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The Best Free Digital Marketing Resources for Nonprofits

Maria Satira • Jan 30, 2022

Your nonprofit can get free digital marketing services from several companies.

Navigating the digital marketing world as a nonprofit can be challenging. While you want more people to learn about your organization, sometimes nonprofit budgets don’t allow flexibility to pay for major marketing campaigns.


I hear that. Several years ago, I started volunteering with an animal rescue group in my community, the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina. The organization didn’t have any extra room in its budget to pay for a graphic design service or purchase graphic design software. At the time, I was chairing the marketing committee so I knew how big of an impact this could have on the organization as they worked to stay trendy with social media content. After doing some research, I discovered a graphic design website (Canva – which we’ll talk about below) that offered a free basic plan. It was great, but we needed a bit more. I did some research and found that the paid plan seemed to check all the boxes. I was ready to suggest to the Humane Society’s board that we should purchase the Pro version when I realized that nonprofits can get it for free! That’s right – FREE! 


This led me to explore more tools and services that are offered at no cost for 501(c)3 nonprofits. As it turns out, there are many free (or discounted) options for charities! So, as a way to help your organization’s marketing journey, here are my top three favorite FREE digital marketing resources for registered not-for-profit organizations:


Canva Pro:

This is my favorite online design tool. Canva Pro is so easy to use and allows non-designers (like myself) create and customize designs that look professional. From social media posts to annual reports, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of templates that you can use. While it is free for nonprofits, there is an application and verification process. It doesn’t take too long, but it’s well worth the wait. Here are the types of nonprofits that qualify for this Canva program:

  • Registered nonprofits 
  • Social impact organizations with a mission consistent with a public or community benefit
  • Public health organizations, and government entities assisting with public health


I love Canva Pro so much that I do use the paid version for my own personal business. I think it is the most value-added graphic design and template website – and it’s definitely worth every penny. That’s why I highly recommend Canva Pro for businesses too. Use this link for added savings.



Linktree:

Create an amazing landing page with Linktree! This service allows you to connect to your digital audiences and give them all the resources they need with just one link. You can put this as a “link in bio” on Instagram, post it on your Facebook or LinkedIn, or use it as a landing page for a QR code. The possibilities are endless. The basic account is free, but there are plenty of great features in the paid accounts. Fortunately, for registered charities around the world, Linktree PRO is free! The PRO version is valued at $9 a month which may not sound like much, but for nonprofits, every dollar truly makes a difference. 


This is another service that I use the paid account for in my own personal business. Even if you don’t qualify for a free PRO account, I highly recommend this service as part of your digital marketing strategy. You can definitely get by with the free account, but you may find value in a paid option too. These are well worth the cost and start at just $3 a month when billed annually Check out all the plans and their pricing descriptions by clicking here. 



Google Ad Grants:

As a verified and qualified nonprofit, Google offers ad grants to help share your mission with the world. Each qualifying nonprofit has access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on Google.com. That’s right – PER MONTH! This is amazing for nonprofits and can help in so many ways. There are over a dozen success stories where nonprofits have used this tool to bring more awareness to their organization, recruit more volunteers, and raise more money. That all sounds incredible, right?!


This process is a bit lengthy, but it’s certainly worth the time and effort. First, you’ll have to apply for Google for Nonprofits. In order to qualify, Google requests that organizations are:

  • Not a governmental entity or organization
  • Not a hospital or healthcare organization
  • Not a school, academic institution, or university (Google for Education offers a separate program for schools)


Once you begin the process, you’ll have to register your organization with another resource called TechSoup. You’ll get an email from them (don’t delete it!) which you’ll need to reply to verify your email. From there, if you’re approved, you’ll be able to launch your Ad Grants account and begin using the products. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but there are endless tutorials, demos, and guides to help you use your grant budget.


In addition to Google Ad Grants, nonprofits also have access to Google Workspace for Nonprofits, YouTube Nonprofit Program, and Google Earth and Maps.



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We are passionate about helping nonprofit groups. To get free nonprofit digital marketing tips delivered straight to your inbox, click here. Maria Satira Media also offers an exclusive (and free) online community where we discuss digital marketing tips and trends. You can click here to join our group – we’d love to have you! (Just be sure to fill out the membership questions.)


Feel free to reach out to my team if you’d like to discuss more ways that we can work together! Just send us an email at hello@mariasatira.com and we’ll chat with you soon!



Cheers,

Maria


*This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read this site's disclosure policy.

5 Reasons Why Your Nonprofit Needs to Have a Blog

By Maria Satira • 11 Feb, 2024
There are endless ways to share your nonprofit’s message to its target audience, community, and donors. One of the best tools an organization can utilize is a blog on its website. Blogs and articles are great for highlighting programs, organizational needs, and industry expertise.

The Best Lesson I Learned as a Reporter and How it Can Help Nonprofits

By Maria Satira • 06 Sep, 2023
“Report on issues, not events.” That was the advice of one of my very first news managers. I was a young, eager multi-media reporter straight out of college and I was just beginning to navigate the world of television news. I was sitting in our morning story pitch meeting and sharing a few ideas that I wanted to cover that day. All of them were events.

Generate Awareness for Your Nonprofit in Big Ways

By Maria Satira • 20 Jan, 2023
Some of the best ways to generate awareness are opportunities to partner with other entities. Here are some of my favorite awareness campaigns that won’t cost your organization a penny but could get you featured on national news circuits, statewide agency announcements, and/or in your local media.

