What is a Nonprofit Organization?
A nonprofit organization is a business entity that operates for purposes other than making a profit. The government grants it tax-exempt status because it serves a social cause or benefits the public.
Nonprofits reinvest their earnings into their mission and cannot distribute profits to individuals or shareholders. They rely on donations, grants, and revenue from programs to fund their activities.
A nonprofit's main goal is to impact society rather than focus on financial gain positively.
Starting a nonprofit involves building a solid foundation, creating a business plan, choosing a unique name, determining the organizational structure, and officially incorporating the organization.
Other steps include
- obtaining an EIN,
- appointing a board of directors,
- drafting bylaws and conflict of interest policies,
- fundraising, building a team, launching the nonprofit,
- and implementing a marketing strategy.
The process can take several months, and it requires careful planning and compliance with legal requirements.
How to Sign Up for Shopify’s Nonprofit Plans
To sign up for one of Shopify's nonprofit plans, you'll need to connect with their live support team.
Once you connect them, keep in mind that Shopify may verify your nonprofit status to ensure you qualify for the benefits associated with these plans.
For this, you need to provide sufficient documentation/proof that your business has nonprofit status in your country.
Once the team verifies your nonprofit status in your country, they can offer the nonprofit plan to you.
The pricing plans of Shopify for nonprofit organizations are as follows:
Shopify NPO Lite Plan
For smaller nonprofits seeking an affordable solution with essential features, the NPO Lite plan is an excellent choice.
The NPO Lite plan offers additional features to the Basic Plan that are not normally available on that plan.
With a monthly cost of just $29, this plan provides numerous advantages:
- Reduced Transaction Fees: By using a third-party payment provider, you'll benefit from a lower transaction fee of 1% instead of the standard 2% charged on the Basic Plan.
- Lower Credit Card Rates: Shopify Payments, the in-house payment processor, offers lower credit card rates exclusively for NPO Lite plan users, helping you maximize the impact of your fundraising efforts.
- Accept Donations through Shopify Payments: If your nonprofit is registered as a charity in the US or Canada, you can seamlessly accept donations through Shopify Payments, simplifying the donation process for your supporters.
- Unlimited Staff Accounts: Collaboration is vital for nonprofits, and the NPO Lite plan allows you to create unlimited staff accounts, ensuring all members of your team have access to the Shopify dashboard.(instead of 2 - Plus plan feature)
- Real-time Carrier Shipping: With this feature, typically available on higher-tier plans, you can provide accurate shipping rates to your donors, enhancing the shopping experience and improving donor satisfaction.
Shopify NPO Full Plan
Nonprofits seeking more advanced features and greater flexibility may find the NPO Full Plan the ideal choice.
Priced at $99 per month, this plan includes all the benefits of the Shopify plan and offers additional exclusive features:
- No Transaction Fees: When using a third-party payment provider, you won't incur any transaction fees, allowing your organization to make the most of every donation received. (instead of 1% on the Shopify plan - better than the Advanced Shopify plan feature)
- Lower Credit Card Rates: Compared to the Shopify plan, the NPO Full plan provides lower credit card rates, ensuring a higher percentage of each donation directly supports your cause. (Advanced Plan Shopify rates)
- Unlimited Staff Accounts: With the NPO Full plan, you can create unlimited staff accounts, fostering collaboration and empowering your entire team to contribute to your organization's success. (instead of 5 on the Shopify plan - Plus plan feature)
- Accept Donations through Shopify Payments: Charities registered in the US or Canada can easily collect donations through Shopify Payments, providing a secure and convenient method for supporters to contribute to your cause.
- Real-time Carrier Shipping: Offering real-time carrier shipping enables you to provide accurate and competitive shipping rates, enhancing the overall donor experience and simplifying the purchasing process. (Advanced plan feature)
After you decide what plan you want to continue with, the rest of the process is the same as a regular Shopify store.
Setting up donations on Shopify is a straightforward process that mirrors setting up a regular product.
When creating a donation item, you can follow the same steps as you would for any other product in your store.
However, there are a few specific settings that you need to adjust to ensure the donation functions properly.
First, you can turn off inventory tracking for donations since they are not physical products with limited quantities. By disabling inventory tracking, you eliminate the need to manage stock levels for donations.
