Best 10 LMS for Charities to Effectively Train Volunteers and Staff

Running a charity takes more than good intentions. Teams need training. Volunteers need guidance. Supporters need to stay informed.

That’s where a learning management system (LMS) comes in. It helps charities save time, stay organized, and deliver training that sticks.

To make things easy, we’ve picked the top ten LMS platforms for charities. You’ll see what they do, what they cost, and which one might work best for your mission.

LMS Benefits for Charities

Training is vital for charities to equip staff and volunteers with the skills needed to fulfill their mission. Implementing a learning management system (LMS) can significantly enhance this process.​ Here’s a breakdown of some of the main benefits of a learning management system for charities:

• Cost efficiency: Transitioning to online training with a learning management system reduces expenses related to in-person sessions, such as travel and materials.
• Consistent training: A learning management system ensures uniform training delivery across various locations, maintaining consistency in organizational messaging. ​
• Scalability: As charities grow, a learning management system can easily accommodate a larger number of learners without significant additional costs.
• Remote accessibility: Staff and volunteers can access training materials from anywhere, facilitating flexible learning schedules. ​
• Enhanced engagement: Features like gamification in LMS platforms can boost learner engagement and retention.

The adoption of LMS platforms in the nonprofit sector is growing. The global LMS market for nonprofits was valued at approximately USD 1.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5% from 2023 to 2030.

In the following sections, we'll explore some of the top LMS options for charities, highlighting their features, benefits, and pricing to help you make a smart choice.

Best LMS for Charities: Our Top 10 Picks

Charities often work with small teams, tight budgets, and big goals. Training staff and volunteers can be tough when time and money are limited. That’s where a good LMS makes a big difference.

A learning management system helps you train people faster, keep things organized, and simply share knowledge. It also helps you stay on track with rules and grow your impact without extra costs.

Now that you know the benefits, let’s look at the best LMS options for charities—and how to pick the one that fits your needs best.

1. Coursebox AI (Best LMS for Charities Overall)

Coursebox AI makes online course creation fast and easy for charities. This platform uses smart AI tools to build course structures in minutes. No need for tech skills—just enter a topic, and the platform does the heavy lifting.

Videos, quizzes, and simple publishing options help keep learners engaged. Courses work well for volunteer training, staff education, or even fundraising through online sales. Each course can stay private, go public, or move to another platform if needed, making Coursebox AI one of the best LMS platforms for selling courses.

Coursebox AI has transparent pricing, and a free plan exists for charities, with low-cost upgrades that unlock more features. Support stays helpful and quick to respond when questions pop up.

On the flip side, customization tools feel limited, and some features take a little time to learn. Still, most charities will find strong value here—especially those needing speed, simplicity, and flexibility in one place.

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at $18/month/billed annually

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2. LearnWorlds (Best for Interactive and Mobile Learning)

LearnWorlds offers a flexible, user-friendly LMS that is perfect for charities. It makes creating interactive videos and custom learning experiences simple. With powerful AI tools, charities can build content quickly.

The platform also includes social features, helping engage volunteers and supporters. Advanced analytics track training progress, while live sessions and SCORM support make it even more versatile.

LearnWorlds is also one of the best mobile LMSs for learning on the go, allowing charities to create fully branded mobile apps for learners. Plus, LearnWorlds integrates with many third-party tools, adding even more possibilities to your learning platform.

Although LearnWorlds comes packed with powerful features, new users might find it a bit overwhelming at first. However, once you become familiar with the platform, the ease of use and wide range of tools make the platform a great choice for charities.

Pricing:

• 30-day free trial
• Paid plans start at $24/month/billed annually

3. TalentLMS (Best Budget-Friendly Option for Small Charities)

TalentLMS is a budget-friendly, cloud-based LMS that is perfect for smaller charities. It provides a good mix of features at a budget-friendly price. This platform adapts to changing training needs, supporting multiple audiences as charities grow. It also helps with sales training for fundraising efforts, making it a versatile choice.

TalentLMS supports SCORM and xAPI compliance, includes multi-language options for sharing knowledge, and works well on mobile devices with offline learning features.

The platform’s interface is easy to use, and creating interactive online courses is simple. Compliance and reporting features help charities track training progress effectively.

While TalentLMS is great for most basic needs, it lacks advanced customization options for the learning process and doesn’t offer specialized tools for fundraising training.

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at $109/month/billed annually

4. LearnUpon LMS (Best for Multi-Program Training and Integration)

LearnUpon LMS uses AI to make online course creation, training delivery, and learner engagement easier. A key feature, LearnUpon Anywhere, lets you add learning directly into a product, offering just-in-time training for users.

The platform allows charities to run different training programs through multi-portal functionality. It also has automation and reporting tools to track progress, along with gamification and social learning features that keep learners engaged.

LearnUpon is easy to set up, even for beginners. It includes tools like certificates and awards to boost engagement. It also supports multiple languages and offers special pricing for charities. LearnUpon integrates with CRM, webinars, and communication tools, making it a great choice for your charity’s needs.

However, LearnUpon lacks built-in fundraising tools, and it can be too expensive for smaller charities.

Pricing:

• Not disclosed

5. LearnDash (Best for WordPress-Based Charities)

LearnDash is a learning management system for charities using WordPress. If your charity has a WordPress site, this tool lets you control training roles, achievements, and certificates.

