In 2025, managing a nonprofit requires strategic thinking, especially when balancing impact with budget. Establishing a credible online presence is essential, but many eCommerce platforms come with high costs that divert resources from your mission.
Shopify offers nonprofit-specific solutions starting at just $29/month, making it easier to accept donations, sell merchandise, and operate a full-featured website. With benefits like unlimited staff accounts and lower transaction fees, it’s built for organizations that want to grow online without overspending.
This guide explores Shopify’s nonprofit plans, the application steps, and smart tips to help you maximize every feature.
Shopify For Nonprofits – Key Takeaways
- Shopify provides two specialized plans for nonprofits: NPO Lite and NPO Full, with pricing starting at $29 per month.
- Qualified nonprofits get reduced transaction fees (1% on Lite, 0% on Full), lower Shopify Payments credit card rates, and unlimited staff accounts.
- To access these plans, nonprofits must contact Shopify support and provide proof of registered charitable status.
- The Shopify App Store features numerous apps specifically designed for nonprofit organizations.
Why Use Shopify For Nonprofits?
A website is key for nonprofit organizations to share their mission, reach more people, and raise awareness. Shopify helps nonprofits easily create a professional website that goes beyond just a page, allowing them to sell products, accept donations, and interact with supporters.
Shopify currently offers a $1/ month trial for 3 months before switching to standard nonprofit pricing of $29/month (Lite) or $99/month (Full).
Shopify also offers benefits for nonprofits, including special discounts, the ability to accept donations, sell merchandise, lower transaction fees, and help with shipping. It’s an ideal platform for nonprofits looking to grow their online presence.
Shopify Nonprofit Pricing
Shopify offers two specialized plans for nonprofit organizations, each designed to cater to different needs and operational scales:
1. NPO Lite Plan ($29/month)
The NPO Lite plan is an excellent choice for smaller nonprofits or those just beginning their online journey. It includes:
| Shopify Features | Shopify Basic Plan | Shopify NPO Lite Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Fees | 2% | 1% |
| Shopify Payments Card Rates | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.7% + 30¢ |
| Staff Accounts | 1 | Unlimited |
| Real-Time Carrier Shipping | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monthly Price | $39 | $29 |
This plan offers a cost-effective solution for nonprofits looking to establish an online presence without significant financial investment.
2. NPO Full Plan ($99/month)
The NPO Full plan is tailored for larger nonprofits or those seeking more advanced capabilities. It includes:
| Shopify Features | Shopify Plan | Shopify NPO Full Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Fees | 1% | 0% |
| Shopify Payments Card Rates | 2.7% + 30¢ | 2.5% + 30¢ |
| Staff Accounts | 5 | Unlimited |
| Real-Time Carrier Shipping | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monthly Price | $105 | $99 |
This plan is ideal for nonprofits aiming to scale their online operations and leverage more sophisticated e-commerce tools.
Both plans offer a 10% discount on annual purchases, providing additional savings for NPOs looking for a longer subscription.
Qualifying For Shopify’s Nonprofit Plans
To access Shopify’s specialized nonprofit plans, organizations must meet certain criteria. While Shopify doesn’t publicly disclose detailed requirements, here are the general guidelines:
- Official Nonprofit Registration: Organizations must be formally registered as nonprofit or charitable entities in their country of operation.
- Supporting Documents: Applicants need to submit proof of their nonprofit status, such as registration certificates or tax-exempt documents.
- Mission Compatibility: The organization’s goals and activities should align with recognized charitable purposes.
- Regulatory Compliance: Nonprofits must adhere to all applicable laws and regulations governing charitable organizations in their jurisdiction.
- Verification Process: Shopify may conduct a review to confirm the organization’s nonprofit status and eligibility.
After submitting documentation via their support channels, approval is subject to Shopify’s review process.