Secondly, it's essential to mark the donation item as "not a physical product" to differentiate it from tangible goods. This distinction helps supporters understand that they are making a contribution rather than purchasing a physical item.
Depending on your region and applicable tax regulations, you may also need to adjust tax settings accordingly.
In some cases, donations may be tax-exempt, while in others, taxes may apply. It's crucial to ensure the appropriate tax settings are in place to comply with local laws.
You can also add a donate button or form on your Shopify store to collect donations. Below you can see some of the most popular Shopify apps for nonprofits.
Top Shopify Apps for Nonprofits
Shopify could be an excellent choice for nonprofit organizations or charities seeking a solution to consolidate their donations in a centralized platform and enhance their brand presence.
Through Shopify's nonprofit features, you can:
- Receive donations through social media platforms
- Sell event tickets online
- Benefit from reduced or waived transaction fees
- Establish recurring monthly donation subscriptions
- Send donation links via SMS
- Initiate email marketing campaigns
- Sell merchandise both locally and internationally
- Accept in-person donations.
Now let’s see some of the top Shopify apps for nonprofits and their features for you to reach your nonprofit goal.
1. ShoppingGives
ShoppingGives is a platform that enables brands to support nonprofits while ensuring compliance with regulations.
They provide a customizable social impact strategy and handle donation processing and reporting.
This allows businesses to focus on financial growth while building loyalty and trust through their philanthropic efforts.
Top Features:
- Fully managed, compliant donation process.
- 100% donation delivery to supported nonprofits.
- Actionable data for budget allocation and personalized marketing.
- Omnichannel giving with Shopify POS.
- Donation management by product SKU and variant.
Pricing: ShoppingGives provides free installation and a 7-day free trial with 20 donation credits, followed by pricing of 0.5% + $29/month.
2. Shop for Good
Shop for Good is a platform that helps businesses drive customer loyalty by integrating charitable initiatives.
It offers donation campaigns, supports trending nonprofits, and handles compliance and distribution, allowing businesses to stay relevant and engaged with customers.
Top Features:
- Round up change at the cart or checkout to donate to charity (for customers).
- Donate and receive discounts or gifts as a thank you (for customers).
- Donate a percentage of sales on specific products and collections (for merchants).
- Donate a flat or custom amount to charity during the purchase process.
- Analytics for customer engagement, increased average order value (AOV), and donation trends.
Pricing:
Startup Brands: Free to install with a 10% deduction from donations. Includes features like the portion of sales, round-up on the cart, $1 donation, and so on.
Emerging Brands: $299/month. Includes all Startup Brands features, plus custom amounts, donation tiers, donations for gifts, and so on.
Scaling Brands: $700/month. Includes all Emerging Brands features, plus custom fonts, custom branded widgets & flows, personal account manager, and more.
3. Easy Donation
Easy Donation is a Shopify app that streamlines the collection of donations from customers at your store. It integrates with Shopify and allows you to set up and manage donations easily.
Customers can choose to donate any amount during checkout, which is added to their order total.
Top Features:
- Simplify customer donations across your website.
- Go fully digital with a donation page; no physical sales are required.
- Offer diverse donation options for users to support their chosen organization.
- Customize receipts to show appreciation and align with your brand.
- Easily track monthly/yearly donations per charity.
Pricing:
Basic Plan: $6.99/month, includes single donation widget, landing page, flexible placement, donation tracking, receipt, and no additional charges.
Advanced Plan: $9.99/month, offers multiple donations, landing pages, flexible placement, donation tracking, receipt, and no additional charges.
4. Bonus: Popupsmart
Popupsmart is a versatile, no-code popup builder perfect for Shopify stores.
With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Popupsmart empowers nonprofits to create captivating and customizable popups that effectively collect donations from their website visitors.
By leveraging Popupsmart, nonprofits can effortlessly design visually appealing popups that align with their branding and messaging.
These popups can be strategically triggered based on user behavior, ensuring maximum engagement and conversion rates.
With the ability to target specific segments of their audience, nonprofits can tailor their popups to communicate their cause and inspire visitors to contribute effectively.
