as the value of the informative newsletters and efficient support. The app facilitates charitable contributions seamlessly.

Customers generally praise the “Shop for Good” app for its ability to simplify and enhance their charitable efforts. They consistently mention the app’s ease of integration, clarity in the donation process, and its wide range of features for various charitable endeavors.

Easy Donation

Among many apps, Easy Donation is a simple and powerful tool that streamlines donation collections.

Why we like it

Easy Donation transforms the donation process, making it uncomplicated for your patrons to offer monetary contributions when they check out from your store. With its user-centric approach, the app ensures that every donation is processed securely via Shopify Payments. 

Furthermore, its notification feature ensures that businesses remain informed about every charitable act, thus allowing them to measure their collective impact.

Key features & Benefits

• Universal Accessibility: Enables customers to donate from any section of your website.
• Digital-First Approach: Craft a 100% online donation page that eliminates the need for physical transactions.
• Diverse Donation Options: Provide a variety of choices for customers to support their favorite causes.
• Branded Receipts: Personalize donation receipts to resonate with your brand’s aesthetic, making donors feel cherished and acknowledged.
• Efficient Tracking: An organized system to monitor donations on a Monthly or Yearly basis for every supported charity, simplifying record-keeping.

Pricing Plans

• Basic Plan: At a modest price of $6.99/month.
• Advance Plan: Enhanced features are available for $9.99/month. 

Rating & Reviews 

• Rating: 4.8/5 

The customer values the dedication of the Easy Donation team, especially their willingness to go the extra mile in customizing the app. The technician’s proactive approach in addressing a problem when a customer struggled to articulate stands out as a testament to their exceptional service.

The customer highlights the app’s user-friendliness, noting its ease of setup right after installation. While customization presented some challenges, the support team’s proficiency and attentive approach facilitated a smooth process. Their method of showcasing example changes before finalizing ensured a mistake-free experience.

The customer sought a platform to augment their existing ‘buy one give one’ model with a direct donation feature. Easy Donation’s customer support proved instrumental in achieving this, demonstrating responsiveness and efficiency in addressing the client’s unique requirements.

Overall, users are highly satisfied with Easy Donation, particularly its customer support. The app is user-friendly for easy setup. While customization challenges were encountered, the efficient support team resolved them effectively.

Sprout: Plant Trees Grow Sales

In today’s eco-conscious world, businesses are often looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and positively impact the environment. Enter Sprout: a Shopify app that integrates sustainability seamlessly into your e-commerce journey.

Why we like it

Sprout isn’t just about planting trees—it’s about nurturing brand value, building trust, and enhancing customer loyalty. 

Key features & Benefits

• Hands-free Eco Commitment: With Sprout, you can effortlessly set up automated tree planting, allowing you to maintain your focus on business growth.
• Highlight Your Green Efforts: Use the no-code marketing badges, counters, premium photos, and videos to showcase the tangible impact of your store.
• Global Reach: Sprout ensures your green message is universally understood, thanks to its multi-currency and multi-language support for all marketing tools.
• Seamless Integration: Whether you’re selling online or offline, Sprout perfectly aligns with the Shopify POS system.
• Exceptional Support: Dive into sustainability with peace of mind, knowing there’s a dedicated team ready to assist with any setup queries.

Pricing Plans

Sprout believes in transparent pricing. While the app is free, you only pay for the trees you plant at an affordable $0.33 each per month, making sustainability accessible for businesses.

Rating & Reviews 

• Rating: 5/5 

Exceptional customer service can make a significant difference, and it’s evident that Sprout’s team is committed to ensuring users have a seamless experience. Their willingness to assist and simplify processes truly stands out.

The proactive support offered by Sprout’s team, like Saif’s initiative, demonstrates the extra mile they’re willing to go for their users. Such actions not only enhance user experience but also strengthen brand loyalty.

Transparency and direct engagement from company leadership can foster a profound trust between users and the brand. Sprout’s approach to maintaining clear communication and an easy user interface reflects its dedication to its mission and customers.

Overall, customers of Sprout overwhelmingly appreciate its commitment to environmental causes, particularly reforestation. The ease of setup and integration has been a recurring highlight, making the app user-friendly even for those less technologically inclined. 

3 Successful Case Studies of Shopify Nonprofit Organizations

Shopify has played a key role in providing a platform for numerous non-profit organizations to make a meaningful impact. Let’s explore the inspiring stories of three Shopify non-profits who are making a difference in their unique ways.

Ornaments 4 Orphans 

Ornaments 4 Orphans is a notable fair-trade initiative supporting African orphans. Their Shopify store showcases unique, region-specific decorations, emphasizing the artisans’ talents, providing sustainable jobs, and combating poverty.

Darzah 

Darzah, initiated by Child’s Cup Full, preserves Palestinian heritage via traditional tatreez embroidery. Their Shopify store displays handcrafted items, funding artisans and job programs in the West Bank. 

With an elegant online store, Darzah seamlessly communicates its purpose, enriching the customer journey with informative pop-ups.

Wagster 

Wagster is a standout nonprofit selling natural dog treats. Their online store emphasizes easy navigation, community engagement, and core mission. Using captivating images and user-contributed content, Wagster effectively conveys its message and empowers individuals to overcome obstacles.

5 TIPS for Nonprofits to Promote Their Brands

Effective brand promotion has become crucial, turning donors into dedicated advocates and mission statements into motivating slogans. So, how can nonprofits enhance their brand visibility while staying true to their core message? 

Leverage User Generated Content (UGC)

One effective way for nonprofits to create more interest and drive sales is to tap into the content created by their customers. Nonprofit organizations frequently attract passionate communities, and if you are already harnessing hashtags on various social media platforms, you can harness the power of user-generated content (UGC) to enhance your broader marketing initiatives.

User-generated content, encompassing images, videos, and testimonials shared by your supporters, possesses a genuine authenticity that deeply resonates with your target audience. 

Create referral programs

Referral programs harness the power of social networks and influencer marketing to enhance a nonprofit’s visibility. By presenting incentives such as discounts and special offers, nonprofits can motivate their supporters to introduce their cause to friends and family. This approach rewards loyal supporters and appeals to potential new backers.

Engage Your Supporters

The core of any nonprofit is its community. Regular engagement maintains the connection, reminding supporters of the value they contribute and the difference they make. Whether through newsletters, social media, or events, keeping communication channels open fosters a deeper relationship, building loyalty and increasing advocacy.

Use Google Ad Grants

For nonprofits keen on exploring paid advertising, Google Ad Grants is an invaluable resource. This initiative offers qualifying organizations a credit allocation for their Google Ad campaigns, with potential grants in the USA reaching up to $10,000, though the amount may vary by location.

To benefit from Google Ad Grants, nonprofits need to complete a straightforward verification by Google. Upon approval, they can harness the power of Google Ad campaigns to boost visibility, increase web traffic, and engage a broader audience.

Create a Compelling Story

Every nonprofit has its own special story and purpose. Telling this story in a way that grabs attention can get more people to help out. This could be a story about someone they’ve helped or how the nonprofit started. These stories touch people’s hearts, making it easier for them to connect with the cause and see the excellent work being done.

Bottom Line

Shopify offers a powerful platform for nonprofits, with dedicated apps, successful case studies, actionable promotional strategies, and tailored pricing options. By leveraging these tools and insights, nonprofits can effectively expand their reach and impact.