Google Wants to Help Your Nonprofit
The Sprocket Report
Have a favorite nonprofit? One way you can serve them is to help them make use of Google for Nonprofits. Check out all the benefits available!
For business and social reasons -- not to mention it’s just the right thing to do -- many of us volunteer with a nonprofit organization. No matter how important their mission, nonprofits are typically short on money, workers and donations. Did you know that Google wants to help? For free?
Google offers several services for nonprofit organizations including G Suite, Google Ad Grants, Google Earth and Maps, YouTube Nonprofit Program and Google Donation Tools. Your organization will be so overwhelmed with possibilities that having someone learn and coordinate the services would be a real help.
You can learn all the details on the Google for Nonprofits website, but here’s a very brief overview:
G Suite
The biggest advantage of G Suite is the access to unlimited Gmail accounts with your organization’s domain name which gives it a more professional appearance. Most everyone is already familiar with Gmail, so it’s not a new tool to learn. And admin access stays with the nonprofit so if a staff member leaves, all their emails stay with the organization instead of being lost.
Google Grants
How would your group like to have $10,000 every month to spend on pay-per-click advertising? That’s what Google Grants wants to give you. While that seems awesome, there is a ton of work involved to do PPC ads correctly, which is why most folks don’t do it. Some automated tools can simplify the process, but the results are not as good either. But hey, it’s a step in the right direction!
Google Earth and Maps
Your organization can use Google Earth and Maps to show where they are active or to show clients where to find services. Just last issue we talked about the changes to Google maps that affect for-profit websites, including a new pricing program. For nonprofits, Google is providing credits so they can continue to use these functions for free.
YouTube Nonprofit Program
We have all heard that video is currently top dog for engaging people, so Google is trying to make it easier for nonprofits to make use of video through their YouTube program.
Google offers YouTube because they bought it some years ago. Part of the program includes YouTube cards which are specific Calls To Action that appear in the video. You can include up to five cards per video that encourage interaction. For instance, a card can send people straight to your donation page or an article on your website or you can encourage folks to take part in a poll.
Google Donation Tools
The tools provided help simplify online contributions for your organization. You can add a “Donate Now” button to your Knowledge Panel (that right-hand column display that shows up when people are searching) so you can reach folks before they even get to your website. Once they click, the donation process is easy and they are issued an automated receipt without you lifting a finger.
Google also has a program called Google One Today that features a different nonprofit every day on mobile devices. Your organization has the opportunity to be seen by an audience they wouldn’t normally reach and you can promote your “day” in your other social media marketing.
If you’re intrigued, there are case studies online that show how other groups are using Google for Nonprofits. Take a look and get inspired! One caveat however: Not every organization is eligible. Take a look at their website to be sure that this is a good fit for you.
Of course an organization would do best with a solid website and an active social media presence. If putting this all together seems to be more than your nonprofit can handle, give us a call and see how we can be of assistance. We’re always happy to help!
Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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