Maximize Google Ad Grant for Your Church

Jono Long • October 13, 2024

For churches looking to expand their reach and connect with more people, the Google Ad Grant offers an incredible opportunity. This program provides eligible non-profits with $10,000 per month in in-kind advertising on Google search results. By making the most of the Google Ad Grant, your church can boost its online presence, attract new visitors, and share its mission more effectively.

Setting up and managing a Google Ad Grant account involves several steps, but the benefits are well worth the effort. The process starts with understanding the basics of what the grant offers and how it works. With a solid foundation, you can then move on to setting up your account and creating effective ad campaigns that align with your church’s goals.

The journey doesn’t stop at launching your ads. Continuous monitoring and optimization are crucial to ensuring your campaigns perform well and make the best use of the grant funds. We are dedicated to helping churches navigate this process and achieve outstanding results. By following best practices, your church can maximize the impact of the Google Ad Grant and see significant growth in its digital outreach.

Understanding the Basics of Google Ad Grant

The Google Ad Grant is designed to help non-profit organizations, including churches, increase their online visibility. By providing up to $10,000 per month in free advertising credit, it allows your church to appear in Google search results when people look for keywords related to your mission.

To leverage this grant, it’s important to understand its basic requirements and limitations. First, your church must be eligible for the Google Ad Grant, meeting specific non-profit criteria. You should have a functioning website with sufficient content and must enroll in Google for Nonprofits.

There are also guidelines to follow once awarded the grant. Google requires a minimum click-through rate (CTR) of 5%, proper ad structure, and regular account activity. Ads must be relevant to your mission, and keywords should be chosen carefully to maximize reach and effectiveness. Familiarizing yourself with these rules ensures that your church maximizes the benefits without risking suspension.

Setting Up Your Google Ad Grant Account

Once you understand the basics, the next step is setting up your Google Ad Grant account. Begin by enrolling your church in the Google for Nonprofits program. This step verifies your eligibility and provides access to various Google resources designed for non-profits.

After enrollment, create your Google Ads account, but remember not to input any billing information, as the Google Ad Grant covers the costs. Configure your account based on Google’s guidelines, ensuring it meets the required structure and compliance standards. For example, you must set up at least two ad groups with multiple ads each and target relevant keywords effectively.

Next, submit your account for review. Google will check if your setup complies with the program’s requirements. Upon approval, you can start creating and launching ad campaigns. Pay close attention to keyword selection and ad copy to attract the right audience. Keep reviewing the grant rules to maintain compliance and maximize the potential of your ad campaigns.

Crafting Effective Ad Campaigns

Creating compelling ad campaigns is essential to maximizing the benefits of the Google Ad Grant for your church. Start by identifying the key messages you want to communicate. This can include promoting events, sharing inspiring stories, or highlighting community services.

Next, select relevant keywords that your target audience might use when searching online. Think about words and phrases that people might type into Google when looking for a church or services you offer. Use Google’s Keyword Planner to find high-traffic, relevant keywords. Ensure your ads are clear, concise, and engaging. Each ad should have a strong call-to-action, encouraging users to click for more information or to attend an event.

Group your ads into thematic ad groups within your campaigns. For example, you might have separate ad groups for Sunday services, youth programs, and charitable events. This helps you target the right audience with the right message. Continuously test different versions of your ads to see which ones perform best. Experiment with different headlines, descriptions, and calls-to-action to find the most effective combinations.

Monitoring and Optimizing Your Ad Performance

Regular monitoring and optimization of your ad performance are crucial to making the most of the Google Ad Grant. Use Google Ads’ built-in analytics tools to track how your ads are performing. Key metrics to watch include click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and overall traffic to your church’s website.

Examine which keywords and ads are driving the most engagement and make necessary adjustments. Pause or tweak underperforming ads and allocate more budget to those that are successful. Regularly updating and refining your keywords ensures they remain relevant and effective.

Schedule routine audits of your Google Ads account to maintain compliance with Google Ad Grant requirements. Make sure you’re meeting the minimum CTR and other program guidelines. Continuous improvement keeps your campaigns effective and ensures you’re getting the most value from the grant. Regularly review your goals and adapt your strategies to align with your church’s mission and outreach objectives.

Conclusion

Making the most of the Google Ad Grant for your church involves understanding its basics, setting up your account properly, crafting effective ad campaigns, and continuously monitoring and optimizing performance. By following these steps, your church can significantly enhance its online visibility and connect with more people in meaningful ways.

Google Ad Grant provides a fantastic opportunity for churches to reach a wider audience and share their message. Faithworks Marketing is committed to helping churches navigate this process and maximize their ad potential. Contact Faithworks Marketing today to elevate your church’s digital presence and make the most of Google Ad Grant.

