An organization’s employees need a way to connect and collaborate, which is why nonprofits require business software.
With Google’s G Suite, nonprofits have access to a suite of tools that can help them manage their organization, collaborate with team members, and communicate with stakeholders.
This article will explore how nonprofits can make the most of G Suite’s features.
Despite the various options that are accessible to charitable organizations, Google’s G Suite remains one of the best and most widely used platforms, both by nonprofit organizations and enterprises (also known as Google Workspace).
G Suite by Google is a collection of interconnected applications that are designed to make day-to-day operations quick, simple, and hassle-free, particularly for charitable organizations.
But, technology and its setup can frequently be perplexing, therefore we simplified the process to grasp and explain how a charity organization might make use of Google’s G Suite.
Table of Contents
What is G Suite?
In a broad sense, G Suite can be understood as a platform for the integration of business processes.
It comes with several pre-installed applications that can be used for a wide range of purposes.
Apps like Gmail, which is an email service, and Google Docs, which is a real-time, online version of programs like Microsoft Word, are examples of the types of applications that are included here.
People can increase their productivity and level of collaboration because of the intuitive design and seamless integration of these apps.
Any file, email, or appointment that is stored on G Suite is protected by Google’s robust cyber security, which is an added perk of using the service.
G Suite’s Features:
1. Organization:
Users have access to Google Drive, which is a completely online and sharing platform that is reminiscent of Microsoft Office when they subscribe to G Suite.
Drive gives its customers the ability to create, store, and share a variety of file formats.
Files of this kind include, amongst others, Google Docs (which are analogous to Microsoft Word documents), Google Sheets (which are analogous to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets), Google Slides (which are analogous to Microsoft PowerPoint presentations), and many more.
Users can collaborate on a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide concurrently, and the creator of a file can grant varying degrees of access to others they share it with, including the ability to make edits.
2. Presentations:
It is simple to create a presentation that stands out when you use Google Slides.
Within slides, there is a button labeled “Explore” that provides additional features such as formatting ideas, charts, and data analysis.
Slides can be easily shared with others by using a link, and users can take turns editing one another’s slides as necessary.
Slides can now be displayed on the shared screen during Google Meet video conferences.
3. Connect Wherever, Whenever:
Users can develop, share, and collaborate on projects whenever and wherever they choose with the help of Google Calendar and Google Meet.
G Suite is completely web-based and available to users at any time, provided they have an active Internet connection.
Users can make appointments, set reminders, and share them using Calendar, which makes it easier for everyone to keep on task every day.
Similarly, members of Google Meet can interact in real-time using video chat while viewing the same documents, sheets, slides, or forms. This functionality is made available by Google.
4. Accessible Email:
Gmail from Google may appear to be just another standard email service at first glance; however, this misconception belies the fact that Gmail provides a variety of helpful features.
It will automatically organize all new emails that arrive into one of three folders: primary (the main folder), social (originating from social media websites), and promotions (from companies offering discounts, updates, etc.).
The user is then able to modify their feed by adding filters and labels, which assist in the organization of emails according to the sender, the topic, and other criteria.
In addition, Gmail comes with email templates that can be used to reduce the amount of time spent writing emails by providing suggestions.
5. Streamlined Questionnaires:
Any user can quickly and easily build a questionnaire with the help of Google Forms.
After that, the form can be distributed to anybody, including potential volunteers, donors, and even workers, and it can be placed anywhere.
To arrange, examine, and use the data collected from the forms, the forms can be exported into Google Sheets.
6. Onboarding and Training:
Even if new employees are located in different time zones, it is possible to conduct training more efficiently with G Suite.
Training is essential for any firm. Users can produce any number of learning tools, documents, or files.
One can also decide to utilize Google Sites to establish a website that is used specifically for training.
Another option is to use Google Meet to conduct live training sessions with new users, who can be added to G Suite in a short amount of time by creating a Google account.
7. Storage:
The amount of storage space available to each user in G Suite can go up to one terabyte, depending on the version.
When this is combined with shared documents and drives, a charity organization never needs to worry about the possibility of losing data or documents, even if workers or volunteers leave or are replaced.
The storage space is abundant, and everything has the potential to be accessed or shared by multiple users.
