Later For Non Profits: Social Media Scheduling Later Visual Planning
Struggling to maintain a cohesive, professional Instagram presence while posting across multiple platforms, worrying whether your grid looks messy, and manually scheduling posts at random times—only to see inconsistent engagement? Later transforms your nonprofit's visual storytelling with an Instagram-first platform that lets you drag-and-drop posts to preview exactly how your feed will look before publishing, automatically posts to nine platforms when your audience is most active, includes a free Link in Bio tool that turns followers into website visitors, and provides conversation management for engaging supporters—all at 50% off for nonprofits (or FREE for social justice organizations).
What Later Does
Posting to Instagram without seeing how new content fits your overall aesthetic? Manually scheduling across Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms one by one? Losing potential donors because Instagram doesn't allow clickable links in posts? Later is a visual-first social media scheduling platform that enables nonprofits to plan, schedule, and publish content across nine platforms—with exceptional Instagram tools including grid preview, auto-publishing, Stories scheduling, hashtag analytics, and a free Link in Bio tool that converts followers into action-takers.
Later's defining feature for nonprofits is the visual Instagram grid preview—a game-changing planning tool that shows exactly how your feed will look before you publish anything. When you're preparing a fundraising campaign series, event promotion, or awareness month content, simply drag-and-drop your posts within Later's calendar to see how colors, images, and messaging flow together. Does the visual story make sense? Are you alternating between program photos and impact graphics effectively? Is the overall aesthetic consistent with your brand? The grid preview answers these questions before publishing, preventing the disjointed, unprofessional feeds that result from post-by-post Instagram management.
The platform's multi-platform auto-publishing eliminates the tedious work of manually posting the same content to different channels. Create a volunteer recruitment post with a compelling photo, and Later automatically publishes it to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X (Twitter), YouTube, Threads, and Snapchat at optimal times for each platform. No more copying and pasting between apps, remembering different image dimensions, or setting multiple phone alarms to post manually. One workflow, nine platforms, zero manual posting—unless platform restrictions require it (LinkedIn and X have API limitations that require notification-based posting).
Later's Best Time to Post AI addresses the critical question every nonprofit social media manager faces: when should we actually post? The platform analyzes your audience's historical engagement patterns across each platform and identifies the specific days and times when your followers are most active and likely to engage. Schedule a week's worth of content in an hour on Monday morning, and Later automatically queues everything for maximum visibility throughout the week—your Tuesday morning post goes out when Tuesday morning performs best for your unique audience, not when a generic "social media best practices" article suggests.
The included Linkin.bio tool solves Instagram's "no clickable links in posts" limitation that frustrates every nonprofit trying to drive traffic from Instagram to donation pages, event registrations, blog posts, or volunteer applications. Rather than constantly changing your single bio link or telling followers "link in bio" with no specificity, Later creates a custom landing page with multiple links tied to your recent posts. Post about your upcoming gala? Linkin.bio automatically creates a clickable link to the ticket page. Share impact statistics? Link directly to the full report. Promote a volunteer opportunity? Link to the application form. Followers tap your bio link, see a visual grid matching your Instagram feed, and click through to the specific content that brought them there.
Later's visual content calendar provides the big-picture view essential for strategic storytelling. Rather than seeing scheduled posts as lines of text in a database, you see a calendar filled with your actual images, videos, and graphics. This visual approach makes it immediately obvious when you're posting too much of one content type, when there are gaps in your schedule, when color palettes clash, or when messaging feels repetitive. For nonprofits managing awareness campaigns, fundraising drives, program promotions, and ongoing engagement content simultaneously, the visual calendar prevents content chaos and ensures balanced, strategic storytelling.
