Credit cards for nonprofits help minimize typical card costs by charging no annual fees and offering cheap introductory financing. They also pay rewards in common business spending categories like office supplies. We prioritized annual fees, rewards, and financing opportunities when evaluating the best options for your organization.
The best credit cards for nonprofits are:
- Chase Ink Business CashSM: (Best overall) Best for accessing robust cash back rewards as an office-oriented nonprofit organization
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for earning travel rewards as a national or global nonprofit
- American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for earning cash back on a variety of expenses
- Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best for small budgets
- Charity Charge Mastercard®: Best for discounts at more than 200 national vendors and no personal guarantee
- Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for fair credit (580 to 669)
For more details on how we evaluated business credit cards for this list, see our methodology.
Chase Ink Business CashSM: Best Overall Nonprofit Credit Card
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Best For: Office-based businesses that want top cash back rewards
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it: Nonprofit owners looking for top cash back rewards and a card that charges no annual fee should stop here. Office-based nonprofits will find this card’s rewards program beneficial as it pays 5% cash back on common business spending categories like office supplies. You’ll also get midtier rewards when you use your card at gas stations and restaurants.
Ongoing rewards offered by Chase Ink Business CashSM are the best on this list, but the card offers much more than that. If you spend at least $1,000 per month for the first three months, you’ll be able to cash in big on an introductory bonus. Plus, this card offers a long interest-free financing period on purchases.
This small business credit card can elevate your nonprofit organization through the rewards program, cheap introductory financing, and lack of annual fee. You’ll be able to save on common card costs and earn cash back every time you swipe your card.
Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for National or Global Nonprofits
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best For: Maximizing travel rewards at a lower annual fee
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 15.99% to 20.99% Variable | $95 | Good to Excellent |
Why we like it: Chase Ink Business Preferred® is the perfect card if you own a national or global nonprofit because of its robust travel rewards program. You’ll reap the benefits of 3x points per $1 spent in multiple categories, including travel. While this is the only card on our list that charges an annual fee, business travel credit cards with similar reward rates typically charge several hundred dollars.
In addition to its high return rate, this card offers the largest introductory reward on our list. If you spend $15,000 within the first three months, you can earn thousands of bonus points that can be worth over $1,000 in travel.
When you redeem your rewards for travel, they’re worth 1.25 cents per point. You can increase the value of your points to 1.5 cents when you transfer your rewards to the Chase Sapphire Reserve personal credit card. You can boost your redemption value further to at least 2 cents per point if you transfer your points to one of the issuer’s airline partners.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for Fixed-rate Cash Back Rewards
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best For: Earning 2% cash back every time you swipe and 0% introductory APR for 12 months
| Intro APR ?0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | No annual fee | Good, Excellent |
Why we like it: You may find that your nonprofit spends in a variety of categories and doesn’t want to spend time tracking where to spend money to earn top rewards. Fixed-rate cards like this one allow you to earn the same rate of rewards no matter what you purchase. For example, whether you use your card on office supplies or at a gas station. This is the highest fixed-rate on our list.
In addition to offering ongoing rewards, this option enables cardholders to save money. Not only will you never pay an annual fee, but you’ll also be able to finance purchases with no interest for an extended period of time. However, make sure you repay those purchases before the introductory period ends, and the ongoing annual percentage rate (APR) comes into play.
Last but not least, American Express offers a unique expanded buying feature that lets you spend a predetermined amount over your limit. If you find yourself looking for extra financing, this feature could be your nonprofit’s saving grace.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best for Small Budgets
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business
Best For: Businesses that spend less than $19,000 annually
| Intro APR ?0% for nine months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.99% - 23.99% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent, Good |
Why we like it: Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business is best for nonprofit organizations that spend less than $19,000 per year on their credit cards. You can put 1.5% cash back in the bank every time you swipe your card. If your nonprofit spends more than $19,000 annually, Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business may prove to be a better option. However, that card charges an annual fee.
Outside of the ongoing rewards program, Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business also offers a sign-up bonus worth a couple of hundred dollars. Spend at least $1,000 per month for the first three months, and you’re well on your way to earning that bonus reward. Plus, you can also finance purchases with no interest for an extended period of time.
If you would rather earn miles to redeem for travel, Capital One also offers Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business. This is an identical card that offers travel points instead of cash rewards.
Charity Charge Business Mastercard®: Best for Vendor Discounts & No Personal Guarantee
Charity Charge Mastercard®
Best For: Earning fixed-rate rewards redeemable for charitable donations
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 14.90% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it: The Charity Charge Business Mastercard®, issued by Commerce Bank, is the only card on our list that specifically caters to nonprofits. It typically draws appeal from organizations that want to earn discounts at more than 200 national vendors. Plus, this card requires no personal guarantee. This means there’s no personal credit check and you—the business owner—are not personally liable for the debts.
While this card pays 1% cash back on all spending, it comes up short when compared to the top nonprofit credit cards on this list. For example, it does not offer any introductory rewards or interest-free financing. However, if your nonprofit values vendor discounts at merchants like FedEx and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, it could be right for you. You can find all of the available vendors on the card’s Purchasing Point vendor page.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for Business Owners With Fair Credit
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Best For: Fair credit business owners (580 to 669)
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 26.99% (Variable) | $0 | Average, Fair, Limited |
Why we like it: This is the only card on our list that gives nonprofit owners with fair credit (580 to 660) an opportunity to build their credit scores. While improving your business and personal credit, you’ll also benefit from 1% cash back with no limits. This card’s rewards and terms are not the best on our list. However, it’s a solid option to use until you qualify for a traditional business credit card, which typically will require a personal credit score of at least 670.
If your personal credit score is below 580, consider a secured business credit card. Those cards have credit limits that are equal to your cash deposit and have fewer qualification requirements.
How We Evaluated the Best Nonprofit Credit Cards
We primarily looked for cards that charged no annual fees as most organizations look for ways to reduce costs. We also considered sign-up bonuses, ongoing reward programs, and any additional features like cheap introductory financing. These factors help nonprofits earn extra cash early on and reduce potential interest charges.
Applying for a Nonprofit Credit Card
As a nonprofit, you can apply for a business credit card with your employer identification number (EIN). Additionally, most business credit cards require a personal guarantee, which requires a personal credit check and means you become personally liable for the business’s debts. Typically, the owner of the nonprofit organization or the account holder provides the personal guarantee. However, we included one business credit card without a personal guarantee.
Bottom Line
Most nonprofit credit cards charge no annual fees, which can help your organization save money on typical card costs. However, these fee-free cards still offer lucrative perks, including big sign-up bonuses and top-tier ongoing rewards. Your organization’s spending habits, including whether you spend in one category or across several, typically determine which card best suits your needs.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, please click here.
