Set up a public phone number (Google Voice)
Personal setupTools · about 15 min · Charity applicants who need a public phone number
The charity needs a public phone number, and a free Google Voice number works well — it’s what the FFC founder uses.
It rings through to the phone you already carry, but keeps your personal number private and becomes the charity’s public-facing line.
A public number that protects your personal one
A Google Voice number is a free US phone number tied to your Google account. You give it out publicly (website, social profiles) instead of your personal cell, and it forwards calls and texts to your real phone — so you’re reachable without exposing your private number.
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Get your Google Voice number
On a computer, go to voice.google.com, sign in with your Google account, and choose a free US number (search by area code). It’s tied to your account, so secure that account with MFA (see the MFA guide).
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Set where it rings and record a greeting
Link your real mobile number so calls and texts forward to your phone, and record a short, professional voicemail greeting in the charity’s name.
Install the Google Voice app so you can make and answer calls/texts from the public number, keeping your personal number off the conversation.
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Use it as the charity’s public line
Put the Google Voice number — not your personal cell — on the website, Google/social profiles, and anywhere the charity is listed publicly.
When others join the team later, you can share access or move to a Google Workspace Voice line; for now this one free number covers the public-phone requirement.
Using a separate public number now means you never have to change “the charity’s number” later just because your personal situation changes.
Common questions
Is Google Voice really free?
Yes — a personal Google Voice number is free in the US for calls and texts to US numbers. It’s available to US-based Google accounts.
Can the team share this number later?
For a small team you can simply forward or check it together. As the charity grows you can move to Google Workspace Voice (paid) or add the number to shared tools — but the free number meets the public-phone requirement to start.
Next setup guides
Stuck on any step? Text Clarke Moyer at (520) 222-8104 — every step is meant to be simple, so if something doesn't match what you see, ask.