Can a Former Journalist Fill Your Organization’s Next Marketing Role?

By Maria Satira • 05 Nov, 2022
I’ve recently discovered that many journalists are more interested in working for nonprofit organizations and finding reward and satisfaction in the work they do. That said, I want to share five reasons why your organization might find value in hiring a former journalist for a marketing and communications role:

How to Create a Nonprofit Media Relations Policy (with Template!)

By Maria Satira • 02 Jul, 2022
It takes time to develop quality and valuable relationships with members of the media. If your nonprofit organization is looking for earned media opportunities, one of the most effective ways to get that type of coverage is to network with local journalists.

How to Write an Effective Media Story Pitch (with Template!)

By Maria Satira • 29 Jan, 2022
A typical reporter can look at a pitch in just five seconds and know if it’s worth their time. There is an art to story pitching, and I’m here to share it with you.

Why you can't have a first annual event

By Maria Satira • 30 Oct, 2021
My team here at Maria Satira Media works with many nonprofits of all difference sizes. This includes national advocacy organizations, statewide associations, and local nonprofits. Over the years, we’ve helped publicize various fundraisers as these groups look to raise money. However, there is one type of fundraiser we won’t work with... at least, until it gets a name change. Events with the phrase “first annual” are big no-nos. Why, you may ask? Well, it's because you can’t have a first annual anything. As a former local news anchor, I’d see this mistake several times a week through press releases, social media advertisements, and website content. If something is in its first year, it can’t logically be referred to as the first annual. Here's why: The word annual implies the event is yearly. If the event is in its first year, it can’t be yearly because it hasn’t happened prior to this year. For something to become annual, it needs to happen more than once. Alternatives to first annual: Try using the word inaugural if it is the first time your event is happening. Example: Maria Satira’s Inaugural Writing Seminar Or, you could always use the word first, since it is the first. Example: Maria Satira’s First Writing Seminar When to use annual: Once the second year of the event rolls around, then you can start to use annual in the title. Example: Maria Satira’s Second Annual Writing Seminar PS. If you were wondering... there isn't an actual Maria Satira writing seminar event... at least not yet ;) If you need help publicizing an upcoming event or fundraiser, my team here at Maria Satira Media would be honored to help. We can help create messaging that resonates with the general public to make your event a success. Reach out and we can schedule a consultation to discuss our public relations services. Just send us an email at hello@mariasatira.com and we’ll chat with you soon! Cheers, Maria

How to write a powerful press release

By Maria Satira • 30 Oct, 2021
With nearly a decade of experience in print, television, and digital journalism… and I have no shame in admitting my belief in press releases. I think a well-written release is the most effective way to communicate specific details of a topic, issue, event, etc. to the community, newsroom, or publication. Maria Satira Media, LLC is here to help with 9 tips for sending an attention-grabbing press release: 1. Understand the basics of journalism This is the most important point of this post. I could go on and on about this topic, but I’ll keep it simple. The writer should explain the “who, what, where, when, why, and how” of the announcement/event/whatever in the press release. Too often, I’ll receive a release which is missing pertinent information. Cover your bases and answer the “who, what, where, when, why, and how.” 2. Keep it brief Your press release shouldn’t be any longer than a page. You can ensure this by following what I like to call the 3Cs of news writing. Keep your press release clear, concise, and crisp. A reporter can look at a release and know within the first sentence if it is worth their time. 3. Use proper grammar and proofread Nothing will annoy a media outlet more than receiving a press release with poor grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. If you want someone to take your release seriously, you need to take it seriously and present it professionally. 4. Include quotes Interview someone knowledgeable about the topic and include their quotes throughout the release. Using real quotes from real people will allow your release a feeling of authenticity. Adding this type of element will increase your chance of being published because it has more content aside from just paragraphs of text. 5. Add a call to action Decide what action you want followed by the receiver of the release. Do you want a journalist to interview someone from your organization/company about a new and exciting achievement? Do you want people to know about and attend your event? Do you want community members to donate money toward your cause? Tell them. 6. Offer interview opportunities Nothing is worse for a reporter than having someone pitch them a great story idea via press release, yet refuse to do an interview. In your press release, include the contact information of someone who is readily available and prepared to do an interview. Make sure this person is flexible and respectful of a reporter who is likely working on a deadline. 7. Send the release via email The best way (really, the only acceptable way) to deliver a press release is through email. Attach the release in PDF form and also put the text of the release in the body of the email. Locate the newsroom or publication’s preferred email and send it. If you happen to know individual reporters or anchors at a news station or newspaper, send it to them too. 8. Follow up If you don’t hear back from the news outlet about your release, you can follow up. Just make sure you do so professionally and respectfully. Call a newsroom (after 10am), request to speak with the assignment desk manager, and ask if they got the release. If they did, offer to answer any questions they have about the topic and if you can schedule an interview. If they didn’t, ask for their email again, along with the assignment desk manager, and resend it. 9. Be considerate Understand that your release may not get the attention that you believe it deserves. News outlets do not guarantee coverage. For various reasons, assignment desks are particular in what they choose to cover. If the topic of your release doesn’t fit their scope, that’s okay. Don’t take it personally and don’t get discouraged. Try again in the future with another release and topic. --- Here at Maria Satira Media, we know that press release creation and distribution can be overwhelming. As professionals in the industry, we can help you alleviate the pain points of working with journalists in your community. Reach out to my team and we can schedule a consultation to discuss our media relations services. Click here to learn more or send us an email at hello@mariasatira.com Cheers, Maria
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