Google Earth helps charities stay in touch with supporters

Back in 2007, Google developed a revolutionary new API for Google Earth (G.E.), allowing organisations to overlay ‘layers’ of company information onto the G.E. world map providing a more global picture of their operations and activities.

Despite an initial spark of interest, the proliferation of new company layers for G.E. has been minimal. This is largely attributed to the fact that G.E. could not run in an internet browser and required people to download a separate application. That is until now!

Google has now launched a new G.E. browser plug-in which allows Google Earth to be viewed through a normal browser such as I.E. or Firefox. This means company layers can be overlayed onto an interactive 3D map located on companies own websites much like the current Google maps.

The primary difference is that as the creator of the layer, you can upload whatever information you like including photos, videos, blogs and other web 2.0 content.

So what opportunities does this offer UK charities?

Google has effectively solved a major dilemma facing charities today: How can we viably show supporters the positive effects their donations have had if the recipients are on the other side of the world?

As an example, if a charity offering aid such as Oxfam were to create a G.E. layer with information relating to their numerous projects across the globe, supporters visiting the website would be able to see both the global picture of just how many projects they are running and then be able to zoom in on individual ones that take their interest to find out more.

OK but this must be very tricky to manage, right?

Wrong! The beauty of this technology is that it can be amazingly simple to use. The G.E. API can be linked to a blog or a news feed already running on a website, then once a post is uploaded it’s as simple as placing a pin in the map albeit a digital one and the information is attached to the pin. (see below)

Clicking on a pin prompts a pop-up window with the relevant content and links which can help grab their interest and lead them through to your main website where they can find out more or donate to support the campaign.

Being able to show supporters how their donations are being spent will undoubtedly make them more willing to donate in future and offering them the chance to follow specific projects online provides justification for more frequent dialog as they feel more involved in the campaign.

If you are interested in finding out more about how Google Earth could help you engage with your supporters give me a call 0161 247 7932 or email me here.  

Many of the early adopters were charities like the Jane Goodall Institution who quickly realised the potential Google Earth could offer with their Gombe Chimpanzee blog. Other not-for-profit organisations using this technology include Crisis in Darfur, UNEP environmental, the Mountaintop removal memorial, and more recently the World Wildlife Fund and Fair Trade.

http://earth.google.com/outreach/showcase.html#kml=Jane_Goodall%27s_Gombe_Chimpanzee_Blog

Google Earth can now be used from a browser, without having to install the full application.

The Google Earth Plug-in and its APIs let you embed the full power of Google Earth and its 3D rendering capabilities into your web pages.

Many hundreds of these layers are already available to download in Keyhole Markup Language (KML) format, and can be added to Google Earth to introduce data like weather forecasts and seismic activity.

The United Nations Environment Programme uses a map to illustrate the changing environment.

Google Earth Outreach enables any organization to quickly and easily get the resources it needs to create compelling stories through Google Earth layers. The program includes comprehensive online guides, video tutorials, and case studies about using Google Earth specifically targeted to the needs of nonprofit organizations.

Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee blog.

http://earth.google.com/outreach/cs_jgi_blog.html