Google Opal for Nonprofits: Free AI Mini-App Builder
What if any staff member at your nonprofit could build a working AI-powered tool in minutes, without writing a single line of code? Google Opal makes this possible. Describe what you want in plain English, and Opal assembles a shareable mini-app using Google's Gemini, Imagen, and Veo AI models as building blocks. It's a Google Labs experiment that's completely free to use and available globally.
What It Does
Your communications coordinator needs to draft personalized thank-you letters for 200 donors. Your program director wants a simple quiz to train new volunteers on intake procedures. Your grant writer needs a tool that takes raw program data and turns it into polished narrative paragraphs. Each of these tasks could take hours manually. With Google Opal, you can build an AI-powered tool for each one in under 15 minutes, no technical skills required.
Google Opal is a no-code AI application builder from Google Labs. It works through a three-step process: describe what you want to build in natural language, let Opal generate a visual workflow connecting AI processing steps, then share the finished app via a link. Each workflow is made up of three types of building blocks. User Input steps collect information from the person using the app, accepting text, file uploads, images, YouTube links, or drawings. Generate steps process that information using Google's AI models, applying your custom instructions. Output steps deliver results as formatted web pages, Google Docs, Google Slides, or Google Sheets.
In February 2026, Google added an Agent Step capability powered by Gemini 3 Flash. This allows Opal to build agentic workflows where the AI autonomously selects which tools to use, self-corrects when something goes wrong, and maintains memory across sessions using Google Sheets. An agentic Opal app can search the web for information, look up Google Maps data, retrieve weather information, and chain multiple AI models together in a plan it creates on its own. This moves Opal from a simple content generator into something closer to a customizable AI assistant that non-technical staff can deploy without writing any code.
Best For
Organization Size
Google Opal is well suited for small to mid-size nonprofits with one to fifty staff members who need AI-powered tools but lack a dedicated technology team. It's particularly valuable for organizations already using Google Workspace, since Opal outputs integrate directly with Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets. Larger organizations will find it useful for rapid prototyping and internal tool creation, though production-critical systems will eventually require more robust platforms.
Best Use Cases
- Donor communications: build tools that draft personalized thank-you letters, impact updates, or re-engagement messages from donor data
- Staff and volunteer training: turn policy documents, procedure manuals, or program guides into interactive quizzes and knowledge checks
- Grant writing assistance: create tools that turn program data and outcomes into polished narrative paragraphs ready for funder applications
- Content creation: build social media generators, email drafters, and annual report section writers that produce multiple outputs from a single input
- Research and summarization: create document processors that accept PDFs, YouTube videos, or URLs and return structured summaries and key takeaways
- Rapid AI prototyping: demonstrate AI capabilities to board members, funders, or partner organizations with working demos built in minutes
Roles That Benefit Most
Communications and marketing staff who need to produce more content with less time will find Opal immediately useful for drafting and ideation workflows. Program directors can use it to build training tools and reporting assistants for their teams. Development staff can create grant research and writing aids. Executive directors can build quick research and summarization tools without waiting for a technology vendor to deliver a custom solution.
Key Features for Nonprofits
Multi-Model AI Chaining
Connect multiple Google AI models in a single workflow
Opal lets you chain Gemini for text generation, Imagen 4 for image creation, Veo 3 for video generation, and built-in web search into a single connected workflow. A nonprofit could build one app that accepts a program description, drafts a narrative paragraph with Gemini, generates a matching hero image with Imagen, and exports everything to a Google Slide ready for a funder presentation.
Agentic Workflows
AI that plans and executes multi-step tasks autonomously
The Agent Step feature allows Opal to autonomously select tools, plan execution sequences, self-correct errors, and retain memory across sessions via Google Sheets. Rather than following a fixed script, the AI adapts its approach based on the goal you describe. This enables more sophisticated nonprofit tools like prospective funder research assistants and multi-step intake processors.
Instant Sharing via Link
Share working apps with your team in seconds
Every Opal app gets a shareable web link immediately. Anyone with a Google account can access and use the app without installing anything. You can restrict access to specific users or leave it open for your entire team. This makes it easy to roll out internal tools to volunteers, board members, or staff without any IT involvement.
Google Workspace Output Integration
Export results directly to Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets
Opal outputs integrate natively with Google Workspace tools that most nonprofits already use. AI-generated content can flow directly into Google Docs for editing, Google Slides for presentations, or Google Sheets for data organization. This eliminates the copy-paste step and keeps all your content in familiar, collaborative tools without requiring additional software.
Web Search and Real-Time Data
Pull live information into AI workflows automatically
Opal's built-in tools include Google web search, Google Maps search, and weather data retrieval. This means you can build apps that look up current information before generating content. A funder research tool could search the web for a foundation's latest priorities before drafting a letter of inquiry. A community needs assessment could pull local demographic data to provide context.
