When Applying for Google for Nonprofits, What Paperwork Should I Submit (USA Churches)?

If you have your own 501c3:

You'll submit either a photo or a pdf your 501(c)(3) determination letter received from the IRS.

Note: This probably won't happen to you but if Google's partner company asks for a photograph of the physical letter and you don't have one, print out the letter, fold it up and crease it like it had been mailed, then unfold it and take a photo of it and send the photo. I know that sounds funny but it seems to work best. 😂

The paperwork will look similar to this example paperwork.

If you are covered by an umbrella denominational ruling you'll need these 3 things:

1. Paperwork showing that your denomination is a 501c3 (similar to the example paperwork above).

2. A letter from your denomination showing that your organization is part of the denomination. It should mention your church's legal name and Employer Identification Number (EIN), as well as the legal name and Group Exemption number of your denomination. The letter must be composed on the letterhead of your national parent denomination.

3. A letter from the IRS that mentions your church's name and EIN. If you don't have a letter like this, call the IRS at (877) 829-5500 and request a letter confirming your EIN. The letter is free to you but it does take about 14 days to come in the mail, unless you are able to have it faxed to you.

If you are submitting multiple pieces of paperwork, use this tool to combine them into one document.

If you don’t have the first 2 letters already, you can reach out to your denomination with a message like the following:

Hi, this is [name] from [legal church name].

We are applying for Google for Nonprofits and need a group exemption letter proving our nonprofit status. Would you be able to send me the paperwork proving that our church is covered by the denomination’s 501c3?

It will need to include our EIN and proof of your 501c3 status. Ideally, it would also include my name.

Thank you!