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API: Google Maps Integration for Addresses
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on 1/21/2026 12:51:00 PM

Introduction

When using a CharityEngine form or creating a new contact in CharityEngine, you may notice that CharityEngine can leverage Google Maps to perform an address verification to ensure that incorrect address are not entered into the database (for example, when creating a Contact or Transaction record, or when entering Batch Transactions). CharityEngine uses Google Maps API to preform address verification. The Google Maps API integration also supports various visual reporting elements as well. While this is an optional feature and will assist you in visual map representation. 

Table of Contents

Prerequisites

  1. If you have not already, be sure to apply from your Google for Nonprrofits Grant, as you will receive $250/month in credits towards Google Maps API usage within the product (subject to change). The general cost range for using Google Maps to look up an address (when entering contact or transaction information, if using single line address on forms, or when entering batches) is $2 - $7 per 1000 requests/lookups (subject to change).To apply for your Google For Nonprofits Grant, please visit https://www.google.com/nonprofits. Approval can take up to 2 weeks, but once approved, you will be able to apply for the Google Maps API credit from within your Google for Nonprofits account.
  2. You will need your organization's Google Map API to enter into the CharityEngine product in the Integrations section of Configurations (top right gear icon in the Admin Console).  
  3. Important: Javascript key must be configured with geocoding services enabled (should automatically be the case when you set up the Key, but important to double check), and must allow access to CharityEngine's domain (i.e. *.charityengine.net/*) and all vanity domain names used with online apps (this article walks you through the steps for this). Failure to do so can adversely impact online apps and cause them to fail.
  4. Online Apps integration is subject to Google's terms, conditions and fees. 
  5. If Geolocations are updated through Data Enrichment functions, CharityEngine transaction fees may apply. Please refer to your contract for pricing or contact your account manager for more details.

Instructions - Locating API Key from Google

To use Single Line Address on forms you will need to generate a Google Maps API key from Google. This document will walk you through that process.

NOTE: You will need to first enter billing information for your Google Cloud account (https://console.cloud.google.com/) in order to activate the Google Maps API (to take advantage of your Google for Nonprofits Grant and associated Google Maps API credit (see Prerequisite #1 above), be sure to use the same Google account you are using for Google for Nonprofits.

First, follow the Billing menu item from the main Google Cloud menu:

         

         From here, you can enter your billing information:

          

         Once you have entered your billing information, you can continue on to set up your Google Maps API.

Step 1: Navigate to https://cloud.com/console/google/maps-apis/overview and log into and create a Google Apps account (to take advantage of your Google for Nonprofits Grant and associated Google Maps API credit (see Prerequisite #1 above), be sure to use the same Google account you are using for Google for Nonprofits.


Step 2: After logging in you will need to create a new project.
After creating or selecting your project, click on APIs & Services then Library under the Menu:

Step 3: On the library page, select the Maps Javascript API and click Enable on the next screen (PLEASE NOTE: if no project exists, then Google should automatically create a project for you, called "My First Project", once you have enabled the Maps Javascript API - to be sure, however, it is better to create the project first and then select that project when enabling the Maps Javascript API):



          * NOTE: Once you enable the Maps Javascript API, you will be presented with a key.  Copy that key and save, and then click "Go to Google Maps Platform". 

           

          If the key is not automatically generated, please follow step 4 below. Otherwise, the next step is to select your restrictions on the next screen.You will then select "Websites" as your restriction and enter https://*.charityengine.net/*:

          

          You can then click "Restrict Key" and skip to Step 7.


Step 4: After enabling the JavaScript API you will need to generate API credentials. Navigate to Keys & Credentials. On the next screen you will see an option to Create Credentials, click on API key.


Step 5: On the next screen you will see your key. To restrict use (which is highly recommended) click on Restrict Key.
To restrict the key to your website/forms, select HTTP referrers under Application restrictions and add your website address under Website restrictions. This is where you would add your CharityEngine vanity subdomain (ex. give. donate. support. your organization domain) or https://web.charityengine.net if you are using our default webforms domain.