Steps To Sign Up For Shopify Nonprofit Plans
Registering for Shopify’s nonprofit plans involves a few additional steps compared to their standard plans. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:
Step 1. Reach Out to Shopify Support: Contact Shopify’s customer service team via their website or live chat. Express your interest in the nonprofit plans.
Step 2. Gather Documentation: Collect all necessary documents proving your nonprofit status, including registration certificates, tax exemption letters, or other official paperwork.
Step 3. Submit Your Application: Provide Shopify with your organization’s details and the prepared documentation. Be prepared to explain your nonprofit’s mission and how you intend to use the Shopify platform.
Step 4. Await Verification: Shopify will review your application and documents to confirm your nonprofit status. This process may take several days.
Step 5. Choose Your Plan: Once approved, you can select between the NPO Lite and NPO Full plans based on your organization’s requirements.
Step 6. Set Up Your Online Store: After selecting your plan, begin configuring your Shopify store, customizing it to align with your nonprofit’s brand and mission.
Step 7. Configure Donation Settings: If you’re a registered charity in the US or Canada, set up Shopify Payments to accept donations directly through your store.
Remember that patience is key during this process, as Shopify may need time to verify your nonprofit status and ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
Advantages Of Shopify For Nonprofits
Shopify has customized its e-commerce platform to cater to the unique requirements of nonprofit organizations. Here are some of the key benefits available to nonprofits using Shopify:
- Decreased Transaction Fees: Nonprofit organizations enjoy reduced transaction fees compared to standard Shopify plans, allowing them to retain a larger portion of their donations and sales.
- Competitive Credit Card Rates: Shopify offers nonprofits more favorable credit card processing rates, helping to maximize the impact of every dollar raised.
- Unlimited Team Member Accounts: Both nonprofit plans include unlimited staff accounts, facilitating improved collaboration and management within the organization.
- Donation Collection: Registered charities in the United States and Canada can easily accept donations through Shopify Payments.
- Real-time Shipping Calculations: This feature, typically reserved for higher-tier plans, enables nonprofits to provide accurate shipping costs to donors and customers.
- Comprehensive E-commerce Tools: Nonprofits can utilize Shopify’s robust e-commerce features to sell merchandise, manage event tickets, and efficiently handle inventory.
- Multi-channel Capabilities: Organizations can accept donations and sell products across various platforms, including social media, in-person events, and their website.
Essential Shopify Apps For Nonprofit Organizations
Enhancing your Shopify store with the right apps can significantly boost your nonprofit’s online presence and fundraising capabilities. Here are five top Shopify apps for nonprofits:
- Givz: This app enables you to create donation-driven shopping experiences, handling compliance and distribution so your organization can focus on its mission while engaging supporters through e-commerce.
- Easy Donation: Simplify the donation process with Easy Donation, allowing customers to add donations to their purchases seamlessly and integrate smoothly with your existing Shopify checkout process.
- Virtue: Drive customer loyalty by integrating charitable initiatives into your store. It offers features like rounding up change for donations and allocating a percentage of sales from specific products to causes.
- Fundraise Up: While not exclusively a Shopify app, Fundraise Up integrates well with Shopify stores. It offers advanced features like recurring donations, peer-to-peer fundraising, and detailed analytics.
- Popupsmart: This app can help nonprofits create compelling donation appeals and newsletter sign-up forms, boosting engagement and contributions from site visitors.
These apps can help streamline your fundraising efforts, engage supporters more effectively, and ultimately drive more donations and sales for your cause.
Final Thoughts: Shopify Nonprofit Plans Start at $29/Month
Shopify offers nonprofits an accessible and affordable way to build an online presence while keeping fees low. The specially designed NPO Lite and NPO Full plans provide essential tools and pricing that fit the unique needs of charitable organizations.
By using these plans, your nonprofit can effectively share its mission and grow support without breaking the bank. Take advantage of Shopify’s intuitive website builder and helpful features to boost your fundraising and outreach efforts.
