Zapier for Nonprofits: Easy Automation for Fundraisers

What could your nonprofit do with more time? Zapier helps you automate repetitive tasks across different apps in just a few simple steps. I’ll cover the best ways your nonprofit can use this time-saving tool.

Written by: Lydia Wohlgemuth | Reviewed by: Darrin Cook
Zapier for Nonprofits: Easy Automation for Fundraisers
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Zapier doesn’t just save your organization time; it also helps you create smoother donor management processes, so you can focus on building meaningful relationships and improving the donor experience.

In this blog, I’ll discuss how Zapier can simplify your workflows, streamline donor management, and give you back the time you need to focus on your mission.


What Is Zapier, and Why Do Nonprofits Use It?

Screenshot of Zapier's home page

Zapier is an automation tool that connects thousands of web apps, so you can stop doing repetitive tasks across multiple platforms by hand.

Even if two tools don’t talk to each other directly, Zapier acts as the bridge that makes them work together behind the scenes.

For example, when someone donates to your nonprofit, Zapier can automatically send their info to your email marketing platform and your finance system – no coding, copy-pasting, or double entry required.

Zapier is made up of a few simple components:

  • Zaps: These are the automations you create. Think of them as “when this happens, do that.” For example, when you receive a donation on Donorbox, automatically send it to your Xero account.
  • Triggers: This is what kicks the Zap off. In the example above, the trigger is a new donation.
  • Actions: This is what Zapier does next, like automatically sending that donation information. You can even add multi-step Zaps, meaning more than one action occurs after a trigger!

With these basic building blocks, Zapier saves nonprofits a ton of time and helps keep information flowing smoothly between all your tools.


Different ways your nonprofit can use Zapier

  • Automatically add new donors or form submissions to your email list.
  • Send a personalized thank-you email or text after someone donates.
  • Create or update contacts in your CRM when someone fills out a form.
  • Log donations or registrations in Google Sheets for easy reporting.
  • Notify your team in Slack when a new donation or signup comes in.
  • Add event registrations to your calendar or project management tool.
  • Tag or segment contacts in your email platform based on how they engage.

Every nonprofit is unique, so if none of the examples above quite fit your situation, that’s okay.

Zapier is fully customizable, and if you’re wondering whether something can be automated for your nonprofit, chances are it probably can!


Donorbox + Zapier: Keep Donor Data in Sync Across Tools

Zapier Donorbox Integration

Connect Donorbox and Zapier

With Zapier, you can easily connect Donorbox to tools you already use, like Slack, Xero, Airtable, and Google Sheets.

These automations help keep your donor information accurate, organized, and accessible across every platform.

If automations feel intimidating, don’t worry, you don’t need to write any code or call a developer. Zapier is simple to set up inside Donorbox, and most automations take just a few clicks to get running.

Some of our favorite Donorbox and Zapier automations include:

  • Send Donorbox activity straight to your Slack workspace as direct messages, channel updates, or reminders.
  • Automatically create or update a Google Sheet with donor and donation data, with Zapier mapping everything for you.
  • Integrate Donorbox with QuickBooks so donations are instantly logged and accounted for.

The Donorbox Zapier integration is included with Pro and Premium Donorbox plans, or you can add Zapier to a Standard plan for $17/month. You’ll also need a Zapier subscription – but more on that in a bit.


Best Zaps for Nonprofits

Once Zapier is connected to your fundraising platform, the possibilities are endless! Create hundreds of “Zaps,” or automations, to streamline your workflows and save time.

Take a look at the table below for example automations using Donorbox.


Zapier Nonprofit Pricing

Zapier offers a variety of monthly and annual plans to fit your nonprofit’s needs:

  • Free Plan: Great for getting started. Includes 100 tasks per month, two-step Zaps, and basic features.
  • Professional Plan ($19.99/month): Unlock unlimited Zaps, access to Tables and Interfaces, and more advanced features.
  • Team Plan ($69/month): Perfect for collaboration. Includes 25 users, shared Zaps, and shared folders.
  • Enterprise Plan (contact for pricing): Designed for larger nonprofits. Offers unlimited users and organization-wide access.

Zapier pricing for nonprofits includes a 15% discount on any single plan. Apply online to verify your nonprofit status.


Best Zapier Alternatives for Nonprofits

No matter which platform you choose, it’s always wise to explore other automation tools to make sure you pick the best one for your nonprofit’s unique needs.

Here are some of the top Zapier alternatives for nonprofits worth considering.


1. Make (formerly Integromat)

Make is a visual automation platform that helps you connect apps and build workflows with advanced logic. It’s great for creating more complex automations while clearly seeing how everything fits together toward your bigger goals.


2. Workato

Workato is an enterprise-focused automation tool designed to handle complex business processes. It’s ideal for larger organizations that need mult-step workflow integrations.


3. Pabbly Connect

Pabbly Connect is an affordable, no-code automation platform that makes connecting apps and automating tasks simple. It’s perfect for small to mid-sized nonprofits looking to save time.


4. n8n

N8n is an open-source automation tool that gives you full control over your workflows. You can self-host and customize integrations to fit your organization’s exact needs.


5. IFTTT (If This, Then That)

IFTTT is a simple, user-friendly automation platform that lets you create basic app connections and workflows with an easy “if this, then that” format. It’s great for straightforward automations and beginners.


Final Thoughts

Running a nonprofit is rewarding, but keeping up with donors, donations, and all the behind-the-scenes tasks can quickly become overwhelming.

Automation tools like Zapier for nonprofits take care of repetitive tasks, so you can spend less time on processes and more time focusing on people and your mission.

If you’re ready to improve your nonprofit’s efficiency and simplify manual processes, Donorbox makes it easy to streamline workflows and connect Zapier automations.

Sign up with Donorbox today, get started with the Zapier integration, and see how much smoother your nonprofit operations can be.

Avatar photo

With a background in professional writing, Lydia brings over 10 years of experience in nonprofit communications under her belt, with a strong focus on fundraising and donor engagement. Her passion for supporting nonprofits was sparked during college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained hands-on experience with fundraising marketing strategies.



Lydia went on to serve for more than eight years as a Church Communications Director, overseeing both internal and external communications to clearly communicate the church’s mission, build trust with members, and encourage generosity through accessible tools like online and recurring giving. In this role, she partnered closely with church leadership to support giving campaigns and highlight the real-life impact of financial support through storytelling.



These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.

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