Nonprofits utilize technology to connect with supporters, serve clients, streamline operations, and amplify their impact. However, nonprofit technology is often expensive. Think software, training, online tools, and licenses. That’s where technology grants come in: funding or in-kind contributions from corporations (or foundations and governments) designed specifically to help nonprofits access and use technology more effectively.
Below, we explore what technology grants are and what big tech companies are doing to support nonprofits. If you need to know what types of grants are available and how nonprofits can best position themselves to benefit, read on.
What We’ll Cover
- What Are Technology Grants?
- Why Nonprofits Prioritize Tech Grants
- Sources of Technology Grants for Nonprofits
- What Big Companies Are Doing for Nonprofit Technology
- TechSoup
- Employee Matching – Another Area for Nonprofits to Explore
- Tips for Nonprofits Seeking Technology Grants
- Steps to Access These Grants and Opportunities
- Conclusion on Technology Grants for Nonprofits
What Are Technology Grants?
Let’s start with the basics: what exactly are we talking about with technology grants for nonprofits? Technology grants are monetary donations or in-kind services given to nonprofits. Often, these grants are tied to specific goals, such as improving digital fundraising, expanding remote work, or education and inclusion. Nonprofits typically must meet specific legal, operational, and mission-alignment requirements to be eligible for these grants.
Keep this key difference in mind when looking for technology grants. Some grants are monetary donations, and others are in-kind services (such as providing computers, software, cloud services).
Why Nonprofits Prioritize Tech Grants
- Reach and visibility: Grants can include digital marketing, search ads, and tools like Google Ad Grants, enabling organizations to reach a wider audience.
- Efficiency and effectiveness: Nonprofit grants provide better systems for donor management, communications, remote operations, and data management.
- Innovation and impact: Grants can help fund high-risk innovative projects by using data to drive decisions or bringing tools to underserved regions.
Sources of Technology Grants for Nonprofits
When nonprofits look for technology funding, there are three primary sources: government, foundations, and corporations. Each source has its own application process, priorities, and benefits.
Government Grants
The U.S. federal government has funded broadband expansion, STEM education, and digital equity programs through agencies like the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.
- National and local governments often allocate funding for digital inclusion, technology upgrades in schools, or initiatives that improve community access to technology.
- Government grants can be competitive but usually provide significant funding for technology infrastructure, training, and large-scale digital projects.
Foundations
The Ford Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have both supported technology initiatives for nonprofits and education systems.
- Private and family foundations are a vital source of technology support for 501c3 nonprofits. Many provide grants to strengthen organizational capacity, often including the purchase or upgrade of technology.
- Foundation grants may offer more flexibility, allowing nonprofits to define how tech upgrades will help advance their missions.
Corporations
Several of the corporations that donate the most to charity are large tech companies. Corporations like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Cisco regularly provide in-kind technology donations, grant programs, and employee matching and volunteer support.
- Corporate philanthropy often focuses on areas where technology can address pressing social issues — such as education, climate change, diversity and inclusion, or nonprofit fundraising.
- Many companies also run matching gift or volunteer grant programs that can indirectly support technology by channeling extra funds toward nonprofit initiatives.
What Big Companies Are Doing for Nonprofit Technology
By diversifying across these sources, nonprofits increase their chances of securing the necessary tools and resources to become and remain digitally strong. But for most organizations, in-kind donations from corporations will likely be the easiest tech grants to obtain. Let’s review what the major tech players are offering in grants or support to nonprofits.
Google is a leader in non-profit technology grants, helping organizations raise awareness, attract donors or volunteers through search ads, and run operations with Google Workspace. To access these programs, nonprofits must be eligible under Google for Nonprofits, have a functioning website, meet the verification requirements, and adhere to Google’s policies.
- Google Ad Grants – Provides nonprofits with up to $10,000 per month of free Google Search advertising.
- Google.org – Google’s philanthropic arm funds projects that harness technology and innovation for social impact, addressing issues such as equity, stronger communities, and sustainability.
- Other Tools under Google for Nonprofits – Tools such as Google Workspace and the YouTube Nonprofit Program provide digital licenses or discounted offerings to nonprofits.
Apple
Apple’s Education Initiative contributes hardware, educator resources, and support to nonprofits and schools, especially in under-resourced communities. Apple also supports programming and initiatives to train educators through grants, in-kind donations, or partnerships with schools and nonprofits.
Microsoft
Through its Microsoft for Nonprofits program, Microsoft provides cloud services, software, and support to help nonprofits scale their impact. Nonprofits can access grants for Microsoft 365, Power BI, Azure cloud credits, and Dynamics 365. These tools improve collaboration, data analysis, and donor management.
