Just got a press release this morning announcing the launch of the YouTube Nonprofit Program!

YouTube's 2007/2008 Clinton Global Initiative commitment enables nonprofit organizations (in the U.S. those with 501c3 tax filing status) that register for the YouTube Nonprofit Program to receive a free nonprofit specific YouTube channel where they can upload footage of their work, public service announcements, calls to action and more.

YouTube Nonprofit Program participants will receive:

• A premium channel on YouTube that serves as a nonprofit's hub for their uploaded videos. Through the channel, people can connect with a nonprofit via messages, subscriptions, comments and more. Nonprofits will also receive enhanced channel branding features and increased upload capacity.

• Designation as a "Nonprofit" on YouTube that clearly identifies organizations as a nonprofit for YouTube community.

• The ability to embed a Google Checkout donation button on their channel and video watch pages, allowing people to quickly and securely make a contribution directly from YouTube. Starting today, nonprofits who offer Google Checkout for Non-Profits as a donation option -- whether through YouTube or on their own sites -- will receive 100 percent of donated funds, as Google has committed to processing all donations for free through at least the end of 2008.

• In the coming months, nonprofit channels will have a centralized area on YouTube, making them and their videos more easily discoverable.

HOW TO APPLY

Nonprofits can apply for a nonprofit channel type by going to youtube.com/nonprofits and filling out a short application which will be processed by their grants team.

Check out their participating partners' YouTube channels:

24 Hours for Darfur • American Cancer Society • Autism Speaks • 92nd Street Y • Asia Society • Strong American Schools' ED in '08 • Friends of the Earth • International Rescue Committee • March of Dimes • YouthNoise • The ONE Campaign • The Clinton Global Initiative • World Vision Australia