Shopify for Nonprofit: The A-to-Z Guide for Success in 2025

If you are looking for a suitable platform for online fundraising and product sales, Shopify for nonprofits (or Shopify NPO) might be an option worth consideration. Backed up by the world’s leading eCommerce platform, this program provides a simple, scalable solution to help organizations raise funds, sell merchandise, and accept donations, all with no technical skill required.

In this article, we will uncover everything you need to know to build a NPO website with Shopify for a nonprofit program. Keep reading for:

• The overview of the Shopify NPO program
• Shopify pricing for nonprofit
• How to start a Shopify for a nonprofit website
• Best Shopify apps for your nonprofit organization
• Best practices to manage your NPO

Without further delay, let's get started!

Shopify for Nonprofits – All You Need to Know

A nonprofit organization (NPO) is a business or group that operates to support a social, charitable, or community-driven mission rather than to generate profit. Unlike traditional businesses, nonprofits reinvest any surplus funds into their cause instead of distributing profits to owners or shareholders. Common types of nonprofits include charities, foundations, advocacy groups, and religious organizations.

In this section, we’ll explore what Shopify for nonprofit is, who qualifies for the program, and why it’s a great choice for mission-driven organizations. Whether you're a small charity or a large nonprofit, understanding how Shopify can support your cause will help you maximize your online impact.

What is Shopify for nonprofits?

Shopify for nonprofits is a specialized eCommerce solution designed to help charitable organizations raise funds, sell products, and accept donations online. It provides nonprofits with the same powerful tools used by businesses but with features tailored to mission-driven organizations.

With Shopify, nonprofits can create a professional online store without coding knowledge. They can sell merchandise or event tickets while also integrating donation options. Shopify also supports multiple payment methods, making it easy for donors and supporters to contribute.

Additionally, Shopify offers discounted pricing for eligible nonprofits, reducing operational costs while providing access to essential eCommerce features. By using Shopify for nonprofits, organizations can expand their reach, increase fundraising opportunities, and build a sustainable online presence.

Who is eligible for Shopify for nonprofits?

To qualify for this program, organizations must meet several eligibility criteria. To be specific, they must:

• Have legal nonprofit status by being officially registered as a nonprofit entity in their country.
• Provide official documentation proving their nonprofit status (such as tax exemption letters or government-issued nonprofit certification).
• Operate exclusively for community-focused purposes.

It's important to note that eligibility criteria and the application process may vary depending on the organization's location and specific circumstances. Therefore, we highly recommend that you reach out to the Shopify support team to obtain accurate and up-to-date information tailored to your nonprofit's needs.

Why choose Shopify for your nonprofit organization?

As we mentioned before, Shopify for nonprofits provides a powerful, user-friendly solution that helps organizations expand their reach and streamline their operations. Here’s why Shopify is a great choice for nonprofits.

1. Easy to set up and use

Shopify’s intuitive interface makes it simple to build and manage an online store. With no coding or technical expertise required, this platform allows NPOs to focus on their mission instead of website development.

2. Affordable pricing for nonprofits

Shopify offers discounted plans for eligible nonprofits, helping organizations save on operational costs. On top of that, this platform does not take a percentage of donations, allowing more funds to go directly to the cause.

3. Multiple ways to fundraise

With Shopify, nonprofits can raise funds through various actions, such as:

• Sell merchandise
• Accept online donations using integrated donation apps.
• Sell event tickets and manage registrations.
• Offer subscription-based giving for recurring donations.

4. Secured and reliable payment processing

Shopify supports multiple payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, and credit card processors. Donations and sales are processed securely, ensuring trust and reliability for donors and supporters.

5. Integration with marketing tools

Nonprofit organizations on Shopify can integrate their business with several apps and channels, such as email marketing platforms or social media to enhance their engagement with supporters.

Shopify Pricing for Nonprofit – A Full Breakdown

Now that you have a brief understanding of Shopify for nonprofits and its benefits to NPOs, it’s time to dive deeper into how much this program costs. Fortunately, apart from standard Shopify pricing, this platform offers exclusive subscription options for eligible nonprofits, providing discounted plans to help organizations accept donations, sell products, and fundraise efficiently.

