HR Software for Charities: 10 Solutions That Help Small Teams Do Big Things

Main image courtesy of Fiduciary Technology Partners.

Everywhere we look, there are individuals, families, and even animals that need our help. Giving back to your community is essential whether it’s donating money, goods, or volunteering at a charity. There are tons of charitable organizations for all different kinds of purposes, such as feeding the homeless, animal shelters, cultural organizations for museums, giving back to Veterans, or even religious ones to donate your money, goods, or time to.

Every charity needs a way to organize employees and volunteers . Some  type of HR software is a must for many charity organizations to help them keep employees’ payroll and benefits together, simplify recruitment, and even ensure that they’re complying with employment laws.

Aiken House is a small business that has helped over 17+ businesses get their start, and can even help charities get started doing some good for the community. We’ll take you through the top 10 best HR software programs to look into with everything you need to know including:

• Focuses on practical recommendations for different charity types
• Emphasizes time-saving features for lean nonprofit teams
• Aiken House is your resource for the right tools for your charity or startup

The HR Challenges Charities Face—And How Software Can Help

Running a charity takes heart, dedication, and a team of passionate people working together to make a difference. But keeping track of employees, volunteers, payroll, and compliance? That can get overwhelming fast—especially when resources are limited. Unlike traditional businesses, charities rely on a mix of full-time staff, part-time workers, and volunteers, all with different needs. Without the right tools, HR tasks can pile up, leading to burnout, compliance issues, and even missed opportunities for growth.

The numbers say it all: Nearly 45% of nonprofits say managing HR is one of their biggest operational challenges. Organizations with structured HR systems experience 30% higher retention rates, which is critical for nonprofits that depend on long-term volunteers and staff, and even more than 60% of nonprofits report struggling to track employee performance and compliance effectively.

The good news? The right HR software can simplify these challenges and help charities focus on what matters most—their mission. Here’s what to look for when choosing the best HR solution for a nonprofit:

• Volunteer & Employee Management – Keep schedules, hours, and roles organized in one place.
• Payroll & Benefits Administration – Ensure timely paychecks and manage nonprofit-specific benefits.
• Compliance & Risk Management – Stay on top of labor laws, tax exemptions, and grant requirements.
• Recruiting & Onboarding Tools – Make it easy to hire and welcome new staff and volunteers.
• Performance & Engagement Tracking – Keep teams motivated and improve retention.
• Integration with Fundraising & Accounting Software – Sync HR with financial and donor management tools.
• Scalability & Affordability – Find a cost-effective option that can grow with your organization.

With the right HR software, charities can spend less time on admin work and more time making an impact. Next up, we’ll dive into 10 of the best HR software solutions designed to help small teams do big things.

10 HR Software Solutions That Empower Charities to Succeed

The right HR software can make all the difference for charities, helping them stay organized, manage teams efficiently, and focus on their mission. Whether it’s tracking volunteer hours, streamlining payroll, or keeping up with compliance, having the right tools in place can save time, cut down on administrative headaches, and even help nonprofits scale their impact.

1. Gusto

Website: Gusto

One of the most popular choices for small to mid-sized charities is Gusto, an intuitive HR platform that handles payroll, benefits administration, and compliance. Gusto’s automation features help nonprofits save time and reduce errors in tax filings, while its employee self-service portal makes it easy for staff to access their pay stubs and benefits information. Its affordability and scalability make it a great choice for growing charities.

At Aiken House, we love Gusto and we personally recommend it for all of your HR services. When you sign up for Gusto using our link, you’ll save $100 on your first payroll!

2. BambooHR

Website: BambooHR

Another excellent option is BambooHR, which is ideal for nonprofits looking for advanced HR and reporting tools. This cloud-based software offers applicant tracking, onboarding workflows, and performance management features, making it a strong choice for organizations that want to streamline hiring and ensure their teams remain engaged. With automated reporting, nonprofits can easily track employee progress, identify HR trends, and ensure compliance with labor laws.

