Frequently Asked Questions
About
What is the Google.org Impact Challenge Oklahoma City?
The Google.org Impact Challenge Oklahoma City is an open invitation to nonprofits with a material presencein the Oklahoma City Metro Area (Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma
Counties) 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 four selected projects for the project they believe will
have the greatest potential for impact in the community. Winning organizations receive grant funding andGoogle training to help turn their ideas into reality.
Why is Google hosting the Google.org Impact Challenge in Oklahoma City?
Google has been part of the Oklahoma City community for over ten years and we’re proud to call this city
home! We were one of the first major tech companies to plant roots in Pittsburgh and it’s been exciting to see
how the industry continues to inspire new ideas in the community. The Google.org Impact Challenge is about
fueling innovation to support our community and amplifying the terrific work of local nonprofits.
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 tocommonly 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 the Oklahoma City area? Doesit improve the lives of people in our community?
Innovation. D​ oes the project provide an unexpected solution to an unmet need? Is it a novel application of atime-tested idea?
Reach. ​Does the project have ambitious goals and embody a big idea? Does it have the potential to scaledirectly 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 a well-developed andrealistic plan? Is the organization’s leadership nimble and inspired?

EntryIs there a registration fee?
No. Applying for the Google.org Impact Challenge Oklahoma City is free.
How do I know if my organization is eligible to participate?
Review the criteria 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 afiscally sponsored organization, your fiscal sponsor can apply on your behalf, provided it is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit at the time the application is submitted. Please see the r​ ules ​for more details.
What if I have a great idea, but my nonprofit isn’t based in Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan,McClain, or Oklahoma County?
The Google.org Impact Challenge Oklahoma City is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally-sponsoredorganizations with a material presence in the Oklahoma City Metro Area (Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln,Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma Counties). If you believe your organization has a material presence in thisarea, we would encourage you to apply. Please see the r​ ules​ 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 material presence in theOklahoma City Metro Area (Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma Counties) at
the time you submit the application, you are eligible to apply.
What does it mean to have a material presence in Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, orOklahoma County?
It is up to your organization to determine whether you feel that your presence in the Oklahoma City Metro Area
(Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma Counties) is material. If in doubt, pleaseapply. Per the r​ ules​, all projects will be partially evaluated based on the impact they can have on the Oklahoma
City Metro Area.
What if we’re a nonprofit based in the Oklahoma City Metro Area, but do work outside of the area? Can westill apply?
Yes, as long as your organization has a material presence in the Oklahoma City Metro Area (Canadian,Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma Counties) at the time of your application.
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 the Oklahoma City Metro Area (Canadian,Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma Counties.
Can my organization submit more than one idea?
No. Organizations may only submit one application to the Challenge. Fiscal sponsors can submit more thanone application if they are applying on behalf of multiple sponsored groups.

Can groups that are fiscally sponsored apply for the Google.org Impact Challenge Oklahoma City?
Fiscal sponsors can submit an application on behalf of sponsored groups. Only the sponsored group musthave a material presence in the Oklahoma City Metro Area (Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan,
McClain, and Oklahoma Counties). 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 references collaboration withanother organization. If your organization is selected as a winner, it may work with other organizations tocomplete your proposed project, as long as your organization complies with the ​rules​ and the terms of thegrant agreement.

Projects
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 be supporting the implementation ofthis 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 the idea?
Yes, but please note that projects will be judged in part on their innovative approach and potential to scale. So
you’ll need to tell us how and why your implementation is innovative for the community, why your organizationis uniquely suited to implement the concept in a way that will be more successful, or how you plan to partnerwith 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 to hear 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 the project.
Will details of our project idea be kept confidential?
Google will not treat your project as confidential or proprietary, and the details of your project will be sharedwith 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 awinner, 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 another organization orgroup 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 the Google.org Impact Challenge, the fiscal sponsor must
apply on behalf of the sponsored project or group.

Process
Can I get a copy of the application questions before I fill out the application?
Yes, you can find a copy of the application questions h​ ere​.
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 the application 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 your responses in a separate
document first and only completing the application form when the entire 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 screen with a message confirming that wereceived your application, and you should also receive a confirmation email to the email address youprovided. If you have any questions about your application 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, andwill 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 will be reviewed by a team at Google and a panel of Advisors. Applications will beevaluated based on the Challenge r​ ules​. A total of four nonprofits will be selected as winners. The public will
pick one People’s Choice Winner from the four winners during a public vote running from March 22nd throughApril 6th, 2018.
Who are the Advisors?
See our panel of Advisors ​here​. The Advisors are selected based on both their demonstrated commitment toimproving their communities and their ability to rally public support for the best 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 affiliatedwith (for example, if an advisor or their family member are on the board of the organization). The application'sscore will be determined only by the remaining advisors.
Will every single application be reviewed?
Yes, we will review all eligible applications received.