Great news - Google for Non-Profits is now available in Canada!
Actually, it's been available for a while but I and others must have missed the memo because out of all the Google-related discussion we've had here on The Network I haven't seen a post about this yet. So here it is!
This gives Canadian churches (and classes, and other charitable organizations) an excellent, free way to manage all their email accounts. Plus get all the benefits of Google Apps (including Calendars, Docs/Drive, Sites, Hangouts) and Google for Non-Profits (including ad grants, special YouTube account).
Google Apps is great - my own church uses it, as does my kids' school. The CRCNA uses it for all of its staff around the globe, which saves a lot of money and fosters collaboration. Many other organizations use it - both large and small, for-profit and non-profit.
So how does your church or classis get in on this?
The key thing to know is that Google has partnered with TechSoupCanada.ca to handle the initial vetting of registered charities. TechSoup exists in many different countries, and provides many other benefits to non-profits. So you need to register for them first, and then apply for Google for Non-Profits. Here are some key links:
- Announcement from TechSoupCanada
- FAQs
- Network article by Mavis Moon about how a church can get started with Google Apps
Some churches (including my home church in Winnipeg) got in on the free edition of Google Apps before it was phased out. And you may be wondering if you can 'upgrade' it to the non-profit edition. According to this, it looks like you can! Also see this chart comparing features of the different versions.
So is this good news or what? Any Canadian churches that have done this already?
Whether you're in Canada or elsewhere, share your thoughts and experiences with Google Apps or Google for Nonprofits. Let's compare notes in the comments below, and learn from each other.
Comments
Hi, have you heard any discussion on agreeing to the Terms of Service.
https://support.google.com/nonprofits/answer/9004493?hl=en
Irving - Are you referring to their 2.1.2 that requires non-discrimination based on sexual orientation? I believe this aligns with the CRC's position. Here's a relevant quote from the official CRC position statement: "Persons of same-sex attraction may not be denied community acceptance solely because of their sexual orientation and should be wholeheartedly received by the church and given loving support and encouragement. Same-sex oriented Christians, like all Christians, are called to discipleship, holy obedience, and the use of their gifts in the cause of the kingdom. Opportunities to serve within the offices and the life of the congregation should be afforded to same-sex oriented Christians as well as to heterosexual Christians."
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