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Best Credit Cards for Nonprofits for July 2024

Review Updated
Brittney Myers
Steven Porrello

Our Credit Cards Experts

Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Although nonprofit organizations aren't in it for the money, they still operate very much like a business and can benefit from a business credit card. Credit cards can help you organize your finances as well as save money on products you're already buying. And for nonprofits, anything that can help save money is a good thing. Our list of the best credit cards for nonprofits includes cards that offer both lucrative credit card rewards and no annual card fees.

Great for: Office supplies and telecom

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

Earn 5% cash back in select business categories

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Earn up to $750 bonus cash back

  • A card with no annual fee and a 5% cash back rate on common spending categories for a savvy business owner? Chase delivers -- and you can even earn a particularly generous welcome bonus and enjoy travel and purchase protections with this card. Read Full Review

    • Big cash back sign-up bonus
    • Office supply store rewards
    • Internet, cable, and phone service rewards
    • 0% intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    • Low caps on bonus categories
    • No balance transfer offer
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
    • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
    • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
    • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
    • No Annual Fee
    • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
    • Member FDIC

Great for: No foreign transaction fees

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, for 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.99% - 28.99%, variable

Rewards

1.5% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • This card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back and a 0% intro APR offer.

    • Competitive cash back rate
    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • No bonus categories
    • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, no limits or category restrictions
    • Save on interest with 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 20.99% - 28.99% variable APR after that
    • No annual fee
    • Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
    • Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
    • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
    • No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Great for: Flat-rate cash back rewards

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn $750 bonus cash back

  • Want to simplify your business credit card rewards? Take a closer look at this Chase card, which lets you earn a flat-rate 1.5% cash back across the board. The $750 cash back welcome bonus only sweetens the deal, and you won't pay an annual fee -- or any extra money for cards for your employees. Read Full Review

    • Big cash back sign-up bonus
    • Competitive cash back rate
    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • Free employee cards
    • No bonus categories
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
    • No Annual Fee
    • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
    • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
    • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
    • Member FDIC

Great for: 0% intro APR

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 19.24% - 28.24% (Variable).

Purchases: 0%, 15 billing cycles on purchases

Regular APR

19.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center; 3% cash back at gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants; 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

1% - 5% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn $500 in cash back after spending $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.

$500

  • A standout business credit card with a big sign-up bonus, a great cash back program, and an all-too-rare in category 0% intro APR offer.

    • Cash back rewards
    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Annual statement credit
    • 0% intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Penalty APR
    • Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
    • Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
    • Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
    • 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
    • Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
    • No limit on total cash back earned.
    • Rewards never expire.
    • Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
    • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.24% - 28.24%.
    • No annual fee.
    • Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
    • Terms and conditions apply
    • Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Great for: Sign-up bonus with no annual fee

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

18.24% - 24.24%, variable

Rewards

1.5% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

$500

  • This card is good for business owners who desire no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees. Read Full Review

    • Purchase rewards
    • Sign-up bonus
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Confusing dual options
    • No interest rate deals
    • Personal guarantee
    • Earn a $500 cash bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months.
    • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase. Plus, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
    • Get cash back rewards for any amount at any time with no expiration date for the life of the account.
    • $0 annual fee
The Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Can you open a business credit card as a nonprofit?

So far as credit card companies are concerned, nonprofits are on the same level as small businesses. As such, nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for business credit cards.

Getting one of the best credit cards for nonprofits requires a simple card application. Here's the type of information you'll need when you apply:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your date of birth
  • Business structure (choose "nonprofit" from the menu)
  • Nonprofit name
  • Date the nonprofit was established
  • Tax ID number
  • Average annual revenue
  • Estimated monthly spend (what you'd spend on the card)
  • Nonprofit address
  • Nonprofit phone number
  • Industry (arts, education, etc.)

There are a few instances where the form answers will be different for a nonprofit than a regular business. For example, when you're asked about your business structure, the drop-down menu will have a specific option for nonprofits.

However, the bulk of the form should be similar for both nonprofits and businesses. Like an LLC or corporation, most nonprofits will have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), even if they're tax-exempt. This is the number to use for the Tax ID number requested in the application.

LEARN MORE: Credit Card Types: Which Fits Your Needs?

Do nonprofits qualify for corporate credit cards?

