5 best business credit cards for non-profits in August 2025

Non-profits can get business credit cards, with many card issuers actively welcoming 501(c)(3) organizations and other tax-exempt entities as customers. Just like for-profit businesses, non-profits need reliable payment methods to manage expenses.

Non-profits typically need an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and proof of their tax-exempt status in order to get a business credit card. Some issuers offer features tailored to charitable organizations, such as no monthly maintenance fees or rewards programs that align with typical non-profit spending.

While traditional business credit cards often require personal guarantees, several other card options don’t. This means your executive director or board members won't need to put their personal credit on the line. Instead, these cards evaluate your organization based on its own financial standing, including factors like annual revenue, cash reserves, and how long you've been in operation.

Common types of business credit cards non-profits use

Non-profits often have the option of two types of business credit cards, each with distinct features and requirements, allowing you to pick the option that best matches your organization's size, financial situation, and spending needs.

Business credit cards

Traditional business credit cards can work for smaller non-profits or those building their credit history. These cards often require a personal guarantee from an authorized signer but typically have more flexible approval requirements. They're best for organizations with steady donation streams who can pay off balances monthly to avoid interest charges.

Corporate cards

Corporate card issuers evaluate applications based on your organization's finances rather than personal credit scores. They often don't require personal guarantees and come with features like spend management integrations, virtual cards, and detailed expense tracking. While they may require higher revenue or cash reserves, corporate card programs provide superior control over spending and make it easier to manage multiple users.

Although a personal credit card can be the easiest way to cover expenses for your non-profit, it can create more challenges down the road. As you consider options to pay for expenses for your non-profit, it’s important to know the differences between personal and business credit cards.

Using personal credit cards for non-profit expenses creates risks and complications that can harm both your organization and the individuals involved. On the other hand, business credit cards designed for non-profits solve these problems while providing benefits that personal cards can't match.

The most significant issue with personal cards is liability. When staff members or volunteers use their personal credit cards for organizational purchases, they're personally responsible for those charges. If your non-profit faces cash flow difficulties or can't quickly reimburse expenses, individuals could hurt their personal credit scores or face financial hardship.

This arrangement also blurs the lines between personal and organizational finances. Ultimately, it can lead to potential tax complications and make it harder to maintain the clear financial records required for audits and grant reporting.

Business credit cards keep your organization's finances completely separate from personal finances. This separation protects your team members' personal credit while building your non-profit's own credit history. Strong organizational credit can open doors to better financing options, higher credit limits, and more favorable terms with vendors.

From a practical standpoint, business credit cards can also streamline expense management in ways personal cards can't. Instead of collecting receipts from multiple people using different personal cards and then reimbursing expenses, the right business credit cards consolidate expenses in one platform. These cards also offer features like real-time expense tracking, automatic categorization for common non-profit purchases, and integration with accounting software. These tools save countless hours during month-end closing and make preparing for audits significantly easier.

Business credit cards also provide better fraud protection and spending controls. You can issue cards to specific employees or volunteers with individual spending limits, restrict purchases to certain vendors or categories, and instantly freeze cards if they're lost or misused. And lastly, business credit cards often offer rewards programs tailored to organizational spending, and they belong to the organization when earned on a business credit card.

To select the right business credit card for your non-profit, be sure to consider rewards and credit limits along with other features. The best cards offer features specifically designed to address the challenges non-profits face, from managing multiple funding sources and requirements to maintaining donor trust.

No hidden fees

Non-profits often operate on tight budgets, and every dollar matters. The best business credit cards with no annual fees can help your budget go further, but it’s important to consider fees other than annual fees. Consider foreign transaction fees if you work internationally, late payment penalties, and charges for additional employee cards.

Some issuers waive some fees entirely for non-profits, recognizing that unnecessary costs directly impact your ability to serve your mission. Pay special attention to balance transfer fees and cash advance charges, even if you don't plan to use these features, as emergency situations can require flexibility.

