The best credit cards for nonprofits try to minimize your costs, so our list primarily includes cards that charge no annual fees. A nonprofit credit card may offer sign-up bonuses worth up to $1,000, ongoing rewards up to 5%, and low ongoing APRs. We feature one card that caters only to nonprofits, but the best business cards offer better terms.
The 10 best credit cards for nonprofits of 2020:
- Chase Ink Business CashSM: (Best Overall) Best for office-oriented nonprofit organizations that value robust cash back rewards
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for national or global nonprofits that travel for business often
- Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM: Best for fixed-rate cash back and introductory rewards
- American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for 0% introductory APR and earning cash back on a variety of expenses
- American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for 0% introductory APR and 2x points on all spending
- U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard®: Best for earning an annual spending bonus
- Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best for small-budget nonprofit organizations
- Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card: Best for accessing the lowest interest rates
- 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 nonprofit owners (580 to 669)
For more details on how we evaluate business credit cards for this list, see our methodology.
Chase Ink Business CashSM: Overall Best Credit Card for Nonprofits
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 | 14.74% - 20.74% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Nonprofit owners who are looking for top cash back rewards and a card that charges no annual fee should stop here. This nonprofit credit card pays premium rewards of up to 5% back on purchases like office supplies. You’ll also be able to finance purchases for 12 months with 0% APR.
Chase Ink Business CashSM Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.74% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: 5% or $5, whichever is greater
Chase Ink Business CashSM is a solid option if you want a small business credit card with no annual fee. However, there are other cards on this list that offer a lower ongoing APR. For example, the Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card has an ongoing APR that starts at about four percentage points lower than the Chase business card’s ongoing APR.
Chase Ink Business CashSM Rewards
Chase Ink Business CashSM has an introductory reward of $500 after you spend $3,000 within the first three months. It also pays up to 5% cash back, which are some of the best ongoing rewards on this list.
Introductory Rewards
You’ll earn $500 cash back after spending $3,000 within the first three months. There are other cards on our list that offer better introductory rewards. Chase Ink Business Preferred®, for example, offers 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 within three months. That reward is worth up to $1,250 in travel when you redeem your points through Chase’s online travel portal.
Ongoing Rewards
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, cellular phone, and landline services each account anniversary year, then 1% afterward
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, then 1% afterward
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
We rank Chase Ink Business CashSM as one of the best cash-back business credit cards. Plus, it offers the highest ongoing rewards when compared to the other nonprofit credit cards on our list. For example, Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM only pays 1.5% cash back on all spending.
Chase Ink Business CashSM Additional Features
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: The issuer provides primary coverage when you rent a vehicle for business, which replaces any insurance the rental company may offer and your personal insurance. Chase will reimburse you up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage.
- Purchase protection: Protects purchased items against damage or theft within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Provides an additional year of warranty on US manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less.
Chase Ink Business CashSM reviews show these additional card features are similar to what most other cards on our list offer. However, some cards offer better coverage levels. For example, American Express Blue Business® Plus provides up to an additional two years of coverage on eligible warranties of five years or less.
What Chase Ink Business CashSM Is Missing
This startup business credit card caps its 2% and 5% rewards categories at $25,000 in annual spending. This rewards limit can be too low for some nonprofit owners. If your nonprofit spends more than $25,000 per year, we recommend the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. That card pays 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 annually.
Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for Nonprofit Credit Card for Strong Travel Rewards
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 | 17.49% - 22.49% Variable | $95 |
Choose Chase Ink Business Preferred® if you own a national or global nonprofit and want to earn strong travel rewards. You’ll reap the benefits of 3x points per $1 spent in categories like travel. While most nonprofit credit cards are free to own, this card is the only option on our list that charges an annual fee.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Costs
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 17.49% to 22.49% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater
Chase Ink Business Preferred® is the only card on our best credit cards for nonprofits list that charges an annual fee. Typically, cards with annual fees offer large introductory offers, stronger ongoing rewards, and valuable card perks. If you decide to open a card with an annual fee, it’s important to make sure the rewards you’ll earn will offset that fee.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Rewards
Chase Ink Business Preferred® card offers an introductory reward worth up to $1,250 in travel, which is the most lucrative introductory reward on our list. Plus, it pays 3x points per dollar spent while charging an annual fee less than $100.
Introductory Rewards
You’ll earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $15,000 within the first three months. These points are worth $1,250 when you redeem them for travel through Chase’s online travel portal. This introductory reward beats the $500 you could earn with Chase Ink Business CashSM.