Step 6: Next you will want to set API restrictions. After selecting Restrict key, choose Maps Javascript API from the API list.


Step 7: After saving your Credentials, you can see your key in the API Keys section of the Keys & Credentials menu item in the Google Maps Platform.menu:



Click Show Key to see the key and copy it to your computer for future reference within the CharityEngine product:



Step 8. You will next need to confirm that both the old Google Places API and the new Google Places API are enabled (they should be by default).
First, select APIs & Services (Under Google Maps Platform) from the menu on the left:


Next, search for Places in the top search bar (type "Places" and hit enter).  You should then see both the new and old Google Places showing in the results screen:



From here, click into each to ensure they are enabled:
 


At this point your Google Maps API key should be ready for use in the CharityEngine product.

Instructions - Adding your Google API Key to CharityEngine

Step 1: In order to use Google Maps API in CharityEngine, your organization must acquire an API and enter the JavaScript Key into CharityEngine by navigating to the Configuration App > Integrations > Google Maps.
Step 2: Enter your JavaScript Key and click SAVE

Note: Online Apps integrations is subject to Google’s terms, conditions and fees. If you want more information on how to obtain a Google Maps API, click here. Eligible nonprofits can receive $250 in monthly credits from the Google Maps Platform to help cover usage costs.  To get started, apply for a Google for Nonprofits account at: https://www.google.com/nonprofits/.
Step 3: Once you have entered the key into CharityEngine, you will also need to create a scheduled data enrichment job that will periodically update your CRM with geolocation information. You can easily do this by clicking the link once the key has been entered.

Step 4: You will be navigated to create the data enrichment job and Address Geolocation update will automatically be selected from the drop-down.

Step 5: Continue creating the job as you normally would and schedule it to run periodically, but note that for every record that is updated, the organization will be charged per the rates in your CharityEngine contract.

FAQs & Further Reading

Q. What are the data processing fees for the Address Geolocation Updater?
A. Please refer to your contract for pricing or contact your account manager for more details. 
Q. How is the Google Geolocation Updater used within CharityEngine?
A. Users can leverage the Geolocation Updater in a variety of locations including:
    1. the People App > Organization & People > >Contacts > Search & Manage > Advanced Filter > Map
    2. the Reports & Analytics App > Contacts > Constituent Density
    3. leverage Google Maps integration for custom dashboard development - learn more here on dashboard development

Q. Can Google Geolocation Updater be used for single line entry?
A. Yes - once integrated, users will have the ability to leverage the Google Maps Integration for auto population of addresses. 
Q. I added my API Key, but the Single-Line address is not working.
A. You may need to ensure that your Google API account has Places API services enabled. Here are the following steps to access within your organization's Google Account:

  1. Sign in to Google Cloud Console

  2. Select Your Project

    • At the top of the screen, open the project selector.

    • Choose the project where you want to enable the Places API.

  3. Open the “APIs & Services” Dashboard

    • From the left-hand navigation menu, click APIs & Services → Dashboard.

    • You will see a list of APIs already enabled for your project.

  4. Enable the Places API

    • At the top of the dashboard, click + ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES.

    • This opens the API Library.

    • Search for Places API.

    • Click on Places API in the results.

    • Click the Enable button.

  5. Verify That It’s Enabled

    • After enabling, return to APIs & Services → Enabled APIs & Services.

    • Confirm that Places API now appears in the list.

  6. (Optional) Manage API Settings

    • From the Enabled APIs list, click on Places API to:

      • View usage metrics.

      • Set quotas or restrictions.

      • Manage credentials and API keys.

Additional Notes

  • You’ll need a valid billing account set up in Google Cloud for the API to function.

  • If you don’t see Places API in the library, check that your project has the correct permissions and that your account has billing enabled.



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