Google Ad Grant Switzerland

If you’re a nonprofit in Switzerland 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 Swiss charities and associations 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 Switzerland 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 certified specialist based in Switzerland, Rooney Digital offers hands-on guidance from application to campaign management — ensuring your grant drives real results.

How does the Google Ad Grant benefit Swiss nonprofits?

google ads grant switzerland — Approximate Google Ad Grant Value in Swiss Francs

The Google Ad Grant program helps Swiss 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 Switzerland. To help Swiss organizations better understand the value, we’ve translated this figure into approximate Swiss Francs (CHF) based on average exchange rates. This breakdown shows what the grant would be worth per year, month, week, and day in CHF terms.

CHF 110,400 per year
CHF 9,200 per month
CHF 2,123 per week
CHF 302 per day

The Google Ad Grant is always awarded in US dollars. These CHF amounts are estimates only to help nonprofits in Switzerland 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 Geneva, volunteers in Zurich, 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.

When used strategically, the grant can significantly strengthen your digital presence in Switzerland and beyond.

Are nonprofits in Switzerland eligible for the Google Ad Grant?

eligible swiss nonprofits google ad grant — Types of Swiss Nonprofits That Can Apply for the Google Ad Grant

Yes, nonprofits registered in Switzerland are eligible for the Google Ad Grant—whether your nonprofit works locally in Switzerland or operates internationally. Certain Swiss organizations, such as governmental bodies, hospitals, or schools, may not be eligible — but most charitable Swiss associations and foundations can apply successfully.

Which Swiss nonprofits can apply for the Google Ad grant?

Swiss nonprofits that are formally registered and operate for charitable, social, or community-focused purposes can apply for the Google Ad Grant. This includes associations (Vereine / associations), foundations (Stiftungen / fondations), and other tax-exempt nonprofit entities.

Most NGOs, humanitarian organizations, environmental nonprofits, religious charities, and cultural associations based in Switzerland will qualify — provided they meet Google’s general eligibility requirements.

What are the Google Grant eligibility requirements for Swiss nonprofits?

To be eligible for the Google Ad Grant, Swiss 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 Swiss organizations include:

Governmental entities or organizations
Hospitals and healthcare providers
Schools, academic institutions, and universitiesIf you’re unsure whether your nonprofit qualifies, a quick eligibility check can confirm it.

google ad grant switzerland eligibility requirements

How do we apply for the Google Ad Grant from Switzerland?

To apply for the Google Ad Grant from Switzerland, 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 and create an account.
You’ll need to upload official documentation proving your organization is a registered Swiss nonprofit — such as a commercial register extract (Registre du commerce), tax exemption letter, or founding charter.

Once verified, you’ll receive a unique validation token needed for the next step.

2. Enroll in Google for Nonprofit

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 Swiss 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 Switzerland?

Yes, registration with Goodstack is required for Swiss 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 Switzerland and many other countries.

What do Swiss nonprofits need for the Google Grant application?

Swiss nonprofits need official documentation confirming their nonprofit status in order to apply for the Google Ad Grant.

Specifically, you’ll need:

Proof of nonprofit registration — such as an entry in the Swiss Commercial Register (Handelsregisterauszug / extrait du registre du commerce) or a founding charter for smaller associations.
Nonprofit status confirmation — often demonstrated through a tax exemption letter or formal recognition of charitable status (gemeinnützig / d’utilité publique).
An active website — that is secure (HTTPS), functions properly, and clearly describes your nonprofit’s mission and activities.
Goodstack account — for nonprofit verification, which replaces TechSoup in Switzerland and is required to access Google for Nonprofits. Once verified through Goodstack, you can enroll in Google for Nonprofits and begin the Ad Grant application process.
Google Analytics Setup: Implement Google Analytics on your website to track and report on performance metrics, which is a requirement for maintaining the grant.

How long does the Google Ad Grant application process take in Switzerland?

The Google Ad Grant application process in Switzerland 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 Swiss nonprofits?

Swiss nonprofits must meet the same Google Ads Grant compliance requirements as nonprofits in other countries like the United States. 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. Switzerland, specific cantons, 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 Switzerland. Working with a qualified manager can help ensure you remain compliant and get the most from your grant.

Are there agencies or consultants in Switzerland that specialize in managing the Google Ad Grant?

Yes, there are agencies and consultants in Switzerland that specialize in managing the Google Ad Grant — including Rooney Digital.

Rooney Digital offers Google Ad Grant management tailored to Swiss 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 Swiss market and multilingual audience needs.

Can we target only Switzerland with our Google Ads campaigns?

No, you are not limited to targeting only Switzerland with your Google Ad Grant campaigns.

As a Swiss 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.

Do multilingual ads work with the Google Ad Grant in Switzerland?

Yes, multilingual ads work with the Google Ad Grant in Switzerland.

You can create campaigns in multiple languages — such as German, French, Italian, or English — to reflect Switzerland’s multilingual population or reach international audiences. Each Google ad campaign should be structured by language to ensure your keywords, ads, and landing pages match, which is essential for both performance and compliance. Google recommends aligning ad language with the user’s search language and website content to maintain relevance and meet quality standards.

Can we run ads in Swiss German with the Google Grant?

No, you cannot run Google Ad Grant ads specifically in Swiss German, because Google Ads does not support Swiss German as a distinct language.

To run Google Ads targeting Swiss German speakers, you’ll need to select “German” as the target language within your Google Ads account. This will ensure your ads are shown to users who have chosen German as their language setting on Google services, such as Search or Gmail.

It’s also crucial to translate your ad copy into Swiss German if you want to ensure your message resonates with the local audience.

Can we run ads in Romansh with the Google Grant?

Technically yes, you can run ads in Romansh using the Google Ad Grant — but with limitations.

While Romansh is not listed as a supported interface language in Google Ads, you can still write ad copy and target keywords in Romansh. However, due to extremely low search volume and limited keyword data, your campaigns may see little to no activity. If your nonprofit serves a Romansh-speaking audience, it’s best to test a small, focused campaign and monitor performance closely. Make sure your website and landing pages are also in Romansh to maintain relevance and compliance.

Can we run ads in French with the Google Grant?

Yes, you can run Google Ad Grant ads in French.

French is fully supported by Google Ads, and many Swiss nonprofits use it to target the French-speaking regions of Switzerland or international audiences. To stay compliant, make sure your ad copy, keywords, and landing pages are all in French and relevant to your audience’s search intent.

Can we run ads in Italian with the Google Grant?

Yes, you can run Google Ad Grant ads in Italian.

Italian is a fully supported language in Google Ads, making it suitable for reaching audiences in Ticino and other Italian-speaking regions. For best results and compliance, ensure your keywords, ad copy, and landing pages are all written in Italian and relevant to your campaign goals.

Does the Google Ad Grant count as income in Switzerland?

No, the Google Ad Grant is generally not considered taxable income in Switzerland for a nonprofit organization. It’s an in-kind donation, not a monetary payment, so it’s not subject to Swiss income tax.