In this section, we’ll break down Shopify pricing for nonprofit, including the NPO Lite and NPO Full plan. We’ll also compare these options to help you decide which plan best suits your nonprofit’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a simple donation platform or a full-featured eCommerce store, this guide will help you understand your options and costs.

Shopify NPO Lite

The NPO Lite plan is a specialized Shopify subscription tailored for nonprofit organizations, offering enhanced features beyond the standard Basic plan to support charitable activities. Available at $29 per month, Shopify NPO Lite offers organizations with:

• Reduced transaction fees: Enjoy a lower translation fee of 1% when using third-party payment providers instead of a 2% fee on the Basic Shopify plan.
• Lower credit card rates: Benefit from more favorable Shopify Payments credit card rates, aligning with those offered in higher-tier plans. In this case, you’ll be charged Shopify plan rates instead of Basic plan.
• Donation acceptance: Accept donations directly through Shopify Payments if you are registered charities in the US and Canada.
• Unlimited staff accounts: Provides unlimited staff accounts, which is a Shopify Plus plan feature, instead of two staff accounts in the Basic plan.

Shopify NPO Full

On the other hand, the NPO Full plan resembles the Shopify plan features but with more privileges. Coming at the price of $99/month, this pricing tier provides nonprofit organizations with:

• No transaction fees: Nonprofits using third-party payment providers incur zero transaction fees, a significant advantage over the standard Shopify plan, which charges 1%. ​
• Lower credit card rates: Organizations can benefit from reduced Shopify Payments credit card rates. In this case, you’ll be charged Advanced Shopify rates instead of Shopify plan rates.
• Unlimited staff accounts: Unlike the standard Shopify plan, which limits to 5 staff accounts, the NPO Full provides unlimited staff accounts.
• Donation acceptance: Registered charities in the US and Canada can accept donations directly through Shopify Payments, streamlining the fundraising process. ​

NPO Lite vs NPO Full – Which should you choose?

Choosing between NPO Lite and NPO Full depends on your nonprofit’s needs, budget, and online fundraising strategy. Both plans offer significant benefits compared to Shopify’s standard pricing, but they cater to different levels of nonprofit operations.

From our experience, we would recommend choosing the Shopify NPO Lite if:

• Your nonprofit is just starting with eCommerce and fundraising.
• You sell a small number of products or primarily accept donations.
• You don’t require advanced eCommerce features like high-level analytics and automation.

Meanwhile, the Shopify NPO Full will be a better option if:

• Your nonprofit relies heavily on eCommerce and sells a large volume of merchandise.
• You want to eliminate transaction fees for third-party payment processors.
• Your nonprofit requires advanced features that are only available on the Shopify plan, such as automation tools, deeper analytics, and better scalability.

In conclusion, if your nonprofit primarily accepts donations and sells a small selection of items, NPO Lite is a cost-effective choice. However, if your organization runs a high-volume online store and needs the best pricing on transaction fees and credit card processing, NPO Full is the better long-term investment.

How to Start A Shopify for Nonprofit Website

In this section, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up your nonprofit Shopify store. We believe that by following these steps, your nonprofit can start accepting donations, selling products, and reaching a wider audience with ease. Let’s dive into four steps to start your Shopify for nonprofits website.

Step 1. Create a Shopify account

The first step in setting up your Shopify for nonprofits website is to create a Shopify account. This will give you access to Shopify’s tools and features, allowing you to start building your online store. Follow these steps to get started:

• Go to Shopify website and click “Start free trial”.
• Select your signup method among four options: Facebook, email, Google, or Apple.
• After that, please fill in the required information in the registration form, including your email address, organization name, and password.
• Then, you need to navigate through a set of setup questions provided by Shopify. After finishing, you’ll be taken to the Shopify Admin dashboard, and your Shopify website is now ready!

Step 2. Apply for the Shopify NPO program

After setting up your Shopify account, the next step is to apply for Shopify's Nonprofit Organization (NPO) program to access exclusive features and discounted pricing tailored for nonprofits.

