google app for np

If you are a non profit, one of the things that can distract you from your goals is dealing with tech. Thanks to cloud based technology today, you don’t have to have a server in your office to handle your email and file storage needs.

One of these cloud options is Google Apps. Many companies and nonprofits have now turned to Google Apps for their email and file storage needs. Using Google apps has several advantages for the small and medium business and nonprofit.

  • You no longer have to have an email and file server in your office.
    Because you use Google’s email and drive service, your email and documents are now located in the cloud, where they can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection.
  • You no longer have to purchase Microsoft Office for every computer.
    Traditional office suites have a large initial cost and 80% of the time your are only using 20% of the capability of the software.
  • You no longer have to keep track of licences for your office software.
    If you have a computer failure and have to reinstall the software. That normally means having to dig up the licence codes.
  • You can have several people collaborating on the same document.  No more emailing or copying revisions on to a USB key to give to co-workers.

For years Google offered a free version of Google apps for domains, which allowed organizations of up to 50 people free email and basic file storage. Several years ago Google retired that level, so organizations now pay $5 per month per email address. Still an excellent value for the money.

However for nonprofits, Google now offers a free service called Google for Nonprofits which offers the services of Google apps to nonprofits for free.

This includes the following;

  • Free access to the Google Apps suite including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides.
  • Each email address gets 30GB of storage across Gmail and Google Drive.
  • Stay connected from anywhere; securely access data anywhere.
  • 24/7 support

For many organizations this is more than sufficient to handle their IT needs.

In Canada, Google has partnered with Techsoup Canada to validate nonprofits into Google Apps for Non Profits. Applying for the service with Techsoup Canada is a fairly easy process which they describe in great detail on their site. It typically takes 7-10 business days to sign up for Google for nonprofits.

Many other organizations have made the switch to Google Apps. Perhaps it is something to consider for your organization.