Ongoing Rewards
- Three points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year spent in these categories: travel, shipping, advertising on search engines and social media sites, and on internet, cable and phone services.
- One point per dollar on all other purchases.
If your nonprofit travels often and spends heavily in the three-point category, this card could be extremely valuable. If you want to earn better travel rewards, you’ll have to get a travel rewards business credit card that charges a higher annual fee.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Additional Features
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Offers primary coverage when renting for business purposes, which means it replaces any coverage your personal insurance offers. Chase reimburses you up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage.
- Purchase protection: Covers your purchased items for 120 days against damage or theft. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Provides up to an additional year of warranty length on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Cellphone protection: Those named on the phone bill you pay for with your card are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. You’re limited to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
- Trip cancellation & delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you may be compensated up to $5,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for at least 12 hours, you may be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® reviews show unique card perks compared to other cards on our list, including cellphone insurance and trip cancellation insurance. If you want a travel card that offers luxury benefits like airport lounge access, you’ll have to pay a high annual fee for a lounge access business credit card.
What Chase Ink Business Preferred® Is Missing
Chase Ink Business Preferred® card lacks an introductory 0% APR financing period, which can be a deciding factor for some nonprofits. Plus, its ongoing APR is about one percentage point above the average ongoing APR of 17% seen on business credit cards. If you want no-interest financing, consider American Express Blue Business® Plus. That card offers an introductory 0% APR period for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM: Best for Fixed-rate Cash Back and Introductory Rewards
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
Best For: Pocketing 1.5% cash back on every single purchase
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases | 14.74% - 20.74% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
If you’re a nonprofit owner who doesn’t have time to track category rewards, this could be the perfect card for your organization. Regardless of the purchase, you’ll always earn 1.5% cash back. You also can use this card to avoid annual fees and gain access to a 0% APR period to help you finance purchases for your nonprofit.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.74% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: 5% or $5, whichever is greater
If you want to transfer a balance, this is not the right nonprofit credit card for you. It doesn’t offer interest-free financing on balance transfers and has a high balance transfer fee. We recommend choosing a balance transfer business credit card like the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard®. That card offers an introductory 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers for fifteen billing cycles.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM Rewards
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM offers $500 cash back after spending $3,000 within the first three months, which is identical to Chase Ink Business CashSM. Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM also pays 1.5% cash back.
Introductory Rewards
You will earn $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 within the first three months. If you want a more substantial introductory offer, you’ll need to choose a business credit card with an annual fee such as Chase Ink Business Preferred®. That card charges $95 annually and has an introductory reward worth up to $1,250 in travel.
Ongoing Rewards
You will earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending, which makes it a solid credit card for new businesses or nonprofits that don’t want to track category rewards. If you want to earn a higher return rate, choose the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. That card pays 2% cash back on all spending, but it does not offer any introductory rewards.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM Additional Features
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Provides primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes, which means it replaces your personal insurance. It may reimburse up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage.
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases within 120 days of purchase against damage or theft. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Offers up to an additional year of warranty on US manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM reviews show these additional features are similar when compared to most other cards on our list. If you want to receive more benefits, you’ll need to pay for a card with an annual fee. For example, Chase Ink Business Preferred® offers cellphone protection and trip delay insurance, but it charges $95 annually.
What Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM Is Missing
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM has a high balance transfer fee and its introductory no-interest financing only applies to purchases. This means this card is not best for you if you’re looking to transfer a balance. Instead, consider American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. That card offers no-interest financing on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for Accessing 0% Introductory APR
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 and balance transfers | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | No annual fee | Good, Excellent |
If your nonprofit needs help financing purchases or balance transfers, this could be a solid card for your organization. You’ll have an introductory period with 0% APR for 12 months. This nonprofit credit card pays the highest fixed-rate rewards on our list and doesn’t charge an annual fee. This would be a solid pick if you’re looking to save your nonprofit some cash.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Ongoing APR: 13.24% to 19.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the transferred amount, whichever is greater
This American Express business credit card has an identical fee structure as American Express Blue Business® Plus. This is the best interest-free financing offer among nonprofit credit cards.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card Rewards
The American Express Blue Business CashTM Card pays 2% cash back on all spending on purchases up to $50,000 annually, then 1% thereafter. This card does not offer any introductory rewards.
Introductory Rewards
The American Express Blue Business CashTM Card doesn’t offer introductory rewards. Most cards on our list of the best credit cards for nonprofits offer a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending requirement. For example, Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM (1.5% cash back) offers $500 after you spend $3,000 within three months.
Ongoing Rewards
- 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 each year.