To register as a Shopify for nonprofits website, please contact Shopify Support agents directly to get your case reviewed. Here, you might need to submit the necessary documentation to verify your nonprofit status and complete any required forms or additional information as requested by Shopify. Once submitted, Shopify will review your application on a case-by-case basis, so please be patient during the evaluation process.

An important thing to keep in mind is that your not-for-profit organization must strictly comply with Shopify Terms of Service and local law. Therefore, make sure to prepare all the necessary official documents such as certificates from government authorities and tax-exempt status documentation for a smooth application process.

Step 3. Customize your store

While waiting for your application status, you can continue customizing your Shopify for nonprofits store to match your mission and brand identity. Below are some essential steps you could follow to build a well-designed website on Shopify.

• Choose a template that reflects your branding. This platform offers over 200 selections of both free and paid Shopify themes, so feel free to try and choose the one that best suits your needs.

• Add your logo and branding elements.
• Create essential pages, such as Homepage, About Us, Donation, and Contact. These key pages will help visitors better understand your not-for-profit organization and build credibility.
• Add your products to Shopify or import them with CSV files.
• Optimize navigation and user experience using clear menu and categories setup.
• Integrate social media and marketing tools to engage with your audience.

Step 4. Finalize and publish

Now that you’ve customized your Shopify for nonprofits store, the final step is to review everything, ensure all settings are correct, and publish your website for the world to see. Here’s what you need to do before launching:

• Review your website (pages, images, internal links,…) for accuracy.
• Test the donation and checkout process.
• Enable SSL encryption to protect donor and customer data.
• Configure automated emails and notifications to keep subscribers updated.
• Connect your custom domain to increase trust.
• Continue making improvements based on supporter feedback and analytics data.

3 Best Apps for your Shopify NPO Website

When your store is ready and goes live, the job is not done yet. To maximize the impact of your Shopify for nonprofits store, consider integrating the third-party apps to streamline donations, improve fundraising efforts, and enhance the overall supporter experience.

In this section, we’ll explore three of the best apps for nonprofit organizations using Shopify: ShoppingGives, Zestard – Easy Donation, and Shop for Good. Let’s take a closer look at how these apps can help your nonprofit grow!

#1 ShoppingGives – Donation App

ShoppingGives is a powerful Shopify donation app designed for nonprofits and mission-driven businesses that want to accept donations while selling merchandise. By integrating with this app, nonprofits can turn every transaction into an opportunity for giving, allowing customers to support a cause at checkout without disrupting the shopping experience. This app is ideal for nonprofits that sell products and want to automate charitable giving while increasing donations.

Highlight features that ShoppingGives offers:

• Percentage-of-sale giving: Set up automatic contributions from a percentage of sales to your nonprofit.
• Customizable giving campaigns: let nonprofits set up specific fundraising goals and track donations.
• Real-time donation tracking: Provides detailed reports on donor contributions to help you allocate budget better.

ShoppingGives pricing:

• Starter: $29/month
• Plus: $595/month
• Partner: $1,493/month
• Pro: Custom pricing

#2 Shop for Good Donation App

Similar to ShoppingGive, Shop for Good is a versatile Shopify donation app that enables nonprofits and socially conscious brands to integrate fundraising into their eCommerce store seamlessly. Whether your organization sells merchandise, hosts fundraising campaigns, or relies on direct donations, this app provides multiple ways for customers to contribute while shopping.

This app is ideal for nonprofits looking to engage donors while increasing sales, making it a great tool for fundraising campaigns, social impact initiatives, and cause-based marketing.

Highlight features that Shop for Good offers:

• Round-up donations: Allows shoppers to round up their total purchase amount to the nearest dollar and donate the difference.
• Percentage-of-sale donations: Automatically allocates a portion of each sale to your nonprofit cause.
• Flexible giving options: Supports multiple donation methods, including fixed-amount donations and customer-determined giving.

