5 Best POS Systems Non-Profit Organizations Should Use

With the right POS solution, your non-profit can streamline operations from tracking donations and inventory to generating detailed reports, all with a few simple clicks. It can free up valuable time and resources so you can focus on your mission.

To help you choose the perfect system for your organization, this article will give you the 5 best POS for nonprofits specially.

Let’s dive in and discover the best fit for your needs!

Key Takeaways

• It’s essential for nonprofits to have POS systems that align with their goals and enhance efficiency. A well-chosen POS solution streamlines workflows, enabling the nonprofit to focus on its larger mission.

• Nonprofits can confidently rely on Shopify POS for their fundraising needs, including collecting donations, selling event tickets and merchandise both online and in-person. Shopify POS has special discounts on subscription plans and transaction fees to support NPOs in achieving their goals.

What Is A POS System For Non-profit?

A POS system for non-profits is more than just a cash register; it’s a powerful tool that streamlines operations, manages transactions, tracks donations, manages inventory, and even helps build relationships with donors. It can be a game-changer for organizations looking to maximize their impact.

Top 5 POS For NPO You Can Not Miss

Shopify POS

Topping our list is Shopify POS, a point-of-sale system we highly recommend for nonprofits engaged in fundraising activities such as merchandise or event ticket sales. It’s also a strong choice for international NGOs.

Pros and Cons

Pricing for NPO

• Software fees: Start at $9/month.
• Processing fees: 2.4% + 30¢ for online transactions and 2.4% + 0¢ for in-person transactions.

How Does Shopify POS Support NPO?

• Discounted Prices: Shopify POS for nonprofits costs a lot less than the version for businesses. Nonprofits can take advantage of free transaction fees with Shopify Payments. When using third-party payment processors, they will get reduced transaction fees with 1% for NGO Lite and 0% for NGO Full.
• Lower Credit Card Rates: Both NGO Lite and Full offer lower credit card rates. By taking advantage of these lowered credit card rates, NGOs can save money and allocate more resources toward their goals.
• Mobile POS: Shopify POS is designed to work on Android and iOS mobile devices. This mobility allows NPOs to take payment on the go, which is great for fundraising events, conferences, or community activities. It also provides donors with a convenient and efficient way to show their support.
• Online Presence: With Shopify POS for NPO, you can sell merchandise and event tickets or accept donations both in physical locations such as events or pop-up shops and through online channels. Besides, you can add a “Buy Button” to your social media profiles, articles, blogs, and even your organization’s website.

Visit Shopify POS

Square

If you’re a small, local charity or community foundation, Square POS is an excellent choice for managing donations and transactions. It’s reliable, efficient, and best of all, a POS with no fee!

Pros and Cons

Pricing for NPO

• Software fees: $0.
• Processing fees: Start at 2.6% + 10¢

How Does Square POS Support NPO?

• Customer Management: Through Square’s CRM features, non-profits can effectively communicate with their donors by sending personalized thank-you notes, newsletters, and updates about the projects. It helps in setting up marketing campaigns and recurring donations.
• Mobile POS: Square can turn any device, like your phone or tablet, into a point-of-sale. Additionally, when you sign up for Square, you will receive a card reader for free, allowing you to conveniently accept payments whether you’re at a trade show, a fundraising event, or even out in the community.

Paypal Zettle

PayPal Zettle certainly deserves mention. With its impressive specialized features, this POS system is a great fit for small nonprofits and charitable organizations.

Pros and Cons

Pricing for NPO

• Software fees: $0.
• The transaction fees: Start at 1.99% + 0.49c.

How Does Square POS Support NPO?

• Multiple Payment Methods: Paypal Zettle excels at payment processing. It enables NPOs to accept various payment methods, including major credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo, and cash.
• Mobile POS: Paypal Zettle POS can turn any mobile device into a point of sale. This makes it easy to receive donations using traditional methods at your physical location in a more convenient way. Besides, thanks to the unique management feature of the POS, you can also easily control staff’s activities and items sold at all charity points.

Bepoz POS

Bepoz POS is an excellent option that we highly recommend, especially for religious organizations and educational institutions.

Pros and Cons

Pricing for NPO

• Software fees: Quote-based.
• Processing fees: Quote-based.