Reward programs that align with non-profit spending

Standard business credit cards for rewards often emphasize rewards for advertising or manufacturing purchases that don't match typical non-profit expenses. Instead, seek cards offering higher rewards on categories you actually use, such as office supplies, travel, software subscriptions, and telecommunications services. It’s important to find rewards with flexible redemption options, which can provide immediate value rather than points locked into specific redemption options.

Higher credit limits

Non-profits can experience irregular cash flow based on grant cycles, fundraising campaigns, and seasonal donations. High limit business credit cards provide flexibility to manage expenses during lean periods without maxing out cards or scrambling for alternative funding. Look for cards that determine credit limits based on your organization's cash reserves and revenue rather than traditional credit scores.

Customizable spending limits for cardholders

Many organizations have various team members who need purchasing power, from program directors buying equipment to staff booking travel for donor visits. The best business credit cards let you issue multiple employee cards with individual spending limits tailored to each person's role. Advanced platforms go further by allowing you to set custom expense policies, create virtual cards for specific vendors, and even establish amount-based limits for events or projects.

Strong security features

Non-profits face unique security challenges, and the right security measures protect your funds and your reputation, maintaining the trust donors place in your financial stewardship. Business credit cards should offer multiple layers of protection including real-time fraud monitoring, virtual card numbers for online purchases, and instant freeze capabilities through mobile apps.

Expense tracking and categorization

Maintaining tax-exempt status requires strict adherence to IRS requirements for expense reporting and categorization. Non-profits must classify every expense into one of three categories: program services, management and general, or fundraising. This categorization directly impacts your Form 990 filing and determines how donors and watchdog organizations evaluate your efficiency.

Along with IRS requirements, grant-funded programs often come with their own restrictions and reporting obligations. Business credit cards with integrated spend management software can automate these critical categorization processes.

Look for software that allows custom coding rules, automatic expense allocation based on merchant or card used, and the ability to split transactions across multiple categories or funding sources. The right platform will map expenses to your specific chart of accounts and generate reports that satisfy both IRS requirements and grant reporting obligations, automating accounting processes.

Choosing the right business credit card can significantly impact your non-profit's financial efficiency and ability to fulfill its mission. These cards address different organizational needs, from advanced spend management to simple cash back rewards, helping you find the perfect match for your non-profit's size, spending patterns, and operational requirements.

Brex

Brex’s corporate cards offer non-profits an innovative approach to expense management that traditional business credit cards can’t match. Built for growing organizations, Brex combines high credit limits and rewards with sophisticated spend controls and automated expense tracking, all without requiring personal guarantees from board members or executives.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: N/A, charge card
• Typical spending limit: 10-20x higher than traditional business credit cards
• Virtual cards: Yes

Key features for non-profits

• No personal guarantees: Brex evaluates applications based on your organization's financial performance rather than personal credit scores. This means board members and executives don't need to tie their personal financial health to your non-profit's credit card, eliminating a major barrier that can keep organizations from accessing corporate credit.
• High credit limits: Since Brex doesn't rely on personal credit history or require personal guarantees, it typically offers credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional business cards. This gives non-profits the spending power they need to manage large events, bulk purchases, and seasonal fluctuations without hitting credit limits.
• Embedded spend controls: With Brex, you can issue unlimited employee cards at no additional cost, each with custom spend controls built in. These controls can limit spending by amount, merchant, category, or nearly any other parameter, giving you confidence that expenses won't exceed budget limits and ensuring all purchases comply with grant or donation restrictions.
• Integrated expense management: Brex allows you to gain complete visibility into organizational spending through a single platform. In addition to credit card transactions, Brex lets you manage employee reimbursements, pay bills, and track all expenses in one place, eliminating the need for multiple financial tools and reducing administrative burdens.
• Virtual cards: Brex's virtual corporate credit card capabilities help prevent fraud and policy violations while streamlining vendor payments. You can create single-use cards for specific purchases, set up recurring cards for subscriptions with exact monthly limits, or issue project-specific cards that expire when the project ends. Each virtual card can have its own approval workflow and spending restrictions.
• Accounting automation: Automatic expense categorization and coding saves hours of manual work while improving accuracy for grant reporting. Brex automatically matches receipts to transactions and can map expenses to your specific general ledger codes, ensuring you maintain proper documentation for compliance purposes without significant manual oversight.