Templates and Visual Editor
Start fast with pre-built templates or build from scratch
Opal provides pre-built templates for common use cases so you can launch a working app without starting from scratch. The visual workflow editor shows connected steps as nodes on a canvas, making it easy to understand how data flows through your app. A debugging console lets you inspect each step's output in real-time, making it straightforward to identify and fix issues without technical expertise.
Real-World Nonprofit Use Case
Consider a mid-size human services nonprofit preparing for its annual fund campaign. The development team needs to send personalized thank-you letters to 350 donors who gave in the past year. Each letter should reference the donor's specific giving history, acknowledge the programs their gifts supported, and include a compelling story about impact. Writing individualized letters for every donor would take weeks and is typically left to the executive director, who has limited time.
A development associate with no coding experience opens Google Opal and describes: "Build an app that takes a donor's name, total gift amount, gift date, and the programs they funded, then writes a warm, specific thank-you letter in our organization's voice." Opal generates a workflow with an input step collecting donor information and a Generate step using Gemini with custom instructions about the organization's voice and values. The output goes directly to a Google Doc. Within 20 minutes, the associate has a working tool.
The team shares the Opal link with two additional development staff and a volunteer coordinator. Each person can now process donor records and generate draft letters in seconds, editing for personal touches before sending. What previously required executive director time or expensive copywriting becomes a self-service workflow any staff member can run. The agentic version of this tool could even automatically pull the donor's previous giving history from a Google Sheet before drafting the letter, reducing manual data entry further.
Pricing
Free Beta Access
All features available at no cost during public beta
- All AI models: Gemini 3 Flash, Imagen 4, Veo 3
- Agentic workflow step with autonomous task planning
- Web search, Google Maps, and weather data tools
- Shareable app links with access controls
- Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets output integration
- Google Drive file storage and version history
- Requires a standard Google account only
Future Pricing: Google has not announced paid plans for Opal. Analysts expect eventual consumption-based pricing tied to Gemini API usage once the product exits beta. As a Google Labs experiment, availability and pricing can change. Taking advantage of free beta access now makes sense for nonprofits evaluating the tool.
Note: Prices may be outdated or inaccurate.
Nonprofit Discount & Special Offers
Google Opal does not have a separate nonprofit discount program because it is currently free for all users. Any nonprofit with a Google account can access all features at no cost during the public beta period.
Nonprofits enrolled in Google for Nonprofits already have access to Google Workspace at no charge, including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive. Since Opal outputs integrate directly with these tools, Google for Nonprofits participants get additional value from the integration with their existing free suite.
- Free access for all users, nonprofit or otherwise, during beta
- No application process or nonprofit verification required
- Google for Nonprofits provides free Workspace that integrates with Opal outputs
Learning Curve
Beginner
First app in 15 minutes
Building simple single-step apps is highly accessible. Describe what you want, review the generated workflow, and share the link. No technical knowledge needed.
Intermediate
Multi-step workflows with custom logic
Building multi-step workflows that chain inputs, generation, and outputs requires understanding how data passes between steps. Takes 1-2 hours of exploration to master.
Advanced
Agentic workflows with persistent memory
Configuring agentic steps that use autonomous planning, Google Sheets memory, and real-time web research requires experimentation and prompt engineering skill.
Google Opal has one of the lowest barriers to entry of any AI tool builder available today. The natural language interface means most staff members can produce a functional app in their first session. The visual workflow editor provides immediate feedback, making it easy to understand what each step does. The main challenge isn't using Opal itself but developing good prompts that guide the AI to produce consistent, high-quality outputs for your specific nonprofit context. This is a skill that improves quickly with practice.
Integration & Compatibility
Opal's integration story is both its strength and its limitation. On the Google side, it integrates deeply with the entire Google Workspace ecosystem. On the third-party side, it has very limited native connections. This is the most important thing to understand about where Opal fits in your nonprofit's technology stack.
Strong Integrations
- Google Docs (output destination for generated content)
- Google Slides (output destination for presentations)
- Google Sheets (output and persistent agentic memory)
- Google Drive (file storage and version history)
- Google Search (built-in web search tool for agentic steps)
- Google Maps (location search in agentic workflows)
Limited or No Integrations
- No native CRM connections (Salesforce, Bloomerang, Virtuous)
- No email platform integrations (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- No social media platform connections
- No Zapier, Make, or webhook support for external automation
- No code export (apps are locked to Google ecosystem)
- No custom domain for published apps
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free during public beta with no usage caps enforced
- Lowest barrier to entry of any AI app builder: describe it, build it, share it
- Native access to Google's frontier AI models (Gemini, Imagen, Veo) without API keys or billing setup
- Deep Google Workspace integration for nonprofits already in the Google ecosystem
- Agentic step enables sophisticated autonomous workflows without coding
- Real-time debugging makes it easy to identify and fix workflow issues
Cons
- Google Labs experiment status means the product could be discontinued (Google's history warrants caution)
- No external app integrations, limiting connectivity to CRMs, email platforms, and other nonprofit tools
- Full vendor lock-in to Google ecosystem with no code export option
- AI output consistency can be unreliable, requiring prompt refinement for professional quality
- Not suitable for production-critical systems or tools requiring reliable uptime guarantees
- Requires Google account for all users, which may be a barrier for volunteers or external stakeholders
Alternatives to Consider
v0 by Vercel
Best for nonprofits that need to deploy actual web applications
v0 generates production-ready React and Next.js applications from natural language prompts with one-click deployment to Vercel. Unlike Opal, the output is real code you own and can host independently. Better for nonprofits that need public-facing websites or tools that must work outside the Google ecosystem. Free tier available with paid plans from $20/month.