The platform's hashtag suggestion feature, powered by AI and real-time trend analysis, expands your content's reach beyond your existing followers. When creating posts, Later recommends relevant hashtags based on your content, trending topics in your sector, and what's currently performing well on each platform. The tool balances popular hashtags (broad reach, high competition) with niche hashtags (targeted audiences, higher engagement rates) to maximize discoverability. Rather than using the same 15 generic nonprofit hashtags on every post, you get strategic, content-specific recommendations that help new supporters find your organization.
Later's media library with tags and folders transforms the overwhelming task of managing hundreds or thousands of photos, videos, and graphics into an organized, searchable system. Upload all your program photos, event shots, infographics, and branded templates once, tag them by campaign, program, or content type, and instantly find the right asset when creating posts. Planning a summer camp campaign? Pull up all summer camp photos with two clicks. Need behind-the-scenes volunteer content? Filter by that tag. This organizational system saves hours of searching through phone camera rolls, email attachments, and scattered Google Drive folders.
The Conversation Management feature (available on Growth plan and above) unifies comments and direct messages from Instagram and Facebook into a single inbox, enabling efficient community engagement without constantly switching between apps. When supporters comment on your volunteer recruitment post, ask questions about your programs, or send donation inquiries via DM, you can respond from Later's dashboard, assign conversations to team members, mark items as resolved, and ensure no engagement falls through the cracks. For nonprofits where timely, personal responses build donor relationships and volunteer commitment, this centralized engagement hub prevents the common problem of unanswered comments buried in notification overload.
What distinguishes Later from both manual Instagram posting and general social media management tools is the visual-first design philosophy combined with Instagram expertise. The platform was built specifically for Instagram before expanding to other networks, so Instagram features—grid preview, Stories scheduling, hashtag performance tracking, Linkin.bio—are exceptionally well-developed. If your nonprofit's visual storytelling matters, if Instagram is a primary supporter engagement channel, or if you've ever looked at your feed and thought "this looks messy and unprofessional," Later provides the planning tools to build cohesive, compelling visual narratives that advance your mission.
Best For
Organization Size
Ideal for small to mid-sized nonprofits (3-50 staff) where visual storytelling is central to mission communication. Particularly valuable for organizations with active Instagram presence (or wanting to build one) and limited marketing staff (0.5-2 FTE on communications) who need professional visual consistency without dedicated social media managers or designers. The free tier works for grassroots organizations testing visual planning; paid plans with nonprofit discount provide professional features at accessible pricing ($12.50-40/month).
Best Use Cases
- Nonprofits with active Instagram presence who need to maintain cohesive visual aesthetics and brand consistency
- Organizations running visual campaigns (fundraising drives, awareness months, event promotions) requiring coordinated multi-post storytelling
- Teams managing content across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms who want to batch-create and schedule efficiently
- Nonprofits frustrated by Instagram's link limitations who need to drive traffic to donation pages, event registrations, and volunteer applications
- Organizations promoting programs through visual storytelling: environmental conservation, arts/culture, youth development, animal welfare, community development
- Communications teams who think visually and prefer drag-and-drop planning over text-based content calendars
Ideal For
Roles: Social Media Managers, Communications Directors, Marketing Coordinators, Development Directors (fundraising storytelling), Program Managers (showcasing impact), Volunteer Coordinators (recruitment campaigns), Brand/Creative Directors, Community Engagement Staff
Team Types: Marketing teams building visual brand presence, fundraising teams running campaigns, program teams showcasing impact through photos/videos, advocacy teams mobilizing supporters visually, small nonprofit leadership managing social media alongside other responsibilities
Key Features for Nonprofits
Visual Instagram Grid Preview
See exactly how your Instagram feed will look before publishing anything. Drag-and-drop scheduled posts to rearrange order, ensuring colors flow harmoniously, messaging tells a cohesive story, and overall aesthetics align with your brand. Plan entire campaigns visually—fundraising drives, awareness months, event promotions—to create professional, intentional feeds that build credibility and supporter trust. Eliminates the disjointed, reactive posting that makes feeds look unprofessional.
