Google Ad Grant Ireland
If you’re a nonprofit in Ireland and you’re looking to grow your visibility and impact online, the Google Ad Grants program could be one of the most valuable digital marketing tools at your disposal to help amplify your reach.
Eligible Irish charities and NGOs can receive up to $10,000 USD per month in free Google Search advertising — helping you reach new donors, drive event sign-ups, promote services, and raise awareness, all without spending your own funds. Whether your mission is local or international, this program gives you a real chance to profit not in revenue, but in reach, engagement, and community support.
In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions nonprofits in Ireland have about applying for and using the Google Ad Grants account — including eligibility, multilingual ads, Goodstack registration, compliance rules, and how to make the most of your account once you’re approved.
And if you’d like expert support from a Google Grant specialist, Rooney Digital offers hands-on guidance, application support and campaign management — to ensure your grant drives real results.
How does the Google Ad Grant benefit Irish nonprofits?
The Google Ad Grant program helps Irish nonprofits expand their reach, increase visibility, and drive meaningful actions like donations, sign-ups, and awareness — all without spending from their own budget.
The Google Ad Grant provides up to $10,000 USD per month in free Google Search advertising for eligible nonprofits in Ireland. To help Irish organizations better understand the value, we’ve translated this figure into approximate Euro (EUR) based on average exchange rates. This breakdown shows what the grant would be worth per year, month, week, and day in EUR terms.
- €111,600 per year
- €9,300 per month
- €2,150 per week
- €310 per day
The Google Ad Grant is always awarded in US dollars. These EUR amounts are estimates only to help nonprofits in Ireland understand the grant’s value in local terms.
Other key benefits of the Google Ad Grant include:
- Increased visibility for your cause — whether you’re looking to reach donors in Dublin, volunteers in Cork, or international supporters online.
- Data-driven impact — with conversion tracking and performance dashboards, you can measure results like donations, event registrations, and newsletter sign-ups.
- Cost-effective marketing — ideal for nonprofits with limited resources who want to raise awareness, recruit supporters, and scale their impact online.
Access to other free Google tools — including Google Workspace for Nonprofits, YouTube for Nonprofits, Google Earth and Maps Pro, and the Google Maps Platform credits for storytelling, operations, or outreach.
Are nonprofits in Ireland eligible for the Google Ad Grant?
Yes, nonprofits registered in Ireland are eligible for the Google Ad Grant—whether your nonprofit works locally in Ireland or operates internationally. Certain Irish organizations, such as governmental bodies, hospitals, or schools, may not be eligible — but most charitable Irish organizations can apply successfully.
Which Irish nonprofits can apply for the Google Ad Grant?
Irish nonprofits that are formally registered in Ireland and operate for charitable, social, or community-focused purposes can apply for the Google Ad Grant. There are four main types of charity structure in Ireland; charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), charitable company (limited by guarantee), unincorporated association and a trust.
What are the Google Grant eligibility requirements for Irish nonprofits?
To be eligible for the Google Ad Grant, Irish organizations must:
- Be verified by Goodstack (Google’s official verification partner)
- Be approved for the Google for Nonprofits account
- Have an active website that meets Google’s quality standards
Ineligible Irish organizations include:
- Governmental entities or organizations
- Hospitals and healthcare providers
Schools, academic institutions, and universities
If you’re unsure whether your nonprofit qualifies, a quick eligibility check can confirm it.
How do we apply for the Google Ad Grant from Ireland?
To apply for the Google Ad Grant from Ireland, your nonprofit must complete a 3-step process involving verification, enrollment, and setup.
Here’s how it works:
1. Verify Your Nonprofit Status via Goodstack
Go to Goodstack.org and create an account. You’ll need to upload official documentation proving your organization is a registered nonprofit in Ireland —proof of registration with the Charities Regulator typically involves a copy of the organization’s constitution or governing documents, financial records, and a declaration of eligibility.
Once verified, you’ll receive a unique validation token needed for the next step.
2. Enroll in Google for Nonprofits
Visit google.com/nonprofits and sign in with your organization’s Google account.
Enter your Goodstack validation token, complete the short application, and wait for approval — this usually takes a few days.
Approval gives you access to tools like Google Workspace for Nonprofits, YouTube for Nonprofits, and the Google Ad Grant.
3. Apply for the Google Ad Grant
Once enrolled in Google for Nonprofits:
- Go to your account dashboard and click on “Activate” under Google Ad Grants
- Complete the Ad Grant pre-qualification survey
- Set up a basic Google Ads account (with special settings for the grant)
- Submit the account for review
Once approved, you’ll receive up to $10,000/month in free Google Search advertising.
If you’d like expert help getting started, Rooney Digital offers full Google Ad Grant application and setup services tailored for Irish nonprofits. From navigating Goodstack verification to creating compliant campaigns that are ready to launch, we handle the entire process — so you can focus on your mission while we make sure you don’t miss out on this powerful $10,000/month opportunity. To get started, book a free 30 minute discovery call with us to discuss more details about the grant and your nonprofit’s goals.
