How to choose the best credit cards for nonprofits

Running a nonprofit often means working with limited tools, scattered processes, and not enough time. For many teams—especially churches, youth programs, and community organizations—that can look like paper receipts, emailed purchase requests, and long delays when someone needs access to a card.

That’s where opting for the right nonprofit credit card can help. The best options offer waived fees and cashback, but more importantly, they also let you track spending by program, issue cards to staff instantly, and prepare clean reports for upcoming audits without problems.

Here’s how to choose the best credit card for your nonprofit organization, which features to prioritize, and real stories of nonprofits that successfully used a business credit card to save 20+ hours on month-end close for their team.

How to choose the best credit cards for nonprofits

To choose the best credit cards for nonprofits, look for cards with no annual fees, flexible employee card options, and tools for tracking and managing expenses. Prioritize those offering cashback or discounts on common nonprofit expenses like office supplies, software, or travel. Some considerations include:

1. Align card controls with grant rules

Pick a card that lets you issue virtual cards for each grant or program and apply merchant or category blocks that automatically stop out-of-policy purchases. Add dual-approval workflows on higher-value transactions so every charge meets grant terms and board governance requirements.

2. Minimize costs that erode program dollars

Prioritize cards with no annual or foreign-transaction fees, then compare interest-free grace periods because longer float can bridge reimbursement lags. Review late-payment penalties closely so surprise charges don’t siphon money away from frontline services.

3. Automate accounting from swipe to close

Choose a platform that codes transactions to the correct general ledger account in real time and syncs with QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or NetSuite. Text- or email-based receipt capture and auditor-friendly export formats eliminate manual entry, shorten month-end close, and preserve a clean audit trail.

4. Protect leadership with organization-only underwriting

Look for issuers that base approval on the organization’s cash balance and waive personal guarantees. Fast two-day approval timelines keep events on schedule while shielding board members’ credit scores.

5. Turn rewards into mission fuel, not busywork

Flat, uncapped cash-back rewards are simpler to audit than rotating categories and can be redeemed as statement credits that directly lower program costs. Make sure rewards never expire so you can time redemptions around grant cycles.

6. Lock down security and compliance

Real-time spend alerts, auto-locking lost cards, and role-based permissions reduce fraud risk and keep volunteers from accessing data they shouldn’t see. A permanent digital audit trail speeds Form 990 preparation and strengthens internal controls.

7. Evaluate issuer support and nonprofit experience

Ask whether the issuer offers nonprofit-savvy account managers and confirm the implementation timeline fits your busy calendar. Policy templates and pre-built reporting dashboards are valuable extras that accelerate adoption.

8. Plan governance before rollout

Draft a concise, board-approved card policy covering limits, receipt deadlines, and consequences for misuse, then schedule quarterly spend reviews with department heads. Sharing a real-time dashboard at board meetings keeps leadership informed and reinforces accountability.

What to consider when choosing a card for your organization

Choosing a nonprofit credit card isn’t just about perks—it’s about ensuring your financial controls, compliance needs, and operational workflows are fully supported. Here are some questions to keep in mind while evaluating the options:

How will the card handle fund segregation? If you track multiple grants or programs, choose a platform that issues virtual cards tied to each funding source and enforces merchant or category blocks automatically, so every charge lands in the correct ledger without manual sorting.

Will the issuer honor nonprofit status with fee waivers or higher limits? Some banks waive annual or foreign-transaction fees and offer larger starting limits once they verify your 501(c)(3) paperwork, so ask these questions up front and record the answers in your board minutes.

Does the platform capture receipts by text or email? Cards that auto-attach receipts and memos—whether submitted by smartphone photo, email forward, or integration with vendors such as Amazon—eliminate envelope stuffing and accelerate month-end reconciliation.

Can you delegate safely? Unlimited employee cards with preset limits let staff act quickly while real-time approvals and role-based permissions keep spending within policy and protect restricted funds.

What’s the approval timeline and limit-setting process? Issuers that underwrite on cash-on-hand can approve within 48 hours and adjust credit lines dynamically, ensuring emergency purchases don’t stall when donation cycles fluctuate.

What are some of the best nonprofit credit cards to consider?

Some of the best options for nonprofits start with Ramp, which offers high credit limits, no fees, and built-in expense controls. Other strong choices include the Chase Ink Business Cash® Card for office supply rewards, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Card for straightforward flat-rate cashback, and the Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card, which offers vendor rebates and honors 501(c)(3) status. For travel-focused teams, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business stands out, while the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® is ideal for nonprofits that bank with Bank of America.

Here’s a closer look at what these credit cards offer.

Compare nonprofit credit cards

Ramp Business Credit Card

The fastest, easiest way to manage expenses.

Email

Apply today - get $250*

*After your first balance payment of over $1,000

Best overall card for nonprofits

Annual Fee

$0

APR

N/A

Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card

Best for office and gas rewards

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.49%–24.49% (variable)

Recommended Credit Score

700–850 (good to excellent)

Rewards Rate

1%–5%

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Best for simple cashback

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% for 12 months

APR

17.49%–23.49% variable

Rewards

Cashback

Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card

Best for vendor rebates

Net Savings

$0

APR

N/A

Capital One Spark 2X Miles

Best for flat-rate travel rewards

Annual Fee

$0 for the first year, then $95

APR

25.24% variable

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard

Best for flexible rewards

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.49%–28.49%

PNC Points Visa Business Credit Card

Best for balance transfers

Net Savings

$0

APR

13.24% (variable)

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

APR

APR 0% intro APR for 12 months, then 18.49%-26.49% (variable)

Fees

$0

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card

APR

0% intro APR for 12 months, then 17.49%-25.49% (variable)

Fees

$0

At Ramp, transparency and integrity are core values guiding our content. We believe in the exceptional value of our products, which may shape our perspective. Our methodical approach involves competitor analysis, comparison of credit cards, and frequent reviews to maintain reliability. Review our full methodology for choosing the best business credit cards.