- Drag-and-drop post rearrangement for perfect visual flow
- Color palette analysis for brand consistency
- Campaign-level visual storytelling planning
Multi-Platform Auto-Publishing
Create once, publish everywhere. Later automatically publishes scheduled content to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X (Twitter), YouTube, Threads, and Snapchat—eliminating manual copying, pasting, and platform-switching. Set up a week's content in one session and Later handles all publishing at optimal times. Mobile notifications for platforms with API restrictions (LinkedIn, X) make even manual posting effortless. Saves 5-8 hours weekly for multi-platform nonprofits.
- Nine platform support: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X, YouTube, Threads, Snapchat
- True auto-publish on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest
- Mobile notifications for LinkedIn, X (platform API limitations)
Best Time to Post AI
AI analyzes your audience's engagement patterns across each platform and identifies optimal posting times unique to your followers. No generic "post at 10am" advice—Later learns when your specific supporters are most active and likely to engage. Schedule posts and let the AI automatically queue them for maximum reach, or view AI recommendations and choose timing manually. Typically increases post reach by 25-35% compared to random scheduling.
- Platform-specific timing (Instagram peak differs from LinkedIn)
- Audience-specific analysis (your followers, not generic data)
- Auto-queue or manual override options
Link in Bio Tool (Linkin.bio)
Included free on all plans. Solves Instagram's single-link limitation by creating a custom landing page with unlimited links tied to your posts. Post about your gala? Linkin.bio automatically adds a ticket purchase link. Share impact stats? Link to the full report. Promote volunteer opportunities? Link to applications. Followers tap your bio link, see a visual grid matching your Instagram, and click through to relevant content. Converts Instagram engagement into website traffic, donations, and volunteer applications.
- Unlimited links tied to specific Instagram posts
- Visual grid layout matching Instagram aesthetic
- Analytics tracking clicks and traffic sources
Visual Content Calendar
See your scheduled content as a visual calendar filled with actual images and videos, not text lists. Instantly identify content gaps, color clashes, repetitive messaging, and unbalanced posting schedules. Drag-and-drop to rearrange, duplicate successful posts, or fill gaps with new content. Essential for strategic planning: visualize entire awareness campaigns, fundraising drives, or event promotion series before execution. Prevents content chaos and ensures balanced, intentional storytelling.
- Visual preview of all scheduled content by day/week/month
- Drag-and-drop rescheduling and content organization
- Color-coded campaign and content type tagging
Hashtag Suggestions & Analytics
AI recommends relevant hashtags based on your content, trending topics, and what's performing well in your sector. Later also tracks hashtag performance over time—which hashtags drive the most reach, engagement, and follower growth for your specific account. Save high-performing hashtag sets for easy reuse, discover niche nonprofit hashtags, and avoid banned or low-performing tags. Typically increases post reach by 20-30% through strategic hashtag optimization.
- AI-powered hashtag suggestions based on content
- Performance analytics showing top-performing hashtags
- Saved hashtag sets for campaigns and content types
Media Library with Tags & Folders
Upload and organize all your visual content—photos, videos, graphics, templates—in one searchable library. Tag assets by campaign, program, season, content type, or any custom category. Create folders for different initiatives. When creating posts, instantly search and filter to find the exact image you need without digging through camera rolls or scattered drives. Supports bulk uploading. Critical for nonprofits managing hundreds or thousands of visual assets across multiple programs and campaigns.
- Unlimited storage (Growth plan and above)
- Custom tagging and folder organization
- Search and filter to find assets instantly
Conversation Management
Unified inbox for Instagram and Facebook comments and direct messages (Growth plan and above). Respond to supporter questions, thank donors, answer volunteer inquiries, and engage community members from one dashboard instead of switching between apps. Assign conversations to team members, mark as resolved, add internal notes, and ensure no engagement falls through cracks. Critical for nonprofits where timely, personal responses build relationships and convert interest into action.
