BEST OF
5 Best Credit Cards for Nonprofits of August 2021
Every dollar matters for a nonprofit. What isn’t spent keeping the lights on is pumped directly into the mission. The right small-business credit card can help a nonprofit organization put more money toward the work that matters most.
Aim for rewards that work for you. The best credit card for your nonprofit depends on your day-to-day activities and expenses. A business travel rewards card is great if your employees are regularly on the go. Focused on more local work? Look for a cash-back credit card that earns money on things like office supplies, wireless phone service and other everyday expenses.
Save on interest and fees. Some of the best business credit cards come with no annual fee, and a few offer 0% interest on purchases for the first year or longer. Those key benefits save your organization money. If you opt for a card that does carry an annual fee, make sure the rewards warrant the yearly charge.
Some of our selections for the best credit card for nonprofit organizations can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.
Every dollar matters for a nonprofit. What isn’t spent keeping the lights on is pumped directly into the mission. The right small-business credit card can help a nonprofit organization put more money toward the work that matters most.
Aim for rewards that work for you. The best credit card for your nonprofit depends on your day-to-day activities and expenses. A business travel rewards card is great if your employees are regularly on the go. Focused on more local work? Look for a cash-back credit card that earns money on things like office supplies, wireless phone service and other everyday expenses.
Save on interest and fees. Some of the best business credit cards come with no annual fee, and a few offer 0% interest on purchases for the first year or longer. Those key benefits save your organization money. If you opt for a card that does carry an annual fee, make sure the rewards warrant the yearly charge.
Some of our selections for the best credit card for nonprofit organizations can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.
Best Credit Cards for Nonprofits From Our Partners
Our pick for
Up to 5% cash back, no annual fee
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.24% - 19.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on purchases
- High rewards rates in certain categories
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Spending caps in bonus categories
- Low rewards rate outside bonus categories
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on purchases
- High rewards rates in certain categories
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Spending caps in bonus categories
- Low rewards rate outside bonus categories
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from 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
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- 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
Our pick for
2% cash back, free employee cards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
20.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
- High APR
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
- High APR
- Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
- Purchase above your credit limit with no hassle and no over-limit fees
- $0 annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
- Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
- No foreign transaction fees
Our pick for
Overall rewards (up to 3X per $1 spent)
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
15.99% - 20.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- $95 Annual Fee
Our pick for
Rewards with no annual fee + intro APR
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.24% - 19.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No annual fee
Cons
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No annual fee
Cons
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
- You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
- *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express, and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.24% - 19.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Our pick for
Travel rewards, hotel card (up to 12X points)
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, Earn Up to $100 in Statement Credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family of hotels in the first 12 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 8/25/2021.
- Earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: 12X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases, 3X on all other eligible purchases. Terms & Limitations Apply.
- Enjoy complimentary Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card.
- Earn a Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Earn another Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend an additional $45,000 in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
- Terms apply.
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: CREDIT CARDS FOR NONPROFITS
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Our pick for: Up to 5% cash back, no annual fee
If your business's spending matches the bonus categories on the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you can rack up some serious cash back. (If not, then look elsewhere.) There's an excellent sign-up bonus for a no-annual-fee cash-back card, plus an introductory APR period for purchases. Read our review.
Our pick for: 2% cash back and free employee cards
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business is an excellent option for business operators whose expenses are all over the map and don't fall into the bonus categories on other business credit cards. You get a high, flat rewards rate on every purchase, with no limit to how much you can earn. There's a great sign-up bonus offer, too. Read our review.
Our pick for: Overall rewards (up to 3X per $1 spent)
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card starts you off with one of the biggest sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere (assuming you spend enough to earn it), then gives you bonus rewards in common business spending categories. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.
Our pick for: Rewards with no annual fee + intro APR
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a near-twin to the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, with one key difference: Rather than cash back, it pays you in AmEx Membership Rewards points. Read our review.
Our pick for: Travel rewards, hotel card (up to 12X points)
Airport lounge access and a generous welcome offer make The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card an ideal card for conference hopping and other business travel. A tiered points structure makes it easy to earn rewards, whether you stay at a Hilton or not. Cardholders earn 12X points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 6X points on gas, shipping, dining and other travel expenses; and 3X points on all other purchases.
Our pick for: Business card designed for nonprofits
The Charity Charge Nonprofit Business card was built for nonprofit organizations that have been in operation for at least two years. Your organization saves money with no annual fee, plus cash-back rebates at participating vendors and group purchasing discounts. Nonprofit organizations have real-time control over employee cards and can pause or cancel access online.
Our pick for: Nonprofits with limited, bad credit
The Suncrest Bank Business Card is an unsecured business credit card that may be available with bad credit. The card has no annual fee and 0% intro APR for the first 20 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 11.99% - 20.99% Variable. This no-interest introductory period is among the longest for any business credit card, making it a strong choice for large purchases you’d like to repay over time. Read our review.
Last updated on July 29, 2021
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for small business based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of small-business operators. Factors in our evaluation include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as special financing arrangements, free cards for employees or tools for managing business expenses.
