YouTube Offers Nonprofit Channels

YouTube is now offering designated "nonprofit channels" for 501(c)(3) organizations. The new service will let nonprofits have a bit more control of the channel's branding, an option to fundraise directly on the channel page with Google Checkout, and perhaps most importantly, will include nonprofit videos within the "Promoted Videos" areas throughout YouTube. This last point could be of real value to most organizations, but YouTube has not provided any specifics on the frequency of rotation in these high-visibility areas. Here are some example channels already using the service:

• Friends of the Earth
• The American Cancer Society
• Autism Speaks

Oh. And if you're one of the first 300 organizations to signup, you get a free Casio video camera.