- Unified Instagram + Facebook inbox
- Team assignment and conversation tracking
- Internal notes and resolution status
Analytics Dashboard
Track engagement rates, reach, follower growth, and link clicks across all platforms in one dashboard. Identify top-performing posts, optimal content types, and audience preferences. Export reports for board presentations or grant applications. Analytics focus on actionable insights—which content drives engagement, what posting patterns work, how campaigns perform—rather than vanity metrics. Helps refine strategy based on actual performance data, not assumptions.
- Cross-platform performance comparison
- Top posts, hashtags, and content type analysis
- Exportable reports (PDF, CSV)
User-Generated Content Discovery
Search Instagram by hashtag or location to find and save user-generated content (UGC) featuring your organization—supporter photos from events, volunteer testimonials, community impact moments. Request permission to repost directly through Later, then schedule UGC alongside your original content. Powerful for building authentic social proof, showcasing real impact, and engaging supporters by featuring their stories. Saves hours of manual UGC hunting.
- Hashtag and location-based content search
- Permission request workflow built-in
- Save and schedule UGC with proper attribution
Team Collaboration
Enable multiple staff members or volunteers to contribute content with role-based permissions (Growth plan: 5 users, Advanced plan: unlimited users). Assign drafting, approval, and publishing roles. Leave internal notes on posts. Create workflows where program staff contribute content and communications directors approve before publication. Prevents bottlenecks and distributes social media workload across teams without losing quality control.
- Role-based permissions (admin, contributor, viewer)
- Internal notes and collaborative editing
- Activity log for accountability
Mobile Apps (iOS & Android)
Full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android enable on-the-go content creation and scheduling. At an event? Snap photos, upload to Later, write captions, and schedule posts immediately from your phone. Approve scheduled content while traveling. Respond to comments from the field. The mobile experience matches desktop functionality—critical for nonprofits where communications staff are often in the field, at events, or managing programs alongside social media.
- Full scheduling and editing capabilities on mobile
- Grid preview and visual planning from phone
- Push notifications for approvals and publishing
Real-World Nonprofit Use
A youth arts nonprofit with 12 staff members and active Instagram presence (8,000 followers) was struggling to maintain visual consistency while managing content across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Their communications coordinator spent 10+ hours weekly creating posts, manually publishing to each platform, and constantly changing the single Instagram bio link to match current promotions. Despite posting frequently, their Instagram feed looked disjointed—random colors, inconsistent messaging, no cohesive visual story—undermining the professional, creative brand they wanted to project.
After implementing Later with the Growth plan (50% nonprofit discount = $22.50/month), they established a streamlined visual planning workflow: Every Monday, the coordinator spends 90 minutes batch-creating a week's worth of content from recent program photos, student artwork, and upcoming event promotions. Using Later's visual grid preview, they drag-and-drop posts to ensure color harmony, alternate between student spotlights and program information, and create intentional visual narratives that showcase their creative mission. Later's Best Time to Post AI automatically queues everything for optimal engagement times across all four platforms.
Within two months, the organization saw transformative results: social media management time dropped from 10 hours to 2.5 hours weekly (75% reduction), Instagram engagement rate jumped from 2.3% to 4.8% (109% increase), and most importantly, their Instagram feed became a cohesive, professional showcase of student creativity that attracted new donors, volunteers, and program participants. The coordinator attributed much of the engagement boost to visual consistency—when followers see a beautiful, intentional grid, they perceive the organization as more professional and trustworthy, making them more likely to engage, donate, or volunteer.
The Linkin.bio tool proved especially valuable for fundraising. When promoting their annual spring gala through a series of Instagram posts (performer announcements, ticket deadlines, impact stories), each post's Linkin.bio link directed followers to the specific relevant page—ticket purchase for the performer announcement, auction preview for the auction post, impact report for the impact stories. Website traffic from Instagram tripled, and online ticket sales from Instagram-sourced visitors increased 180% compared to their previous "link in bio" approach that only offered one generic link. Visual planning plus strategic linking turned Instagram from a passive engagement channel into an active fundraising and recruitment tool.
