Before applying for the Google Ad Grants program, it’s crucial that your nonprofit meets the eligibility criteria, especially regarding your website’s compliance. These rules ensure your site is optimized to maximize its impact. Review the steps below to ensure your eligibility.
For your website
Google Ad Grants requires compliance with several rules for your website. In most cases of rejection, these criteria are the ones that were not met. Be sure to review them one by one to ensure your compliance. Our detailed explanations will help you fully understand each of these criteria :
Your nonprofit must own the domain associated with your website, which is where users are redirected when they click on your ads.
What to do if your nonprofit has multiple websites? The parent organization (the site with your nonprofit’s main domain) must apply for the Google Ad Grants program first. Once accepted, you can request to add other websites under the same grant.
Your site must be globally accessible during the application process, as checks are often performed outside your country. Your web developer may need to adjust the “htaccess” file to temporarily remove geographic restrictions for verification.
Best practice : We recommend, however, that you reactivate the security once the application is completed. By excluding certain geographical regions not targeted by your services, you reduce the chances of being hacked.
Your website must include a precise description of your mission and activities. Google ensures that your nonprofit has a clear and relevant cause.
We recommend dedicating a specific page to your mission, vision, and values. Use simple and engaging language to convey the essence of your impact. Add concrete examples of your projects or accomplishments to boost credibility.
Google values user experience because a well-designed website reflects your nonprofit’s professionalism.
Our tips for ensuring an optimal user experience:
- Intuitive navigation : Organize a clear menu so users can quickly find what they’re looking for.
- Mobile compatibility : Ensure your site is optimized for mobile devices and tablets.
- Professional design : Use readable fonts, consistent colors, and an attractive layout.
- Functional links : Test all your links to make sure they direct users to the correct pages—no broken links leading to 404 errors.
By applying these tips, you’ll provide an optimal user experience and encourage positive interactions with your visitors.
Ensure your site content is current, accurate, and specific to your organization. Pages with generic information may compromise your eligibility.
To ensure fast loading speeds, optimize images, reduce unnecessary scripts, and choose a reliable hosting service. A well-optimized site provides a smooth user experience, which is essential for ad performance.
Google requires sites benefiting from Google Ad Grants to use HTTPS protocol, which secures data exchanges between the site and its users. This ensures sensitive information, such as personal or transactional data, is encrypted, protecting against cyberattacks and boosting user trust.
Tip : You can easily check if a site has an SSL/TLS certificate by looking at the URL. A secure site will start with “https://” instead of “http://”.
Google Ad Grants restricts organizations whose primary objective is commercial or profit-driven activities. The program supports nonprofits focused on public interest missions. Prohibited activities include:
- Selling products or services
- Charging for consultations or paid services
- Lead generation
- Recommendations for specific products or services
If your site has commercial activities, review the next criterion.
If your nonprofit engages in commercial activities, you must clearly explain and justify how they align with your organization’s mission.
Example : A nonprofit selling merchandise or event tickets can clarify that all profits are reinvested into initiatives supporting their mission.
For financial transparency, include an annual financial report detailing the income generated and a clear explanation of how funds are allocated to your activities.
Charging for consultations or services may contradict the spirit of Google Ad Grants, which supports accessible and inclusive initiatives. This grant aims to help nonprofits maximize their social impact without imposing financial barriers.
By adopting practices aligned with these principles, your nonprofit can strengthen its mission and demonstrate that it remains committed to the public good and equitable access for all.
Certain elements may make your site appear more like a business or for-profit blog, such as:
- Product or service sales
- Content monetization
- Promised results
- Advertising-oriented tone and design
- Data collection for resale purposes
- Intrusive advertisements
- Content focused on promotion
While this criterion is broad, it highlights the importance of prioritizing your social mission to qualify for the grant.
Ads on your site must not be invasive or interfere with your nonprofit’s primary objective. They must also align with your mission to maintain credibility.
Tips : Although Google allows some exceptions, we recommend removing all ads from your website to maximize your chances of receiving and keeping the Google Ad Grants program.
Google prohibits sites using AdSense or any other program designed to generate direct revenue. Remove all such ads before applying. The goal is to ensure the site stays focused on its nonprofit mission without pursuing profits through ads or commercial partnerships.
For your nonprofit
In addition to meeting the technical criteria for your website, your nonprofit must have a Google for Nonprofits account to apply for the grant. The main eligibility requirements include:
- Being officially recognized as a nonprofit organization in your country.
Having an active website that presents essential information about your nonprofit.
Governmental, hospital, healthcare, or educational institutions (unless they have a distinct foundation) are generally not eligible.
By meeting these requirements, you’ll be ready to receive Google’s support to amplify your impact. Need help applying? Our pilots handle the entire process for free.