By Lynn Sygiel, editor, Charitable Advisors

Small Box’s marketing director Jenny Anderson has some advice – learn about Google’s programs specifically targeted for nonprofits. She has, and is willing to share, that know-how.

When she worked for the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) as online marketing manager, she was in charge of the museum’s website, email communications and online advertising. That’s where she first learned about Google AdWords.

After an easy application process and approval, which can be secured in as few as three days, Google provides organizations $10,000 per month of in-kind AdWords advertising. Essentially, the nonprofit bids on key words with a maximum bid of $2 per word. When someone uses those key words in a Google search, a link to the organization will appear with the Google results. Those can propel the organization to the top of a Google search and drive more traffic to its website and reach donors, volunteers and consumers. Anderson had one word of caution — the account will be suspended if the nonprofit doesn’t use it for three months.

At the IMA for example, she purchased the keywords, Vincent VanGogh, and then posted information about the artist to the organization’s website. So when a student was doing homework and looking for information about the artist, the IMA could be a source.

Since working for Small Box, she’s been best online casino helping clients learn and utilize the program. Of the three nonprofit accounts she is currently working with, the visits to their websites for this year have ranged from 3,200 to 7,800 and 22,000. For the latter, that is about $31,000 in free advertising.

There are some restrictions, and Google specifies organizations that are not eligible, which include hospitals and health care organizations. Google has a separate program for educational institutions.

Services for nonprofits:

• Google Ad Grants: Free AdWords advertising to promote nonprofits’ websites on Google through keyword targeting.
• YouTube Nonprofit Program: Premium branding capabilities on YouTube channels and increased uploading capacity.
• Google Apps for Nonprofit: Free version of the Google Apps business productivity suite, including Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and more.
• Google Earth Outreach Grants: Free licensing for Google Earth Pro and Maps API for Business.
• One Today by Google: Free access to a mobile fundraising platform.

If you are interested in learning more about Google Grants, Small Box will host a workshop for nonprofits on Oct. 15. If you would like more information about the event, contact dawn@smallbox.com. If you would like more information about the grants, contact jenny@smallbox.com.

RELATED LINK: Ten ways nonprofits can make the most of Google Grants

INVESTMENT

Staff member’s time to learn how to use and update regularly.

BENEFIT

More traffic to the website and recognition of your organization’s brand