Non Profit FAQ
Q. If I have questions, who can I contact?
Please contact the GiveGab Customer Success team at support@givegab.com or via the blue chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the Giving DuPage Days website. They will be able to assist you with almost anything you might need or will connect you to the right person to help you.
Q. What is Giving DuPage Days and what does Giving DuPage do?
Giving DuPage Days event is a 3-day online community fundraiser to support and create awareness for nonprofit organizations serving DuPage County. Donors can give online at givingdupageday.org from May 1 - 3, 2024. Giving DuPage is the organization that hosts this event. We serve as the DuPage County Volunteer Center, with a mission to promote giving and volunteering countywide. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a public-private partner of DuPage County.
Q. How is this event different from other fundraisers taking place right now?
Giving DuPage Days is an online multi-charity fundraiser, to raise over $350,000 for over 100 local charities serving DuPage County. This event is the largest local fundraiser supporting so many nonprofit organizations in one event. Our intention is to provide capacity-building resources and send a resounding message of hope to our nonprofit community.
Q. When is the Giving DuPage Days event taking place?
Giving DuPage Days runs from May 1 - 3, 2024. Donors can give online anytime during that period.
Q. Is my organization eligible to participate?
To participate in Giving DuPage Days, a nonprofit organization must be:
- Legally recognized by the IRS as 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (refer to IRS compliance here)
- Provide programs and services predominantly serving residents of DuPage County through their nonprofit organization
- Legally registered with the Attorney General’s Office to solicit donations in Illinois (learn about annual registration here)
- Be willing to provide their latest year 990 filing Be willing to accept additional terms & conditions here: https://givingdupageday.org/info/terms-of-service
Organizations serving multiple counties are eligible to participate, as long as there are programs/services provided within DuPage County.
Houses of worship and K-12 schools are not eligible to participate in Giving DuPage Days. However, distinctive, ongoing programs that benefit the community offered by faith groups or schools, that have 501(c)3 status, (e.g., childcare programs, food pantries, scholarship assistance) may be eligible. One-time faith or school projects are not eligible.
Giving DuPage Days is not intended to raise funds for a capital campaign or for a donor to fulfill an existing donation pledge. As the host organization, Giving DuPage is not a regulatory agency. We do not, nor do our event partners, express or imply endorsement of any nonprofit organization through participation in this giving day event.
Participating charities in Giving DuPage Days attest they have met the eligibility criteria and agree to the terms & conditions.
If you have questions about whether or not your organization is eligible to participate, please contact givingdupage@dupageco.org
Q. How much does it cost to participate?
Nonprofit organizations pay a one-time fee every year to join this event. This participation fee is based on whether the organization is based inside or outside DuPage County. The participation fee is paid during registration and is $135 for organizations based inside DuPage County and $250 for those based outside the County, but still serving County residents. Charity registration opens on February 20. The last day for nonprofit organizations to register is March 11.
Q. What is the benefit to my nonprofit organization to participate in Giving DuPage Days?
Nonprofit organizations receive a lot of resources, training, and tips as a part of their participation in Giving DuPage Days. These benefits include:
- Training Webinars (2) and an On-Demand Video Library (short videos & includes slides!) - you will have so much help to ensure success for Giving DuPage Days.
- New supporters for your organization - Giving DuPage engages organizations, businesses, community organizations, and faith groups countywide to learn about participating charities. We serve as a connector agency and always want to link generous people with local causes!
- Nonprofit Toolkit - this toolkit contains so many resources for community engagement, building board support, sample emails, social media tips & tricks, communications milestones, and graphics to download.
- Increase your reach on social media, promote your organization, and create awareness for your cause - success for this day depends on driving engagement and reach on social networks. We expect thousands of people to visit and view the charity profiles during this event.
- Be a part of a countywide fundraiser - our goal is to send a resounding message of hope to the DuPage nonprofit community. Local charities serve DuPage residents and this event is about providing them with critical fundraising support for community organizations. We are lifting many charities up all in one awesome, feel-good event!
Q. How much of the donation will go to our organization?
GiveGab, this donor platform, retains a 3.5% campaign management fee from all donations. Credit card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. These fees are often paid by the donor with each online transaction.
