Unless you are doing SEM for non-profits, it is unlikely that you’ve heard of Google Grants, a program awarding free AdWords advertising to select charitable organizations around the globe. Yet if you are working with non-profits, it is a crime to let this opportunity pass by. Google’s generosity is quite impressive, as every Google Grants AdWords account has a daily budget set to $329 – a nice $10,000 a month! And many non-profits are already taking advantage of this offer:
So, who is eligible? In the US, the program is open for all non-profit organizations who have a current 501(c)(3) status, as assigned by the Internal Revenue Service, and serve communities in art, education, health, science & technology, and volunteerism.
Grantees are required to be actively engaged in the program and to actively manage their AdWords accounts, meaning the account contact must:
- build your Google Grants AdWords account
- be responsive to email requests from our team
- log in monthly to review campaign performance and make updates as appropriate
- The maximum cost-per-click (CPC) that a Google Grantee is able to choose is $1.00, and some keywords may not be available to you at this amount.
- Your monthly “ad spend” will be capped at $10,000.
Wow. Who knew? This is a great program. It’s nice to know Google is giving something back.
This is a great way to give back. And what’s most important is that all requirements are reasonable – no need to jump over your head to get in.