Google Workspace for Nonprofits - Have tried to reach out to Google Partners but never hear back

[CarrieH]

We're a small nonprofit, and since we're migrating from Microsoft 365, and we don't really have our own IT support. We've tried contacting Google Partners for help, but have never received responses back. We're based on the west coast in the U.S. I'm unsure on how to navigate migration process since we have two domains, one is still being managed by Microsoft, and that data needs to be migrated but our Google for workspace for nonprofits is registered under the other domain.

I know that with Microsoft, they're contracted out to do specific limited work with nonprofits (at no cost to the nonprofit), but I'm assuming that's not true with Google Nonprofits. Is not hearing back from Google Partners typical? Are there other channels?

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, I've inquired with 3-6 of them, and never hear back from them.

Thanks

Carrie Hall

Autistic Women's Alliance

[StephenHind]

@CarrieH I work for a Google Partner and we've worked with a number of nonprofits before.  While Google gives its services free of charge it's unlikely that a partner will.  We're based in the UK so I don't know if you would like to work with us but I'm sure there will be some that would want to work with you.

[CarrieH]

Hi Stephen:

Thanks for responding back, I figured that Google partners charge for their consulting services. It'd be great to get a proposal from a partner that includes different options plus costs. But, I was wondering if it's because we're a nonprofit (that's not large right now) could be why I'm not receiving responses.

If you were to work with us, how would we do this in an efficient way with the 8 hour time difference? I have a full time paid job and my team is in Germany, so I'm used to early am calls

(feel free to shoot me an email with more details)

Thank you

Carrie

[christiannewman · Accepted solution]

I'm with a Google Cloud Partner, and we have worked with non-profits (some of which remain our clients, years later).

The main challenge is that Google doesn't provide Partners the ability to manage Google Workspace nonprofits licensing. When Partners manage a client's Google Workspace licensing, they the gain the ability to receive critical notifications about their accounts, manage support cases, and advocate on their behalf, amongst other things. These lead to deeper relationships, better client experiences, more efficient service delivery, and greater profitability.

For non-profits, none of the above are possible. In other words, they're harder to support, for less revenue (besides non-profits licenses are free to nearly-free). I can see how it can become a tough sell.

Plus, many Partners have minimum employee counts for the clients/projects they take on - they may simply be prioritizing. This may be playing a bigger role than the fact that you're a non-profit in fact.

That said, we always respond - even if it's to say no and point you in a new direction.

[StephenHind]

@CarrieH roughly one third of our customers are in the US so we don't see any difficulty.  Google Workspace is very reliable so there is rarely anything that needs immediate attention.  I'll send you a direct message with my contact details because I can't see yours in the forum.