What Google offers nonprofits
Google lists four programs at no charge for eligible nonprofits: Google Workspace for Nonprofits, Google Ad Grants, the YouTube Nonprofit Program, and Google Maps Platform credits. Google also lists nonprofit discounts on its paid Workspace editions.
Each program has its own terms on top of the general eligibility rules, so being approved for Google for Nonprofits is the first step, not the last.
Source: Google for Nonprofits
Who qualifies in the United States
- Your organization is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3), or is a group-exempt organization that can prove its affiliation with the parent.
- Your organization is verified by Goodstack, the validation partner Google uses.
- Fiscally sponsored organizations without their own 501(c)(3) status are not currently eligible.
- Government entities, and hospitals and health care organizations, are not eligible. Google says the charitable foundations of health care organizations can be.
- Schools, colleges and universities are not eligible; Google points them to Google for Education. Their philanthropic arms can be eligible.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the eligibility guidelines above for your country.
- Start from the Google for Nonprofits page and request an account with your organization's details.
- Answer any request from Goodstack for documents. Use the exact legal name on your registration.
- Wait for review. Google says most requests are reviewed in 2 to 14 working days.
- Once approved, activate each Google for Nonprofits product you want. Google says each one is activated separately.
Source: Google for Nonprofits
The website check for Google Workspace
Before Google Workspace for Nonprofits is activated, Google reviews the domain you want to use. Google asks for a working website that clearly belongs to your organization. It looks for things like your charity registration number, a physical address or a mission statement on the site.
If your site is a placeholder or belongs to a different name, fix that first. It is the most common reason a request stalls.
Source: Google Workspace for Nonprofits: domain and website review
Google Ad Grants rules to know before you start
- Keep an account-level click-through rate of at least 5% each month. Two months in a row below that can get the account deactivated.
- Track conversions and record at least one meaningful conversion a month, such as a sign-up or a contact form.
- Use a conversion-based smart bidding strategy.
- Have at least two sitelink assets, and target the locations you actually serve.
Common questions
Is Google for Nonprofits free?
Google lists Workspace for Nonprofits, Ad Grants, the YouTube Nonprofit Program and Maps Platform credits at no charge for eligible organizations. Higher Workspace editions are discounted rather than free.
Can a church or other faith-based group apply?
Google's list of ineligible groups names government entities, hospitals and health care organizations, and schools. In the United States Google asks for IRS 501(c)(3) registration or group exemption, so a church without a determination letter should check whether its denomination holds a group ruling. See our guide for churches.
Can a school apply?
Schools, colleges and universities are not eligible for Google for Nonprofits. Google points them to Google for Education. A school's separate philanthropic arm can be eligible.
Do we have to choose between Google and Microsoft?
No. Each company runs its own nonprofit program with its own rules. Many organizations use one for email and documents and still use ad grants or other offers from the other.