Website builder with a discount or free plan for a charity

Here are the strongest options I found for a U.S. charity:

• Wix — easiest free start. You can build and publish a site for free, but it uses a Wix-branded web address. For a custom domain or accepting donations directly through Wix, you’ll likely need a paid plan. Wix advertises nonprofit-specific options, but check the current eligibility and offer through its partner program before budgeting around a discount. (wix.com)
• Webflow — best if you want more design control. It has a free plan for trying out a site, plus an eligible-nonprofit offer of 50% off an annual Premium Site plan for 12 months. You’ll need proof of nonprofit status; the discount doesn’t cover every plan or add-ons. (help.webflow.com)
• Squarespace — polished, but not free. It offers 10% off the first payment with code NONPROFIT; it has a free trial, but no ongoing free plan. (support.squarespace.com)

My quick pick: Start with Wix if you need to spend nothing upfront and can live with a Wix-branded address. Choose Webflow if you qualify for the discount and want more design flexibility. If donations are central, compare the platform’s payment and donation fees too—not just the website price.

For a charity, the best value depends on whether you need donation tools and a custom domain. Wix has the largest verified nonprofit discount, and several builders are free outright.

Discounted paid plans

• Wix (best all-round): Through its TechSoup partnership, Wix offers registered nonprofits a 70% discount on any 2-year Premium plan. The subscription includes a free one-year domain registration. Eligibility is checked through TechSoup. Wix also has a free tier, but it comes with a Wix subdomain, platform branding and no built-in online donations.
• Webflow (for a designer): Sources disagree on the amount. One says 50% off one site with Basic, CMS, or Business Site plans for the first year, while another gives a 35% discount for eligible nonprofits. Proof is required: an "IRS determination letter (US 501(c)(3))" or a "charity registration certificate". The discount renews at full price after 12 months unless you reapply.
• Squarespace: It does not have a free basic option. Nonprofits get a one-time 10% off your first payment.
• Shopify (if you sell online): Shopify offers discounted pricing for registered charities through its NPO Lite ($29/month) and NPO Full ($99/month) plans. You'll have to contact their customer support to get this pricing.
• SITE123: One source says there is a free plan and a 40% discount on paid plans for nonprofits. That review is over a year old, so confirm it still applies.

Free options

• IM Creator: IM Creator is one of the few website builders that is absolutely free for nonprofits. Send in the paperwork to prove you're a registered nonprofit organization, and you can get started for free. This builder has a learning curve.
• Google Sites: Suited to very small groups that want a simple, free site for information pages or volunteer resources.
• JIM Website Builder: Offers a permanent free plan with built-in payment processing at 4.99% + $0.30 per transaction and no monthly subscription.
• Donorbox Websites: Free for basic use, with fees applied on donations.
• Zeffy: One comparison describes it as free fundraising platform with fee-free donations; but more limited design tools vs. some website builders.

Suggestion: If you need donations and a custom domain, apply for Wix through TechSoup first. If the budget is zero, start with IM Creator (if you have a tech-savvy volunteer) or Google Sites. Check current discount terms on each provider's site before you commit, since these offers change.

Finding the right website builder for a charity involves balancing costs, ease of use, and essential features like donation processing. Below are the most recommended options for non-profit organizations.

1. Best Overall for Non-Profit Discounts: Wix

Wix is frequently cited as the top choice for charities due to its partnership with TechSoup.

• The Discount: Through TechSoup, verified non-profits can access a 70% discount on 2-year Wix Premium plans.
• Why it’s great: It features a user-friendly, drag-and-drop editor and offers over 40 templates specifically designed for non-profit organizations. It also includes built-in SEO and basic marketing tools to help you reach donors.
• Keep in mind: While there is a free version, you will likely need the premium plan to remove branding and process donations effectively.

2. Best "Free" Hosting Options

If your budget is zero, you can look for providers that specialize in free hosting for registered charities:

• Free For Charity: A US-based 501(c)(3) that provides completely free website building, hosting, and .org domain registration for other registered non-profits. They use AI-driven development to build fast, secure sites.
• Kualo (UK): Offers free web hosting for UK registered charities, which includes a website builder.
• Netsol Hosting: Provides a free "Onyx" hosting plan for registered charities in the UK, USA, and Asia-Pacific, which includes a website builder.
• Brixly: Also offers free hosting for UK-registered charities with access to WordPress-optimized tools.

3. Other Notable Mentions

• Squarespace: Highly regarded for its professional design templates. While it does not have a deep, ongoing non-profit discount, you can often use the promo code "NONPROFIT" at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your first payment.
• Google Sites: A completely free option that is best when paired with an external, low-fee donation platform (like Zeffy or Givebutter).
• Zeffy: Not a website builder, but a 100% free fundraising platform for non-profits. Many charities build a simple site on a free platform (like Google Sites or Wix) and embed a Zeffy donation form to avoid high transaction fees.

Important Tips for Charities

• Verify Your Status: Most significant discounts (like the Wix/TechSoup offer) require your organization to be a verified non-profit. Registering with TechSoup is the standard first step for accessing technology discounts.
• Donation Processing: Be aware that "free" website plans often lack the ability to process donations directly. Always check if you need a specific paid tier to unlock donation forms or if you can use a third-party tool like Donorbox or Zeffy.
• Long-Term Strategy: A free or discounted site is great, but ensure you own your domain name so that you aren't tied to a specific provider if you decide to move your site later.

Here are two good options, depending on whether you need a site for free or want a charity discount:

• Wix — free plan or 70% charity discount. You can build and publish a basic site at no cost, but it uses a Wix subdomain and displays Wix branding; a custom domain and some fundraising features require a paid plan. Eligible charities that are TechSoup members can get 70% off a two-year Wix Premium plan for one site, plus a one-year domain voucher. Check the renewal terms before signing up. ¹²
• Squarespace — 10% off the first payment. Enter NONPROFIT at checkout. It’s a paid service, but includes nonprofit-focused templates and donation tools; the discount applies to the first payment, not necessarily renewals. ³⁷

Quick pick: Choose Wix to start at zero cost, or check whether your charity qualifies for Wix’s TechSoup offer if you need a custom domain or paid features. Choose Squarespace if its templates and built-in donation tools suit you better.

Sources: Wix charity discount ¹ · Wix free nonprofit site details ² · Squarespace nonprofit tools ³ · Squarespace discount instructions ⁷