Using Google Perks for Colorado Springs Non-Profits (How To)

Is Your Non-Profit Taking Advantage of Cheap or Free Google Tools?

A colleague of Colorado Computer Support up in Toronto, Jorge Rojas with Tektonic, who provides Nonprofit IT services in Toronto and I were speaking on the phone the other day.  Jorge asked me if I was in the know about many of the free services offered by Google and how nonprofits can take advantage of these services.  Here’s what Colorado Computer Support found out.

What is Google for Nonprofits?

Google has decided that it will make life easier for non-profit organizations by providing premium features of their more popular applications free for organizations like yours and donating a limited amount of AdWords advertising.

Wouldn’t You Like to Leverage All These for Your Non-Profit?

• GSuite
  • Gmail – Email
  • Hangouts – Communications
  • Calendar – Time Management & Scheduling
  • Google+ – Social Networking
  • Drive – File Storage & Sync
  • Docs – Word Processing
  • Sheets – Spreadsheets
  • Slides – Presentations
  • Forms – Surveys
  • Sites – Websites
  • Jamboard – Interactive Whiteboard
• Google Ad Grants

Use up to $10,000 of Google AdWords advertising each month for free.

• YouTube Non-Profit Program

Use premium YouTube functions such as Donation Cards and Link Anywhere Cards to get more traffic and expand your donor base.

• Google One Today

Use Google’s donation platform to streamline online donations.

• Google Earth Outreach

Use customized maps and Google Earth imaging to display your goals or your project’s impact on a geographic area.

Can Colorado Springs Non-Profits Apply for the Google for Nonprofit Program?

Of course! Google wants non-profit organizations from across the country to make use of their tools and leverage them to make a positive impact in the lives of people across the globe. Colorado Springs has many non-profits that are doing outstanding work, and your mission, volunteers, clients, and employees will benefit from your enrollment in Google for Nonprofits.

How to Get Started with Google for Non-Profits?

• Go to Google.com/nonprofits.
• Determine your organization’s eligibility. – You must be registered with TechSoup and be a non-profit recognized by the IRS. (Schools, academic institutions, universities, governmental organizations/entities, hospitals, and healthcare organizations are not eligible for this program. Educational organizations should visit Google for Education)
• Go to the link Apply to Google for Nonprofits to begin the application process.

What is TechSoup and Why Does Google Require a Non-Profit to Register with TechSoup?

TechSoup is a non-profit that operates globally. Its mission is to provide free or low-cost technology – hardware and software – to charities, non-profits, and non-governmental entities. Google trusts TechSoup to determine whether an organization that has applied for Google for Nonprofits meets the criteria in each country to be considered a legitimate non-profit.

What Are the Benefits to Enrolling in Google for Nonprofits?

• Google AdWords
  • Build Awareness
  • Generate Donations
  • Advertise Events
  • Recruit Volunteers
  • Drive Traffic To Websites
• GSuite
  • Host Websites
  • Collaborate on Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations
  • Keep Everyone on Schedule and Informed
  • Communicate with Email, Voice, Instant Message or Video Chat
  • Eliminate Time Spent on Software Updates or Patches
• YouTube
  • Raise Money with a Donate Button
  • Drive Traffic to Your Website
  • Get Noticed Through Search
  • Use Live Stream
  • Use Call to Action Overlays on Your Videos
  • Use Custom Branding and Thumbnails
• Google Earth Outreach
  • Create Custom Maps
  • Create Custom Movies Using Google Earth Images
  • Use GTS Files
  • Create High-Resolution Mapping for Field Operations
• Google One Today
  • Connect the Money Given to Actual Charitable Impact
  • Make Giving Easy for Donors
  • Track Donations
  • Distribute Receipts for Donations
• Google Ad Grants
  • Share Your Story
  • Drive Traffic to Your Website
  • Get Attention for Projects and Initiatives
  • Engage New Donors

How Much Does Google For Nonprofits Cost?

As long as you stay within the limits of your Google AdWords grant, Google for Nonprofits is free to use. Google provides up to $10,000 in in-kind advertising donations for non-profit organizations. Google used to cap the donations at $2 per click. Now, with Google’s guided targeting they allow you to go past the $2 per click mark. This allows a non-profit to chase some more expensive keywords that were out of the range of the former $2 per click limit.

Want Help with Google for Nonprofits?

For many organizations, a switch from their existing tools to the tools offered by Google for Nonprofits can seem to be a daunting challenge. Even if Google’s tools are better than what the non-profit organization is currently using – and Google’s tools usually are – it’s hard to make the shift to new applications.

The Colorado Computer Support team wants your non-profit to succeed in your mission. We’d be happy to talk with you about how to apply for, set up, and use the tools offered by the Google for Nonprofits program.

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