How to apply for a nonprofit credit card

Applying for a nonprofit credit card is usually straightforward, especially if your organization already has a bank account and basic documentation in place.

Most issuers will ask for:

• Your organization’s EIN (Employer Identification Number)
• Proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Bank account details and current cash balance
• Contact information for an executive or finance lead

Once approved, you can often start using the card the same day—especially if virtual cards are included. You’ll also be able to issue cards to staff or volunteers and set spending limits right away.

Benefits of nonprofit credit cards

It's not always easy for nonprofits to secure funding. This can make it challenging to cover expenses, especially when you're just starting‌ out. Startup costs can be a huge barrier to entry for new organizations.

Traditional funding sources, like grants or donations, can take time. A nonprofit credit card, on the other hand, gives you the flexibility to make purchases and pay your bills on time, even if funding is delayed. This will help you avoid late fees and interest charges which can further strain your budget.

Unlike business loans and other lines of credit, nonprofit credit cards are often easier to qualify for. The application process is simple, and you may not need to provide as much documentation. Plus, you won't be required to pay a down payment or origination fees.

There are several other advantages that come with using a nonprofit credit card. Here are some of the top benefits:

• Waived fees: Waived fees can reduce the cost of using a credit card for your nonprofit.
• Lower APR: A lower interest rate can save your nonprofit significant money over time.
• Signup bonuses: Signup bonuses, such as cashback or rewards points, can help you earn rewards on everyday purchases.
• Mobile access: Mobile access allows you to check your balance, make payments, and track your spending on the go.
• Fraud protection: Fraud protection gives you peace of mind knowing that your nonprofit's finances are protected.
• Specialized rewards programs: Rewards programs give you cashback for things like office supplies or travel. This can help you get more value out of your credit card.
• Virtual cards: Virtual credit cards can be used for online purchases. They help protect you from fraud and allow you to track your organization's spending.

These cards can help you save money on expenses and make it easier to track your spending. This makes nonprofit credit cards a valuable tool in the management of your organization.

How credit cards can strengthen your nonprofit’s funding profile

Using a credit card allows nonprofit organizations to build business credit. For younger nonprofits, a business credit card can serve as a stepping stone to more substantial funding, while helping demonstrate fiscal discipline to grantmakers and board members.

While nonprofits are required to receive at least one-third of their revenue from public donations, sometimes fundraising isn't enough to finance certain projects. In those cases, nonprofits look to grants and loans, like nonprofit lines of credit, to fund their expenses. With the right controls in place, a nonprofit credit card can help streamline approvals and prevent misuse—critical for maintaining compliance and preserving trust with your stakeholders.

Since nonprofits are considered a high lending risk to traditional banks, due to their unsteady revenue and lack of collateral, it's especially important to have a strong business credit profile to secure proper funding.

What is Ramp, and why do nonprofits use it?

Ramp is a corporate card and expense management platform that helps organizations issue cards, control spending, and close the books faster—all in one place. For nonprofits, it offers tools to manage purchases across multiple teams, without relying on personal credit or paper-based processes.

Where traditional credit cards offer limited controls, Ramp provides:

• Instant card issuance (physical and virtual)
• Custom spending rules by person, vendor, or category
• Real-time tracking and automated receipt collection
• Integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Teams, and more

Nonprofits looking for the best business credit card have already turned to Ramp for its ability to manage multiple entities at once. For example, nonprofit organizations like the Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains, Crossings Community Church, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have already saved hours each week by switching to Ramp.

Let’s take a closer look at how Ramp helped one of them save 20+ hours a month.

How the Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains saved 20+ hours a month with Ramp

Before switching to Ramp, Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains relied on a legacy bank system to manage their credit cards. Issuing or replacing cards could take more than a week. Receipt collection happened through paper handoffs. Changing card limits or reviewing purchases required hours of manual work. Month-end close also took up to 30 hours and often left the team without real-time visibility into spending or receipt status.

Ramp gave the Girl Scouts a more efficient way to manage spending. With both physical and virtual cards, they could issue new cards instantly, each with pre-set spending limits and approval rules. Automated receipt tracking eliminated the need to chase down paperwork, and a centralized dashboard gave the finance team real-time visibility into spending across departments and programs.

Switching to Ramp ultimately resulted in:

• Month-end close time dropping from 30 hours to just 1.5
• Compliance improving with instant access to receipts for audits
• Ad hoc data requests taking minutes instead of days
• Finance proactively spotting issues and supporting leadership with faster insights

For a small nonprofit team managing multiple programs and users, Ramp helped them free up time, improve oversight, and support better decision-making.

Choose Ramp's business credit card for nonprofits

Whether you're a small or large nonprofit, Ramp understands that every dollar matters when you're serving your community. Our credit cards, along with our expense management tools, are built to help nonprofits operate with transparency, efficiency, and purpose—so you can focus more on impact and taking care of your community.

Unlike most business credit cards, Ramp’s corporate cards come with no annual fees and no interest. Our repayment terms mean that you’ll never carry a balance on your card. It’s a good fit if your organization is looking for cashback rewards without any worries about overspending and racking up credit card interest.

With built-in approvals, receipt capture, and policy enforcement, Ramp helps nonprofits like yours track every dollar, close the books faster, and focus on what really matters—your mission.

Join the nonprofits already saving hours every week—apply for Ramp today.