EP 14 | How Camps Can Access Free Advertising on Google via the Google Ads Grant

<p>Many camps struggle with visibility—not because their programs lack value, but because the right families, churches, and retreat planners never discover them.</p><p></p><p>Mark opens the episode with a practical camp marketing tip on following up with retreat inquiries that have gone silent, sharing a simple email subject line that can restart conversations and recover lost bookings. Then Carl shares how an unexpected project at Refreshing Mountain Camp introduced him to Google Ads and ultimately launched a career helping camps grow through digital marketing.</p><p></p><p>The conversation then turns to one of the biggest opportunities available to nonprofit camps: the Google Ad Grant. Carl explains how eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can receive up to $10,000 per month in free Google advertising, walks through the application process, campaign setup, keyword strategy, and the common mistakes that prevent camps from seeing results. He also shares real examples of camps using the grant to generate more registrations, retreat inquiries, and community engagement, along with his perspective on how AI is changing search and what camp leaders should be doing to stay visible online.</p><p></p><p><b>Keywords</b></p><p>Google Ads Grant, nonprofit marketing, camp marketing, retreat center marketing, Google advertising, camp enrollment, nonprofit advertising, digital marketing, summer camps, retreat bookings</p><p></p><p><b>Sound Bites</b></p><p>"About fifty percent of the camps I talk to have no idea the grant program exists."</p><p>"One of the biggest mistakes camps make is they apply for the grant and then they never do anything else with it."</p><p>"The reality is organic listings just continue to get pushed further and further down."</p><p>"You could start showing up at the top of Google and not have to pay for the ads."</p><p></p><p><b>Hosts</b></p><p>Mark P. Fisher,<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://go.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank"> Inspiring Growth</a></p><p>Carl Lefever,<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/camp-marketing/" target="_blank"> Improve &amp; Grow</a></p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p>How to Apply for a Google Ads Grant<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-google-ad-grant/" target="_blank">https://growyourcamppodcast.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-google-ad-grant/</a></p><p>Google for Nonprofits Program Website<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/nonprofits/" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/nonprofits/</a><br /></p><p><b>Have a question you'd like us to cover?</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/feedback/" target="_blank">Click here to record your question &gt;</a></p><p></p><p><b>Want Help Growing Your Camp?</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/discovery-call/" target="_blank"><b>Click here to schedule a call &gt;</b></a></p><p></p><p>If you’re enjoying the podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.</p><p></p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.</p><p>Code: UTVAPPJTMM75SPDU</p>