- 1% cash back on all additional purchases.
In comparison, the Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM card offers 1.5% cash back, but it has no rewards cap. Choose that card if your nonprofit organization wants to earn rewards without a monetary cap like this American Express business credit card.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card Additional Features
- Extended warranty protection: American Express will provide up to one additional year of coverage on the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
- Purchase protection: The issuer will repair, replace, or reimburse you for an item purchased with the card that was damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
American Express business card reviews show these additional features fall short of what American Express Blue Business® Plus offers. For example, that card has a purchase protection coverage window of 120 days and offers up to two years of additional warranty coverage.
What the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card Is Missing
This card does not offer any introductory rewards. That’s a real turnoff for some nonprofit owners, especially when other cards that charge no annual fee offer introductory rewards worth up to $500 cash back. Instead, consider Chase Ink Business CashSM, which offers $500 when you spend $3,000 within three months.
American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for 0%
Introductory APR and Points Rewards
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best For: Pocketing 2x points per $1 and 0% introductory APR for 12 months
| Intro APR ?0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | No annual fee | Good, Excellent |
Similar to the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, this American Express business card also provides 0% APR. The main difference between the two cards is that the American Express Blue Business® Plus card pays points-based rewards vs cash back. You’ll need to decide which type of rewards are more beneficial to your nonprofit organization.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Ongoing APR: 13.24% to 19.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the transfer, whichever is greater
This card’s introductory 0% APR period is identical to the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. However, that card pays its rewards in the form of cash back instead of points. Both cards offer no introductory rewards.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Rewards
American Express Blue Business® Plus is one of the few cards on our list that doesn’t offer any introductory rewards. However, it does pay 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 annually, then 1% thereafter.
Introductory Rewards
American Express Blue Business® Plus does not offer any introductory rewards. Introductory rewards are a great way to earn some extra cash for your nonprofit. If you want the opportunity to earn a sign-up bonus, we recommend Chase Ink Business CashSM. That card offers $500 after spending $3,000 within the first three months.
Ongoing Rewards
- 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 each year.
- 1x points on all additional purchases.
If your nonprofit organization spends more than $50,000 every year, you may want to consider another card to maximize your rewards. For example, Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM pays 1.5% cash back and sets no rewards spending cap.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Additional Features
- Extended warranty protection: Covers warranties of five years or less and provides up to an additional two years of warranty length. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Purchase protection: American Express will repair, replace, or reimburse you for a purchased item that was damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year.
American Express business card reviews show that American Express business credit cards offer some of the highest coverage levels. In comparison, the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card only offers up to an additional one year of warranty coverage and a 90-day purchase protection coverage window.
What American Express Blue Business® Plus Is Missing
American Express Blue Business® Plus does not have any introductory rewards, which can be a deciding factor for some nonprofit organizations. If you’re looking to earn a sign-up bonus and pay no annual fee, consider Chase Ink Business CashSM. That card offers $500 after you spend $3,000 within the first three months.
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard®: Best for Earning an Annual Bonus and Welcome Offer
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®
Best For: Tiered rewards on gas station, office supply store and cell phone purchases
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0%* | 11.99% - 22.99%* Variable | $0* | Excellent |
The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard® gives nonprofit owners the chance to earn two types of bonuses: an annual bonus and a sign-up bonus. You’ll earn a bonus of up to $250, depending on the amount of rewards you earned in your first year. Nonprofits can also earn a cash back welcome offer after they meet a small spending requirement set by the issuer.
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard® Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% on balance transfers and purchases for the first fifteen billing cycles
- Ongoing APR: 11.99% to 22.99% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the transfer, whichever is greater
- Annual fee: None
The best introductory APR offer on our list is American Express Blue Business® Plus and the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. Those nonprofit credit cards charge no interest on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months.
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard® Rewards
The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard® offers an introductory reward of $500 when you spend $4,500 within the first 150 days. Plus, it pays up to 3% cash back and a unique 25% annual bonus worth up to $250.
Introductory Rewards
You’ll earn $500 cash back when you spend $4,500 during the first 150 days. In comparison to other 0% APR cards, American Express Blue Business® Plus and the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card don’t offer introductory rewards.
Ongoing Rewards
- 3% cash back on cellphone purchases and service
- 3% cash back on gas purchases up to $200 per single purchase
- 3% cash back at office supply stores
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
If you’d rather earn fixed-rate rewards, consider American Express Blue Business® Plus and the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. However, those cards don’t offer any introductory rewards like the $500 sign-up bonus this U.S. Bank card offers. You’ll need to decide what’s more important—fixed-rate rewards on all spending or an introductory reward.
