How To Apply For A Google Grant

Google gives grants of up to $10,000 per month in free AdWords marketing to eligible nonprofits.

Reach and Engage Your Supporters

With Google Grants, you can:

• Reach donors, volunteers, and constituents
• Raise awareness 
• Track online donations, newsletter sign-ups, and volunteer registrations 
• Promote your organization's website

When people search on Google.com using one of your keywords, your ad appears next to the search results:

• You're advertising to an audience that's already interested in you
• You attract supporters
• People can simply click your ad to donate to your organization or learn more about you

Eligibility
Nonprofits within the U.S.A. with current 501.c.3. status with the IRS are eligible. 

Requirements
To receive a grant, your nonprofit must:

• Have a website for ads to link to
• Not have revenue generating ads on your site, such as Google AdSense
• Manage your campaigns on a regular basis -- this includes understanding Google guidelines, building your AdWords account, and ensuring that your ads and keywords are relevant, accurate, and timely
• Update: As of 8/11/2014, Google has added stronger language about managing your campaign on a regular basis:
• We are now requiring that you make at least one change to a campaign in your account every 90 days
• Your account is subject to automatic pausing or cancellation without notification if you don't make any changes in your account for over 90 days

How To Apply

• Step 1 – Review the Google Grants website
• Step 2 – Complete an application form online

It is helpful to know the primary goals of your nonprofit, such as promoting events, recruiting volunteers, and donations. Update: Google now requires a 300-500 word description of how your organization plans to use Adwords to make a social impact. Examples of the types of campaigns you will run (marketing a particular event, soliciting donations, etc.) and how you will measure success is now a required part of the application process.

Once your application is submitted, the Google Grants committee -- comprised of Google employees -- reviews your application and approves or denies your application. They will confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements and review your website.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact me.