Frequently Asked Questions
About
What is the Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois?
The Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois is an open invitation to nonprofits with a materialpresence in Illinois to share their vision for innovative ways to make our community stronger
by increasing economic opportunity. We call on the public to vote from among ten selected
projects for the project they believe will have the greatest potential for impact in thecommunity. Winning organizations receive grant funding and Google training to help turn theirideas into reality.
Why is Google hosting the Google.org Impact Challenge in Illinois?
Google has been part of Illinois since 2000, and was one of the first offices to open outside ofour headquarters in California. Today, over 900 Googlers call Illinois home, and supporting
Illinois nonprofits is part of our culture. In fact, we've donated over $14.7 in charitable giving to
nonprofits and schools in Illinois since 2011. The Google.org Impact Challenge is acontinuation of our commitment to fueling innovation across Illinois and amplifying theincredible impact of local organizations.
Where can I read a full copy of the rules?
You can find the rules ​here​.
What if I still have questions?
Please contact us at us-impact-challenge@google.com. We will review every email and post
responses to commonly asked questions on our FAQ here to ensure that all interested
applicants have access to the same helpful information.

Criteria
What are we looking for?
Community Impact.​ Does the proposed project create economic opportunity in Illinois? Doesit improve the lives of people in our community?
Innovation.​ Does the project provide an unexpected solution to an unmet need? Is it a novelapplication of a time-tested idea?
Reach.​ D​ oes the project have ambitious goals and embody a big idea? Does it have thepotential to scale directly or to serve as a model for other communities?

Feasibility.​ I​ s the team well-equipped to execute on the project and do they have awell-developed and realistic plan? Is the organization’s leadership nimble and inspired?

Entry
Is there a registration fee?
No. Applying for the Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois is free.
How do I know if my organization is eligible to participate?
Review the c​ riteria​ and the ​rules​.
What if I am not a registered nonprofit or in the process of registering now? Can I still apply?
You must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at the time the application is submitted.
However, if you are a fiscally sponsored organization, your fiscal sponsor can apply on yourbehalf, provided it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at the time the application is submitted. Please see
the ​rules​ for more details.
What if I have a great idea, but my nonprofit isn’t based in Illinois?
The Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally-sponsoredorganizations with a material presence in Illinois. If you believe your organization has amaterial presence in Illinois, we would encourage you to a​ pply​. Please see the ​rules​ for details.
What if we’re a local affiliate of a national organization? Can we still apply?
As long as you're a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally-sponsored organization with a materialpresence in Illinois at the time you submit the application, you are eligible to ​apply​.
What does it mean to have a material presence in Illinois?
It is up to your organization to determine whether you feel that your presence in Illinois ismaterial. If in doubt, please ​apply​. Per the r​ ules​, all projects will be partially evaluated basedon the impact they can have on Illinois.
What if we’re a nonprofit based in the Illinois, but do work outside of the area? Can we stillapply?
Yes, as long as your organization has a material presence in Illinois at the time of yourapplication.
Can we apply if we’re a for-profit business with a social impact?
Unfortunately, no. The Google.org Impact Challenge is only open to qualified registered
501(c)(3) nonprofits (or fiscally-sponsored organizations) with a material presence in Illinois.
Can my organization submit more than one idea?
No. In general, organizations may only submit one application to the Challenge (there is anexception for colleges and universities, below). Fiscal sponsors can submit more than one

application if they are applying on behalf of multiple sponsored groups.
What if I work for a large organization, like a university, that has many departments - can wesubmit multiple applications?
Colleges and universities are permitted to submit more than one application, provided only
one application per faculty or staff member authorized to represent the university or college issubmitted. See the ​rules​ for full detail. If not a college or university, each eligible organizationis only allowed to submit one application, so please be sure to coordinate with others in yourorganization who might apply.
Can groups that are fiscally sponsored apply for the Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois?
Fiscal sponsors can submit an application on behalf of sponsored groups. Only the sponsoredgroup must have a material presence in Illinois. For additional details on applications
submitted through fiscal sponsors, please see the r​ ules​.
Can my organization submit a joint application with another organization?
Only one organization can apply per application, but it is fine if that application referencescollaboration with another organization. If your organization is selected as a winner, it may
work with other organizations to complete your proposed project, as long as your organization
complies with the ​rules​ and the terms of the grant agreement.