Who this card is best suited for

The Brex card is best for growing organizations that need sophisticated financial tools without the complexity of traditional business credit card relationships. Non-profits running multiple programs or managing various funding sources will particularly benefit from Brex's ability to track and control spending at a granular level. If your non-profit regularly deals with vendor payments, contractor expenses, or needs to issue cards to volunteers for specific events, Brex's flexibility and controls also make it an ideal choice.

Valley Bank Visa® Secured Business Credit Card

The Valley Bank Visa Secured Business Credit Card provides non-profits with limited credit history or past financial challenges a path to build organizational credit. By requiring a refundable security deposit that becomes your credit limit, this card offers the benefits of a traditional credit card while minimizing risk for both the issuer and your organization.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: 15.20% to 26.50%
• Typical spending limit: Up to $25,000
• Virtual cards: No

Key features for non-profits

• 0% intro APR for six months
• Fraud protection
• High credit limits for a secured card
• 1% cash back on all purchases

Who this card is best suited for

The Valley Bank Secured Card works best for newer non-profits still building credit history or established organizations recovering from past financial difficulties. This card particularly suits organizations that have been declined for traditional credit cards but need to separate business and personal expenses while earning 1% back on all purchases.

Devote Card

The Devote Card is designed specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations. This focus helps address common pain points for non-profits, including tracking funds and managing volunteer expenses.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: N/A, charge card
• Typical spending limit: Not disclosed
• Virtual cards: Yes

Key features for non-profits

• Quickbooks integration
• Basic embedded spend controls
• Issue additional cards for free
• No personal guarantee

Who this card is best suited for

Devote works best for established 501(c)(3) organizations that want purpose-built features without the complexity of enterprise platforms.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect offers non-profits a travel-focused rewards card with premium benefits often reserved for larger corporations. This card balances strong earning potential with features that align well with organizations frequently booking travel for conferences, donor meetings, or program delivery.

Key details

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 18.99% to 25.99%
• Typical spending limit: Not disclosed
• Virtual cards: Yes, with restrictions

Key features for non-profits

• Travel rewards
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free employee cards
• Basic expense management

Who this card is best suited for

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect is best for non-profits with regular travel needs, whether for fundraising, conferences, or program operations. The spend management platform, while not as robust as dedicated corporate cards, provides adequate expense tracking for organizations with straightforward needs.

Bill Divvy Card

The Bill Divvy Card is a charge card that offers non-profits cards with integrated spend controls. Organizations can apply without personal guarantees and access credit limits up to $5 million based on their financial profile.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: N/A, charge card
• Typical spending limit: Up to $5 million
• Virtual cards: Yes

Key features for non-profits

• No annual fee
• No personal guarantee
• Physical and virtual cards
• Integrated spend controls

Who this card is best suited for

The Bill Divvy Card is best for non-profits that need basic expense tracking alongside their credit card. Organizations already using Bill’s other services may find it convenient to keep everything in one platform.

Business credit cards deliver tangible benefits that only start with simple payment convenience. For non-profits juggling multiple programs, grants, and funding sources, these cards provide financial tools that can overhaul how you manage money and advance your mission.

Simplified expense reporting

With a business credit card, you’ll no longer have to chase down paper receipts and manually enter expenses into spreadsheets. These credit cards automate expense reporting by automatically capturing transaction details, categorizing expenses, and syncing with your accounting software. This automation dramatically reduces the time your team spends on administrative tasks.

Instead of waiting weeks for expense reports and employee expense reimbursements, transactions appear in real-time with digital receipts attached. Many platforms use AI to match expenses to the correct general ledger codes and grant categories. For non-profits managing multiple funding sources with different reporting requirements, this level of detail and automation is invaluable.

