Squarespace for Nonprofits: Building Websites Made Easy
Building a nonprofit website that inspires donations doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In this post, we’ll cover how to use Squarespace for nonprofits, including pricing, templates, and donation tools.
Did you know that 94% of consumers/donors say their first impression of a brand is based on its website’s design?
A well-designed nonprofit website can be the deciding factor between gaining a donation and losing a potential supporter.
Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its sleek templates and simplicity, making it a great choice whether you’re launching a new nonprofit site or refreshing an existing one.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what Squarespace offers nonprofits and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your organization’s online presence.
What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is a user-friendly website builder that lets you create a professional site with no coding skills needed.
Whether you’re launching a site to fundraise, share your mission, or sell products, Squarespace makes it easy with tons of free, beautifully designed drag-and-drop templates.
Everything you need is built right in, including design tools, hosting, and even marketing features, so you don’t have to juggle a bunch of different platforms.
Is Squarespace Good for Nonprofits?
While Squarespace is well-known in the e-commerce world, it’s also a strong option for nonprofits.
For nonprofits with limited time and resources, Squarespace offers a user-friendly solution that still delivers a polished design.
To help you decide if Squarespace is the right fit for your nonprofit, here are some key pros and cons to consider.
Pros
Easy-to-use templates: Squarespace offers a wide selection of sleek, modern templates that are ready to customize. These designs make it easy for your nonprofit to launch a beautiful site without starting from scratch.
Simple to edit: The drag-and-drop editor lets you make updates quickly, whether you’re posting event details, updating photos, or adding a new page. No coding knowledge needed, just point, click, and publish.
No dedicated web team needed: Squarespace is designed with non-tech users in mind. It’s a perfect fit for small teams who want a professional website without having to hire a designer or developer.
Easy to embed donation forms and fundraising widgets: With platforms like Donorbox, you can seamlessly embed fundraising tools into your Squarespace site, allowing supporters to donate without leaving your website. It’s a simple way to encourage online giving.
Built-in SEO tools: Squarespace comes with built-in SEO features that help your nonprofit show up in search engine results. From custom page titles and descriptions to clean URL structures, it’s easy to optimize your site for visibility.
Cons
Monthly cost: Squarespace charges a monthly subscription fee, with the most basic plan starting at $16 per month and advanced features priced at $99 per month. For smaller nonprofits with limited budgets, the cost is an important factor to consider.
Not tailored specifically to nonprofits: Squarespace isn’t designed specifically for nonprofits, so certain specialized features (such as donor management or fundraising tools) may require additional integrations using platforms like Donorbox.
Squarespace Pricing for Nonprofits
With four pricing options, each with different features and fees to fit your needs, many nonprofits find a Squarespace plan that works for them.
While there is no Squarespace discount for nonprofits, you can still save by choosing annual billing, which offers up to 36% off compared to monthly billing.
Many nonprofits opt for the Core plan. This plan offers essential features such as unlimited contributors to your site, API integrations, and advanced website analytics.
As your nonprofit grows, the higher-tier plans offer lower payment processing fees, providing additional cost savings.
Best Squarespace Nonprofit Templates
Squarespace offers stunning and easy-to-use templates for building your online presence.
The platform also offers demo sites so you can preview each template and see if it’s right for you.
Let’s take a look at some of the best Squarespace templates for nonprofits.
1. Bailard: For Mission-Focused Nonprofit Sites
With its clean layout and purposeful structure, Bailard is a popular Squarespace template that works especially well for mission-driven organizations.
The homepage provides a clear summary of your mission, giving visitors an immediate sense of who you are and what you stand for.
The header navigation includes a dropdown menu under “About,” where potential donors can explore your organization’s projects or learn how to get involved.
A standout feature is the “Take Action” button prominently placed in the header, making it easy for supporters to donate, volunteer, or help spread the word.
2. Roseti: For Community-Oriented Nonprofit Sites
Roseti offers a warm, structured way to build community through your website.
Its layout is ideal if your organization hosts lots of public events or opportunities to get involved.
The homepage highlights upcoming events, giving visitors a clear and welcoming invitation to participate or learn more before committing to membership.
