Google Offers $5.5 million in Grants for Australian NFPs and Social Enterprises

Google is offering grants of up to $1 million for Australian not for profits and social enterprises undertaking projects that use technology to make an impact.    

Google Australia and New Zealand launched the Google Impact Challenge on Monday, with $5.5 million in grant funding up for grabs.

This is the third Google Impact Challenge in Australia and previous supported initiatives include Fred Hollows’ low-cost mobile camera to detect and prevent diabetes-related blindness, Infoxchange’s Ask Izzy app, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s development of autonomous underwater vehicles to help protect the reef.

In a Google Australia Blog post, Google’s vice president of product, Anil Sabharwal, said he was excited to launch the grants program.

“Every day, Australian non-profits and social enterprises are finding new ways to address some of our most challenging social problems – from education and economic opportunity to inclusion,” Sabharwal said.

“We know that technology can be part of the solution.

“Many Australian non-profits already use technology to tackle challenges and some have big ideas that need an extra boost, that’s why we’re launching the 2018 Google.org Impact Challenge… [to back] Australia’s forward thinkers.”

Sabharwal explained how the process would unfold.

“Ten finalists will be announced in October, and then we want to hear from you… Australians will be invited to vote for your favourite idea – which will take out the $1 million People’s Choice prize,” he said.

During the previous Google Impact Challenge in 2016, 10 finalists presented their projects to a panel of judges – including Lucy Turnbull, David Gonski and Melissa Doyle ­–  and their selection, combined with the public vote, determined the five winning NFPs.

NFPs and social enterprises have until 6 July 2018 to apply for a grant.

More information can be found on the Google Impact Challenge website.