Improved cash flow management

Non-profits often face unique cash flow difficulties with donations arriving irregularly and grants disbursed on specific schedules. The best business credit cards can provide a financial buffer that helps you maintain operations during gaps between funding. Unlike traditional loans or lines of credit, there's no application process each time you need funds, so the credit is available instantly when you need it.

In addition to access to credit, corporate cards have integrated expense management software that provides real-time visibility into your organization's spending. You can see exactly where money is going as it happens, not weeks later when statements arrive, improving your cash flow management. Dashboard views show spending by category, department, or program, helping you spot trends and adjust budgets before problems arise.

Rewards that support the mission

Every dollar your non-profit saves is a dollar that can go directly toward your cause. The best business rewards credit cards can feature rewards programs that align with your typical spending patterns, allowing you to earn cash back or rewards on office supplies, software subscriptions, travel, and other common non-profit expenses. These rewards can add up to thousands of dollars annually that can fund program supplies, cover travel to important conferences, or offset operational costs.

Building organizational credit history

Just like for-profit businesses, organizations can benefit from building business credit without personal credit. Using a business credit card responsibly helps build business credit fast, and establishes your non-profit's creditworthiness separate from any individual's personal credit. This organizational credit history becomes valuable when you need to lease office space, negotiate with vendors, or secure other forms of financing. It can also demonstrate financial responsibility to donors and grantmakers who scrutinize non-profit financial management practices.

Fraud protection

Non-profits are trusted to securely handle donor funds, making fraud protection critical. Business credit cards offer multiple layers of security, including being able to instantly freeze lost or stolen cards, set spending limits by employee or category, and receive real-time alerts for unusual transactions.

Virtual card numbers can protect online purchases, while detailed transaction records create an audit trail that helps detect and prevent internal fraud. Many providers also offer zero liability protection, meaning your organization won't be responsible for unauthorized charges.

How to apply for and get a business credit card as a non-profit follows straightforward steps, and with the right documentation ready, you can make the process smooth. Here are the steps you can take to apply for a business credit card.

Gather documentation

Before starting an application, collect these documents:

• Your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or other tax-exempt status proof
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Recent financial statements from the last two to three years
• Annual Form 990 filings
• Bank statements showing current cash reserves
• Articles of incorporation
• Board resolution authorizing the credit card application
• List of board members and officers

Some card issuers may not require all of this information, but having these ready can speed up the process if requested.

Choose your card type and issuer

Research cards that meet your organization's needs and spending patterns. Consider whether you need a traditional business card with a personal guarantee or can qualify for a corporate card based solely on organizational finances. Compare features like annual fees, rewards programs, and expense management tools. Pay special attention to minimum revenue requirements or cash balance thresholds, as these vary significantly between providers.

Determine who will apply

For business credit cards that require a personal guarantee, decide which board member or executive will be responsible. Keep in mind, this person's credit score will be checked, and they'll be personally liable for the debt. For corporate cards, find who can sign on behalf of the organization, which can be the executive director or board chair. Make sure this person has all the necessary documentation and understands they may need to provide personal information even if no personal guarantee is required.

Complete the online application

Most business credit card applications can be completed online in 10 to 15 minutes. In many cases you’ll need to provide this information:

• Organization's legal name and DBA if applicable
• EIN and tax-exempt status
• Physical and mailing addresses
• Years in operation
• Annual revenue and average cash reserves
• Number of employees
• Industry classification

For cards requiring a personal guarantee, the responsible individual will also provide their Social Security number, income, and consent to a credit check. After the initial application, you'll likely need to upload or email your supporting documentation. Before sending these documents, ensure they’re all current and clearly show your organization's name and EIN.

Wait for approval

Approval times vary from instant to several business days, depending on the card type and issuer. Corporate cards can take longer as they require more thorough financial review. Once you’re approved, you'll receive information about your credit limit, account access, and how to request employee cards.

Managing business credit cards at a non-profit requires balancing employee freedom with sound financial responsibility. The right policies and procedures protect your organization while making it easy for team members to purchase what they need to advance your mission.

