• Gmail – Requires no hardware, software, or IT staff. In addition, it can be customized with the non-profits logo and personalized addresses (i.e. firstname.lastname@your-nonprofit.org).
• Google Docs – Create documents and collaborate with colleagues without sending drafts back and forth. Utilize functionality similar to many of the programs offered in the Microsoft Office suite – but for free and with access from anywhere that has an internet connection.
• Google Calendar – Stay organized from anywhere at anytime.
• Google Checkout – Process donations for free until 2009 and pay no monthly, setup, or gateway fees. Also, allows non-profits who use Google AdWords to have their ads stand out by having the Google Checkout badge displayed below the ad.
• Google Analytics – A key for any non-profit with a limited budget. Understand how visitors find the site, what they do once they are there, and help turn more visitors into donors. It also allows non-profits to spend their marketing dollars more efficiently by analyzing and optimizing campaigns to deliver the highest ROI.

The tools to find and engage supporters include:

• Google Grants – Get free online advertising through Google AdWords. For more on this program,  read my post on leveraging Google Grants for non-profits or Jacob’s post on the Google Grants application process. 
• Blogger – Create a blog to inform and engage individuals who are interested in the mission of the non-profit.
• YouTube – Leverage the world’s largest video site to engage the non-profits supporters, volunteers, as well as new audiences through the power of video. Incorporate Google Checkout to drive donations from the non-profits YouTube channel.
• Google Gadgets – Create gadgets to help spread the non-profits mission and goals while driving traffic back to their site. Allow supporters to also help spread the word by giving them the power to share the gadgets with friends.
• Google Maps and Earth – They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not customize visual mappings to show the areas that the non-profit is working in and allow the public to truly see the scope of the non-profits work. Also, create interactive maps that inspire and educate the public.
• Google Groups – Allow supporters to discuss the issues that are important to the non-profit with staff members and other supporters. Customize the look and feel of the group with the non-profits logo, photos, and color scheme.

If you’re a non-profit, this may seem like a daunting list of available tools.  But, this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how non-profits should be leveraging the online space. To learn more, check out the digital marketing services that we offer and feel free to contact us to find out how we can help you guide your non-profit organization through the vast digital landscape.