Credibility
Have you received an email from an individual representing an organization, however the email address is something like:
- FirstLastName@gmail.com or
- FirstLastName@hotmail.com or
- FirstLastName@nycap.rr.com
- Etc.
How does it feel when you get an email from someone with a generic “domain name”? (A domain name is what follows the “@” sign in an email, e.g. @gmail, @hotmail, @nycap.rr.com.)
Does an email address like the following examples feel a little more credible?
- FirstLastName@organization.com
- FirstLastName@organization.org
- FirstLastName@organization.ngo
- Communications@albanypresbytery.org
If your church or organization has a website, it most likely has a “domain name.”
For example, the Albany Presbytery’s domain name is “albanypresbytery.org”.
Domain names are fairly inexpensive and are typically an annual fee. (Less than $50/year. Average price between $25-$35/year, but I have heard as low as $15/year.)
If your church is currently paying for a domain name, you may also want to apply for Nonprofit Status with Google. This will get you FREE access to the Google G Suite which includes:
FREE:
- Email address
- Calendar
- Storage (Google Drive)
- Google Sheets
- Google Docs
- Google Forms
- …and much more
More information on the Google G Suite can be found here: Google G Suite
Google’s Nonprofit Application Process
Google uses a Third Party, Techsoup, to validate that you are a valid nonprofit.
Step 1:
Get your nonprofit validated by Techsoup: Techsoup Validation Services
Be sure to join Techsoup: https://www.techsoup.org/registration
Once you are in Techsoup, the easiest thing to do it to “Search” for “Google for Nonprofits”
Apply to be validated by using the “Request a Google for Nonprofits Account” button.
You will receive a “Validation Token” from Techsoup which you will use in the Google Nonprofit application. (Note: Techsoup indicates that the process may take up to 30 days, but anytime I’ve gone through the process, it is only a few business days. They are pretty efficient.)
Step 2:
Once you have the Validation Token from Techsoup, fill out Google’s Nonprofit Application
Google suggests that you will wait for up to 10 days while they review your nonprofit application, however my experience has been about 3-5 business days.
Step 3:
Enroll in G Suite for Nonprofits
Once you are enrolled, you can set up your email accounts and more.
Step-by-step directions and help are available at the Google for Nonprofits Help Center.
**Note – If you are currently paying the business fee for G Suite ($5/month for each email account), you can go through this process and enroll to save that monthly fee. Your monthly fee will be changed to $0/month, regardless of how many email accounts you are using, once your organization is approved.
Google G Suite
This is a wide range of tools that is available to nonprofits. I encourage you to check it out.
Click here for more information: Google G Suite
Save some money!
If you are currently paying for an email service, you may save money using the Google G Suite. Email accounts are available for free. If you don’t yet have a domain name, the annual fee of <$50 per year for the domain name (without a website) could be a cost-effective way to manage your email needs while establishing credibility.
Free and Reduced-cost Tools for Nonprofits
Many businesses provide a nonprofit discount for services and/or tools. I encourage you to ask if a business you use for services provides a special fee or discount for nonprofits.
For Microsoft Office deals, read Michael Burkley’s article: Learn How to Access the Office 365 Suite for $2/month
Another resource is Albany Presbytery’s Online Communication Resources
More and more people are consuming information digitally. Make sure your organization is leveraging tools and resources in the most cost-efficient way possible!
