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Google goes all out to help SA non-profits

Lauren Kate Rawlins
By Lauren Kate Rawlins, ITWeb digital and innovation contributor.
Johannesburg, 02 Sept 2015
To eliminate IT costs for NPOs, Google will provide a host of free business tools.
To eliminate IT costs for NPOs, Google will provide a host of free business tools.

Google, in partnership with Techsoup, yesterday launched Google for Non-profits in South Africa, Kenya, and Botswana.

The initiative gives non-profit organisations (NPOs) free tools to help them reach new donors and volunteers, work more efficiently, and tell their story.

South African NPOs registered with the Department of Social Development can now apply to join the programme, which provides access to a suite of free Google products, eliminating IT costs for the organisations.

"For most NPOs around the world, the Web is a vital platform for improving visibility, raising awareness, and connecting with their stakeholders, donors and volunteers," says Google SA public policy manager, Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda.

"Often, one of the big decisions relates to the need to spend to acquire technology when there are so many competing demands for funding and resources.

"Mostly due to a lack of funding, NPOs' access to Internet and technology tools is limited. A lack of understanding regarding how to use Web technologies means they often end up paying huge amounts of money for proprietary software, which they may not use or even need."

If the NPO is eligible, and once approved, they will receive:

1. Google Ad Grants: Free AdWords advertising (up to $10 000 per month) to promote their Web sites on Google through keyword targeting.

2. Google Apps for Non-profits: Free version of the Google Apps business productivity suite (Gmail, Docs, Forms, Calendar and more), so they can run their e-mail and important documents in the cloud and work collaboratively on documents.

3. YouTube for Non-profits: With premium branding capabilities on YouTube channels, and increased uploading capacity.

The Smile Foundation, which helps fundraise for reconstructive surgery for children with cleft and lip palate, used Google for Non-profits tools to grow referrals to its Web site, increase online donations, and promote the organisation to brands and companies for fundraising partnerships.

NPOs can apply to take advantage of the programme here.

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