Google Workspace for Nonprofits
Google Workspace for Nonprofits. Possible uses: Organisation-owned email, Shared Drive structures, Calendars, Meetings, Permissions.
For funders and local supporters
Strengthen shared digital foundations
A grant, sponsor, or suitable local budget for Digital Muirkirk could strengthen shared digital foundations used by many local groups. This is not funding one organisation's admin. It is a proposed Digital Communities pilot helping multiple organisations become more visible, more secure, more coordinated, and more capable.
Funding route
Grant-first, with sponsorship kept optional
Digital Muirkirk should not depend on local businesses being pressed to pay for support. The preferred route is to shape fundable digital improvement work for eligible local organisations, with business sponsorship welcome only where it is voluntary, transparent and tied to named local outcomes.
- Specific grants should only be published after current official verification.
- Paid support may be matched with donated charIT / everwished time where agreed, scoped and compatible with funder rules.
- Donated time should be recorded separately and should not be described as guaranteed formal match funding.
- Any donated time should be agreed before an application relies on it, and should not be double-counted or used to inflate a budget.
- Funders decide whether donated or in-kind support can count as formal match funding.
- In-kind support such as venues, devices, printing, connectivity or volunteer time can help where it is recorded transparently.
- Digital Communities can make the shared infrastructure case clearer for funders.
What support enables
Measurable community benefit
Support can help build local resilience, volunteer skills, better records, safer accounts, and a model that could be reused elsewhere.
- More local groups using secure digital tools
- Better public visibility of events and activities
- Volunteer training and confidence-building
- Reduced duplication across community organisations
- Better record keeping and continuity
- Cybersecurity awareness
- A repeatable model for other communities
- Better foundations for future services, venues, projects, and social enterprises
How impact can be measured
Potential measures
Digital Muirkirk should be judged by practical outcomes, not vague partnership language.
- Number of participating organisations
- Number of managed accounts created
- Number of people trained
- Number of calendar events published
- Number of organisations using shared drives
- Reduction in reliance on personal accounts
- Feedback from volunteers and residents
- Reuse of the model by other communities
Tools to assess
Google Workspace is a core early enabler where eligible
These tools are options to assess if appropriate. They are not selected, integrated, approved, or funded for every group.
Important: Eligibility, pricing, availability and suitability must be checked before any tool is adopted or publicly promoted as part of the project.
Office productivity and email alternatives
Microsoft 365 Business Basic for eligible nonprofits. Possible uses: Email, Shared documents, Meetings, Group administration.
Design and public notices
Canva for Nonprofits. Possible uses: Posters, Social media graphics, Event notices, Reusable templates.
Charity technology access
TechSoup UK. Possible uses: Technology donations and discounts, Software procurement support, Lower-cost routes for eligible charities.
Local accountability
Funding needs a responsible local route
Digital Muirkirk should have clear local accountability. MEG may be one strong anchor route if they choose to become involved. If they do not, another suitable existing local organisation, or a new charitable organisation or CIC, may be needed before funding or wider delivery can be managed responsibly.