We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
Brendan Dyer is a Bankrate editor who writes and edits content for rewards, travel, cash back and business credit cards. He’s passionate about informing readers about the most innovative ways to use their credit cards and how synergistic multiple cards can be in the right hands.
The advice in this article is offered by the
team independent of any bank or credit card issuer.
This article may contain
from our partners, and terms may apply to offers linked or accessed through this page.
as of posting date, but offers mentioned may have expired.
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At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one
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people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit
card industry year-round to:
Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
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Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way,
we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
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this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity
and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your
self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear
on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not
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A nonprofit organization is one that has received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), usually because it provides a public service or supports a social cause. This type of company refrains from earning profits for its owners and donates all income (beyond operational expenses) to whatever cause it champions.
But that doesn’t mean nonprofits don’t need their own credit card. Like any other business, nonprofit owners could benefit from having a dedicated small-business credit card they use to keep business purchases separate and simplify expenses for easy filing come tax season.
The best credit cards for nonprofits are ones with plenty of perks, no hidden fees and generous rewards rates. Check out which cards could be the best fit for a nonprofit organization.
5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
5 percent cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
2 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
2 percent cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 percent)
4.3
Top cards for nonprofits
Best for large nonprofits
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is ideal for nonprofit organizations that have a lot of office bills. This business credit card has a fairly lucrative rewards program with boosted cash back in key business categories. You won’t pay an annual fee, and you can save money with its intro APR on purchases. It’ll be a great pick for any nonprofit owner who needs a line of credit to tackle initial costs interest-free temporarily.
Major cardholder benefits for nonprofits include fraud protection, free employee cards, purchase protection, extended warranties and auto rental collision damage waiver when you rent a car for business purposes.
Pros
The purchase intro APR can help new nonprofit businesses get off the ground by stalling interest.
It's a good choice for small nonprofit owners wanting a low-cost business rewards card because it has no annual fee.
Cons
Boosted rewards are capped at $50,000 spent each account anniversary year which larger nonprofits may exceed.
Rewards categories may not appeal to remote-based nonprofits.
Best for simplicity
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a good option for nonprofits that want to earn flat-rate rewards on business spending. It’s free to hold and earns the same rewards rate on all purchases, making it a great choice for business owners who value simplicity.
You also get free employee cards, purchase protection, extended warranties, auto rental collision damage waiver when you rent a car for business purposes, roadside assistance and other perks.
Pros
This card has a good intro APR on purchases and a relatively low ongoing APR.
Since it doesn't charge an annual fee, it's a good choice for nonprofits with smaller budgets.
Cons
Cards with bonus categories may earn more rewards or cash back.
It won’t help much if you need to pay off debt because there's no intro APR on balance transfers.
Best for flexible rewards
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
This card will be a great choice for any nonprofit owner looking for flexible, valuable rewards. It also features one of the more simplistic rewards programs because it offers rewards at a flat rate. Plus, it’s Expanded Buying Power feature could let you borrow beyond your credit limit if you need to ramp up your spending temporarily.
Pros
Its Expanded Buying Power feature could come in handy if you need to spend beyond your credit limit.
A hefty annual fee won't offset your reward earnings.
Cons
There's no intro APR on balance transfers, making it a poor choice for managing high-interest debt transferred from other cards.
Its boosted flat-rate rewards for general purchases has a $50,000 spending cap, which could be restrictive for high budget spenders.
If you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases, it’s an excellent choice. But if you’re hoping for more flexibility with your rewards, a card with multiple redemption options could be a better option. With this in mind, the Business Plus might be the better pick — especially because Amex Membership Rewards points are worth an average of 2.0 cents per point when used with a travel partner, according to Bankrate’s latest valuations.
Pros
It features one of the highest flat rewards rates for a business card with no annual fee.
Expanded buying power lets cardholders go over their credit limit.
Cons
The spending limit for earning 2 percent back can be restrictive when it comes to this card's earning potential.
