Best Credit Cards for Nonprofits of April 2026

NERDWALLET'S GUIDE TO NONPROFIT CREDIT CARDS

• You can use the card to pay for organizational expenses, up to your credit limit.
• You pay the credit card issuer back over time.
• You pay interest on any balance that remains after the due date.
• An individual personally guarantees the debt, which means they promise to repay it if the nonprofit can’t. 

• Card type. If you’re a one-person or small operation or want to maximize your rewards, choose a traditional business credit card. If your organization is well established and your focus is on financial management tools, choose a corporate card.
• Your qualifications. Business credit card applicants typically need good or excellent credit to qualify for most cards. If you have bad or fair credit, your options are more limited. A secured business credit card may be a good start. Some corporate credit cards are available without a credit check and can be underwritten to your organization — eliminating the need for a personal guarantee. But you’ll likely need strong financials to qualify. 
• Spending controls. Giving out employee credit cards means your staff won’t always have to cover expenses themselves, then file for reimbursement. And the person who manages your organization’s finances can typically limit how much they can spend at once or what they can use those credit cards for.  
• Rewards. There are two types of cash-back business credit cards: those that pay a flat rewards rate on all your spending, and those that pay higher rates on certain types of spending, like gas. If your nonprofit’s spending is all over the place, a flat-rate card is likely the better fit. And if your leadership team frequently travels for conferences or speaking engagements, a travel business credit cards that earns miles or hotel points might be most beneficial.
• Annual fees. Many business credit cards — especially those with the most lucrative rewards rates — charge annual fees. If you use these cards enough, the rewards often cover the cost of the fees. But if you don’t want to incur additional expenses, avoid them.