Is registration with Goodstack required in Ireland?
Yes, registration with Goodstack is required for Irish nonprofits to access the Google Ad Grant.
Goodstack (formerly Percent) is Google’s official nonprofit verification partner. Before applying for the Google for Nonprofits program — which is a prerequisite for the Ad Grant — your organization must first register with Goodstack to verify its nonprofit status. This process ensures you meet Google’s eligibility requirements and is mandatory for nonprofits in Ireland and many other countries.
What do Irish nonprofits need for the Google Grant application?
Irish nonprofits need official documentation confirming their charitable status in order to apply for the Google Ad Grant.
Specifically, you’ll need:
- Proof of charitable status — such as registration with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) and/or a charitable tax exemption letter from the Revenue Commissioners (CHY number).
- Nonprofit legal structure — typically as a company limited by guarantee or another nonprofit structure registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
- An active website — that is secure (HTTPS), user-friendly, and clearly explains your nonprofit’s mission, services, and activities. The website must be owned by your organization and meet Google’s quality standards.
- Goodstack account — for nonprofit verification. Google partners with Goodstack (formerly TechSoup) in Ireland to confirm nonprofit eligibility. Once verified, you’ll receive a token to access Google for Nonprofits and proceed with the Ad Grant application.
- Google Analytics Setup — implement Google Analytics (GA4) on your website to track and report on performance metrics. This is a requirement for maintaining the Google Ad Grant and optimizing campaign performance.
How long does the Google Ad Grant application process take in Ireland?
The Google Ad Grant application process in Ireland typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly your organization can complete each step and how long third-party approvals take.
Goodstack verification usually takes 3–7 business days, assuming all required documentation is provided correctly. Enrollment in Google for Nonprofits typically takes 1–5 business days. Google Ad Grant qualification & campaign setup can take 1–2 weeks.
What are the Google Grant compliance requirements for Irish nonprofits?
Irish nonprofits must meet the same Google Ads Grant compliance requirements as nonprofits in other countries. These include:
- 5% Click-Through Rate (CTR): Each account must maintain a minimum 5% CTR across all ads monthly. Falling below this for 2 consecutive months may result in account deactivation.
- Proper Campaign Structure:
- At least 2 active campaigns
- At least 2 ad groups per campaign
- At least 2 ads per ad group
- Relevant keywords grouped appropriately
- No Single-Word or Generic Keywords:
Single-word keywords (except for approved exceptions like brand names) and vague terms like “free videos” or “today’s news” are not allowed. - Keyword Quality Scores of 3 or Higher:
Ads must use relevant keywords with a Quality Score of at least 3 out of 10 to remain eligible. - Geo-Targeting:
All campaigns must specify a target location (e.g. Ireland, specific counties, countries or global regions if appropriate to your mission). - Active Account Maintenance:
Accounts must have at least 1 ad click per month and log in at least once every 30 days. - Conversion Tracking (if applicable):
If you’re using Smart Bidding or want to track meaningful actions (donations, sign-ups, etc.), you must have conversion tracking implemented using GA4 or Google Tag Manager. - Ad Relevance and Landing Page Quality:
Ads must link to high-quality, relevant landing pages with meaningful content — no broken links, slow load times, or lack of mission-focused information.
These rules apply to all nonprofits using the Ad Grant, including those based in Ireland. Working with a qualified manager can help ensure you remain compliant and get the most from your grant.
Are there agencies or consultants in Ireland that specialize in managing the Google Ad Grant?
Yes, there are agencies and consultants in Ireland that specialize in managing the Google Ad Grant — including Rooney Digital.
Rooney Digital offers Google Ad Grant management tailored to Irish nonprofits, helping you get approved, stay compliant, and turn your $10,000/month grant into measurable results like donations, sign-ups, and community engagement. Working with a local specialist ensures your campaigns are aligned with the Irish market and global audience needs.
Can we use the Google Ad Grant only in Ireland?
No, you are not limited to targeting only Ireland with your Google Ad Grant campaigns.
As an Irish nonprofit, you can run ads globally — including in other countries or regions — as long as your targeting aligns with your mission and the content you’re promoting is relevant and accessible to the users you’re targeting.
However, you must still follow Google’s policies on geo-targeting, and your website must offer a good user experience for those audiences (e.g. language support, relevance). For most organizations, focusing on regions where you operate or have programs will produce the best results and ensure grant compliance.
Can we run ads in Irish (Gaeilge)?
Yes, you can run Google Ads in Irish (Gaeilge) using the Google Ad Grants programme — as long as your ad content complies with Google’s advertising policies and your website contains Irish-language content that’s relevant to the ads.
While Irish is supported, Google’s automated tools (e.g., ad suggestions, keyword recommendations) may be limited in Irish compared to English and search volumes may be too low to maintain the 5% CTR that’s required to keep the grant.
Is the Google Ad Grant considered taxable income in Ireland?
No, the Google Ad Grant is generally not considered taxable income in Ireland for a nonprofit organization. It’s an in-kind donation, not a monetary payment, so it’s not subject to Irish income tax.