This card features limited cardholder perks compared to other business reward cards.
How to choose the right credit card for your nonprofit
Nonprofits don’t really need the same personal perks or benefits you get with business credit cards that charge annual fees, so you shouldn’t consider cards that charge them — unless you can justify them with your unique situation.
Although plenty of the best cards for nonprofits don’t charge annual fees, this doesn’t necessarily rule out great rewards cards. When it comes to choosing the right card for your nonprofit, you should consider cost, perks, rewards and redemption options .
Factors to consider when picking a nonprofit credit card
Annual fees: To find the right nonprofit credit card, you’ll want to compare options with no annual fee to keep costs low.
Perks and benefits: Keep an eye out for business credit cards that offer consumer protections that could help your nonprofit business. Examples include purchase protection against damage or theft or extended warranties on eligible items that come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Rewards: Think of the categories your nonprofit spends the most in. As you compare the top credit card offers, you’ll notice that some credit cards for nonprofits offer more rewards in certain categories.
Redeeming rewards: Consider how you can redeem the rewards you earn with your nonprofit card. Ideally, you’ll find a card that lets you cash in your rewards for charitable donations or for cash back you can funnel back into your nonprofit.
Frequently asked questions
A 501(c)(3) organization can obtain a credit card, and its use should strictly adhere to the nonprofit’s mission to maintain its tax-exempt status. Policies must be in place to ensure the card is used solely for business-related expenses.
A nonprofit business credit card should include features like no fees, rewards programs with rebates and discounts, automatic rebates on travel and fuel, discounts on office supplies and purchase protection.
Nonprofits can spend money on activities that support their mission, including program expenses for services and staff, fundraising costs, administrative fees for daily operations and compliance and legal costs to adhere to regulations. Responsible spending in alignment with its mission and laws is essential for these organizations, so business cards can help organize these expenses.
What’s next?
Use these Bankrate tools to help you figure out which card might best suit your business needs.
Nonprofit organizations don’t prioritize earning profits, but having a dedicated business credit card can provide numerous benefits. It can help separate business and personal purchases, simplify expenses, provide valuable rewards for business-related purchases and give you a line of credit that can help with ongoing costs.
Comparing and selecting the best credit card for your nonprofit can help streamline expenses and optimize rewards, allowing your organization to focus on its important social cause.]
Quick citation guide
Select a citation to automatically copy to clipboard.
APA:
Dyer, B. (2024, June 14). Guide to the best credit cards for nonprofits. Bankrate. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/best-credit-cards-for-nonprofits/
Copied to clipboard!
MLA:
Dyer, Brendan. "Guide to the best credit cards for nonprofits." Bankrate. 14 June 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/best-credit-cards-for-nonprofits/.
Copied to clipboard!
Chicago:
Dyer, Brendan. "Guide to the best credit cards for nonprofits." Bankrate. June 14, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/best-credit-cards-for-nonprofits/.
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one
you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly,
people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit
card industry year-round to:
Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience.
Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way,
we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first.
Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right
financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have
editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial
content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and
our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you
make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced
by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked
to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and
dependable information.
How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master
your money for over four decades.
We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to
succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict
editorial policy,
so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial
decisions. The content created by our editorial
staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and
useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison
service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and
services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore,
this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity
and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your
self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear
on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not
include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Quick citation guide
Select a citation to automatically copy to clipboard.
APA:
Dyer, B. (2024, June 14). Guide to the best credit cards for nonprofits. Bankrate. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/best-credit-cards-for-nonprofits/
Copied to clipboard!
MLA:
Dyer, Brendan. "Guide to the best credit cards for nonprofits." Bankrate. 14 June 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/best-credit-cards-for-nonprofits/.
Copied to clipboard!
Chicago:
Dyer, Brendan. "Guide to the best credit cards for nonprofits." Bankrate. June 14, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/best-credit-cards-for-nonprofits/.