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Google for Nonprofits to Include Religious Organizations

Aine Creedon
April 5, 2012

April 4, 2012; Source: Shelbyville Times-Gazette

Back in 2011, we noted that there was quite a stir over Google leaving religious organizations out of eligibility for its Google for Nonprofits grant program. The program provides perks to nonprofits on Google products, such as free AdWords advertising, Google Apps, benefits on YouTube channels, and free licensing for Google Earth Pro, Google SketchUp Pro and Maps API Premier.

But recently, Google announced it was revising the program guidelines to include religious organizations, as well as other categories previously not included. Religious groups are now being included, but the company states in their eligibility requirements that an organization’s 501(c)(3) status must first be publicly updated in Guidestar’s online database. This could serve as an obstacle to some religious organizations, since the IRS states that such groups are automatically considered tax-exempt and don’t need to apply for recognition of their tax-exempt status.

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Professor Lloyd Mayer at Notre Dame Law School told Christianity Today that Google’s decision could have been motivated by business concerns, since the exclusion may have alienated faith-affiliated nonprofits that the company may have business relations with.

“We’re constantly evaluating our services,” said Google spokesman Parag Chokshi. “Since launching Google for Nonprofits as a consolidated offering last year, we’ve received feedback from many organizations and believe this change will allow us to help more organizations take advantage of Google services.” –Aine Creedon

 

About the author
Aine Creedon

Aine Creedon is Nonprofit Quarterly's Director of Digital Operations and has worn many hats at NPQ since 2011. She has extensive experience with social media, communications and outreach in the nonprofit sector, and spent two years in Americorps programs serving with a handful of nonprofits across the nation as well as a community organization in Dorchester, Boston. Aine currently resides in Denver, Colorado where she enjoys volunteering, seeing live music, and hiking with her pups Frida and Tucker.

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