5 Free Survey Tools for Nonprofits
Taking surveys can be fun.
When it’s done right, a survey can feel like a mini-game or a chance to discover something cool about yourself. It can even feel like a little distinction. (“Oh really, Instagram? You want to know what I think of the ads I’ve seen lately? This app must know I have good taste!”)
After all, being asked your opinion feels good. It means your ideas matter, your voice counts—someone out there wants to hear from you! Suddenly you’re a little invested—not just because it’s fun, but because someone cares what you think.
As nonprofit marketers, we’re always trying to understand our audiences better—what makes them tick, donate, volunteer, and stick around. But here’s a little secret: your audience actually wants you to get to know them. They want to feel seen, heard, and appreciated. When you design surveys that feel engaging and interactive rather than dry and robotic, your supporters become more eager participants, genuinely excited to share their thoughts.
That’s why in this post we’ll introduce you to five of the best free survey tools for nonprofits, along with tips on designing effective surveys and implementing the results to maximize their impact.
Ready to ask questions people actually want to answer? Let’s go.
Why Surveys Are Crucial for Nonprofits
Surveys can be game changers for nonprofit organizations, especially when it comes to:
- Understanding Donor Needs: Surveys can explain your donors’ motivations and show you what it takes to keep them invested. Use the results to boost donor retention.
- Improving Program Effectiveness: You can evaluate program performance through feedback surveys to make strategic adjustments to campaigns that are still ongoing.
- Justifying Your Impact: Collecting metrics lets you showcase your success in grant applications and stakeholder reports.
- Streamlining Fundraising Strategies: Whether it’s for online giving or in-person events, gathering insights into donor preferences helps you fine-tune your approach.
Surveys don’t just gather data, they help you build relationships. They let you make better decisions, create stronger connections, and keep supporters coming back feeling heard, valued, and understood.
And for nonprofits on a budget (which is all of them), free survey tools offer a perfect way to collect data without depleting your resources.
But which survey software is right for your nonprofit?
5 Best Free Survey Tools
Here are our five top pics for free online survey tools. Each one is packed with the features and functionality your nonprofit needs to collect and analyze valuable feedback. (Scroll down to the bottom for a quick side-by-side comparison of their features.)
#1: HubSpot
Link:
Features:
- Intuitive survey design and survey templates
- Integration with HubSpot CRM for streamlined donor management
- Real-time reporting dashboards to track survey responses
Benefits:
- Perfect for donor surveys or event feedback, thanks to real-time data collection and seamless analysis
- The free plan includes enough for most nonprofits to get started
Cons:
- Access to advanced features, such as segmentation or survey logic, requires an upgrade
Use Case: HubSpot is ideal for nonprofits that aim to collect contextual donor feedback and track retention metrics. Looking to switch to the pro version for more tools? You may be eligible for a discount through HubSpot for Nonprofits.
#2: Google Forms
Link:
Features:
- Beginner-friendly interface to create unlimited surveys and collect data for free
- Offers diverse question types, such as text, multiple-choice, or drop-down options
- Real-time collaboration and integration with Google Sheets for data export
Benefits:
- 100% free for nonprofits, with no restrictions on the number of responses or questions
- Customizable with colors, fonts, or even images for better survey design
Cons:
- Limited design options; lacks advanced features like multilingual functionality or skip logic
Use Case: Google Forms is ideal for quick surveys, such as employee engagement, volunteer feedback, or event registration
Tool 3: SurveyMonkey
Link:
Features:
- A wide range of question types, like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and multiple-choice with logic jumps
- Ability to conduct multilingual surveys for diverse audiences
- Mobile-optimized design for a better user experience
Benefits:
- Easy setup and robust design capabilities for feedback surveys or NPS surveys
- Flexible templates tailored to employee experience or market research
Cons:
- The free plan has a cap of 10 questions and 40 responses per survey
Use Case: SurveyMonkey is ideal for smaller nonprofits or groups collecting feedback for fundraising strategies.
Tool 4: Typeform
Link:
Features:
- Engaging, conversational design to improve response rates
- Interactive layouts with quizzes, drag-and-drop functionality, and survey logic
- Embed surveys on websites or social media platforms
Benefits:
- Highly engaging for surveys related to donor retention or creative fundraising events
- Generates beautiful results that enhance stakeholder presentations
Cons:
- The free tier limits surveys to 10 questions and 10 responses per form; for unlimited questions and responses, you’ll need to update to their Essentials plan (price: $29/month)
Use Case: Typeform is best for nonprofits looking to create visually engaging surveys for donor feedback or employee experience.
Tool 5: Qualtrics
Link:
Features:
- Advanced analytics tools, including demographic segmentation and survey tracking
- Professional survey design for deep market insights
- Integrations with Salesforce and exportable results to platforms like Excel
Benefits:
- Exceptional for employee engagement surveys, program assessments, or donor research
- Powerful insights into large datasets for data-driven decisions
Cons:
- There’s a steeper learning curve for first-time users
Use Case: Qualtrics is ideal for larger nonprofits with complex needs, especially for stakeholders managing critical campaigns.
Comparison Table of Key Features
Tips for Creating Effective Surveys for Nonprofits
To maximize the value of these free survey platforms, follow these best practices.
- Clear Objectives: Start with why! What data do you hope to collect, and how will it be used? Define your goals before writing survey questions.
- Ask the Right Questions: Mix question types, such as ranking scales or open-ended questions, to keep surveys engaging and insightful. Include an occasional funny or unexpected question to delight respondents.
- Keep Surveys Short: Stick to the essentials to boost completion rates.
- Target the Right Audience: Use segmentation or targeted distribution to ensure responses are representative.
- Test Before Launch: Pilot your questionnaire with a small group of respondents to refine the clarity of your questions.
- Create a Sense of Impact or Purpose: Clearly articulate how survey takers’ input helps shape decisions or outcomes.
- Social Interaction: Encourage survey takers to share their results or scores with friends or on social media, if applicable. Comparing results to others to foster a sense of community.
Analyzing and Implementing Survey Results
Once you collect survey responses, don’t stop there! Put your data to work.
- Analyze Metrics: Use survey dashboards for swift insights or leverage tools like Excel for detailed analysis.
- Segment Feedback: Group results by demographics, behaviors, or interests to drive strategic decisions.
- Share Learnings: Communicate key takeaways with your team, donors, and stakeholders to build transparency.
- Take Action: Modify fundraising campaigns or refine programs based on feedback.
Empower Your Nonprofit with the Best Survey Tools
Using free online survey tools isn’t just about collecting data; it’s about listening, adapting, and growing. Whether you need to measure donor satisfaction, improve retention, or run demographic studies for fundraising campaigns, these platforms empower nonprofits to scale their impact.
Don’t wait to fuel growth in your nonprofit with actionable insights. If you’re ready to take data-driven action for your programs, check out Big Sea for expert nonprofit marketing assistance!