Microsoft offers up to $3,500 annually in Azure credits for eligible nonprofits. These credits can be applied to cloud hosting, AI, and data management projects, helping nonprofits modernize infrastructure and analyze impact data.
Microsoft also now runs focused grant programs on AI for nonprofits, such as AI for Earth, AI for Accessibility, and AI for Humanitarian Action, which provide funding and cloud resources to organizations using AI to tackle global challenges. These initiatives can also offer mentorship and collaboration with Microsoft engineers.
Meta provides nonprofits with free fundraising tools that enable them to collect donations directly on their social media pages. Eligible nonprofits can use features like donate buttons and birthday fundraisers to engage supporters and fundraise via Facebook.
Nonprofits can also access free training and certification courses through Meta Blueprint, helping staff and volunteers learn best practices in AI, digital marketing, social advertising, and online community building.
By using Facebook for Nonprofits, organizations can transform social media into a reliable fundraising and awareness engine — at little or no cost.
SalesForce
Salesforce provides a powerful CRM platform tailored to nonprofits called the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP). Eligible organizations can access 10 free licenses of Salesforce Enterprise Edition, plus deep discounts on additional licenses. NPSP helps nonprofits track donors, manage volunteers, run campaigns, and report on impact all in one place.
Salesforce.org (the company’s social impact arm) also invests in grants and programs that help nonprofits leverage technology for social good.
Beyond CRM tools, Salesforce.org offers technology grants, cloud credits, and in-kind support for nonprofits innovating in areas like climate action, equity, and education.
TechSoup
TechSoup is an invaluable resource for nonprofits and libraries seeking affordable tech. A nonprofit itself, TechSoup helps qualified organizations get access to donated or discounted software and hardware, as well as technical support. It does this by acting as a bridge between technology providers and nonprofits. TechSoup partners with major tech companies — including Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, Zoom, and others.
TechSoup also verifies nonprofit eligibility for many corporate giving programs (including Microsoft, Google, and Adobe). This validation is often the first step nonprofits must complete before accessing technology grants or in-kind donations from corporate partners.
Employee Matching – Another Area for Nonprofits to Explore
Many corporations offer grants tied to employee volunteering (i.e., a grant is awarded for every hour an employee volunteers) or match employee donations. Apple, for example, has volunteer grant programs for employees.
Tips for Nonprofits Seeking Technology Grants
Technology grants can be competitive. Here are the best practices to increase your chances of securing tech grants.
- Clarify your mission and need for technology to reach your goals.
- Describe clearly why you need the technology: what problem it will solve, how it links to your mission, and how you will measure success.
- Specific and tangible proposals do better than vague requests.
- Check eligibility and tailor applications carefully.
- Different grants have different requirements; make sure you qualify (e.g., legal status, geographical reach, type of organization).
- Be sure to follow all required criteria: proper financials, impact metrics, and technology capacity.
- Use grant databases and stay informed.
- There are portals and databases listing grants for nonprofits and corporate giving programs.
- Monitor tech company giving programs; many large tech companies run regular “impact challenges” or “innovation funds” with open calls.
- Leverage your organization’s relationships and connections.
- If your organization has connections (board members, partners, volunteers) who work at or with large tech companies, ask for introductions.
- Understand local funding norms: know which grant types are common locally.
- Make a sustainable plan.
- Think beyond the grant: once equipment is delivered, who maintains it? What about licenses, support, and training?
- Show funders that you have a plan for long-term impact, not just for the short-term infusion of tech.
Steps to Access These Grants and Opportunities
- Audit your current technology setup: what are your immediate pain points (hardware lagging, software limits, marketing reach, donor management tools)?
- See which tech programs you already qualify for – Programs like Google for Nonprofits are available for most charitable organizations.
- Build a proposal that aligns with both your organizational strategy and the goals of potential grantors — e.g., technology that expands donor reach, improves donor retention, enhances reporting or transparency.
- Include implementation, staff training, and maintenance in your technology budgeting.
- Keep records of impact, such as usage statistics and outcomes, to help in grant reporting and future applications.
Conclusion on Technology Grants for Nonprofits
Technology grants from major tech companies—whether in the form of financial grants, software, or pro-bono support—represent powerful levers for nonprofits. Google, Apple, Microsoft, and others have structured programs that nonprofits can readily access.
If you’re a nonprofit working with DoJiggy or considering using our fundraising tools, exploring these tech grant opportunities can help you boost your digital capacity without breaking the bank. Ensure that your mission remains front and center, understand what’s required, and develop proposals that demonstrate tangible impact.
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