Nonprofit payroll for the modern HR team.

Gusto’s user-friendly payroll solution makes it easy for nonprofit organizations to go from hiring and onboarding, to managing employees and running payroll. Our full-service support team is always happy to help. So that every time you run payroll, you’ll feel like saying, “Mission accomplished.”

How Gusto works Create account

All your HR needs in one place.

Gusto's all-in-one software makes nonprofit payroll more efficient than ever. It's intuitive, user-friendly, and customizable to fit your team's unique needs.

HR tools your team actually likes to use.

Does your payroll software inspire you to use words like “thrilling” and “delightful”? If not, then it’s definitely time to switch to Gusto’s user-friendly platform.

Have a trusted HR partner by your side.

Gusto’s workflows, automated payroll taxes, and resources can make your HR team feel much bigger. But if you need added support, our dedicated team is standing by.

I’m a musician and the leader of a small arts nonprofit, and at first I knew nothing about hiring and payroll and all the filings with the state, etc. Gusto has made it so easy to do all these things quickly and with confidence.

Russel Rolen

Executive, Spektral Quartet NFP

As a small nonprofit, [Gusto] makes it so much easier for us. I never need to worry about payroll and taxes. Additionally, as the only FT employee, Gusto was able to offer a health care plan for me. Nearly impossible to find another company that would offer health insurance for just one employee.

Neal Spinler

CEO, Young Musicians & Artists

Amount businesses save per year running payroll & HR on gusto after switching from ADP

of businesses feel Gusto helps them stay on top of compliance and changing tax requirements.**

time saved per month on payroll after switching to Gusto.***

*Techvalidate. Based on an average of 423 Gusto businesses surveyed 8/22, saving $440 a month. Respondents were enrolled in Gusto's prior pricing plans, which are no longer available to new customers as of July 11, 2022.
**Techvalidate. Based on 549 Gusto businesses surveyed August 2022
***Techvalidate. Based on an average of 561 Gusto businesses surveyed.

All in one

Less time on payroll means more time accomplishing your mission.

Streamline your employees’ HR experience from their first day to their last with customizable job postings and automated applicant tracking. Self-service simplifies onboarding, and newly minted employees love being able to access their information, like paychecks, IRS tax forms, and benefits like health insurance. Did we mention we automatically file federal and local taxes with the IRS, and pay payroll taxes, FUTA taxes, and more?

User-friendly

Nonprofit payroll doesn’t have to be non-fun.

We designed Gusto’s payroll software with people in mind. That means employees and your human resources team. Gusto helps you keep track of fundraising, employees’ wages, paychecks, and more. Friendly touches like new hire welcome emails, birthday reminders, and tool integrations give your team a sprinkle of delight to keep them engaged. Goal tracking, reporting, and performance reviews increase retention and help create a great work environment.

HR expertise

Combine cloud-based technology with down-to-earth expertise.

Our software is reliable, frictionless, and we’re always updating our free online resources like the Help Center, Talk Shop Blog, and How-To Guides. Proactive compliance alerts and automated tax-filing keep your nonprofit organization safe from human errors. But humans are still at the core of our platform. That’s why we have a best-in-class support team of SHRM- and HRCI-certified experts ready to answer your questions.

Contractor-friendly

Juggling payroll taxes for W-2s and 1099s? We can help.

Contractors self-onboard so they can get to work quickly, and they’ll appreciate getting our automatic alerts when you’ve sent their paycheck or direct deposit. Meanwhile, you can rest easy knowing that your local and federal income tax forms are automated, so you don’t have to worry about forgotten signatures, missing forms, or surprise local regulations. There are no extra fees to set up or file forms for contractors.

Integrations that make a difference.

Gusto connects directly with non-profit-focused tools that help with finance, donor management, operations, and more.

Is it possible to change my for-profit company to a nonprofit organization?

There are advantages to becoming a nonprofit organization, including the potential for tax-exempt status (you may remain non-exempt) and easier fundraising. However, the IRS has barriers in place to discourage for-profit companies from avoiding federal income taxes and employment taxes (which are generally higher for for-profit organizations) by becoming a nonprofit organization. But there is a process for this transition, which includes preparing a mission statement commensurate with a charitable organization, establishing bylaws and board members, and filing articles of incorporation with your Secretary of State. Our support team can help you understand the pros and cons of turning your for-profit business into a nonprofit organization, including the differences it will make in choosing a payroll provider, processing payroll, how you pay payroll taxes, social security, medicare, FICA taxes, executive compensation, and more.

How much does Gusto cost?

We have a clear pricing model so you can stay organized without worrying about any surprises. Gusto’s plans start at just $40/month, plus $6/month per user. That puts your total cost for everything Gusto offers at $46/month. To see all of our plans and the features they include, check out our pricing page.

How do I pay remote employees and contractors?

As your business grows, you may find yourself hiring employees and independent contractors from all across the country. You generally pay state taxes in the state(s) where your employee or contractor works, but providing payroll services and sending out employee paychecks to workers in numerous different situations can be tricky depending on which state they live in, whether they’re full-time or part-time, changing FLSA regulations, and whether your company’s state has a reciprocal agreement with your worker’s home state. Learn more about how to pay out-of-state workers.

Is it hard to switch from my existing HRIS?

Nope. We work with your clients’ existing HR system and migrate their data over ourselves, so switching is headache-free: a full 90% of small business customers reported that switching to and setting up Gusto was easy.

What’s the difference between a 1099 and a W-2?

The primary difference between a 1099 and W-2 is that self-employed independent contractors are paid in full for their services and are responsible for filing their own federal and local taxes, while employees have their taxes withheld from their paycheck. The payer reports payments to contractors on IRS Form 1099, and to employees on a W-2. Learn more about the difference from our experts.