Clear calls to action encourage new members to join, while a featured testimonial from a current member adds a personal, trustworthy touch.
Plus, the built-in newsletter signup and social media links make it easy for people to stay connected and follow along at their own pace.
3. Hester: For E-Commerce Nonprofit Sites
The Hester template offers a sleek design that’s perfect for showcasing merchandise or other products. The template’s full-screen homepage image and large text capture attention immediately.
The “Our Story” page allows you to share your nonprofit’s mission, providing a personal touch to build trust with your donors.
Also, the template’s modern aesthetic and smooth scrolling enhance the user experience. This makes it a popular choice for online organizations selling physical products.
4. Hoyd: For One-Page Nonprofit Sites
Hoyd is a streamlined, one-page Squarespace template that’s ideal if your nonprofit is looking to quickly establish an online presence, or if you’re hosting a specific campaign or event.
A one-page layout like Hoyd takes minimal time to set up, giving you room to grow the site later if needed.
With a single call to action, such as collecting RSVPs for a fundraising event, Hoyd keeps your visitors focused and engaged.
You can easily update the content to reflect your nonprofit’s goals, whether that’s promoting your mission, encouraging donations, or recruiting volunteers.
Can You Accept Donations on Squarespace?
Yes, your nonprofit can accept donations on Squarespace; however, the built-in options are limited to Stripe and PayPal, which offer more basic donation capabilities.
For nonprofits looking for more advanced fundraising tools, Donorbox is a popular and effective solution that easily integrates with Squarespace.
With Donorbox, you can embed donation forms on your Squarespace website, offer recurring giving options, add a pop-up form, and even add a Sticky Donate Button that stay visible as visitors scroll.
Donorbox also includes easy-to-use donor management features, making it simple to track and engage supporters over time.
If you’re weighing your options for the right website platform, there are a few other website builders worth checking out, each with features that work well for nonprofits.
1. Wix
Wix features beautiful, quick-install templates designed for all types of organizations, including templates specifically for nonprofits.
Wix also provides donation apps, event tools, and volunteer forms, making it easy to create a professional site for your cause.
It integrates smoothly with platforms like Donorbox, giving you multiple ways to accept and manage donations.
2. WordPress
WordPress is a powerful option for nonprofits that want full control over their website.
WordPress offers countless plugins created specifically for nonprofits and churches, like the free Donorbox plugin.
Paired with nonprofit plugins, WordPress offers tailored fundraising features like customizable donation forms, donor management, and detailed reporting.
3. Weebly
Weebly is a simple, user-friendly option for smaller nonprofits. It allows easy drag-and-drop site building and includes donation integrations through PayPal or Donorbox.
Its affordability and ease of use make it a solid choice for nonprofits that need a clean, straightforward site.
Six best practices to boost website engagement and donations
Check out this short video to discover the six best-practice tips to keep top of mind when designing your nonprofit’s website.
Conclusion
All things considered, Squarespace is a solid option if your nonprofit is looking for an affordable, secure website builder without the hassle of complex coding.
With easy-to-use drag-and-drop templates and helpful fundraising tools, you can create a stunning site that drives donations and clearly communicates your mission.
Whichever platform you choose, Donorbox makes it easy for supporters to give on your site. From embedded donation forms to eye-catching Sticky Donate Buttons and simple donor management, Donorbox is designed to make fundraising more effective.
No, Squarespace is not free for nonprofits. All plans require a paid subscription, but you can save by choosing annual billing.
2. Does Squarespace offer a nonprofit discount?
No, Squarespace does not offer a dedicated nonprofit discount. However, as a new user, you can often use codes like “NONPROFIT” or “NOPI10” to get 10% off your first payment.
3. Can I accept donations directly on Squarespace?
Yes, you can accept donations directly using built-in tools like Stripe and PayPal. For more advanced features, many nonprofits use Donorbox.
With a background in professional writing, Lydia has over five years in nonprofit communications under her belt. Lydia’s passion for supporting nonprofits sparked during her college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained valuable insights into fundraising marketing strategies. These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.