It features a drag-and-drop course builder and gamification tools like badges, points, and leaderboards. LearnDash also works with WooCommerce and donation platforms, which helps with fundraising.

You pay once, with no recurring fees, making it a budget-friendly and scalable LMS for startups, nonprofits, and charities. LearnDash gives you full control over branding and content. It also supports many media formats for courses. However, it needs WordPress hosting and doesn’t offer built-in video conferencing.

Pricing:

• No free plan or trial
• Paid plans start at $25/month/billed annually

6. 360Learning (Best for Collaborative and Peer Learning)

360Learning offers a platform for charities to create interactive and collaborative training programs. It allows staff and volunteers to contribute to course content, encouraging knowledge sharing. The platform is easy to use and mobile-friendly, making learning accessible on different devices.

360Learning helps charities build teamwork and promote peer-to-peer learning. It integrates well with other tools, streamlining training processes.

However, some users find that the platform's features take time to fully learn. Also, the platform may lack some advanced gamification features, which could limit engagement for certain charities.

Pricing:

• No free plan
• 30-day free trial
• Paid plans start at $8/user/month

7. Bamboo HR (Best for Training + HR in One Platform)

BambooHR helps charities manage training and development by integrating with HR tools. This LMS for HR simplifies onboarding and compliance tracking, making it easy for charities to stay on top of essential training.

The platform’s user-friendly interface and strong analytics features help charities track employee progress and engagement.

BambooHR can be especially helpful for charities aiming to improve staff retention and streamline the learning process. However, it may lack some advanced features for larger organizations with more complex needs.

Pricing:

• 14-day free trial
• Pricing not disclosed

8. Gusto (Best for Basic Training with HR & Payroll)

Gusto combines payroll, HR, and basic training management, which works well for small to mid-sized charities. It may not be a full LMS, but it helps charities manage onboarding and compliance training along with employee records. This makes it easier to keep everything in one place, saving time and effort.

Gusto is a simple option for charities that don’t need complex training features but still want to streamline their processes. However, it may not have the depth of training tools found in dedicated LMS platforms.

Pricing:

• Free trial available
• Paid plans start at $49/month

9. Lifter LMS (Best Free LMS Plugin for WordPress)

LifterLMS is a WordPress plugin designed for building online courses. It offers a library of content to help charities create effective training programs.

This platform is great for charities that want to create and manage courses on their WordPress site, but it may not have the same level of support as more dedicated LMS platforms.

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at $149.50/annually

10. Moodle (Best Free LMS for Tech-Savvy Charities)

This open-source LMS gives charities the freedom to customize training programs according to specific needs. Flexible and cost-effective, it offers powerful reporting tools and supports self-paced learning.

Charities can create tailored courses for staff and volunteers, offering control over content and delivery. While the setup may require some technical expertise, Moodle delivers a highly customizable solution for organizations that need a hands-on approach to training.

Pricing:

• Free

Choosing the Best LMS for Charities

There’s a wide range of LMS options out there. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a list of key things to look for:

Easy for Everyone to Use

Choose a learning management system that’s simple to use for both your team and your learners. You shouldn’t need tech skills to build a course or take one. Look for a clean layout, drag-and-drop tools, and easy navigation. If it’s clear and smooth, people will actually enjoy using it.

Grows With You

Your LMS should work just as well for 10 users as it does for 1,000. Make sure it can grow with your charity without slowing down. The right platform will support you now and as you expand your reach.

Good Value, Not Just Low Price

Find a balance between affordability and quality. A cheaper LMS might cost you more in frustration. Go for one with fair, transparent pricing—bonus if they offer nonprofit discounts—so you know what you’re getting without surprises.

Works Well With Your Other Tools

Pick a platform that connects easily with the systems you already use—like your donor database, email tools, or calendar. Integrations save time and help everything run smoothly.

Ready for Global Learning

If your charity supports people in different parts of the world, make sure your LMS does too. Look for language options, mobile-friendly design, and features that help you reach learners across time zones and devices.

Lets You Use Your Charity’s Branding

Branding matters. Choose a reputable LMS like Coursebox AI that lets you add your logo, colors, tone, and style to your courses. This builds trust and helps your charity look professional and consistent.

Gives You Helpful Reports

You need to know what’s working. Pick a learning management system with easy-to-read reports that show course progress, quiz results, and completion rates. This helps you improve your training and show your impact.

Includes Quizzes and Feedback Tools

Assessments keep learners engaged and help them remember what they learn. Go for a platform with flexible quiz options, feedback forms, and maybe even fun features like timers or badges.

Offers Good Support

Tech problems can happen. Choose a platform with helpful support, tutorials, and training resources. It’s better to have someone ready to help when you need it most—especially before a big launch.

Try Before You Buy

Most LMS platforms offer free demos. Try a few out before making your choice. It’s the best way to see what feels right for your team.

Empower Your Charity with Coursebox AI!

In conclusion, choosing the right LMS is essential for your charity’s success. A study by the Brandon Hall Group shows that 70% of organizations regret their LMS choice within the first year, often due to rushing the decision and not having a clear plan.

Coursebox AI offers easy-to-use features, AI-driven course creation, and flexibility, making it a strong option for your charity. Book a demo today to see if it fits your needs. Make sure to choose a learning management system that matches your goals.