For this event, 90% of every donation ($9 of every $10 dollars) will go to the charity of choice selected by the donor and 10% ($1 of every $10 dollars) will be distributed to Giving DuPage, as the host organization. Giving DuPage uses the funds to offset event expenses and to promote volunteerism year-round, as the County’s Volunteer Center.
100% of every donation benefits nonprofit organizations serving DuPage County. All donations are issued a receipt for tax purposes.
Q. What forms of donations are accepted?
MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express donations are received through givingdupageday.org. You can also donate directly from your bank account using Plaid with a donation minimum of $100. You can learn more about using your bank account for your donation by viewing this article.
Q. What is the deadline to ensure my participation in Giving DuPage Days?
The deadline to register your nonprofit organization for Giving DuPage Days is March 11.
Q. Can more than one staff person claim admin access to our organization’s page?
Yes, pending approval from existing administrators. All administrators must create profiles on GiveGab. Every person who has administrative access will receive emails about updates to their page. Click here to learn how to add an admin and click here to learn how to remove an admin.
Q. Can I preview the donation process that my donors will experience?
You cannot preview a donor's donation process before Giving DuPage Days, but you can watch this video to see how donors can make a gift and the options available to donors in the process.
Q. How does my organization know who has donated and how much? Can I download a donor report?
Participating charities can access and download a .CSV file of donations received specifically to their organization via their administrative dashboard, with the ability to create a custom 'thank you' message for donors. The exception is if the donor chooses to remain anonymous.
Q. When will we receive the donated funds?
Giving DuPage will mail checks by June to participating organizations for the amount raised online, plus any incentive prizes earned.
Q. Who issues the tax-deductible donation letter to donors?
All donations will be officially receipted with a tax-deductible letter automatically after the donation is processed. Since donations made for this event are hosted by Giving DuPage, any donation made will appear as a donation to ‘Giving DuPage’ on your credit card statement. These funds will then be distributed to the intended charity of choice.
Q. What is GiveGab/Bonterra?
GiveGab is an online giving platform that helps nonprofit organizations raise money, engage donors, and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab is the platform used to process all online donations during Giving DuPage Days.
Q. What portion of a donation made for Giving DuPage Days is tax deductible?
Donors usually cover processing fees associated with their gift. After fees, the entire amount is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Donors will see the total amount they give to each organization reflected in their tax-deductible donation email receipt. The tax-deductible amount in the email receipt will include any additional amount to cover the fees.
Q. What is state charitable solicitation registration?
Nonprofit organizations are held to a high standard of government regulation and public scrutiny. Eligible 501(c) nonprofits are exempt from federal corporate taxes and have access to public funding. Laws are in place to protect the public and ensure nonprofits do not abuse financial advantages. The IRS and the Illinois Attorney General have requirements for nonprofit organizations.
Q. Why is state charitable solicitation registration compliance important?
While 501(c) nonprofit organizations receive key financial benefits, penalties for noncompliance can be serious. The IRS can revoke a nonprofit’s status and levy daily fines for penalties or non-compliance.
If your organization is a participating charity of Giving DuPage Days, please ensure it is compliant with federal and state regulations and confirm your organization is in good standing.
Q. Why is our organization asked to provide our 990 tax filing with registration?
The IRS provides tax exemptions to eligible nonprofits under IRC 501(c). Public charities and private foundations receive 501(c)(3) tax exemption. The IRS scrutinizes organizations when they apply for 501(c)(3) status and ensures organizations meet ongoing obligations to remain eligible. Nonprofits must file a 990 tax form each year with the IRS to disclose their financial data for the year.
Giving DuPage may request a copy of the 990 form to ensure your organization is in good standing and compliant. This information is not shared with anyone but for our records only.
Q. When I check the box to ‘accept’ Terms & Conditions, what is our organization agreeing to?
When you check the box to accept ‘terms & conditions’, your organization has agreed the information provided is accurate and truthful. Also, your organization has agreed that it meets the outlined eligibility requirements. Most importantly, your agreement confirms your organization is compliant with applicable state fundraising requirements and may solicit donors using this donor platform.