P​ rojects
What do you mean when you say “project”?
A project is your organization’s proposed concept and implementation plan for how you will
create more economic opportunity in your community. If selected for a grant, we’ll besupporting the implementation of this project - so we need to know exactly how the grant will
help you realize your plan.
If another organization is currently implementing a similar concept, can we still submit theidea?
Yes, but please note that projects will be judged in part on their innovative approach andpotential to scale. So you’ll need to tell us how and why your implementation is innovative forthe community, why your organization is uniquely suited to implement the concept in a waythat will be more successful, or how you plan to partner with other organizations to achieve
success.
Does this have to be a new idea for my organization?
It need not be brand new. In fact, it may already be a work in progress. If so, we would like tohear exactly how a grant will change the trajectory of your progress toward implementation,
scale, and impact.

Over what time period should the grant funds be spent?
We expect the grant to be spent over the course of one to two years.
Can the grant be used to fund overhead and staffing costs?
Yes, but the large majority of the award should be devoted to the implementation of theproject.
Will details of our project idea be kept confidential?
Google will not treat your project as confidential or proprietary, and the details of your projectwill be shared with Advisors and possibly others to evaluate your proposal, so please do not
submit any proprietary or confidential information in your application. Please keep in mind
that if your organization is selected as a winner, your project summary will be made available
to the public on the website.
What is a fiscally-sponsored organization?
A fiscal sponsor is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides oversight for a project by anotherorganization or group that is not a 501(c)(3). We encourage you to reach out to your legal
counsel if you have questions about the fiscal sponsorship legal structure. In the case of theGoogle.org Impact Challenge, the fiscal sponsor must apply on behalf of the sponsored
project or group.

ProcessCan I get a copy of the application questions before I fill out the application?
Yes, you can find a copy of the application questions ​here​.
Can we include appendices or additional information to the application?
The application includes an opportunity to provide links to additional resources. Unfortunately,
we are not able to accept any attachments beyond those linked as additional materials in theapplication form.
Can I save a draft of my application on the site if I want to edit it later?
No. Applications can’t be saved for later completion, so we recommend drafting yourresponses in a separate document first and only completing the application form when theentire application is ready for submission.
How do I make sure my application is successfully submitted?
Make sure all required fields are populated and within the given word limits, then click the“Submit” button. If the application has been successfully submitted, you should see a screenwith a message confirming that we received your application, and you should also receive a
confirmation email to the email address you provided. If you have any questions about yourapplication submission, please contact us at: us-impact-challenge@google.com.

I’ve submitted my application. What do I do now?
That’s great news. No further action is required. We’ll reach out if we require any additional
information, and will announce the finalists per the timeline on the website.
Does my submission have to be in English?
Yes, please submit your application in English.
Do I need a Google account to apply?
No, you don’t need a Google account.
How will the entries be judged?
All applications received were reviewed by a team at Google and a panel of ​Advisors​.
Applications were evaluated based on the ​Challenge rules​. A total of ten nonprofits wereselected as winners. The public will pick one People’s Choice Winner from the ten winners
during a public vote running in February 2019.
Who are the Advisors?
See our panel of Advisors h​ ere​. The Advisors are selected based on both their demonstrated
commitment to improving their communities and their ability to rally public support for thebest ideas.
What if an advisor has an affiliation with an organization who applies?
We ask advisors not to be involved in scoring applications from any organization they are
personally affiliated with (for example, if an advisor or their family member are on the board ofthe organization). The application's score will be determined only by the remaining advisors.
Will every single application be reviewed?
Yes, we review all eligible applications received.