8. Marketing Campaigns:
Although G Suite does not include an app that is specifically designed for marketing, a charity organization can still use the many tools that are included in G Suite to develop and carry out marketing initiatives.
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Users can generate ideas for marketing campaigns and present them using Google Slides and Meet respectively.
They can also obtain input on marketing initiatives through the use of Google Forms questionnaires, or they can convey the story of their organization through videos on YouTube, which can be readily accessible and set up with a Google account.
Both of these options are made possible with a Google account.
G Suite Rates for Nonprofits
Under Google for Nonprofits, organizations that meet the requirements of Section 501(c)3 can access one of three tiers of the Google Suite.
Each level can be purchased at a variety of pricing points; however, the higher the price per user, the greater the number of features that are included.
Level 1: G Suite for Nonprofits
- $0/user/month. Anyone can access G Suite for Nonprofits for free; the organization and its users are not charged.
- Cloud storage space of 30 gigabytes (GB) for unlimited users.
- It is also possible for each user to have their professional email address with the domain name of the nonprofit.
- In addition to shared drives, standard users also have access to Google apps, such as Calendar, Gmail, Drive, and Docs.
- Last but not least, Google Meet supports video conferencing for up to 100 people.
Level 2: G Suite Business for Nonprofits
- $4/user/month. In addition to everything from the free plan, G Suite Business for Nonprofits has some additional features.
- Users have unlimited storage space, each with 1 terabyte (TB).
- All files and emails can be searched for content.
- Google Vault: a new app for storing, searching, and exporting data.
- A greater range of administrative and security options, including a more comprehensive reporting system.
- Google Meet allows video conferencing for up to 150 people.
Level 3: G Suite Enterprise for Nonprofits
- $8/user/month. In addition to everything in G Suite Business for Nonprofits, G Suite Enterprise for Nonprofits offers even more features.
- Enhance the security of email by encrypting it.
- User, device, and app management is handled by Cloud Identity.
- Live streaming and recording of meetings are available with Google Meet.
- Through Google Meet, you can video conference with up to 250 people.
How to Set Up G Suite for Your Nonprofit
1. Sign in to Google to request a Google for Nonprofits account. The setup process begins once the approval is received.
2. Migration:
Users will be required to transfer from their existing Google accounts to the new nonprofit accounts once they have received approval from Google for a nonprofit account of their choosing.
The process of migration is made much simpler by Google, which also provides migration services.
Users, on the other hand, can connect their new accounts on Gmail and integrate their calendars into the new platforms on their own.
3. Create and Manage Teams:
Users can be grouped and given different levels of access according to their roles once they have successfully migrated to G Suite for nonprofits.
4. Training:
Training is offered through the Google Workspace Learning Center for how to utilize G Suite and the apps that come with it, even though both Google and G Suite are pretty simple to use.
Users can access a variety of tutorials, how-to guides, and support options for using G Suite in the center’s learning section. Even a search bar is included for your convenience in the troubleshooting process.
G Suite Makes Life Easier for a Nonprofit
Even if there may be some difficulties in getting started with G Suite and being accustomed to its features, it is unquestionably beneficial to make use of the cutting-edge platform.
G Suite gives an unlimited number of users access to a variety of useful tools, a large amount of storage space, and even shared workspaces for working together.
The best part about G Suite is that it can be accessed by any user from virtually any device and almost any location, provided that the user has an active Internet connection.
Because of this, work may be done at any time, in any location, and on almost any budget. G Suite is well worth the investment at any level, from the free standard plan up to the expensive enterprise plan in the top tier.
Quick Links:
- How To Attach An Email To Gmail
- How To Choose The Best Domain Name
- Checking If Your Domain Is In The Redemption Period
Conclusion: How to Use Google’s G Suite as a Nonprofit?
Google’s G Suite is an incredibly valuable tool for nonprofits looking for ways to streamline their operations and increase productivity without breaking the bank on expensive software solutions or services.
Through its suite of products such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar, nonprofit organizations can gain access to powerful tools that will help them keep their operations running smoothly while still staying connected with stakeholders around the globe.
With a little bit of know-how about how these tools work together, any nonprofit organization can benefit from utilizing G Suite’s features!