3. Paycor

Website: Paycor

For mid-sized to large nonprofits, Paycor stands out as a strong contender. This HR and payroll platform includes powerful compliance tools specifically designed to meet nonprofit needs. It allows organizations to manage payroll seamlessly, create custom hiring workflows, and track employee performance. The platform also integrates with accounting and fundraising software, making it easier for charities to align their HR and financial operations.

4. TriNet

Website: TriNet

TriNet is a comprehensive HR solution designed for small to mid-sized organizations, including nonprofits and charities that need professional HR support without an in-house team. TriNet takes care of payroll, benefits administration, risk management, and compliance, allowing charities to focus on their mission rather than HR complexities. One of its biggest advantages is access to enterprise-level benefits, which can help nonprofits attract and retain top talent without the overhead of managing benefits internally. TriNet also offers industry-specific HR expertise, ensuring that charities remain compliant with labor laws and nonprofit regulations.

5. Deel

Website: Deel

For nonprofits that operate internationally or have remote teams, Deel offers a seamless way to manage payroll and compliance across different countries. Deel supports payments in over 150 currencies, ensures tax compliance in multiple regions, and even generates contracts tailored to each location’s regulations. This makes it a fantastic solution for charities working with global staff and contractors.

6. Rippling

Website: Rippling

If your nonprofit is looking for a highly customizable HR platform, Rippling is worth considering. This all-in-one solution combines HR, payroll, and IT management, making it particularly useful for charities with remote or hybrid teams. Rippling automates onboarding, offers custom workflows, and integrates with over 500 apps, allowing nonprofits to tailor the platform to their unique needs.

7. Justworks

Website: Justworks

For small charities that prefer a hands-off approach to HR, Justworks provides a professional employer organization (PEO) model, which means it handles HR, payroll, and compliance on behalf of the nonprofit. With full-service payroll and benefits management, compliance assistance, and 24/7 customer support, Justworks is a great option for charities that don’t have a dedicated HR team but still need reliable HR support.

8. PeopleHR

Website: PeopleHR

Charities that want data-driven HR insights should look into PeopleHR, a platform known for its strong reporting and analytics capabilities. PeopleHR helps nonprofits track employee performance, manage hiring processes, and automate compliance reporting. It also includes cloud-based document storage, making it easy for charities to keep all essential HR documents organized.

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9. BrightHR

Website: BrightHR

BrightHR is a great pick for small nonprofits that need straightforward HR management. This user-friendly platform helps charities maintain digital employee records, track absences, and ensure compliance with HR regulations. With a mobile app for easy access, BrightHR is particularly convenient for organizations that want a simple and affordable HR solution without the complexity of larger platforms.

10. Workable

Website: Workable

Workable is a powerful applicant tracking system (ATS) that helps charities streamline hiring. With AI-powered candidate sourcing, automated job postings, and collaborative hiring workflows, nonprofits can efficiently find and manage talent. Workable also includes compliance tools to ensure fair hiring practices and integrates with multiple job boards. Its scalability and ease of use make it a great choice for charities looking to build strong teams while staying organized.

Choosing the right HR software can help charities stay organized, save time, and ensure their teams remain engaged and supported. Whether you need a full-service payroll system, a customizable HR platform, or a nonprofit-specific solution, there are plenty of great options to fit your budget and needs. Next, we’ll explore how Aiken House can help charities not just with HR, but with every stage of growth—from securing funding to marketing and beyond.

Aiken House: Helping Small Teams Achieve Big Goals

Starting your own charity, or even helping to manage one can be a difficult task. Aiken House understands that businesses and charities require a lot of work in order to function efficiently. We offer tons of services to help you get your startup or charity up and running and all you need to do is schedule a consultation and take the next steps towards making a difference.

In the meantime, check out the top ten best HR software for your charity to keep your organization skills to a max!