Pricing
Standard Pricing
Free Plan
$0/month
- • 1 social set (all platforms connected as one set)
- • 30 scheduled posts at a time
- • Link in Bio tool included
- • Basic analytics
- • Instagram grid preview
Starter Plan
$25/month ($12.50/month with 50% nonprofit discount)
- • 1 social set
- • Unlimited posts
- • Link in Bio tool
- • Best Time to Post
- • Advanced analytics
- • Hashtag suggestions
Growth Plan
$45/month ($22.50/month with 50% discount OR FREE for social justice nonprofits)
- • 3 social sets
- • 5 users
- • Everything in Starter
- • ✅ Conversation management (unified inbox)
- • User-generated content tools
- • Advanced analytics
- • Unlimited media storage
Advanced Plan
$80/month ($40/month with 50% nonprofit discount)
- • 6 social sets
- • Unlimited users
- • Everything in Growth
- • Advanced analytics and reporting
- • Priority support
Free Trial
14-day free trial of paid plans, no credit card required
Note: Social Sets Explained
A "social set" is a connected group of all your social profiles (Instagram + Facebook + TikTok + LinkedIn, etc. = 1 social set). Most small nonprofits only need 1 social set. Larger organizations managing multiple programs or chapters may need multiple sets.
Note: Pricing information is subject to change. Please verify current pricing and nonprofit discount eligibility directly with Later.
đź’° Nonprofit Discount
Later offers 50% off all paid plans for registered nonprofits—one of the most generous nonprofit discounts in the social media management category. Even better: social justice nonprofits can receive the Growth plan 100% FREE through Later's social impact program.
How to Access Nonprofit Discount:
- Sign up for a Later account (free tier to start)
- Contact Later support and request nonprofit discount
- Provide 501(c)(3) documentation or equivalent nonprofit registration
- Social justice organizations: apply for FREE Growth plan through Later's social impact program
Estimated Cost for Typical Nonprofit
Growth plan (3 social sets, 5 users, conversation management, advanced analytics):
$22.50/month or $270/year
(Regular price: $45/month or $540/year)
Starter plan (1 social set, unlimited posts, advanced features):
$12.50/month or $150/year
(Regular price: $25/month or $300/year)
đź’š Social Justice Nonprofits: FREE Growth Plan
Organizations focused on racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, immigrant rights, and related causes may qualify for the Growth plan at no cost. Contact Later to inquire about eligibility.
Learning Curve
Learning Curve: Beginner
Visual thinkers and creatives can use effectively within 30-60 minutes
Time to First Value
- Initial setup: 30-45 minutes (account creation, connecting social accounts, exploring visual interface)
- First scheduled posts with grid preview: 20-30 minutes (create content, see grid preview, schedule)
- Basic proficiency: 2-3 hours of regular use (comfortable with visual planning, batch creation, analytics)
- Advanced proficiency: 1-2 weeks (mastering campaign planning, media library organization, team workflows)
Technical Requirements
- Familiarity with Instagram and other social platforms
- Admin/business account access to organization's social media
- Basic visual/design sensibility (helpful for grid planning)
- No coding required—completely visual drag-and-drop interface
Support Available
- Comprehensive help center with tutorials and guides
- Video tutorial library covering all features
- Email support (all plans, faster response on paid plans)
- Active Instagram presence with tips and tutorials
- Later Academy (free online courses)
Quick Win: Your First 24 Hours
Want to see immediate value? Try this simple experiment:
- 1. Connect your Instagram account (10 minutes)
Link your nonprofit's Instagram business account to Later - 2. Create 6 posts and see grid preview (30 minutes)
Upload images, write captions, drag-and-drop to arrange. Watch the grid preview update in real-time. - 3. Schedule using Best Time to Post AI (5 minutes)
Let Later's AI identify optimal posting times and auto-queue your content - 4. Set up Linkin.bio with 3-5 links (10 minutes)
Add links to donation page, upcoming event, volunteer application, latest blog post - 5. Compare engagement after one week
Check if visual consistency and AI-optimized timing improve engagement vs. your previous approach
What you'll learn:
Whether visual planning and strategic timing actually improve engagement for your audience. Most nonprofits see 25-40% higher engagement rates and significantly more professional-looking feeds.
