This is a guest blog post by Shannon Flynn.
Project management is key to success for nonprofits and the right software can help. There are many paid and free nonprofit management tools available today, so it can be a challenge to find the one that best fits your nonprofit’s needs. There are a few key things to look for in software for charities and nonprofits, though. These top five options are the best project management software programs for nonprofits.
1. Monday: Best All Around
Monday is one of the most popular project management applications out there, for nonprofits and otherwise. Some of the largest organizations in the world, including Coca-Cola and Adobe, use Monday on their teams. Monday is a great all-around option for nonprofits, perfect for things like organizing campaigns or automating emails.
It has plenty of tools, including Gantt charts, workload overview, task dependencies, premade project templates, and scheduling features. There are a variety of plans available, including a free plan, with prices as low as $24 per month. Nonprofits can request a discount, though, which is always a plus.
2. ClickUp: Best for Versatile Project Development
ClickUp is the best project management software for nonprofits that need versatility. If your team needs communication, collaboration, and project tracking tools all in one place, ClickUp could be a great fit. This project management software has a lot of features that are helpful for managing campaigns and all sorts of projects. The tools included range from checklists, timelines, and Gantt charts to real-time editing and convenient calendar sync between users.
ClickUp features a flexible pricing model, which is great for nonprofits. You can try it out with the free version or choose from four paid tiers for working with more users, starting at $5 per member, per month.
3. GanttPro: Best for Gantt Chart Planning
Gantt charts are a fantastic way to precisely manage all of the different tasks within projects and campaigns. They’re a great project management tool for nonprofits, especially for projects that have a lot of moving parts. GanttPro is one of the best Gantt chart programs available today.
The interface is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. You can break down bigger tasks into all of the subtasks within them and easily chart dependencies between one task and another. Collaboration is seamless, with commenting and mentions features as well as easy integrations with other apps, like Slack and Google Drive. GanttPro has a free trial you can use to test it out or a few different paid tiers based on your team size, starting at $7.99 per user, per month.
Larger nonprofits and charities may also want to consider the Enterprise model, which includes GanttPro’s most advanced security options. Cybersecurity experts have emphasized the importance of “continuous monitoring” in defending against today’s data security threats. So, the upgrade to GanttPro’s highest-security version could be crucial for nonprofits handling more sensitive or high-value data.
4. Miro: Best for Creative Collaboration
Nonprofit project planning is often a highly creative process, making collaboration a priority when it comes to project management. Miro is a unique project management program that is perfect for these more creative projects.
It is a virtual whiteboard where teams can collaborate in real-time, sharing notes, photos, charts, and other data just like on a real-life whiteboard. The included “roadmap” features allow for easy project scheduling alongside planning and virtual team meetings. Your team can try Miro out for free or choose from a few different paid plans, starting at $8 per member, per month.
5. Basecamp: Best for Communication
Many people work best when they have a clear overview of all the tasks they need to accomplish and how those tasks fit into the bigger picture. If this sounds like your team, you might want to consider Basecamp for nonprofits. This is one of the best project management softwares for nonprofits, with its combination of communication features and affordability.
In Basecamp for nonprofits, you can create, assign, schedule, and manage to-do lists and tasks. Multiple different communication channels, including a “Campfire” group chat function, keep everyone productive by minimizing the need for meetings. You can also bring in partners or contractors for collaboration, as well. Basecamp has a straightforward pricing model: a limited use free version or a monthly flat fee of $99 for unlimited users.
Project Management for Nonprofits
Ultimately, the best project management software for nonprofits is the one that works best for each specific team. Affordable pricing, easy collaboration, and free nonprofit management tools are all great features to look for in project management software for remote and hybrid nonprofit teams. With the right digital toolset, your nonprofit can stay on track with each project and mission you set out to accomplish.