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NONPROFIT TOOLS: Google Suite vs Microsoft 365
Purpose: There are many tools to help you collaborate with your team, but who has time to figure
out the best options? In this emPower Tool, we compare two of the most common collaboration
tools for nonprofits: Google’s G Suite for Nonprofits, and Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits. Below, find
the basics about each so you can make an informed decision. Each offers a suite of applications to help you create and
share with your team, and both have discounts specifically for nonprofit organizations.
Quick Comparison between Free Google and Microsoft Platforms for Nonprofits
G Suite for Nonprofits
Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits
Application Access
Cloud-based only
Cloud-based and desktop
Most Relevant Applications
Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms,
Calendar, Hangouts
Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint),
Outlook, Exchange
Number of Free Licenses
Unlimited
10
HIPAA Compliance
Must sign a Business Associate
Addendum (BAA) with Google
Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
with Microsoft included
Application Names Comparison between G Suite and Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits
More emPower Tools
+ learn more about each topic
thecapacitycollective.org/
resources
G Suite for Nonprofits
Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits
Word Processing
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
Spreadsheet
Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel
Presentation
Google Slides
Microsoft PowerPoint
Email
Gmail
Microsoft Exchange
Calendar
Google Calendar
Microsoft Outlook
Forms
Google Forms
Microsoft Forms
Collaboration
Google Hangout
Microsoft Teams
Storage
Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive
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We encourage you to share these resources with your organization, and other local social service organizations. PLEASE NOTE: this handout is the intellectual
property of The Capacity Collective. Please do not duplicate parts, or adapt, without the express permission of The Capacity Collective.
Thank you for supporting our work!
G Suite for Nonprofits
There are three types of G Suite programs (Basic,
Business, and Enterprise). You will most likely only
need the Basic suite, which is free to eligible nonprofit
organizations.
Once your organization has a G Suite account, you can
set up as many users as you need and you can have
access to all of the apps listed on the previous page. G
Suite Nonprofit has additional unique features:
• Ad Grants will give your organization a
monthly budget of $10,000 (or $329/day) for
advertising. You can use it to create, target,
and optimize your campaigns.
• YouTube Nonprofit Program will provide you
a new format to share stories of your
organization and your clients with a wider
audience.
• Maps Platform will allow you to use Google
Earth’s mapping tools to track and share your
organization’s impact with data visualizations,
as well as connect your clients to community
resources.
To get started, register with Google. Tip: have the
person who will be the administrator of your
organization’s account sign up. Visit
www.google.com/nonprofits/
Make sure you satisfy all the eligibility requirements:
www.google.com/nonprofits/eligibility/
For more information, see:
www.google.com/nonprofits/
Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits
There are two types of Microsoft 365 programs that
are best suited for nonprofits:
Microsoft 365 Business (free)
•
Licensing: 10 free licenses; $5/user/month for
more than 10 users; maximum of 300 users
• Operating system included: Windows 10 Pro
•
Email (Exchange) & Calendar (Outlook): 50 GB
• Cloud File Storage (OneDrive): 1 TB
• Scheduling application (Booking): yes
Microsoft 365 F1 (discounted)
• Licensing: $2.50/user/month; unlimited
number of users
• Operating system: Windows 10 Enterprise
• Email (Exchange) & Calendar (Outlook): 2 GB
• Cloud file storage (OneDrive): 2 GB
• Scheduling application (Booking): no
For organizations with more than 300 employees,
consider Microsoft 365 E3 or Microsoft 365 E5: (see
“What you need to know about Microsoft 365
Nonprofit” at Tech Soup (www.techsoup.org).
To get started, register with Microsoft. Tip: have the
person who will be the administrator of your
organization’s account sign up. Visit
nonprofit.microsoft.com/en-us/getting-started
Make sure you satisfy all the eligibility requirements:
www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/eligibility
Check out the FAQs for more information:
www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/faq
Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits Support
Microsoft has two partners that work specifically with nonprofit organizations. For a fee, both offer a variety of support
services for Microsoft 365, such as implementation, migration, and IT admin support.
• TechSoup: www.techsoup.org/microsoft-office-365-nonprofit-support
• Tech Impact: techimpact.org/services/office-365-nonprofits/