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard® Additional Features
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: U.S. Bank covers you in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. This coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your own personal car insurance or accept the rental company’s insurance. Coverage is limited up to $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for purchases that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per item and up to $25,000 per year.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year on warranties of five years or less. U.S. Bank will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your card up to $10,000.
This nonprofit credit card includes similar perks when compared to American Express Blue Business® Plus. However, that card offers purchase protection on items that are damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase.
What the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard® Is Missing
U.S. Bank business card reviews show that the U.S. Bank business credit card doesn’t offer the best rewards on office supply expenses when compared to some other credit cards for nonprofits. You can earn up to 5% cash back with other cards on our list, including Chase Ink Business CashSM. However, that card does not have an introductory balance transfer offer.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best for Annual Card Expenses Less Than $19,000
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 | 14.49% - 22.49% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent, Good |
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business is best for nonprofit organizations that spend less than $19,000 per year on their credit cards. With this nonprofit credit card, 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.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% for nine months on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 14.49% to 22.49% variable, which will adjust based on the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: None
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business charges no balance transfer fee, but the introductory APR only applies to purchases. If you’re looking for a balance transfer offer, consider the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM MasterCard®. That card offers no-interest financing for nine billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Rewards
This Capital One business credit card offers a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all spending.
Introductory Rewards
You’ll earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. If you want to earn a larger offer, consider Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM. That card offers $500 after you spend $3,000 within three months.
Ongoing Rewards
You’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM offers the same cash back rewards. However, Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM has a large introductory offer worth $500 and interest-free financing on purchases for 12 months.
If you would rather earn miles to redeem for travel, Capital One offers Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business. This is an identical card with the exception of its reward redemption options.
What Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Is Missing
Capital One business card reviews show this card is not the best for balance transfers because its introductory 0% APR period only applies to purchases. If you’re looking to transfer a balance, our recommendation is the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. That card offers an introductory 0% APR period for 12 months on both purchases and balance transfers.
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card: Best for the Lowest Ongoing APR
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card
Best For: Low-interest financing on business purchases
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% 7 billing cycles | 11.74% - 22.74% Variable APR on purchases | $0.00 | Excellent |
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card is best for nonprofit organizations that are seeking the lowest ongoing APR. This card’s low APR makes it an ideal choice if you frequently carry a balance. However, this card offers no ongoing rewards, so it’s not the best card for every nonprofit organization.
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% APR on purchases for seven billing cycles
- Ongoing APR: 11.74% to 22.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: $10 or 4% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater
This card’s introductory APR does not apply to balance transfers and it charges a relatively high balance transfer fee. This card is best if you need to access the cheapest ongoing financing. If you need to transfer a balance, there are better options on our list that offer introductory financing on purchases and balance transfers.
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card Rewards
The Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card offers an introductory reward that is worth $300, which is low compared to other cards on our list. Plus, this card lacks an ongoing rewards program.
Introductory Rewards
You’ll receive a $300 statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days your account is open. This is one of the smaller introductory rewards on our list. However, there are some cards that offer no introductory rewards like American Express Blue Business® Plus.
Ongoing Rewards
The Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card doesn’t offer any ongoing rewards in the form of points or cash back. This is the only card on our list that doesn’t offer ongoing rewards.
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card Additional Features
The Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card doesn’t offer many additional card features, especially when you compare it to some of the best credit cards for nonprofits on our list. Bank of America card reviews show that the only feature that stands out is its travel accident insurance. You’ll receive up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, which covers you in case of loss of life or dismemberment.
What Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card Is Missing
Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card is the only card on our list that doesn’t offer ongoing rewards. However, this is a solid card if you plan to carry a balance because it offers the lowest ongoing APR.
Charity Charge Business Mastercard®: Best for Vendor Discounts and 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 |
The Charity Charge Business Mastercard®, issued by Commerce Bank, caters to nonprofits 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.
Charity Charge Business Mastercard® Costs
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 14.90% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: None
Unlike other cards on our list, this card does not offer an introductory APR. Although its ongoing APR is not bad, there are other cards that offer lower APRs. For example, Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card has an ongoing APR that starts out at about three percentage points lower.
Charity Charge Business Mastercard® Rewards
The Charity Charge Business Mastercard® does not offer a sign-up bonus. However, you can earn 1% cash back on all purchases as an automatic rebate to your monthly statement. Although the rewards are below-average, the lack of a personal guarantee may be more beneficial for some nonprofits.
