Establishing a tech suite is one of the core actions that can allow modern nonprofit organizations to operate seamlessly. Google for Nonprofits offers a diverse and useful range of tech tools to support nonprofits. With the awareness of the budget and other resource constraints that NPOs face, this Google Workspace was created to support the work of charity organizations globally.
Here, we break down what Google for Nonprofits is, what your nonprofit gains from creating an account, and the program’s eligibility requirements.
Google for Nonprofits is a system that offers eligible charity organizations advanced Google tools with the aim of bolstering the work of nonprofits. The program is available in over 65 countries and includes premium Google business products like Workspace, Google Ad Grants, and more. These are available at no cost to nonprofits compared to the fees for other G Suite plans.
To access this free offer, all your organization needs to do is fulfill eligibility conditions when applying. We’ll discuss these conditions below.
The most obvious benefit of using this Google for Nonprofits platform is that you gain access to premium infrastructure at no cost. Your nonprofit secures trusted and tested digital platforms that can help you better run your organization.
With the available Google for Nonprofit tools, you can increase productivity, improve digital marketing, enhance communication and administrative task completion, and much more.
Google systems also have excellent team management capabilities. All of the available platforms have ‘team’ features that will allow your team to work efficiently, keep track of updates, stay in tune, and much more. You can remove some of the inefficiencies that arise when your team isn’t connected and the silos that form without harmonious communication.
Some of the benefits of this program are also inherent in the tools that are available to your nonprofit. Here’s how your company can benefit from using these premium platforms.
Ad Grants is one of the most popular and beneficial features for charitable organizations in the program. Ad Grants provides eligible organizations up to $10,000 per month for Google Search marketing spending. You can use the funds to improve your marketing and brand visibility through Google Ads. Furthermore, you can receive assistance from expert professionals who can help you manage your account and Ads.
In addition to this, you can use the Ad Grants and Google Analytics tools to track ad performance. Monitor conversions made from each ad like signups, new volunteers, donations, etc. You can also use your Ad Grant marketing credit to drive activity to your website and help you reach other digital and company goals.
Once you’ve qualified for the Google for Nonprofits program, you get immediate access to the Ad Grants application.
YouTube is a powerful tool for marketing, information-sharing, and so much more. You can use it to establish your organization as an expert and to create valuable content on your cause. With it, you can connect to billions of people across the planet.
The YouTube Nonprofit program offers you a few great features for your marketing. You can include links in your videos to direct viewers to your website and add a donation button to encourage new donors. You also gain access to the YouTube Creator Academy, an exceptional resource with content creation and marketing lessons made just for nonprofits.
Nonprofit status gives you unlimited access to Google Earth and Maps. With this tool, you can learn more about the services available in your area and gain important geographical insight into your target community. This is particularly valuable for nonprofits that operate within a localized area.
This unrestricted, nonprofit Earth and Maps plan can show you donor and community data on Maps and give you access to Creation Tools. With My Maps and map creation options, you can create custom maps for your organization. This can be a useful way to map businesses, institutions, and other local organizations and locations that partner with your NPO. You can share this as a visual guide to your nonprofit's local network.
Finally, you also get a $250 credit every month to use on Google Maps.
In addition to the above, you also gain access to the G Suite which includes:
With these platforms, you can manage communications and organization, have central cloud-based document storage, prepare presentations, track important data, and more.
All the platforms also integrate effortlessly with one another. For example, team members may receive notifications via Gmail about changes made in a Google Docs file. This empowers your team to collaborate more effectively and to receive updates and changes from anywhere and at any time.
If your NPO is registered as a charity or charitable company in your nation, you probably qualify for a Google for Nonprofits account. In the U.S., for example, you must have evidence of registration as a 501(c)(3) entity.
There are, however, charitable institutions that aren’t eligible for the program. These include healthcare institutions, hospitals, schools, universities, and other academic institutions. However, charity wings or philanthropic foundations linked to such institutions can apply. Governmental bodies and institutions are also ineligible to apply.
If you’re uncertain about your organization’s eligibility, you can go ahead and apply. Google for Nonprofits, together with charity verification platform Percent, will verify your eligibility and legitimacy during the application review process.
Google for Nonprofits is an exceptional opportunity for nonprofits to establish a trustworthy suite of tech tools. The platforms available through the program can transform how your NPO handles marketing, team, and external communications, administration, and much more.
Although not all the tools listed above may be suited to your company, there is plenty of benefit in registering your organization with the Nonprofit program. Add this invaluable asset to your company resources for the better of your organization and your cause!