Why Non-Profits Should Switch to Free E-Signatures

Alex Signer
Alex Signer ·

Running a non-profit is a constant balancing act. You need professional tools to manage operations, but every dollar spent on software is a dollar not spent on your core mission.

One of the biggest "silent costs" for NGOs and charities is administrative subscriptions. And recently, e-signature platforms have become a major culprit.

Tools like DocuSign or Adobe Sign often charge $25.000 to $40.000+ per user/month. For a small team of 10 volunteers or staff, that’s $3,000+ a year just to sign papers.

There is a better way. Here is why switching to a free e-signature platform like Inkless is the smartest move your non-profit can make this year.


1. Zero Cost = More Impact

It sounds obvious, but the math is powerful.

  • Cost of DocuSign Standard (5 users): ~$1,500 / year
  • Cost of Inkless (Unlimited users): $0 / year

That $1,500 could buy:

  • 300 meals for a food bank.
  • A new laptop for a field worker.
  • Advertising to reach 10,000 new potential donors.

2. Eliminate the "Volunteer Bottleneck"

Many non-profits rely on volunteers who come and go.

  • With paid software, you have to buy a "seat" for every volunteer who needs to send a waiver or agreement. This is a logistical nightmare.
  • With Inkless, there are no accounts required for signers and sending is free. A volunteer can simply open the site, upload a form, and get it signed by a donor or participant instantly. No IT setup needed.

3. Ideal Use Cases for Non-Profits

We see charities using free e-signatures for:

  • Volunteer Liability Waivers: Send a link to 50 volunteers before an event.
  • Donor Agreements: secure major gifts with a professional, legally binding contract.
  • Board Resolutions: Get signatures from board members scattered across the country.
  • Grant Applications: Sign and submit government forms securely.

4. Compliance & Trust

"Free" doesn't mean "unprofessional." Your donors and partners expect security. Inkless provides:

  • Bank-Level Security: AES-256 encryption protects donor data.
  • Legal Compliance: Fully compliant with UETA (US) and ESIGN acts.
  • Audit Trails: Every document comes with a proof of signature log.

🤝 The Inkless Pledge

We built Inkless to be accessible to everyone—students, freelancers, and yes, non-profits fighting for a better world.

You generally don't need a "Non-Profit Discount" (which is usually just 10% off a high price). You need a tool that is free.

Stop paying for signatures. Start investing in your impact.

👉 Start Signing for Free