So, you have set up a charity (congratulations) and want to spread its message online.

There are many ways to do this, which will usually involve setting up a website, having a social media account, and ensuring that you have some adverts set up. But, for many charities, the issue arises when they begin looking for a way to pay for advertising costs.

Google has devised a way around this, and with the use of Google Charity Grants, you may be able to receive $10,000 per month in advertising costs for your non-profit. However, in order to qualify for this, your fundraising website (if you have one set up) will need to tick certain boxes in order for it to work with this advertising option.

So, how do you ensure your website is ready? This brief guide will help you to assess the compatibility of your website with this helpful advertising option.

Technical Stuff First

If you have a website that is running or are looking to set one up, you will first need to link it to Google. First, you should sign up for an account with Google Ad Grants, which provides eligible non-profits with $10,000 per month in free advertising on Google Ads. You will need to set up a Google Ads account and verify your non-profit status and link your website to your Google Ads account and make sure it is correctly set up and functioning.

If you need some more help with this step, click on this guide by Web Presence for more information.

Read the Guidelines

Much like SEO, in order for your website to work with Google Charity Ads, some boxes will need to be ticked. And so, even if your website is completed, you should take the time to look through Google’s guidelines, or your website may not be suitable for this advertising option.

In short, your website must provide information about your organization’s mission, programs, and activities, and it must not contain any inappropriate content, such as hate speech or illegal activities. The page must be functional and easy to navigate and must not contain any pop-up ads or automatic redirects. It should also provide a clear and prominent way for users to make donations to your charity and must also include a privacy policy that clearly explains how you collect, use, and protect personal information.

If it ticks all of those boxes, you are good to go!

Advert Guidelines

So, with the basic website set up, you will now want to place adverts on the page, and of course, on the associated social media platforms.

Again, there are some guidelines to follow that, if not adhered to, can shut down the website due to the advert being deemed offensive or inappropriate.

The charity advert must clearly and accurately represent your organization and its work. It must not contain any false or misleading information or any inappropriate content, such as hate speech or illegal activities.

It must not contain any pop-up ads or automatic redirects, and, like your charity website, it must provide a clear and prominent way for users to make donations.