These days, we’re all looking for new ways to maximize our resources and stretch our budget as far as it can go. Recently, I discovered the Microsoft Advertising Grant, which gives eligible nonprofits up to $3,000 per month in free advertising. At NonprofitReady, we’ve been taking advantage of the Google Ad Grant for years to raise awareness of our free learning program. The Microsoft Advertising Grant is another great opportunity to reach our target audience. Maybe it could benefit your nonprofit as well?
In this article, we'll explore the application process for the grant, eligibility requirements, and how nonprofits can use the $3,000 per month of free advertising to increase donors, volunteers, or awareness of their cause.
What is The Microsoft Advertising Grant?
The Microsoft Advertising Grant Program is a global initiative funded by Microsoft Ads. It provides eligible nonprofits with $3,000 per month in free advertising credit so they can use digital marketing tools to reach their target audience and grow their donor base. The grant helps spread awareness of your cause and drives donations that help support your mission. Microsoft offers many opportunities to reach your target audience through digital search, native advertising and its owned-and-operated outlets such as Bing, Yahoo!, AOL, Outlook.com, MSN and Microsoft Edge. When we think of “search” the first word that comes to mind is generally “Google.” But you may be surprised to learn that Microsoft and Yahoo! properties handle more than 1/3 of all search queries in the United States.
Who is Eligible?
In order to qualify for the grant, organizations must meet certain criteria such as: being registered with TechSoup Global’s Validation Service (which verifies 501(c)(3) status); having a website; being based in one of the countries supported by Bing Ads; and having an active bank account. Organizations must also have a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN). Nonprofits should confirm the eligibility requirements before applying for the program.
How Can Nonprofits Use the Free Advertising?
Organizations can use their free monthly advertising for a variety of purposes including increasing donations or volunteer activity; driving traffic to their website or social media accounts; building an email list; launching new programs or initiatives; or raising awareness about their organization’s mission and work. By using targeted keywords that are specific to each organization’s goals and objectives—and utilizing other features like location targeting—nonprofits can ensure that they are reaching their intended audience with maximum efficiency.
The Microsoft Advertising Grant offers qualified nonprofits an incredible opportunity to stretch their limited budgets further while still achieving their marketing objectives. From gaining volunteer interest and recruiting new members to raising awareness about their mission or fundraising goals—the possibilities are endless! If you’re new to search engine marketing, you may want to start with the Google Ad Grant as the search volume is higher and the amount of the grant is also higher ($10,000 per month compared to $3,000). But if your nonprofit already leverages the Google Ad Grant, definitely check out the Microsoft Ad Grant as there are some significant advantages and Microsoft provides an easy way to migrate your Google campaigns over to Microsoft. By focusing on targeting specific keywords relevant to potential donors or volunteers; optimizing ads correctly; and tracking data regularly; your nonprofit can leverage the Microsoft Ad Grant to increase your impact at no cost.
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