Google for Non-Profits

This week, Google opened up their services for non-profits. Of particular interest is application for in-kind (read: free) advertising (Google AdWords) under Google Grants and free credit card/donation processing under Checkout (fine print: at least till 2009).

Google selects grant recipients for Google Grants every quarter; this will help further spread the word on any non-profit that's selected. Minimum of 3 months' Google Adwords advertising is provided to grant recipients with a cap of $10K advertising dollars per month. Any non-profit working on creating or improving its website should consider applying for Google Grant as part of the project to maximize traffic to the website. The Google Grant program is available in the US and 17 other countries. Organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible with a few exceptions.

Organizations already participating in the Google AdSense program are not eligible for Google Grants consideration. In addition, organizations that are either religious or political in nature are not eligible, including those groups focused primarily on lobbying for political or policy change.

To apply, just fill out the 2-3 page Google Grant Application form. You will also need to create an AdWords account upon award notification.

Source:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/18/google-launches-non-profit-portal/
http://www.google.com/nonprofits/