Facebook has the potential to make a real difference by creating a platform that allows nonprofits to advertise for free on its site.
And it’s not like Facebook has to recreate the wheel here. Google has created a simple and effective way for nonprofits to receive free advertising through Google Grants - nonprofit organizations apply, Google reviews the application and once accepted, $10,000 a month is credited to their Google AdWords account. Just like Google AdWords, Facebook’s ad platform is already completely self-service. The ads are created and managed by the user and are approved by an automated service, meaning that creating a program like Google Grants wouldn’t require Facebook to hire any additional staff.
Bottom line, all Facebook has to do to is simply institute a Nonprofits Program where organizations apply for membership, Facebook accepts, and voila – the nonprofit now has a budget to spend on advertising. With this free advertising, support and awareness for hundreds of good causes can spread across the digital social network, leading to increased action and change in the real world. Now that would be something to “like.”
Follow @damonstrategic to keep up with the progress on this petition and to get the latest nonprofit social news. Dear Sheryl Sandberg,
Please institute a Facebook for Nonprofit Program to allow eligible 501(c)(3) organizations to compete for attention among paid advertisers. Establishing a program similar to the one you instituted at Google would increase the voice and power nonprofits have on Facebook. Ultimately, helping nonprofits compete in a public sphere that is now dominated by organizations with access to advertising dollars.
Sincerely,
Nonprofit organizations around the world