Shopify for Good pricing:

• Startup brands: Free to use
• Emerging brands: $265/month
• Scaling brands: $595/month
• Enterprise brands: Custom pricing

#3 Zestard ‑ Easy Donation

Taking a different approach than these above-mentioned solutions, Zestard ‑ Easy Donation is a Shopify app that enables nonprofits to accept donations effortlessly without selling physical products. It provides a simple and effective way for organizations to collect funds directly through their Shopify store by adding customizable donation options to product pages, cart pages, or checkout screens. This app is ideal for nonprofits looking for a straightforward donation solution for accepting one-time donations and offering custom donation amounts.

Highlight features that Zestard offers:

• Custom donation amounts: Allows donors to choose a predefined donation amount or enter their own.
• Multi-page integration: Adds donation options to product pages, cart pages, and checkout screens.
• Customizable donation messages: Allows Shopify NPO to personalize the donation message to share their impact.

Zestard – Easy Donation pricing:

• Basic plan: $6.99/month
• Advance plan: $9.99/month

Best Practices to Manage Your Nonprofit Website

Managing a nonprofit website effectively ensures a seamless donor experience, maximizes fundraising potential, and strengthens community engagement. Here are the best practices to keep your Shopify for nonprofits store running smoothly and efficiently.

1. Keep your mission clear and visible

One of the most important aspects of managing your Shopify for nonprofits website is keeping your mission clear and visible. Your homepage should clearly communicate your organization’s purpose, and an “About Us” page should provide deeper insights into your cause, impact, and goals. Sharing real stories, testimonials, and success updates can help build trust and inspire donations.

2. Make donations simple and accessible

Making the donation process simple and accessible is another crucial best practice. Ensure that your donation buttons are highly visible on every page, and offer multiple ways to give, such as one-time donations, recurring contributions, and round-up giving options.

3. Optimize your website for mobile users

A Shopify for nonprofits website should also be mobile-friendly since many visitors browse and donate using their smartphones. Choose a responsive Shopify theme, test the donation and checkout process on mobile devices, and ensure that all images, buttons, and forms are properly formatted for small screens.

4. Leverage SEO to increase visibility

To increase visibility, optimize your website for search engines (SEO) by using relevant keywords in your content, product descriptions, and blog posts. Adding structured data, meta descriptions, and image alt text can also improve search rankings and attract more supporters to your cause.

5. Use high-quality images and videos

Also, using high-quality images and videos is essential for capturing the attention of visitors and creating an emotional connection with your cause. Display authentic images of your nonprofit’s work, including events, beneficiaries, and volunteers, to help supporters see the real-world impact of their contributions.

Besides, consider adding short clips that showcase your mission, tell personal stories, or explain how donations are used.

6. Engage supporters through email & social media

Engaging supporters through email and social media marketing can further enhance your nonprofit’s reach. Use Shopify’s built-in email marketing tools to send regular updates, campaign news, and impact stories. Connecting your store to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allows you to promote fundraising initiatives and merchandise to a broader audience.

7. Track and analyze website performance

Monitoring website performance is another key best practice. Use Shopify Analytics and Google Analytics to track visitor behavior, donation trends, and product sales. Data insights can help you refine your strategy and identify areas for improvement.

8. Keep your website secure and compliant

Finally, prioritize security and compliance to protect donor information. Shopify provides SSL encryption, but it’s also essential to follow data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA if you’re collecting supporter information. Clearly outline your privacy policy and donation terms on your website to ensure transparency.

By following these best practices, nonprofits can create a trustworthy, engaging, and high-performing Shopify website that maximizes fundraising success and strengthens supporter relationships.

Shopify for Nonprofits – FAQs

Final Words

To conclude, using Shopify for nonprofits can be a game-changer for organizations looking to expand their fundraising efforts, sell merchandise, and engage supporters online. With its user-friendly interface, secure payment processing, and integrations for donations, Shopify provides nonprofits with a powerful platform to grow their impact.

We hope that our article today gives you a brief understanding of Shopify pricing for nonprofits and best practices to manage your online NPO presence. For more expert tips and insights on this platform, please don’t hesitate to check out other Shopify articles on our LitExtension blog.