Google for NFPs

 

It may sound like one of the worst clichés, but today Internet is one of the most essential aspects of our lives and organisations not using it to fulfil their fundraising and recruiting goals are simply missing out. However, the heads of not-for-profit organisations out there know only too well how frustrating it is to try and stand out on the Internet with hundreds of thousands other NFPs  struggling to attract the attention of prospective donors and volunteers. The good news is that Google knows that as well.

Google has been doing a lot for NFPs in the last couple of year in the form of different projects and ‘challenges’ and they have now added Australia to the list of countries whose NFP organisations can take advantage of their enterprise level apps and the invaluable Google Ad Grants. The Grants are an amazing opportunity to reach your target audience by Google ads – the search engine generously provides the successful applicants with $10,000 per month for in-kind AdWords advertising. Just imagine if each $5 brought a donation of $5!

In addition the Ad Grants, the successful applicants will gain access to the YouTube Charities Program. This premium service gives you:

-          More uploading capacity; -          The option to add a donation button; -          A live streaming service through which you can broadcast your NFP’s conferences, meetings, events etc.; -          Call-to-action overlays in your videos; -          Video annotations; -          Resources for producers.

Moreover, you get to use a free Non-for-Profit edition of the Google Apps – Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Google+, Analytics, Google Earth and more. With Google Earth Outreach, you will be able to create a custom map of your project site and a narrative Google Earth movie, as well as use various geospatial tools and resources. You can also take part in Google One Today – a mobile fundraising app that asks people to donate $1 to the participating organisations.

So, the question is…. how to apply for this awesomeness? The requirements for Australian NFPs are the following:

-          A current registration with Connecting Up, TechSoup Global’s regional arm; -          Non-government income tax exempt (ITE) ; -          Not a governmental entity/organisation; -          Not a hospital/health care organisation; -          Not a school/childcare centre/academic institution/university (may be a philanthropic arm of an educational organisation);

If, after checking out the above requirements, you find out that your organisation is eligible, just visit the application page and get going now! You and your organisation who will have the opportunity to significantly cut the IT costs and increase their online presence and reach. With Google’s free tools, the right marketing strategy and a little luck, all those people out there in the online world will be convinced to donate some of their time and money to you. So, a big ‘THANK YOU’ to Google for making this possible and an even bigger ‘GOOD LUCK’ to you while utilising it!