How Does Square POS Support NPO?

• Event Promotions: Boost the visibility of your non-profit organization by utilizing the event promotion functionality of Bepoz. This cutting-edge system offers useful tools to advertise your upcoming events to your members effectively by delivering a message on receipts or display on the screen within the thrift store, at concessions, and at any other event your organization may be participating in for maximum exposure.

• Manage Multiple Locations: Bepoz’s POS system features multi-point management. This feature helps maximize the productivity of your nonprofit. In addition, it also enables you to manage everything more effectively, minimizing possible risks such as: running out of products or payment problems, etc.

• Donation Tracking And Reporting: Bepoz POS system enables you to monitor all your revenue streams and assess your financial standing. Simultaneously, the software also features a back-office reporting function that assists in efficiently managing your organization’s funds and information

Vend

Vend is an efficient and reliable point-of-sale system that caters to the specific needs of nonprofit organizations that sell merchandise.

Pros and Cons

Pricing for NPO

• Software fees: Start from $5/month.
• Processing fees: Start from 2.5% + 30¢ for online transactions and 2.4% + 10¢ for in-person transactions.

How Does Square POS Support NPO?

• Flexible Payments: Vend supports all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, so you can be confident that you’re offering a convenient payment option to every donor.

• Easy-To-Use Interface: Vend’s POS system is so intuitive that even everyday volunteers can quickly get up and running, allowing them to focus on doing good instead of struggling with technology. Volunteers can confidently rely on Vend to simplify tasks and streamline their efforts.

• Detailed Reports: Vend boasts an exceptional attribute that sets it apart - its comprehensive reporting capabilities. With this feature, you can effortlessly track and analyze your nonprofit’s performance, enabling you to make informed decisions and quickly adapt to changes.

How To Choose The Best Pos For Your NPO

There are a few questions to ask yourself to choose the right POS system for your organization.

How much does your nonprofit process every month?

POS systems will have fees associated with transaction fees and credit card fees. Some POS systems are better suited for high-volume processing, while others are more cost-effective for smaller volumes. So calculating donation volume is essential to choosing the right POS.

What are your donors’ preferred payment methods?

Considering the preferred payment methods of your donors is also crucial. If a donor prefers a contactless payment method that your chosen POS system cannot handle, you risk losing potential contributors. Therefore, prioritize POS systems that support various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, contactless payments, and cash.

Does your nonprofit accept international donations?

International donations are also a factor to consider when choosing the right POS system for your nonprofit. You should choose a POS system that can integrate or help you build an ecommerce website and social media to reach a wider audience, sell your products or accept donations online. Of all the POS systems we recommend, Shopify POS is the best in this regard.

What’s your budget and the scale of your organization

When selecting a POS system for your profitable organization, it’s imperative to identify your organization’s budget and size. Smaller nonprofits might benefit from a more cost-effective solution, while larger organizations might require a more robust system with advanced features.

FAQs

Which payment gateway is best for nonprofits?

The best payment gateway for nonprofits depends on their specific needs and the POS system they’re using. Many POS systems come with their own built-in payment gateways, like Shopify Payments for Shopify POS, Square Payments for Square POS, and PayPal for PayPal Zettle. I highly recommend using these integrated options to simplify your setup and avoid unnecessary transaction fees. If your POS system doesn’t have a built-in gateway, Stripe is an excellent choice.

What is a POS donation?

A point-of-sale (POS) donation is a small, voluntary contribution that customers can make when checking out at a physical store, restaurant, or even online. It is a convenient way for donors to support charities, and can also help retailers and nonprofits meet their goals.

What is tap to pay for nonprofits?

Tap to pay (also known as contactless payment) is a payment method where customers can make a donation by simply tapping their contactless card or mobile device on a compatible POS terminal.

This technology offers a quick, easy, and secure way for donors to contribute to their favorite causes, eliminating the need for cash or physical cards.

Many POS systems, including Square POS and Shopify POS, now offer tap-to-pay functionality for nonprofits.

Wrapping up

Nonprofits can easily carry out their mission unhindered with a robust POS system. We hope that by exploring the five POS systems mentioned in this article, you and your organization will find the perfect fit for your needs.