Time invested: 55 minutes
Potential insight: Data-driven confirmation of Later's value for your organization's visual storytelling
Integration & Compatibility
Connects With
Social Media Platforms
Instagram (personal and business profiles), Facebook Pages, TikTok, LinkedIn (personal and company pages), Pinterest, X (Twitter), YouTube, Threads, Snapchat
Design & Content Tools
Canva (direct integration for creating and editing visuals), Unsplash (stock photos within Later), Google Drive (import media)
Automation & Workflow
Zapier (connect to 5,000+ apps including email platforms, CRMs, project management tools), Later API for custom integrations
Browser & Mobile
Chrome extension (share web content directly to Later), iOS app (full functionality), Android app (full functionality)
Analytics & Link Tools
Linkin.bio (included free on all plans), Google Analytics (track social traffic), built-in platform analytics
Platform Availability
- Web-based: Works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (no installation required)
- Mobile apps: iOS 13+ and Android 8+ (full scheduling and grid preview on mobile)
- Browser extension: Chrome (save and schedule content from any webpage)
- No desktop app required (cloud-based, accessible anywhere)
Data Portability
- âś… Full export of scheduled posts and media library
- âś… Analytics reports (CSV, PDF export)
- âś… API access for data extraction
- ⚠️ Social media accounts remain yours (disconnect Later anytime, no platform data loss)
- ⚠️ Switching tools requires recreating scheduled content and media organization
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive visual interface: Drag-and-drop grid planning feels natural for visual thinkers—easier to master than text-heavy alternatives
- Unmatched Instagram grid preview: See exactly how your feed will look before publishing—game-changing for maintaining professional aesthetics
- Generous 50% nonprofit discount: Plus 100% FREE Growth plan for social justice nonprofits—one of the best nonprofit programs in the category
- Link in Bio included free: Solves Instagram's clickability problem on all plans, including free tier—saves $10-20/month vs. standalone tools
- Strong mobile apps: Full functionality on iOS and Android—create and schedule content from events, in the field, or on-the-go
- Time-saving batch workflow: Visual calendar makes batch content creation efficient—reduces social media work from 10+ hours to 2-3 hours weekly
- Regular platform updates: Later consistently adds new platform support and features—TikTok, Threads, Snapchat added recently
Cons
- Limited analytics depth: Reporting covers basics but lacks deep insights—sufficient for small nonprofits but not comprehensive data analysis
- Social set limitations can be confusing: Understanding what constitutes a "social set" requires explanation—may need higher plans for multiple programs/chapters
- No CRM or donor tool integration: Focuses on social media publishing, not fundraising—requires Zapier to connect with nonprofit CRMs
- Auto-publish limitations on some platforms: LinkedIn and X require manual posting via notifications due to platform API restrictions (not Later's fault)
- No native A/B testing: Cannot split-test different captions, images, or posting times within Later—manual experimentation required
- Basic comment moderation: Conversation management (Growth+) is simpler than dedicated community management tools—no advanced filtering or automation
- Learning curve for advanced features: While basic scheduling is intuitive, mastering media library organization and campaign planning takes practice
Alternatives to Consider
If Later doesn't feel like the right fit, consider:
More AI-powered content generation, less visual planning. Starts at $6/month per channel. Stronger AI writing features help create post copy from prompts, while Later focuses on visual organization. Better for text-focused platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter/X) or nonprofits prioritizing AI writing assistance over Instagram aesthetics. No nonprofit discount, but lower baseline cost may offset.