Establish clear written policies

Non-profits using business credit cards need policies that eliminate any confusion. This document should explicitly state what purchases are allowed, which are prohibited, and what documentation is required for every transaction. Include specific examples relevant to your organization, such as whether staff can purchase meals during donor meetings or if conference registration fees require pre-approval.

Your policy should also address issues that can cause confusion, such as if employees can use the card for gas when using personal vehicles for business purposes or if team lunch purchases during planning retreats are acceptable. The clearer your policy, the fewer awkward conversations and disputed charges you'll face.

The most effective way to enforce expense policies is to embed them directly into the cards you issue employees or volunteers. These policies can restrict spending on nearly any parameter, and you can establish rules to require documentation or approval for any expense.

Custom spend controls for employees

Different employees need different spend controls. For instance, your executive director likely needs a higher limit than a program coordinator, and temporary event staff may only need a small budget. With the right business credit card, you can customize limits for each cardholder based on their role and responsibilities.

Set monthly or per-transaction limits that reflect actual needs to prevent overspending. This can mean your development director might have a $5,000 monthly limit for donor cultivation expenses, while administrative staff might have $500 for office supplies. Some platforms even allow you to set merchant category restrictions, so a card designated for fuel purchases won't work at restaurants.

Approval workflows

Requiring approval for expenses prevents surprises and keeps spending within budgets and grant restrictions. Establish thresholds for when approval is needed and who can authorize different types of purchases. Routine purchases under a certain amount may not need pre-approval, while anything above requires a manager to sign-off.

For larger purchases or those affecting multiple programs, an approval chain might include program directors, the finance manager, and executive director. Expense management platforms can automate your expense approval process, routing approval requests via email or app notifications. This digital workflow creates an audit trail while accelerating the approval process.

Create accountability structures

Assign a specific person, often the finance director or controller, to monitor all credit card activity monthly. This person should review transactions for policy compliance, proper documentation, and alignment with approved budgets.

Spend management software automates much of this oversight process. These platforms flag unusual spending patterns, highlight transactions that exceed preset limits, and automatically request additional documentation for purchases in certain categories. Real-time dashboards let finance teams spot potential issues immediately rather than waiting for monthly statements.

Track all expense receipts

Missing receipts can jeopardize your tax-exempt status during audits. Requiring expense receipts for every single transaction, regardless of the amount, protects your organization and demonstrates good stewardship to donors. Make receipt submission seamless by using mobile apps that let users photograph and upload receipts immediately after purchase, and ensure you have an established process to manage business receipts once they’re uploaded.

Train and communicate

Provide thorough training for all new cardholders covering not just what they can buy, but how transactions are coded, how to submit receipts, and how to handle common situations like declined charges or merchant disputes. Regular communication keeps policies fresh in everyone's mind. When policies change or new situations arise, communicate updates immediately through multiple channels.

Handle violations consistently

Regardless of how you establish your policy, violations will occur. Create a progressive discipline approach that matches consequences to the violation. First offenses might warrant a reminder email and refresher training. Repeated violations or serious breaches, like personal use, may require stronger action.

Document all violations and responses in personnel files to protect your organization if you need to revoke cards or terminate someone. Apply consequences consistently regardless of the person's position or tenure.

Whether or not your non-profit can sign up for a business credit card with just an EIN depends on the card type and your organization's financial profile. While having an EIN is necessary for any business credit card application, it may not be sufficient on its own.

For traditional business credit cards, you'll almost always need more than just an EIN. These cards typically require a personal guarantee, which means the issuer will need someone’s Social Security number and personal credit history alongside the EIN. The card issuer wants the security of knowing an individual is ultimately responsible if the organization can't pay its debts.

However, some corporate cards designed specifically for organizations can approve applications based primarily on your non-profit's financial standing. These cards look at factors like your organization's bank balance, annual revenue, years in operation, and cash flow patterns rather than personal credit scores. In most cases, these are also business credit cards with no personal guarantee.

