YouTube announced two updates to its non-profit program on Friday, streamlining how non-profits and viral philanthropists can use the social video-sharing platform to turn views into action.
Starting July 31, members of the YouTube for Good team will host “YouTube 101″ trainings via Google+ Hangout. These live trainings, which will take place on the last Tuesday of every month, are for non-profits that recently joined the non-profit program or created a YouTube page. The live feed will be available on the YouTube for Nonprofits channel for those who want to watch and listen without being recorded.
YouTube also officially announced the integration of annotations that can link to four websites: Change.org, DonorsChoose.org, RocketHub.com and Causes.com. Since April, creators have been able to link to crowdfunding platforms Kickstarter and Indiegogo as well. In the past, annotations could only link to other YouTube videos, channels and search results.
“YouTube gives non-profits access to a large global audience eager to be inspired and informed,” Jessica Mason, a YouTube spokesperson, told Mashable. “There are over 17,000 organizations in our non-profit program, and more join everyday. We want to make sure they can turn their video views into volunteer hours, petitions signed, laws changed and dollars donated.”
YouTube for Good is a company-wide initiative that focuses on building tools and audiences for non-profits, educators and activists. The YouTube for Good team aims to make sure YouTube employees, creators and users have the means to “do good” on the platform. As part of the initiative, the YouTube Nonprofit Program gives 501(c)3 organizations access to YouTube tools, such as live streaming and fundraising capabilities, for free.
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