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Google Grants Changes Their Process For Program Acceptance

As someone who has been divulged into the Google Grants Program over the past couple years, it is my search marketers duty to report some new changes to the program which affect not only the application process, but also the next steps of how to get the account up and running. It appears that Google has decided to put more responsibility on the 501c3 Nonprofit to earn the $120k in free PPC advertising and frankly this is a GOOD THING! In fact, Google's generous gift of $120,000 in free yearly advertising, makes any extra legwork on behalf of the nonprofit or search marketer"no big deal". Let's discuss the new changes to the program.

The Application Process Update:
The notable update to the form is regarding the required field of an NTEE Number. What is this? Well,
according to Google, "it's the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities Code, created by the National Center for Charitable Statistics; is a classification system for nonprofits that divides the nonprofit world into categories."In order to identify this code, the Nonprofit must have a Guide-Star.org Acount, and once you have registered and filled out of the information required by Guidestar, you will be assigned an NTEE Code. If the Nonprofit already has a Guidestar member, all that needs to be done is perform a search on your EIN number and the NTEE code will be visible to cut/paste into the Google Grant Application form. PLEASE NOTE: If you accidentally placed the wrong NTEE code into Google, the application may be automatically cancelled, so be careful.

If the Nonprofit is not listed in Guide Star's online database, can they still get the Grant?

Google states the following "This status may take some time to appear in the online database even after you have received this status from the IRS. Please note that we need to have record of your IRS status in Guide Star's online database before we can authorize your status. Copies of IRS letters unfortunately are not sufficient for this requirement of the application process. If your organization's 501(c)(3) status is not yet reflected in Guide Star's database, we recommend waiting one month and conducting another search to check if your status is updated in the online database. Once your organization is appearing in GuideStar's database, we will be happy to accept your application."

Account Creation Update:
In the recent past, Google would take 3-4 months to review and approve the application for acceptance into the program. The process was once the application was approved, an email was sent to the Grantee and in that email directed the Nonprofit that their account will be online and live within roughly 2 weeks and that a Google Grant specialist would walk them through the account and spend an hour or so introducing them the Adwords. Well, that has changed and frankly it's not a bad thing at all. In fact, Google has provided a very generous and helpful Google Grant Account Creation Guide (35 pages worth) which is filled with valuable how-do-to's, online resources and provides a great overall understanding of the program. Moreover, I have to say the most important aspect of this document is on page 35 where it provides detailed instructions for the Nonprofit to get the account up and running. Let's discuss

Google asks that the Nonprofit create their own standard Google account and fill out all of the required fields (basic account creation including the #ID) and then once the Nonprofit has identified and "checked off" all of the information needed by Google, the Nonprofit then has to email Google that they are ready to give live.

Here's what is mentioned on page 35.
"Once you have completed the account creation process, please copy the section below
(in between the dashes) and paste it into an email and send it to googlegrants-support@google.com.
You will receive a response from us with 10-20 business days. "

In Conclusion:
As mentioned earlier in the blog post, Google has taken steps to improve and automate the Google Grant Process and it makes complete sense to the Search Marketing Geek. We cannot ignore the troubled economy nor the thinning of the job market and Google taking steps to improve their own process for this program should not be looked at as a road block to increase the amounts of Grants, but educate and put it back on the Nonprofit to initiate the Free gift. If someone just gave me $120,000, I would serve them Coffee every morning, wash their car, walk their dog and... (well, that is enough). You get what I mean, right?

Over 63,000 Non-profits Turn to GoodSearch.com During Economic Downturn

In our slowing economy, GoodSearch.com has become one of the most effective and unique solutions to help Nonprofits raise money online. GoodSearch recently reported that more than 63,000+ Nonprofit Organizations and Schools across the country have turned to GoodSearch's (2) two online fundraising tools which basically allow supporters to financially help out the nonprofits of their choice without spending any money of their own.

1. GoodSearch.com, a Yahoo-powered search engine which makes a donation for every search
2. GoodShop.com, an online shopping mall of more than 700 leading retailers that directs a percentage of every sale to the user's favorite charity.

About GoodSearch.com:
The company was launched in 2005 and founded by a Brother and Sister DUO Ken and JJ Ramberg who both acknowledged that "We all have a cause we care about - whether it's finding a cure for cancer, saving the environment, finding homes for abandoned pets or so many other worthwhile endeavors." It was this shared philanthropic vision that led the creation of a company that could support charitable organizations without taking time out of people's busy schedules. Furthermore, it was the idea that even the smallest fraction of the billions of dollars generated by search engines could make a huge impact on the Nonprofit Industry and other good causes. 

How GoodSearch.com Works?
GoodSearch is a unique search engine, powered by Yahoo, and built with "patent-pending" technology which provides the ability to track, direct search results and donate 50% off the ad revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users.