To qualify for EIN-only applications, non-profits typically need considerable cash reserves, at least two years of operating history, strong financials, and consistent revenue. Newer non-profits or those with limited cash reserves may need to start with cards requiring personal guarantees. In many cases, these cards can be a stepping stone to building the credit history needed for EIN-only business credit cards.

Even well-intentioned non-profits can stumble when implementing business credit cards, making it important to be able to recognize mistakes to avoid costly errors.

Mixing personal and organizational expenses

One of the most serious mistakes is using organizational credit cards for personal expenses. This includes having staff borrow the card for personal purchases with intentions to repay it, or making purchases that benefit both the organization and individual without clear allocation. The IRS prohibits commingled expenses, and such practices can threaten your tax-exempt status.

Failing to track restricted funds

Non-profits often receive grants or donations restricted to specific purposes. Using a general credit card for these expenses without proper tracking can violate donor restrictions and grant terms. The solution is using a card that can draw from different budgets or virtual cards for different funding sources, or at minimum, implementing rigorous coding and tracking to maintain clear separation of restricted funds.

Inadequate receipt documentation

Missing receipts create multiple problems. They make audits difficult, potentially violate IRS requirements, and can raise questions about whether purchases were legitimate. Don't make the mistake of accepting credit card statements as sufficient documentation, as these don't show what was actually purchased. Without itemized receipts, that $500 charge at a retailer could be office supplies or personal electronics, and auditors can assume the worst.

Accumulating debt without a repayment plan

While credit cards provide helpful cash flow flexibility, treating them as long-term financing is dangerous. Interest rates on business credit cards are often over 20%, making carried balances expensive. While it can be enticing to carry a balance until the next grant arrives, if that funding falls through or arrives late, interest charges can spiral out of control. Always have a specific repayment timeline before making large purchases, and consider the best business charge cards so you don’t have the option to carry a balance.

Loose card distribution and controls

Non-profits can make the mistake of handing out credit cards too freely and without proper controls. This might mean giving cards to volunteers for one-time events, sharing card numbers for online purchases, or allowing unlimited spending authority. Each additional cardholder increases fraud risk and the chance of policy violations. Worse, without spending limits and merchant controls, a single cardholder could access your entire credit limit.

Choosing rewards over functionality

It can be tempting to choose a card for its rewards or sign-up bonuses, but these may not serve your non-profit's actual needs. Instead, focus first on cards with features that support your operations: expense management tools, accounting automation software, and spending controls. Rewards should be secondary to functionality.

Business credit cards are powerful tools for non-profits and their financial management, offering more than payment methods. The right card can help your organization build credit history, manage cash flow during donation gaps, earn rewards on everyday purchases, and maintain the financial transparency that donors and grantmakers demand. Business credit cards allow for separation of finances, automated compliance, and spending control.

For non-profits looking to control expenses while gaining spending power, the Brex card represents the best option available. The Brex platform combines high credit limits with sophisticated expense management software, creating an integrated solution that addresses multiple non-profit pain points. With credit limits based on business financials rather than personal credit scores, organizations gain access to the credit they need to operate effectively.

Through embedded expense policies and automated approval workflows, Brex allows non-profits to distribute cards to staff and volunteers while maintaining oversight. Ghost cards for specific vendors or events, customizable spending limits by category or amount, and real-time transaction monitoring prevent problems before they occur.

With Brex, non-profits can automate the tedious but critical tasks that consume staff time: matching receipts to transactions, categorizing expenses for IRS compliance, and generating reports for grant requirements. This automation not only saves hours each month but also reduces errors that could jeopardize funding or tax-exempt status.

“We just issue temporary cards for employees’ per diems and travel, and set the cards to deactivate following the offsite,” said Amber Papp, the VP of Finance at Scentbird, a monthly fragrance subscription service and Brex customer. “I love how easily Brex lets you set the spend limits. For example, we have a $75 per diem limit. So we can just issue a total amount for the days of the offsite. Brex automatically prevents the limit from being exceeded, and we might even come in under! It takes the burden off our HR team — they don’t even have to review expenses to check if someone is taking advantage of the per diem.”

Sign up for Brex today to grow your non-profit while gaining financial control.