Google partners with Goodstack, an independent verification partner, to confirm that organizations meet local nonprofit, charity, or nongovernmental organization (NGO) legal criteria.
When you apply for a Google for Nonprofits account, Google securely routes your organization's legal name, registration number, and official address to Goodstack for validation.
How the verification process works
The verification workflow follows three primary phases:
Step 1: Submit your Google for Nonprofits account request
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Review the Google for Nonprofits country eligibility guidelines to verify specific criteria for your region.
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Go to google.com/nonprofits and select Get started in the top-right corner.
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Sign in with the administrative Google Account you want to use for your organization.
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Enter your nonprofit's official registered name, address, and charity or tax registration ID.
Step 2: Check your email for Goodstack requests
Goodstack reviews your submission against official local government registries.
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Typical review time: Most applications are reviewed within 3 to 5 business days.
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Document requests: If Goodstack cannot automatically verify your organization through public databases, they will email you to request supporting documentation.
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Email sender: Check your primary inbox, spam, and junk folders for messages sent from verifications@mail.goodstack.org.
Step 3: Receive your status confirmation
Once Goodstack completes their review, Google sends an email confirming whether your organization has been approved for Google for Nonprofits.
When and why to contact Goodstack
In most cases, you do not need to contact Goodstack directly. The verification occurs automatically in the background.
You only need to interact with Goodstack directly in these specific situations:
Pending status beyond standard timelines
If you submitted your account request and have not received an update after 5 business days, one or more of the following actions need to be completed by you or your nonprofit:
- You still need to verify your email address.
- Your nonprofit still needs to be able to confirm that you are associated with them.
- You still need to upload documentation for us to continue processing your application.
Note that all actions are requested via email. Please check your inbox as well as spam/junk folders, as sometimes emails end up there from verifications@mail.goodstack.org).
If no email or status update is visible, contact the Goodstack support desk to ask for an update on your review.
Document clarification
If Goodstack contacted you asking for documentation (such as founding bylaws, government registration certificates, or tax exemption determination letters) and you are unsure what to provide:
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Review the accepted documents listed in the Goodstack document requirements guide.
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If you must used a personal email, Goodstack may ask you to provide an official letter signed by a board member, director, or executive officer confirming your role.
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Reply directly to the email sent by verifications@mail.goodstack.org with your scanned documents in PDF or image format.
Re-review and appeals
If your application was rejected because your organization's legal status or your personal affiliation could not be verified:
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Confirm that your organization meets the Google for Nonprofits eligibility guidelines.
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Gather updated documentation that shows your organization is active and legally recognized.
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Submit an appeal through the Goodstack verification appeal form to request a re-review of your rejected application.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google for Nonprofits determine the outcome of my request?
No, Google for Nonprofits does not directly evaluate or determine the charitable eligibility outcome of an organization's account request.
To ensure fair, objective, and globally compliant verification across jurisdictions, Google partners with an independent global validation partner, Goodstack, to review and verify every organization that requests an account.
Goodstack independently evaluates whether an organization meets local legal registration standards, country-specific eligibility criteria, and verifies the applicant's legitimate affiliation with the nonprofit.
If I'm approved by Goodstack, does that mean I'm approved for all the products?
No, account approval gives the organization access to the Google for Nonprofits administrative console, where individual Google tools must be activated separately.