Choose Buffer if: You need strong AI content writing assistance, manage many platforms equally (not Instagram-focused), prefer text-based planning over visual grids, or want lowest-cost option with AI features.
Enterprise-grade platform with advanced monitoring and analytics. Starts at $99/month (10% nonprofit discount via TechSoup). More comprehensive social listening, deeper analytics, advanced team workflows, and sophisticated scheduling. Better for larger nonprofits (50+ staff) needing to monitor brand mentions, track sector conversations, or manage complex multi-team workflows. Steeper learning curve.
Choose Hootsuite if: You need social listening to monitor conversations about your cause, require comprehensive analytics dashboards for board reporting, manage large teams with complex approval workflows, or have budget for enterprise tools.
Design-first approach with integrated scheduling. FREE for nonprofits. Canva's Content Planner (built into Canva Pro) allows design and scheduling in one platform. Better for nonprofits where design creation is the bottleneck and scheduling is secondary. Less sophisticated scheduling features than Later, but unbeatable price (free) and seamless design-to-publish workflow.
Choose Canva if: Design creation takes more time than scheduling, you're already using Canva for graphics, budget is extremely tight (free vs. $12.50-22.50/month), or you want all-in-one design and publishing.
Meta Business Suite
Free native scheduling for Facebook and Instagram. $0/month. Meta's official tool for managing Facebook and Instagram. Basic scheduling, insights, and inbox management at no cost. Better than nothing for very small organizations managing only Facebook and Instagram. No grid preview, limited to Meta platforms, basic analytics, clunky interface compared to Later.
Choose Meta Business Suite if: You only manage Facebook and Instagram, budget is absolutely zero, and you can tolerate limited functionality and no visual planning features.
Why You Might Choose Later Instead
- Best Instagram grid preview: Unmatched visual planning tool for maintaining cohesive, professional Instagram aesthetics
- Generous 50% nonprofit discount: Makes Later more affordable than Buffer or Hootsuite for most nonprofits
- Visual-first workflow: Easier for creative, visual thinkers than text-heavy alternatives
- Link in Bio included free: Saves $10-20/month vs. standalone tools and seamlessly integrates with scheduling
- Multi-platform without platform limitations: Supports 9 platforms (more than Meta Business Suite, comparable to Buffer/Hootsuite)
Getting Started
Your First Week with Later
1Sign Up and Connect Instagram (15 minutes)
Create a free Later account at later.com and connect your organization's Instagram business account first. Then add Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, or other platforms as needed. Start with Instagram to experience Later's signature grid preview feature.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip:
You'll need an Instagram Business or Creator account (not personal) to enable auto-publishing. Convert in Instagram settings: Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account.
2Upload Media and Organize Library (30 minutes)
Upload 15-20 of your organization's best photos, program images, event shots, and graphics to Later's media library. Create folders by campaign or program (Fundraising, Volunteer Recruitment, Program Impact, Events). Tag assets so you can find them easily later. This upfront organization saves hours when creating future posts.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip:
Use descriptive tags like "summer-camp-2024," "volunteer-action-shots," "impact-infographics" rather than generic tags. Your future self will thank you when searching for specific content.
3Create and Schedule 6 Posts with Grid Preview (45 minutes)
Create 6 Instagram posts for the upcoming week. Write captions, add hashtags (use Later's suggestions), and drag-and-drop posts in the grid preview to arrange them visually. Watch how colors, themes, and messaging flow together. Rearrange until the visual story feels cohesive. Use "Best Time to Post" to schedule automatically.
