AI · for nonprofits
Free and cheap AI tools worth a nonprofit's time
By the Ember team · August 31, 2026 · Updated September 24, 2026
Start with the free tier of ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot or Claude to draft and sum up your writing. Then use the AI already in the free tools Google and Microsoft give nonprofits.
You keep hearing that your nonprofit should use AI. But which tool, and what will it cost? Nobody on a small team has time to test them all.
Start with what's free
ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Claude all have free tiers. Each one can draft, summarize, and brainstorm the everyday writing a small team does. Pick the one that fits the tools you already use, and stop there.
What each is good at
A general assistant (free tier)
Drafting emails and appeals, turning notes into minutes, rewriting one update for different audiences. This is the workhorse. Start here before anything specialized.
The AI inside tools you already use
Google Workspace for Nonprofits costs $0 and now includes the Gemini app and NotebookLM (Google, 2026). Not on it yet? Here is how to sign up for Google Workspace for Nonprofits.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic is free for nonprofits, for up to 300 users, and includes Copilot Chat. The full Microsoft 365 Copilot is an add-on at $25.50 per user a month, paid yearly (Microsoft, 2026).
A registered 501(c)(3) can also apply for Canva Nonprofits. It gives one team of up to 50 people Canva Pro for free, its AI assistant included (Canva, 2026). Canva doesn't accept schools or government agencies. Use what you already have before you buy more.
Transcription
Otter's free tier can turn a short call or interview into a searchable transcript. It stops each recording at 30 minutes and gives you 300 minutes a month. You can upload only three recorded files, ever (Otter, 2026). So a two-hour board meeting won't fit on the free tier.
What to skip (for now)
A small team can skip the pricey "AI grant writer," the paid "AI fundraising platform," and the website chatbot. Before you pay for one, ask the vendor what it does that a free assistant can't. Then try the same task in a free assistant yourself. If you can't see a clear difference, keep the money for your mission.
Two cautions before you start
First, free tiers change. Limits shrink, and features move behind paywalls. Don't build a key task on a free tier you can't live without. Second, free public AI tools still see what you type. Keep donor and client personal data out of them. Google says the Gemini in Workspace for Nonprofits comes with "enterprise-grade" data protections (Google, 2026). If your team already uses Workspace, start there.
The bottom line: start with one free assistant and the AI already inside your tools. Add more only when you hit a real wall.
Keep programs, grants, volunteers, and donors in one place
AI can help you write. Ember helps you run the work behind it. Made for nonprofits like yours. Free if your yearly budget is under $50K, with no credit card. Unlimited users on every tier.
Sources: ChatGPT pricing, Gemini plans, Microsoft Copilot and Claude pricing. Google's AI features in Workspace for Nonprofits. Microsoft's offers for nonprofits. Canva Nonprofits and its eligibility guidelines. Otter pricing. Free tiers change often. Check each provider's current terms before you rely on one. Read 24 September 2026.