Introductory Rewards
Much like American Express Blue Business® Plus, the Charity Charge Business Mastercard® does not offer any introductory rewards. However, this card does offer discounts at over 200 national vendors, including FedEx, which can be extremely lucrative for a handful of nonprofits.
Ongoing Rewards
You will earn 1% cash back on all spending. There are other no annual fee cards on our list that offer better fixed-rate rewards. For example, Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM pays an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending.
Charity Charge Business Mastercard® Additional Features
- Vendor discounts: You’ll receive exclusive discounts at more than 200 national vendors through Purchasing Point. These include discounts on services at businesses such as FedEx and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. You can find all of the available vendors on the Purchasing Point’s vendor page.
- No personal guarantee: This card requires no personal guarantee, which means it doesn’t require a personal credit check. Plus, you aren’t personally liable for the company’s debt obligations.
- Extended warranty protection: Doubles the existing manufacturer’s warranty up to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per cardholder per year.
- Purchase assurance: Replaces new purchases that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per cardholder per year.
This is the only business credit card without a personal guarantee on our list. Liability may rest with the company or it may be held jointly between the business and individual cardholders. This can be hugely beneficial to some nonprofit owners who don’t want a card that requires a personal credit check. Additionally, this card offers exclusive discounts at more than 200 nation vendors, which is unique to this card.
What the Charity Charge Business Mastercard® Is Missing
Charity Charge Business Mastercard® doesn’t offer any introductory interest-free financing or introductory rewards. However, this card makes up for this disadvantage with its exclusive vendor discounts and no personal guarantee requirement.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for 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 | 24.49% (Variable) | $0 | Average, Fair, Limited |
Choose the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business credit card if you’re a nonprofit owner who wants to build your business and personal credit scores. This card is designed for owners with personal credit scores below 670. Plus, you’ll never pay any annual fees, and you’ll earn 1% cash back with no limits.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Costs
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 24.49% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: None
This card’s ongoing APR is the highest when compared to other nonprofit business credit cards. However, this is the average APR for fair credit business credit cards. If you have fair credit, it’s likely you won’t be able to qualify for a card with a low ongoing APR.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Rewards
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business doesn’t have any introductory rewards, although it pays an unlimited 1% cash back on all spending, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. These rewards are common when compared to other credit cards for fair credit.
Introductory Rewards
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business does not offer any introductory rewards, which is common for credit cards for fair credit. This is an ideal card to use to build your credit until you can qualify for a traditional nonprofit credit card. Most small business credit cards require a personal credit score of at least 670.
Ongoing Rewards
You’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. These rewards are just an added benefit, as the true value of this card is the ability to build your credit. 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.
What Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Is Missing
Capital One business card reviews show Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business doesn’t have a sign-up bonus and has a below-average ongoing rewards program. However, it’s common for nonprofit owners to use this card to build their credit and not earn the best rewards.
Applying for a Nonprofit Credit Card
A nonprofit organization is tax-exempt, which means it doesn’t pay income tax on the money that it earns. If you have a nonprofit, it doesn’t mean your organization doesn’t generate profits, but it means it doesn’t generate revenue to harvest income. Nonprofits can operate in religious, scientific, research, or educational settings. To receive tax-exempt status you must apply for an EIN number.
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.
How We Evaluated the Best Nonprofit Credit Cards
Nonprofit owners who are looking for a range of benefits and perks are in luck. The best nonprofit business credit cards give you a slew of cards to choose from, which include several different reward options. It’s important to understand your organization’s needs first because that will likely point you in the direction of the perfect card. SEE THE METHODOLOGY IN DETAIL
In our evaluation of the best nonprofit credit cards, we considered:
- Introductory rewards: The introductory offer you can earn by meeting a minimum spending requirement.
- Ongoing rewards: The ongoing rewards you’ll earn for your everyday purchases.
- Introductory APR: Whether a card offers an introductory 0% APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
- Ongoing APR: How much it costs to finance purchases or balance transfers on the card after the introductory period expires.
- Additional features: Any free additional perks that increase the card’s value.
- Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card annually.
Most business credit cards take into account your business and personal credit. Additionally, most cards also require a personal credit score of at least 670. We also include one credit card for nonprofit owners with fair credit. This card is best for you if you have a credit score between 580 and 669.
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Bottom Line
The best business credit cards for nonprofit organizations offer welcome offers up to $1,000, pay top ongoing rewards, and have low ongoing APRs. Plus, most cards on our list charge no annual fees, which can spare your nonprofit some price pain.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, please click here.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business® Plus, please click here.