Make (formerly Integromat)
Best for automating workflows across multiple existing platforms
Make connects 1,000+ apps and services with visual automation workflows. Where Opal focuses on AI content generation within the Google ecosystem, Make specializes in connecting your CRM, email platform, fundraising tools, and other existing systems together. Make offers nonprofit pricing and is better suited when the challenge is moving data between tools rather than generating AI content.
AppSheet
Best for nonprofits already on Google Workspace needing structured data apps
AppSheet is also a Google product that builds no-code apps from spreadsheets. The difference is that AppSheet creates structured mobile and web apps with forms, databases, and user permissions, while Opal creates AI content generation workflows. AppSheet is better for field data collection, inventory management, and volunteer tracking. It's free with Google Workspace for Nonprofits, making both tools potentially available at no cost.
Getting Started
Sign in with Your Google Account
Visit opal.google and sign in with any standard Google account. No special registration or approval is needed. If your organization uses Google Workspace for Nonprofits, sign in with your nonprofit email address to keep Opal apps within your organization's Google ecosystem. The platform loads directly in your browser with no software installation required.
Start with a Simple One-Step App
Choose a template or describe a straightforward tool in the text prompt, such as "an app that takes a donor name and giving amount and writes a personalized thank-you message." Let Opal generate the initial workflow, then review each step in the visual editor. Run the app yourself first using test data to verify the output quality before sharing it with your team.
Refine Your Prompts for Consistent Quality
The Generate step accepts custom instructions that shape how the AI responds. Add specific guidance about your organization's voice, required elements, formatting preferences, and quality standards. For example: "Always include a specific statistic about program impact. Write in a warm, personal tone that avoids corporate language. Keep the letter to three paragraphs." Refining these instructions is the primary way to improve output consistency.
Share with Your Team and Expand to Multi-Step Workflows
Once your app produces reliable outputs, share the link with the colleagues who will use it most. Gather their feedback over a week or two, then refine the app based on real usage. When you're comfortable with single-step tools, explore building multi-step workflows that chain several AI models together, or experiment with the Agent Step for tools that need to autonomously gather information before generating content.
Need Help Building Your First Opal App?
Google Opal is easy to start with, but building workflows that produce consistently high-quality outputs for your specific nonprofit context takes time and iteration. One Hundred Nights helps nonprofits design and implement AI-powered tools that fit their real workflows. We can help you identify the best use cases for Opal in your organization, build and test initial workflows, and train your team to create their own tools going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Opal free to use?
Yes, Google Opal is completely free during its public beta phase. All features are accessible with just a standard Google account. No credit card is required, and there are no usage limits currently enforced. Future pricing is expected to be consumption-based once the product exits beta, likely tied to Gemini API usage rather than a fixed subscription.
Do I need coding skills to use Google Opal?
No coding skills are required. Opal uses a visual node-based workflow editor where you describe what you want in plain English. The platform generates a multi-step AI workflow diagram automatically. You can also edit and customize workflows using natural language instructions rather than writing code. It is designed for non-technical users who want to build functional AI-powered tools quickly.
What types of apps can nonprofits build with Google Opal?
Nonprofits can build a wide range of AI-powered mini-apps with Google Opal, including donor thank-you letter drafters, grant narrative generators, staff training quizzes from uploaded documents, volunteer intake and screening tools, program report summarizers, email campaign drafters, social media content creators, and multilingual content translators. The agentic step feature allows building apps that can autonomously research, plan, and execute multi-step tasks.
Is there a nonprofit discount for Google Opal?
There is no separate nonprofit discount program specifically for Google Opal. The tool is currently free for all users. Nonprofits that already participate in the Google for Nonprofits program access Opal the same way as any other Google account user. If paid plans are introduced in the future, Google for Nonprofits benefits may apply, though this has not been confirmed.
How does Google Opal differ from Zapier or Make?
Google Opal is AI-native, meaning its core function is chaining AI models together to generate content, images, and videos based on user input. Make and similar tools are integration platforms that connect third-party apps via triggers and actions. Opal excels at building AI-powered content and generation tools but has very limited external app integrations. For many nonprofits, these tools are complementary rather than competing.
Can Google Opal apps be shared with volunteers or donors?
Yes, every app built in Opal gets a shareable web link immediately. Anyone with a Google account can access and use the app without installing anything. You can restrict access to specific users or leave it open for your entire team. This makes it easy to roll out internal tools to volunteers, board members, or staff without any IT involvement. Note that all users do need a Google account to access shared Opal apps.