Top Features:
- Precise segmentation settings.
- Ready-to-use popup templates.
- No code so that everyone can utilize it.
- Easy setup to get going quickly.
- Smart mode with AI and various platform integrations for maximum effect.
Pricing: Popupsmart offers four pricing plans:
Free Plan: $0/month, 5,000 pageviews, 1 website, 1 popup.
Basic Plan: $32.5/month, 100,000 pageviews, unlimited websites, and popups.
Pro Plan: $82.5/month, 500,000 pageviews, unlimited websites, and popups.
Expert Plan: $132.5/month, 1,000,000 pageviews, unlimited websites, and popups.
Before You Leave…
In conclusion, Shopify offers an array of impressive features and benefits tailored specifically for nonprofit organizations.
With its dedicated nonprofit plans, Shopify empowers nonprofits to make a significant impact on a budget.
From reduced transaction fees and lower credit card rates to seamless donation acceptance and unlimited staff accounts, Shopify provides cost-effective solutions to amplify nonprofits' missions.
So, if you're a nonprofit seeking a reliable partner to fuel your progress, Shopify might be the game-changer you've been looking for.
Now it’s time to decide if you want Shopify to be your platform for driving positive change and making a difference in the world!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Difference between Nonprofit and Not-for-profit?
Nonprofit organizations are formed for purposes other than making a profit and are eligible for tax-exempt status.
They serve specific social or public causes and reinvest any surplus funds back into their mission.
Not-for-profit organizations also have a primary purpose other than generating profit, but they may not pursue tax-exempt status.
They can include clubs, associations, or cooperatives and have more flexibility in their financial activities.
In essence, nonprofits focus on serving the public good and enjoy tax benefits, while not-for-profits have a broader scope and may operate with different financial considerations.
2. Can I Sign Up for a Shopify Nonprofit Plan even if I don’t Have a Shopify Store?
Absolutely! Even if you don't have an existing store, you can still apply for an NPO plan.
All you need to do is reach out to our support team and provide the necessary documentation or proof of your nonprofit status in your country.
The team will review your application once they have received the required information.
3. What are the Benefits of Using Shopify for Nonprofits?
Using Shopify for nonprofits offers several benefits. First and foremost, it provides nonprofits with a user-friendly platform to showcase their products, share their mission, and raise funds online.
The program often includes discounted transaction fees and special pricing plans, helping organizations save money.
Additionally, nonprofits can leverage Shopify's robust features, such as
- inventory management,
- order tracking,
- and marketing tools
to streamline their operations and reach a wider audience of potential supporters.
4. Are there any Eligibility Requirements for Nonprofits to Use Shopify for Nonprofits?
Yes, there are eligibility requirements to qualify for Shopify for nonprofits.
Generally, nonprofit organizations need to provide proof of their charitable status, such as a registered nonprofit or charity number.
Check These Out!
- 8 Important Tips on How to Use Popups for Nonprofit Websites
- The 13 Best Website Builders for Nonprofit Organizations
- Does Shopify Take a Percentage of Sales?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify good for nonprofits?
1. Is Shopify good for nonprofits? Shopify is a strong option for many nonprofits because it combines an easy-to-manage online store with powerful tools for telling your story, selling merchandise, collecting event registrations, and supporting fundraising campaigns. The platform is user-friendly (so small teams can launch quickly), scalable (so it can grow with your donor base and programs), and flexible through apps and integrations for email marketing, donor engagement, and analytics. Nonprofits can use Shopify to create mission-focused landing pages, run discount codes for supporters, sell branded goods to fund programs, and accept payments securely, all while maintaining a professional web presence. It’s especially useful for organizations that want to diversify revenue beyond donations, though it’s important to remember Shopify is primarily an ecommerce platform—so if you need advanced donor management or grant tracking, you may pair it with a CRM or fundraising tool.
How much is Shopify for nonprofits?