Corporate credit cards are cards issued to business entities rather than business owners themselves. Under some conditions, nonprofit organizations may qualify for a corporate credit card but usually on a case-by-case basis and only after meeting specific qualifications.

Corporate credit cards are best for nonprofit owners who want to be completely separate from the finances of their nonprofit. Unlike small business credit cards, corporate cards don't require a personal guarantee from the primary cardholder, which means cardholders don't accept legal responsibilities for charges on the card. If that sounds like something you want for your nonprofit, consider looking at specific corporate cards and seeing if your nonprofit will qualify.

LEARN MORE: Do business cards affect my credit score?

How to choose the best business credit card for a nonprofit

Choosing a business credit card for your nonprofit requires a lot of the same considerations as choosing a card for yourself. You want to find a card that suits the financial requirements of your nonprofit. Let's explore some of the features you should consider to find the best credit card.

LEARN MORE: How to choose a credit card

Purchase rewards

Credit card rewards are one of the more important considerations for any cardholder, but especially for nonprofits. Those extra rewards can equate to vital savings.

Most business credit cards will offer either cash back or points. Each type of reward has its pros and cons. Cash back cards give you a percentage of your spending as a cash reward, which you can redeem as a statement credit or other cash-related options. Rewards points can offer more value but they can be complicated to navigate and may not be worth much if you redeem them for cash back.

To maximize your rewards, choose a card with bonus categories that include your largest expenses. For example, if your nonprofit spends a lot on telecom purchases, find a card that rewards those transactions.

LEARN MORE: How to maximize your credit card rewards

Sign-up bonus

A good credit card sign-up bonus should offer a competitive bonus with an attainable spending requirement. Although you want the largest bonus possible, a sign-up bonus isn't worth much if you end up paying off unnecessary debt for years. Look for a bonus that suits your nonprofit's average expenses.

Annual fee

In some cases, an annual fee can be worth paying. They often unlock higher rewards rates and extra cardholder benefits. However, most nonprofits with moderate monthly spending will likely benefit from minimizing costs rather than boosting rewards. There are plenty of excellent rewards cards that have no annual card fees.

LEARN MORE: Is your annual fee worth it?

Interest rates

Sometimes carrying a balance is necessary -- especially when you're just starting out and need to build up your nonprofit. Some great business cards will offer intro 0% APR deals to new cardholders. With the best intro 0% APR offers, you can carry a balance interest free for a year or more. This can allow your nonprofit to pay off large purchases over time, saving on both interest fees and stress.

Be sure to look at the go-to APR on your business credit card, as well. This is the interest rate you'll pay once any intro APR offers have expired. A low APR can help you avoid credit card debt.

LEARN MORE: How does credit card interest work

Foreign transaction fees

If your nonprofit operates in multiple countries or uses foreign vendors, foreign transaction fees can add up fast. Cards that charge foreign transaction fees levy an extra charge on purchases that:

  • Are in a foreign currency
  • Route through a foreign bank

Foreign transaction fees average around 3% of the purchase total. The easiest way to avoid these fees is to choose a card that doesn't charge them.

LEARN MORE: What are foreign transaction fees?

Employee cards

Many great business credit cards offer employee credit cards for free, with no extra card fees. You can even set independent spending limits and track purchases.

Fraud protection

The last thing a busy nonprofit needs to deal with is credit card fraud -- but it happens. A credit card with fraud protection is an important tool to keeping your nonprofit safe. Luckily, most business credit cards come with $0 fraud liability.

LEARN MORE: How to avoid credit card fraud

Compare the best nonprofit credit cards

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Office supplies and telecom

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

No foreign transaction fees

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Flat-rate cash back rewards

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

0% intro APR

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Sign-up bonus with no annual fee

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
The Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

FAQs

  • Yes, nonprofit organizations are eligible for business credit scores. You can establish business credit for a nonprofit the same way you would for an LLC or corporation. This includes:

    • Obtaining a Federal Tax ID Number
    • Opening a business bank account
    • Opening vendor accounts and/or business credit cards

    Over time, you'll build business credit for your nonprofit so long as you maintain your business credit account in good standing.

  • Yes, nonprofits can apply for and receive business credit cards. Some nonprofit organizations may also qualify for select corporate credit cards.

  • Yes, nonprofits can earn credit card rewards. Nonprofit organizations qualify for business credit cards, many of which earn purchase rewards.