PORTSMOUTH—Hey there, N.H. folks! Did you know your dedication to giving back goes above and beyond? New Hampshire is ranked second in the nation for charitable giving—that's impressive! Great news for the many nonprofit organizations in the state! But have you heard about Google's amazing offer specifically for nonprofits? Free Google Ads advertising, up to $10,000 a month! Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it's not! But it does take some effort to make the most of it.

Here in New Hampshire, 6.6% of small businesses are actually nonprofits: that's a lot of organizations that could be benefiting from this program. Let's break down the good and the not-so-bad, and I'll explain how to get started with Google for Nonprofits.

The Good Stuff: Why Google for Nonprofits Rocks

First things first, this program offers a ton of free resources to help nonprofits reach more people:

·  Free Google Workspace: Ditch email overload with professional email addresses and cloud storage for all your documents and team collaboration. Think Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides—the whole shebang!

·  Spread the Word with YouTube Nonprofit Program: Share your mission and connect with supporters through the power of video. Plus, with YouTube Giving features, you can make it easy for people to donate directly to your channel.

·  Reach New Supporters with Google Ad Grants: This is the big one! Up to $10,000 a month in free advertising through Google search ads means more people finding your website, understanding your mission, volunteering their time, or donating to your cause.

The Not-So-Bad Stuff: Getting the Most Out of Your Free Ads

Alright, while $10,000 a month sounds incredible, there are a few things to keep in mind:

·  Knowledge is Power: Google Ads can be a complex beast, so there's a bit of a learning curve. Don't worry, though! Google offers plenty of resources and training to help you get started.

·  Time Commitment: Setting up and managing your ads takes some time, but consider it an investment in your mission. Remember, the more people you reach, the bigger impact you can make.

·  Bidding Limits: You can't just throw money at the problem (because hey, it's free!). It is possible to target the more expensive (and best converting) search terms, but your targets and ad copy must be relevant.

·  Text-Based Only: While images and videos can be super engaging, Google Ad Grants only allows text-based search ads.

·  Limited Network: Forget chasing people around the internet with ads. You can't run ads on Google's Display Network or YouTube with the free grant.

Ready to Get Started?

So, even with these limitations, the benefits of Google for Nonprofits are undeniable. Imagine the impact you can make by reaching more people who care about your cause! Here's what you can do next:

·  Head over to https://www.google.com/nonprofits/ to learn more and see if your organization qualifies.

·  Check out the resources from Google to get yourself up to speed on Google Ads. There are even free training courses available!

·  Don't be afraid to ask for help! There are plenty of online communities and resources dedicated to helping nonprofits navigate the world of Google Ads.