Apply for Google for Nonprofits

This application is the step that unlocks Google Workspace for your parent group.

Most of it is straightforward. A few questions are easy to misread, but this guide will keep you on the right track.

1. Confirm that your parent group is eligible

The first screen asks you to confirm that your organization is eligible.

This question trips up many PTOs and PTGs.

Your parent group works closely with a school, but it is not the school. Legally, it is a separate nonprofit organization.

2. Select your country

Choose the country where the parent group is legally registered.

For a U.S. PTO or PTG, select United States.

3. Find your organization

Google asks you to search for your organization by name or registration number.

For a U.S. nonprofit, enter the parent group’s EIN. Google will use it to look up your organization in its nonprofit database.

If Google cannot find your group, follow the prompts to add it for verification.

4. Describe what your parent group does

Google will ask for the organization’s mission.

You do not need to write something from scratch. Look at Article II of your bylaws. That section usually explains the purpose of the parent group.

Use a short version of that language.

For example:

Jefferson PTO supports the education and well-being of students by strengthening cooperation between families, teachers, and the school community.

For the category, choose:

• Category: School, college, education
• Subcategory: Parent association

Describe the mission of the parent group, not the mission of the school.

5. Enter your website

Enter the website you prepared in the previous step.

Use the full address, such as:

https://www.jeffersonpto.org

Goodstack may use the website to confirm that the organization is active and that you are connected to it.

6. Enter your contact information

Enter your name and email address.

For Job title, use your role in the parent group, such as President, Treasurer, or Vice President.

Do not enter your paid profession unless it is also your role in the PTO or PTG.

You may use a personal Gmail address. An organization email can make your connection easier to verify, but it is not required.

What happens after you submit

Goodstack will verify two things:

1. The PTO or PTG is an eligible nonprofit.
2. You are connected to the organization.

You may be approved without providing anything else.

Goodstack may also email you for documents, especially if your name and role are not easy to confirm on the organization’s website.

Watch the inbox you used for the application, including the spam folder.

If Goodstack asks for records, follow the request exactly. It checks nonprofit status and your connection to the organization as separate questions.

Nonprofit-status evidence, such as the IRS Determination Letter, establishes that the PTO or PTG qualifies. Applicant-affiliation evidence, such as signed meeting minutes or a qualifying bank statement, establishes your connection to it.

For applicant-affiliation review, Goodstack’s current document requirements say submitted documents must be original, unredacted PDF files. Organization-issued documents generally must:

• Be dated more than 30 days before the application.
• Show the organization’s legal name.
• Show your full name when relevant.
• Be signed.

A bank statement generally must be the original electronic PDF, be dated more than 30 days before the application, and show the organization’s legal name.

For U.S. applicants, Goodstack strongly recommends the IRS EIN Verification Letter. This is not the same as the IRS Determination Letter.

Upload bank statements and other sensitive records only through Goodstack’s official submission process.

After approval

Approval gives your parent group access to Google for Nonprofits.

It does not activate Google Workspace automatically.

Next step: Activate Google Workspace for Nonprofits and Verify Your Domain.