Google.org

Charity Number: CUSTOM_8B36E920

Annual Expenditure: £160.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £800 million commitment (5-year commitment announced)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (competitive application process)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (typically 2-4 months for Impact Challenges)
  • Grant Range: £200,000 - £2,000,000 (based on past UK Impact Challenge awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Global, with specific regional programs including UK/Europe

Contact Details

Website: https://www.google.org/intl/en_uk/

Opportunities Page: https://www.google.org/intl/en_uk/opportunities/

Email/Phone: Not publicly listed - contact through online application forms

Google for Nonprofits Support: Available through the Google for Nonprofits Help Center

Overview

Google.org is the philanthropic arm of Google, established to support nonprofits using technology to tackle the world's biggest challenges. Since 2017, Google.org has provided more than $2 billion in cash grants to nonprofits globally. The organization operates through competitive “Impact Challenges” targeting specific themes such as AI innovation, climate change, women and girls, and democratic resilience. Google.org does not accept unsolicited grant applications; instead, it periodically launches open calls for proposals aligned with strategic priorities. In the UK specifically, Google.org has supported organizations through various Impact Challenges, with notable awards including £500,000 grants to top winners and £200,000 to finalists in the 2014 UK Impact Challenge. The organization also provides technical expertise, mentorship, and access to Google's technology and tools alongside financial support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Impact Challenges (application method varies by program - typically open calls with fixed deadlines)

  • Major awards: £300,000 - £2,000,000 per organization
  • Finalist awards: £200,000+
  • Recent themes: AI for Social Good, Climate Innovation, Women and Girls, Democratic Resilience

European Programs

  • €15 million open call for democratic resilience initiatives
  • Focus on nonprofits, civic entities, and academic institutions
  • Emphasis on advanced technology and AI applications

AI Opportunity Fund - Europe

  • Up to £250,000 grants for social entrepreneurs
  • Focus on underserved communities

Note: Google also offers the separate Google Ad Grants program (up to £7,400/month in advertising credits), which operates on a rolling application basis through Google for Nonprofits.

Priority Areas

  • Technology-enabled social innovation
  • Artificial intelligence for social good
  • Climate change and environmental sustainability
  • Economic opportunity and workforce development
  • Education and skills training
  • Democratic resilience and civic engagement
  • Gender equity and women's empowerment
  • Racial equity and social justice

What They Don't Fund

Google.org typically does not fund:

  • Governmental entities and organizations
  • Hospitals and medical groups (through standard programs)
  • Schools, academic institutions, and universities (though some Impact Challenges may include academic institutions)
  • Religious organizations (for Google Ad Grants specifically)
  • Organizations without clear technology integration or scalability plans
  • Projects without measurable impact metrics
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Governance and Leadership

Google.org operates as part of Google LLC. Leadership information is not extensively detailed on the public website, but the organization works closely with Google's broader corporate social responsibility team.

The organization emphasizes a strategic approach to philanthropy, focusing on “pace and scale” - supporting innovations that can create rapid, large-scale change rather than incremental improvements.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Impact Challenges:

  1. Monitor the opportunities page at https://www.google.org/intl/en_uk/opportunities/ for open calls
  2. Applications are accepted only during specified open call periods (not rolling)
  3. Applications submitted through dedicated online portals for each Impact Challenge
  4. Require detailed project proposals, budget information, and impact metrics
  5. Multi-stage review process with shortlisting and final selection

For Google Ad Grants (separate program):

  1. Register with TechSoup/Charity Digital for verification
  2. Apply for Google for Nonprofits account
  3. Complete pre-qualification process and training
  4. Rolling application basis

Decision Timeline

Impact Challenges: Typically 2-4 months from application deadline to award announcement, though this varies by program

Google Ad Grants: Approximately 10 working days for account approval, though often faster

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed for Google.org Impact Challenges. These are highly competitive programs with hundreds or thousands of applications for a limited number of awards (typically 10-20 major grants per challenge).

The 2014 UK Impact Challenge received significant applications and awarded 10 organizations total (4 major winners at £500,000 each, 6 finalists at £200,000 each).

Reapplication Policy

Google.org does not publish explicit reapplication policies. Organizations can apply to multiple different Impact Challenges as they are launched. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to apply to future programs if their work aligns with the priorities.

Application Success Factors

Technology Integration: Google.org prioritizes organizations using technology in innovative ways. Successful applications demonstrate clear technological innovation, not just technology use.

Scale and Impact: The organization looks for solutions that can scale rapidly and create significant impact. As stated on their website, they seek “change at the pace and scale that the world needs today.”

Measurable Outcomes: Applications must include clear metrics for success and plans for measuring impact. Data-driven approaches are valued.

Strategic Alignment: Successful projects align closely with announced Impact Challenge themes. Review past winners to understand what Google.org values in each program area.

Leverage Google's Expertise: Applications that show how they could benefit from Google's technical expertise, tools, or employee volunteers alongside funding are viewed favorably.

Recent Examples:

  • Full Fact (UK) received funding for AI-powered fact-checking tools to combat misinformation
  • Various organizations in the 2014 UK Impact Challenge used technology for social transformation, from digital skills training to environmental monitoring

Common Success Factors:

  • Clear articulation of the problem being solved
  • Innovative approach using technology
  • Evidence of organizational capacity to deliver
  • Plans for sustainability beyond the grant period
  • Strong partnerships or collaborative approaches

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wait for open calls - Google.org does not accept unsolicited applications. Monitor their opportunities page regularly and sign up for notifications.
  • Think big and bold - Google.org favors ambitious projects with potential for significant scale, not incremental improvements. Demonstrate how your solution can create transformational change.
  • Emphasize technology - While the social impact is crucial, successful applications show innovative use of technology as a core component of the solution, not just an add-on.
  • Quantify everything - Include specific, measurable targets for impact. Google.org values data-driven approaches and clear metrics.
  • Research past winners - Review previous Impact Challenge winners in your area to understand what Google.org values and how to position your work effectively.
  • Consider Google Ad Grants separately - If you need ongoing marketing support rather than project funding, the Google Ad Grants program (£7,400/month in advertising) operates separately with rolling applications.
  • Build organizational capacity first - Impact Challenges are highly competitive. Ensure your organization has the capacity, track record, and partnerships to deliver at scale before applying.

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