- Mix content types: impact story, volunteer spotlight, program photo, donation appeal, educational post, behind-the-scenes
- Ensure color variety—don't post three blue images in a row
- Alternate between text-heavy graphics and clean photos
4Set Up Linkin.bio (15 minutes)
Configure your Linkin.bio landing page with 4-6 essential links: donation page, upcoming event, volunteer application, latest blog post or newsletter, program information, contact/general info. Customize the layout and colors to match your brand. Update your Instagram bio link to your Linkin.bio URL.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip:
As you schedule posts in Later, add corresponding links to Linkin.bio. Later automatically associates links with posts, creating a visual grid that followers can click through.
5Review Analytics After One Week (Ongoing)
After your scheduled posts publish, review Later's analytics to see what performed best. Look for patterns:
- Which content types drove the most engagement? (impact stories vs. event promotions vs. volunteer spotlights)
- Did AI-recommended posting times actually improve reach?
- Which hashtags drove the most reach and profile visits?
- How many clicks did Linkin.bio generate? Which links were most popular?
Use these insights to refine your visual strategy, content mix, and hashtag approach in subsequent weeks.
🤝 Need Implementation Support?
Building a cohesive visual social media strategy can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing programs, fundraising, and operations. If you'd like expert guidance getting started with Later—from account setup to visual storytelling strategy to team training—we're here to help.
One Hundred Nights offers implementation support, from quick setup assistance to comprehensive social media strategy development and staff training. We'll help you maximize Later's visual planning features, create sustainable content workflows, develop cohesive brand aesthetics, and build Instagram presence that advances your mission.
Contact Us to Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Does Later offer a nonprofit discount?
Yes, Later offers a generous 50% nonprofit discount on all paid plans. Additionally, social justice nonprofits can receive the Growth plan 100% FREE. There's also a free tier (1 social set, 30 scheduled posts at a time) that works well for small organizations testing visual-first social media management. Most nonprofits will benefit from the Starter plan at $12.50/month with the nonprofit discount.
How long does it take to implement Later?
Initial setup takes 30-45 minutes (account creation, connecting social accounts, exploring the visual interface). You can start scheduling posts with grid preview immediately. Basic proficiency typically takes 2-3 hours of regular use. Mastering visual planning, batch creation workflows, and analytics features usually takes 1-2 weeks.
Does Later integrate with other nonprofit tools?
Yes, Later integrates with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X (Twitter), YouTube, Threads, and Snapchat. It also connects deeply with Canva for design creation, includes a free Link in Bio tool (Linkin.bio), and offers browser extensions for content sharing. Zapier integration enables connection to email marketing platforms and other tools. However, Later focuses primarily on visual content scheduling rather than deep CRM integration.
What's the difference between Later and Buffer for nonprofits?
Later offers a visual-first approach with exceptional Instagram grid preview and planning tools, plus a 50% nonprofit discount (Buffer has no nonprofit discount). Later excels at visual content calendar and batch creation workflows. Buffer provides stronger AI content generation and is more platform-agnostic. Choose Later if Instagram is a primary channel and visual aesthetics are critical; choose Buffer for multi-platform balance and AI writing assistance.
Can Later help increase Instagram engagement for my nonprofit?
Yes. Later's visual grid preview helps maintain aesthetic consistency, Best Time to Post AI identifies when your audience is most active, hashtag suggestions expand reach, and analytics show what content resonates. The visual planning approach helps nonprofits tell cohesive visual stories that build stronger audience connections. Organizations using Later typically see 25-40% improvement in engagement rates and maintain more consistent, professional-looking Instagram feeds.
Do I need technical skills to use Later?
No technical skills required. If you can post to Instagram directly and have basic design skills, you can use Later. The interface is highly visual and intuitive—drag-and-drop grid planning, visual calendar, simple scheduling. No coding, complex setup, or technical knowledge needed. Most users master basic features within an hour. The visual approach is often easier for creative staff than text-heavy alternatives.
Resources
Official Resources
Learning Resources
Ready to Transform Your Visual Storytelling?
Start with Later's free tier today, or schedule a consultation to discuss how visual-first social media planning can advance your nonprofit's mission.