Tight budgets and per-seat software fees
Every volunteer or board member who needs email, file access or a shared calendar can mean another monthly licence. Costs grow with your community rather than your budget.
Non-Profits · Charities, Churches & Community Groups
IT support for non-profits that stretches every dollar
Charities, churches and community groups run on tight budgets, donated equipment and volunteers who come and go. Per-seat software fees add up fast when half your team is part-time or unpaid.
We help you get organized, keep donor and member information safe, and move to open-source tools that don't charge per person, with a 15% non-profit discount on our IT plans and Escape packages.
What We See Most
The three biggest IT problems for non-profits
Volunteers coming and going
Accounts are created in a hurry and never removed. Former volunteers still have access to donor lists, shared drives and social media, and key passwords live with one person who may not be around next year.
Donated software and hand-me-down equipment
Donated licences and discount programs are valuable but confusing to apply for and renew. Donated computers often arrive old, unpatched and with no plan for backups or security.
Our Approach
How we solve them
Simple systems that survive volunteer turnover and don't grow more expensive as your community grows.
1
Open-source tools without per-seat costs
Nextcloud for files and calendars, Mattermost for team chat and Vaultwarden for passwords can be hosted for a flat cost rather than per person, so adding volunteers doesn't add licence fees.
2
Clean volunteer onboarding and offboarding
Simple checklists for adding and removing people, shared role-based accounts where they make sense, and an organization-owned password vault so access never leaves with a single volunteer.
3
Making the most of donated software and hardware
We can help you navigate TechSoup Canada donation and discount programs, then set up, secure and back up donated computers and software properly so they are an asset, not a risk.
Plan Recommendation
Which IT plan fits a non-profit? Any plan, 15% off.
Registered charities, churches and non-profit community groups get a 15% non-profit discount on all IT plans and Escape packages. Most small organizations start with IT Essentials plus a Starter Escape to remove per-seat costs.
- ✓IT Essentials ($89 → $75.65/user/month): Remote help desk, computer monitoring and updates, endpoint protection, account admin, volunteer setup and lockout, and a team password manager.
- ✓IT Complete ($139 → $118.15/user/month): Adds on-site visits, network and Wi-Fi management for halls and offices, daily cloud backups and security awareness training.
- ✓IT Secure ($189 → $160.65/user/month): For organizations handling sensitive information such as counselling or client services records: 24/7 threat detection, tamper-proof backups and written policies.
- ✓Escape packages, 15% off: Starter Escape $1,500 → $1,275 (1–5 users), Core Escape $2,500 → $2,125 (6–10 users), Growth Escape $4,500 → $3,825 (11–25 users).
Discount applies to eligible registered charities and non-profit organizations; we'll ask for confirmation of status when you sign up. Plan minimums still apply (5 users, or a discounted flat rate for smaller teams). Hosting for open-source tools is billed at cost to your own account. Prices in CAD plus HST.
Leave Big Tech, Selectively
Where Big Tech alternatives help
Donated Big Tech licences can be a good deal, but they come with conditions and renewal risk. Open-source tools give you a stable, low-cost option you control.
| Instead of | Consider | Why it helps here |
|---|---|---|
| Per-user Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for every volunteer | Nextcloud | Shared files, calendars and online document editing for staff and volunteers without a licence for each person. |
| Slack or Teams for volunteer coordination | Mattermost team chat | Channels for committees, events and ministries, with full message history and no per-user pricing tiers. |
| Passwords held by one long-time volunteer | Vaultwarden password manager | The organization owns its passwords. Volunteers get access to what they need and lose it when they step away. |
| Knowledge that leaves with each volunteer | BookStack wiki | Event checklists, policies and "how we do things" guides that stay with the organization year after year. |
You don't have to switch everything at once, or at all. We only recommend a change when the numbers and the day-to-day experience both work for you. See all Big Tech alternatives →
Good to Know
About TechSoup Canada: we can help you understand and apply to TechSoup Canada donation and discount programs. Eligibility and program terms are set by TechSoup Canada and the participating vendors, not by us.
Clear Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from charities, churches and community groups.
Who qualifies for the 15% non-profit discount?
Registered charities, churches and non-profit community organizations. The 15% discount applies to all IT plans and Escape packages. We'll ask for confirmation of your status when you sign up.
Can you help us get donated software through TechSoup Canada?
Yes. We can help you navigate TechSoup Canada donation and discount programs, work out which offers make sense for your organization, and set up and secure the software once it arrives. Eligibility is determined by TechSoup Canada and the vendors.
Why switch to open-source if we get donated Microsoft or Google licences?
Donated licences can be a good deal, but they often have seat limits, eligibility rules and terms that can change. Open-source tools like Nextcloud and Mattermost have no per-seat fees, so adding volunteers never adds licence costs. We'll help you compare both honestly.
How do you handle volunteers who only help a few hours a month?
We set up simple onboarding and offboarding, role-based access and an organization-owned password vault. Occasional volunteers can get just the access they need, and it is removed cleanly when they step away.
Can you work with donated or older computers?
Yes. We assess donated machines, update or reinstall them, add protection and backups, and tell you honestly when a device is too old to be safe to use.
Other Industries
IT support for other Nova Scotia teams
Clinics
Physio, dental, chiropractic, massage and wellness clinics that need patient information protected and the front desk always working.
Trades & Construction
Contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC and builders with crews in the field and a small office keeping jobs, quotes and invoices moving.
Professional Services
Accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers, insurance and real-estate offices that handle confidential client files and can't afford downtime.