Google has launched a new programme, Google for Nonprofits, for organisations in England and Wales.

The service allows charities to use for free Google products that businesses have to pay for. Charities that use the programme will also receive money in advertising credit to promote their causes across Google’s platforms.

The service will be the first Google for Nonprofits to be launched outside of America, where the programme began in 2011.

Dan Cobley, managing director of Google UK, said: "Through Google for Nonprofits, we want to support the incredible work of charitable organisations in the UK by eliminating some of the technical challenges and costs that they face.

"We hope our technology will help them to reach more donors, improve operations and raise awareness so they can focus on changing the world for the better."

Charities that sign up to the programme will have free access to the online communication and collaboration suite Google Apps, which includes Gmail, Google Talk, Hangouts and Drive. They will also receive up to $10,000 (approximately £6,647) a month in advertising credit on Google AdWords, to help them reach potential donors.

Non-profit organisations will be able to access premium features within YouTube and Google Earth Outreach, tools charities could use to raise awareness and help potential donors visualise their cause.

The programme will contain a number of further resources, such as educational videos, examples of how other organisations are using Google’s tools, advice on better ways to connect with other nonprofits, and a support forum for technical issues. Charities will also be invited to join Google+ and use it to communicate with other organisations.

To see about using Google for nonprofits visit www.google.com/nonprofits/