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AI, Side Hustles, Creative Ministry, and $10K Google Grants: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

By Jono Long • August 21, 2025

For many pastors today, ministry is both a calling and a financial challenge. As the cost of living rises and church salaries remain modest, more pastors are turning to side hustles and creative income streams to provide for their families. This trend is shaping what many believe will define the next generation of church leaders: bivocational ministry. In a recent episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Luke Clayton sat down with Jono Long , founder of Faithworks Marketing, to discuss their parallel journeys from ministry to entrepreneurship. Together, they shared practical strategies for church marketing, candid lessons from business, and encouragement for pastors who feel caught between calling and provision. Ministry Meets Entrepreneurship Both Luke and Jono began in full-time ministry, but financial realities forced them to adapt. Jono, a youth pastor in Georgia, found himself with five kids, a wife at home, and a salary that wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Out of necessity, he turned to social media management for local businesses. What started as a $300-a-month side hustle eventually grew into Faithworks Marketing , an agency serving churches across the country. Luke’s path was similar but marked by burnout. As a communications director at a large church and school, he was responsible for everything creative—websites, graphics, video, and media. With no budget to outsource and a workload that never stopped, he eventually hit a breaking point. Stepping away cold turkey, he launched his own creative business, Increase Creative , which now helps churches with websites, branding, and podcast production. Their stories reflect a growing trend: ministry leaders are often entrepreneurs at heart, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to build businesses that support both their families and the church. Why Bivocational Ministry is the New Normal While many pastors once saw bivocational work as a backup plan, it is quickly becoming the new reality. Church salaries often fall short of providing financial stability, especially for families. Meanwhile, the American cost of living continues to rise. This creates tension for pastors who want to devote themselves fully to ministry but also need to provide for their loved ones. Luke and Jono both noted the guilt factor many pastors feel when pursuing side income, as if it means they are less committed to the church. In reality, bivocational work can be freeing. As Jono shared, when pastors are less dependent on their church paycheck, they can lead with boldness, making decisions based on conviction rather than fear of losing their job. Unlocking the Power of Google Ad Grants One of the most practical tools for churches that Jono highlighted is the Google Ad Grant , which gives qualifying nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising . Many churches don’t take advantage of it, or they try but see little success. The most common reason: their websites lack content. “Church websites often have only a few words, a mission statement, and service times,” Jono explained. “That will never work for the grant.” Practical tips for churches to maximize the grant include: Create content-rich pages : Google rewards sites with valuable answers to common questions. Leverage sermons : Transcribe and summarize sermons into blog posts to boost SEO. Target felt needs : Ads about prayer, anxiety, or salvation resonate deeply with people searching online. By building a content-driven website and strategically using the grant, churches can expand their reach far beyond Sunday morning. SEO, AI, and the Future of Church Marketing The digital landscape is changing fast. With Google’s AI Overviews now answering many search queries directly, fewer people are clicking through to websites. For churches, this makes content strategy more important than ever . “Good content still wins,” Jono said. “Whether AI-generated or human-written, Google rewards sites that provide thoughtful, helpful answers.” For churches, this means focusing on practical, biblical content that speaks to real needs in their community. Lessons from the Trenches of Business Both Luke and Jono were quick to admit their mistakes. For Luke, the biggest was hiring too fast, taking on employees before his business could sustain them. For Jono, it was diving into websites and SEO without fully understanding them, learning through trial and error. Their honesty underscores an important truth: entrepreneurship is messy. But both emphasized that failure is part of the journey, and perseverance often matters more than a perfect business plan. Creative Side Hustles for Pastors Pastors and ministry leaders often have more marketable skills than they realize. Jono shared how he started a DJ and photo booth company, hiring youth pastors and worship leaders to serve at weddings and proms. Their stage presence, comfort with sound systems, and ability to engage people made them natural fits. Luke, meanwhile, has leaned into podcast production, helping churches launch and manage their shows. Both are examples of how ministry skills—communication, leadership, problem-solving—translate into entrepreneurial ventures. From web design to coaching, from content creation to event services, pastors have opportunities to create side income streams that complement their ministry instead of distracting from it. The conversation between Luke and Jono highlights a new reality: bivocational ministry is here to stay. Pastors no longer have to choose between serving the church and providing for their families. By embracing entrepreneurship, leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants, and using their transferable skills, pastors can thrive both spiritually and financially. The message is clear: you can do ministry, build a business, and serve God faithfully—all at the same time. 🔗 Learn more about Faithworks Marketing: https://faithworksmarketing.com 🔗 Connect with Luke Clayton and explore coaching for bivocational pastors: https://jlukeclayton.com/