Google Ad Grant
Up to $120,000 per year in free advertising.
If your nonprofit isn’t using the Google Ad Grant, you’re leaving money on the table. Here’s everything you need to know, from a team that’s managed over $10 million in Grant funds.
What it is
What is the Google Ad Grant?
The Google Ad Grant program gives eligible nonprofit organizations up to $10,000 per month (that’s $120,000 per year) in free Google Search advertising credits. It’s one of the most valuable and underutilized tools available to nonprofits.
With the Google Ad Grant, your organization’s website appears at the top of Google search results when people search for topics related to your mission. That means more visibility, more website traffic, and more supporters finding you, all without spending a dollar on advertising.
The program recently turned 22 years old, and Google has continued to expand its capabilities, including Performance Max campaigns for Grant accounts, which use AI to optimize placements across Search and more.
By the numbers
What we’ve done with the Grant.
- in Grant funds managed
- $10M+
- states served
- 37
- years of Grant program expertise
- 22+
- average traffic increase
- 3x
Eligibility
Is your nonprofit eligible?
Most 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing are eligible for the Google Ad Grant. To qualify, your organization needs:
- A current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Enrollment in Google for Nonprofits
- A website that meets Google’s requirements (HTTPS, functional, sufficient content)
- Agreement to Google’s program policies
Notable exceptions: Government organizations, hospitals, and academic institutions are generally not eligible for the standard grant program.
Not sure if you qualify? We’ll check for you, free.
Done for you
Google Grant management.
Managing a Google Ad Grant effectively requires specialized expertise and constant attention. Google has strict compliance requirements, and accounts that don’t meet performance thresholds get suspended. Our team handles everything:
Application and setup
Campaign management
Performance optimization
Compliance monitoring
Results in practice
What the Google Grant can do.
We’ve managed over $10 million in Google Grant funds for nonprofits across 37 states. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
PBS12 Colorado
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
PBS Charlotte
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
How much does the Google Ad Grant cost?
The grant itself is completely free. Google provides up to $10,000/month in ad credits at no cost to your organization. There are management fees if you work with a partner like Electric Fork Media to run your campaigns, but many organizations find that professional management dramatically increases the return on the grant.
How long does it take to get approved?
The application process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on how quickly your organization can complete the Google for Nonprofits enrollment and meet the website requirements. Once approved, we can have campaigns running within a few days.
What happens if we don’t use the full $10,000 per month?
Unused credits don’t roll over. It’s use it or lose it each month. This is one of the reasons professional management is so valuable. An experienced team knows how to structure campaigns to maximize your monthly budget.
Can we run Google Ads and the Google Grant at the same time?
Yes. Many organizations run both a paid Google Ads account and a Google Grant account simultaneously. The paid account can target high-competition keywords that the grant account can’t win, while the grant account captures a wide range of mission-related searches.
What is Performance Max (PMax) for the Google Grant?
Performance Max is Google’s AI-powered campaign type that automatically optimizes your ad placements across multiple Google properties. Google recently made Performance Max available for Grant accounts, which is a significant expansion of what nonprofits can do with their free ad credits. Electric Fork Media was among the first Grant managers to implement Performance Max campaigns.
What kind of results should we expect?
Results vary by organization, but most nonprofits see significant increases in website traffic, event registrations, volunteer signups, and online donations within the first few months. The key is having well-structured campaigns managed by someone who understands the program’s unique requirements and compliance rules.
Let us check your eligibility.
It takes two minutes to find out if your organization qualifies for up to $120,000/year in free Google advertising.