2. How much is Shopify for nonprofits? Shopify nonprofit pricing depends on the nonprofit plan tier you qualify for and what features you need, and enrollment typically requires contacting Shopify support so they can verify your nonprofit status with documentation in your country. In many cases, nonprofits can access discounted nonprofit-specific plans (often referred to as options like “NPO Lite” and “NPO Full” in nonprofit plan discussions), where NPO Lite is positioned as a lower-cost option for smaller organizations and NPO Full is a higher tier—commonly referenced around $99/month—aimed at nonprofits that need more robust selling and operational features. Your total monthly cost can also include optional app subscriptions, premium themes, and payment processing fees (if applicable), so the best approach is to estimate based on your fundraising model (donations vs. merchandise vs. tickets), expected order volume, and the integrations you plan to use.
What is the 80 20 rule for nonprofits?
3. What is the 80 20 rule for nonprofits? The 80/20 rule (also called the Pareto Principle) in nonprofits commonly describes how a relatively small portion of donors or fundraising activities can generate most of the results—for example, about 20% of donors may contribute roughly 80% of total donations. In practice, this means major donors, recurring donors, or a handful of high-performing campaigns often drive a large share of revenue, so nonprofits use the rule to prioritize stewardship, relationship-building, and personalized communication for their most impactful supporters while still maintaining broad-based outreach for growth and long-term stability. It’s not a strict formula, but it’s a helpful planning lens for allocating limited time and budget—such as focusing staff attention on donor retention, major gift cultivation, and improving the donor journey that keeps top supporters engaged.
How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?
4. How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale? How much Shopify “takes” from a $100 sale depends on two main factors: the payment method and your plan’s fee structure. If you use Shopify Payments, you’ll typically pay a credit card processing fee that varies by plan and card type (often a percentage of the sale plus a small fixed amount), so a $100 order might incur a few dollars in processing fees. If you use a third-party payment provider instead, you may pay that provider’s processing fee plus an additional Shopify transaction fee (also plan-dependent), which increases the total cost per sale. Also note that Shopify’s monthly subscription fee is separate and not deducted per transaction, and shipping label costs, refunds, chargebacks, and currency conversion (if selling internationally) can affect net revenue, so the most accurate estimate comes from checking the specific rates tied to your plan and payment setup.
What is Shopify nonprofit pricing?
5. What is Shopify nonprofit pricing? Shopify nonprofit pricing generally refers to discounted plan options offered to eligible nonprofit organizations after Shopify verifies nonprofit status, and it’s designed to make it more affordable for nonprofits to run an online store, sell merch, and support fundraising-related commerce. Pricing is typically structured in tiers so smaller nonprofits can start with a lower monthly cost plan that covers essentials, while larger organizations can choose a higher tier with more features and potentially more favorable fee structures. Beyond the base monthly plan, nonprofits should factor in payment processing, any transaction fees (especially if not using Shopify Payments), and add-on costs for apps that support needs like event ticketing, donation tools, email marketing, or integrations with donor databases.
What is Free shopify for nonprofits?
6. What is Free shopify for nonprofits? Shopify is not generally “free” for nonprofits in the sense of offering a permanently free plan, but nonprofits may be eligible for discounted nonprofit pricing and may also be able to reduce costs by choosing a lower-tier plan and limiting paid apps. In some cases, Shopify may offer trials or promotional periods, but ongoing use typically requires a monthly subscription plus payment processing fees. If your goal is to run a zero-cost donation page, you may find simpler donation platforms or free fundraising tools more appropriate, while Shopify makes the most sense when you want a full ecommerce experience—such as selling merchandise, managing inventory, offering shipping, running discount codes, and creating a branded storefront that supports your mission.
What are the Best shopify for nonprofits?
7. What are the Best shopify for nonprofits? The “best” Shopify option for nonprofits depends on what you’re trying to accomplish: if you’re a small nonprofit primarily selling a limited set of products or tickets, a lower-cost nonprofit tier (often positioned like an “NPO Lite” level) is usually the best fit because it keeps monthly costs down while still providing core ecommerce features. If you’re running larger campaigns, higher order volume, multiple staff workflows, or need more advanced reporting and operational tools, a higher tier (often referenced like “NPO Full”) may be better value even at a higher monthly price because it can reduce friction and improve efficiency. The best setup also includes the right supporting tools—such as an app for donations (if you want donor-friendly giving options), email marketing for supporter updates, and integrations with your CRM—so you can connect sales and supporter engagement to your broader fundraising and mission goals.
