Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) is a nonprofit, community makerspace on Bainbridge Island, WA, that welcomes visitors and locals to learn new skills through hands-on classes and open studios.
Client
Services Provided
Google Ads Grant
Results in Summary
12.19% avg. CTR
+40% impressions
+20% Google Ads Grant spend
+40% impressions
+20% Google Ads Grant spend
The Goals & Challenges
BARN set out to optimize its Google Ads Grant for nonprofits to drive interest in class offerings, connect with tourists visiting the region, and increase awareness of seasonal events. Like many organizations using Google Ads Grants, a key challenge was maintaining compliance with program policies to keep the grant active. Our approach needed to balance BARN’s marketing goals with the strict performance metrics required for eligibility. This created an opportunity to transform an underutilized grant into a dependable awareness channel, one that could scale reach, support long-term growth, and protect BARN’s ongoing access to grant funding.
Our Solutions
Maximizing Grant Utilization
Our first priority was ensuring BARN could fully leverage its Google Ads Grant. We started by auditing the existing account, resolving tracking issues, and simplifying the campaign structure to better align with core objectives. By tightening targeting and refining how success was measured, we established a strong foundation that enabled more consistent spend and unlocked a greater share of the available grant budget.
Grant Compliance
Alongside improving performance, we ensured the account remained aligned with Google Ads Grant requirements. We developed a structure that prioritized strong clickthrough rates, relevant ad experiences, and clear campaign organization, all aimed at supporting the key metrics Google evaluates for grant compliance. This focus on quality and consistency helped keep the grant in good standing while BARN’s reach and traffic continued to grow.
A/B Testing
We ran ongoing A/B tests across ad creative, refining both copy and the placement of creative assets. Testing different ad types and delivery methods further improved campaign performance and effectiveness. Together, these incremental optimizations helped drive more qualified traffic to priority programs and community events while maintaining strong engagement signals across the account.
The Results
With a new ad structure and a clearer focus on tourism and discovery audiences, Odd Dog helped BARN significantly expand its reach. Impressions increased by 40%, while monthly ad clicks doubled, resulting in greater brand awareness and increased website traffic.
Grant utilization grew alongside that reach. Monthly ad spend through the grant increased by 20%, enabling BARN to utilize its available ad spend more effectively. Throughout this growth, clickthrough rates remained in a healthy range, demonstrating that increased visibility did not come at the expense of relevance or engagement. Today, Google Ads Grants serve as a reliable and scalable awareness channel, supporting seasonal events, classes, and tourism initiatives while reinforcing BARN’s role as a creative nonprofit in the region.
12.19%
monthly CTR
+40%
Impressions
+20%
Grant Spend
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