Setup google Workspace for non profit while using external email provider

[Aswin]

Hi,

I would like to setup Google Workspace for a nonprofit organization and it meets the local eligibility requirements. However as I understand, it requires me to start a free trial first.

My domain and email is provided by https://www.active-domain.com/, and do not want to migrate my email etc to Google for a trial, if my application for nonprofit will be rejected after 14 days. 

How do I proceed? Would setting up a different domain for the organization be the best option?

[KAM]

@Aswin 

From experience as an NPO admin, you don't need to do email to activate Workspace.  I have an NPO I admin that is setup similarly.  I'd recommend jumping in and post if you get to a barrier.  -KAM

[bccc_kaephas]

No need to setup email on Google Workspace until your application is approved.

As long as you don't update your DNS MX records, emails will continue to be delivered to your current email server.

The only point to note is I found collaboration may be affected. For example, sharing a file/folder via Google Drive may not deliver an email. Or a calendar invite may not be sent. I can't verify this beyond my own situation, so take this with a grain of salt. There may be a solution to this, but I never looked into it as I eventually moved to our email server to Google.

[christiannewman]

@bccc_kaephas is correct that email will continue to flow to your existing mail server until you have your user accounts set up, and email history migrated (and, of course, your non-profit application is approved).

MX records direct incoming mail, but don't affect outgoing mail - so calendar invitations and Drive file shares can still be sent by Google Workspace.