About GoodShop:
In 2007, GoodShop was created to be an online shopping mall of world-class merchants dedicated to helping fund worthy causes across the country. Each purchase made via the GoodShop mall results in a donation to the user's designated charity or school – averaging approximately 3% of the sale, but going up to 20% or even more. In fact, According to their website, "GoodShop will donate up to 37% of every purchase to the charity of their choice."

Are You NonProfit Interested In Joining GoodSearch?
Here are some things you need to know before your signing up your Nonprofit.

• To participate in our program, your organization must be a registered non-profit. This can include schools, charities, hospitals and clinics, volunteer services, political organizations, fraternal organizations, professional associations, religious organizations, governmental agencies, etc.

• If your nonprofit is a chapter of a national organization, please participate in GoodSearch through the headquarters.

• We currently only work with U.S. charities and schools but plan to expand internationally in the future.

• CLICK HERE to signup your registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit with GoodSearch.com

In Conclusion:
The people at GoodSearch are providing a remarkable service here and are single handedly changing the way money is raised online for people and organizations who need it the most.

Search Marketing (from an operations standpoint) has become a very complex Industry. It is filled with complicated and ever changing algorithms, complex strategies, inflated advertising costs and increased competition. However, once in a while you come across a company like GoodSearch, whose core business model is about being Socially Responsible. Is your company Socially Responsible? If not, you may want think about.

The Power of Google Grants And How It Helps Charities Raise Money Online

As a Search Marketer, it is very easy to get "caught up in the weeds" of day -to-day PPC Geekdom. In fact, Google who has on many occasions created a love-hate relationship when it comes to increasing CPCs, changing algorithms, Trademark Disputes, etc... deserves a "pat on the back" for their Google Grants Non-Profit Program.

Even though this program has been around since 2003 and has been the focus of many search blog posts, I felt that it deserves another round of recognition because it's extremely generous of Google, especially in our current economic conditions to continue to provide registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Charities to receive up to $120k annually in free Google Advertising. This is a magnificent service that I believe does not get the attention it deserves and I believe not many charities know about.

What Is Google Grants?
Google Grants is a unique one-of-a-kind advertising program which is designed specifically for 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organizations. The goal of this program is to utilize and transform the Google Adwords system into a powerful tool to spread advocacy, awareness, volunteer-ism and provide the ability to increase donations.

According to Google, "Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education.  Google Grant recipients use their award of free AdWords advertising on Google.com to raise awareness and increase traffic."

Who is Eligible for a Google Grant?
If you are within the United States, your organization MUST have a current 501(c)(3) status and registered through the Internal Revenue Service. If you are outside of the United States, you can view Google's List of International Charitable Organizations.

Who is NOT Eligible?

• Organizations already participating in the Google AdSense program
• Organizations that are either religious or political in nature
• Organizations focused primarily on lobbying for political or policy change.

Important Note: Google reserves the right to award advertising to any organization. Selections are made at Google's sole discretion, and decisions regarding award recipients are final.

How does this Work?
If your organization is selected, Google will send you an award notification via email with detailed instructions for setting up your account, and contact information for a Google Grants specialist.
When your grant expires, your ads will no longer appear on Google.com. You won't be able to log in to your AdWords account any longer, but you can always open a new one if you'd like to continue advertising as a paying customer. If you decide to continue advertising, we can upload the contents of your Google Grants account into your paid account. It is recommended that if you are not a certified Google Adwords Professional, hire an experienced Non-Profit Search Marketing Agency to help you get the most out of your Google Grants Program

Common FAQs for us Search Geeks

• The Grant/Award Value depends on overall performance of the campaign. Typical Avg Contribution is around $10k/month.
• It has been noted that if you consistently spend more than $10k per month for at least three months, Google will increase your monthly allowance beyond the $10k/month.
• The Maximum CPC for this program is $1.00 CPC
• Google creates the account for you and funds it directly.
• Your Google Grants account is subject to the same algorithms and policies as a regular account.
• Google Grants ads appear on Google.com, alongside or above the main search results.
• Google Grants ads are not eligible for distribution in the Content or Placement Targeting Networks.
• You can use Google Analytics with this Google Grants Program.

Here are a list of Sites/Blogs who have also provided some great information on Google Grants:

• Todd Mintz - SearchEngineGuide
• Google Grants Blog
• Techsoup.com
• USAToday.com
• Kevin Lee at Clickz.com
• Jacob Wolfsheimer of Endlessplain.com

In Conclusion:
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of an amazing new company called "World Benefactor" which is helping 501 (c)(3) Organizations get the all important attention it deserves. Being able to provide great PPC strategies and services that can truly make a difference in the world is astonishing. I must commend the great people over at Google Grants as well as the SalesForce Foundation for their very generous programs which have the potential to truly make a difference in the world.

If you did not know that this program exists and are interested, or are already enrolled in the program and would like to improve your account, please feel free to visit our website www.worldbenefactor.com or email me at Greg@worldbenefactor.com and our team will be happy to review and help you get the most out this generous offering for your Not for Profit Charitable Organization.