Online Giving: 25 Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of 25 frequently asked questions on online giving and donation platforms.

1. What is online giving?

Online giving is the process of making financial contributions to a nonprofit organization, charity, or religious institution using the internet.

2. How do I make an online donation?

To make an online donation, you will typically need to visit the nonprofit website or online platform of the organization you want to support and follow the instructions for making a contribution. This may involve entering your payment information, such as your credit or debit card details, and specifying the amount of your donation.

3. Is online giving secure?

Online giving platforms should use secure, encrypted systems to protect your personal and financial information. Look for a lock icon in the address bar of your web browser, which indicates that the site is secure. You can also check the organization’s privacy policy to see how they protect your information.

4. Can I make a one-time or recurring donation online?

Many online giving platforms offer the option to make either one-time or recurring donations. Recurring donations are automatic payments that are made at regular intervals, such as monthly or quarterly. You can typically specify the frequency and duration of your recurring donation when you set it up.

5. Is there a fee for making an online donation?

Most online giving platforms charge a fee for processing donations, which may be passed on to the donor. The fee may be a percentage of the donation amount or a fixed amount per transaction. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any online giving platform before making a donation, so you understand any donation fees that may be involved.

6. Can I donate to a specific campaign or project through online giving?

Some online giving platforms allow donors to specify that their contribution should be directed to a specific campaign or project. For example, you might choose to donate to a particular fundraising campaign or to a specific program or initiative. If you are not able to specify a specific campaign or project, you can contact the organization directly to ask about other options for directing your donation.

7. Can I make an anonymous online donation?

Some online giving platforms allow donors to make anonymous contributions, while others may require you to provide your name and contact information. If you want to make an anonymous donation, you should check the policies of the platform or organization you are using.

8. Can I get a tax receipt for my online donation?

Most organizations that accept online donations will provide a tax receipt or other documentation of your contribution. This may be sent to you by email, mailed to you, or made available for you to download or print from the organization’s website. Be sure to keep a record of your donation for tax purposes.

9. Can I use my credit or debit card to make an online donation?

All online giving platforms accept credit and debit card payments, although some may also accept other forms of payment, such as electronic checks or PayPal.

10. Can I set up a personal fundraising campaign through online giving?

Some online giving platforms allow users to set up personal fundraising campaigns to support a specific cause or organization. This can be a good way to engage your friends, family, and social network in supporting a cause that is important to you.

11. Can I donate to a specific individual or family through online giving?

Some online giving platforms allow donors to make contributions to specific individuals or families, although this may not be possible for all organizations. If you are interested in supporting a specific individual or family, you should contact the organization directly to see if this is an option.

12. Can I donate to multiple organizations through online giving?

Yes, you can typically donate to multiple organizations through online giving platforms. Some platforms may allow you to make multiple donations in a single transaction.

13. Is there a limit to how much I can donate online?

Most online giving platforms do not have a limit on the amount you can donate, although some may have minimum or maximum donation amounts. If you want to make a large donation, you should check the policies of the platform or organization you are using to ensure that your contribution can be accepted.

14. Can I donate non-monetary items through online giving?

Some organizations may accept non-monetary donations, such as supplies or equipment, through their online giving platforms. However, it is important to check the policies of the organization you are supporting to see what types of donations they will accept.

15. Can I donate stock or other securities through online giving?

Some organizations may accept donations of stocks or other securities through online giving platforms. You should check the policies of the organization you are supporting to see if this is an option. If you are interested in donating securities, you may need to work with a financial advisor or broker to facilitate the transfer.

16. Can I set up a charitable trust or foundation through online giving?

While you may be able to research and learn about charitable trusts and foundations through online giving platforms, it is typically not possible to set up a trust or foundation entirely online. You may need to work with an attorney or other legal professional to establish a charitable trust or foundation.

17. Can I make a charitable gift annuity through online giving?

Charitable gift annuities are a type of charitable gift that provides donors with a fixed income in exchange for their contribution. Some organizations may allow you to establish a charitable gift annuity through their online giving platforms, although this may not be possible for all organizations. You should contact the organization directly to see if this is an option.

18. Can I make a charitable remainder trust through online giving?

Charitable remainder trusts are a type of charitable gift that allows donors to transfer assets to a trust that will provide income to the donor or other beneficiaries for a specified period of time, after which the remaining assets will be transferred to the charitable organization. Some organizations may allow you to establish a charitable remainder trust through their online giving platforms, although this may not be possible for all organizations. You should contact the organization directly to see if this is an option.

19. Can I make a charitable lead trust through online giving?

Charitable lead trusts are a type of charitable gift that allows donors to transfer assets to a trust that will provide income to the charitable organization for a specified period of time, after which the remaining assets will be transferred back to the donor or other beneficiaries. Some organizations may allow you to establish a charitable lead trust through their online giving platforms, although this may not be possible for all organizations. You should contact the organization directly to see if this is an option.

20. Can I donate my property through online giving?

Some organizations may accept donations of property, such as real estate, through their online giving platforms. However, it is important to carefully review the policies of the organization you are supporting and to consider the tax implications of donating property. You may need to work with an attorney or other legal professional to facilitate the transfer.

21. Can I make a planned gift through online giving?

Planned gifts are charitable donations that are made as part of an overall financial or estate plan. Some organizations may allow you to make a planned gift through their online giving platforms, although this may not be possible for all organizations. You should contact the organization directly to see if this is an option.

22. Can I donate to a foreign organization through online giving?

It is typically possible to make a donation to a foreign organization through online giving platforms, although you may need to consider any additional fees or restrictions that may apply to international transactions. You should also be aware of any potential tax implications of making a donation to a foreign organization.

23. Can I donate to a church or other religious organization through online giving?

Many churches and other religious organizations accept online donations through their church websites or through specialized online giving platforms. You can typically make a one-time or recurring donation, and you may have the option to specify how your donation should be used.

24. Can I donate to a school or educational institution through online giving?

Many schools and educational institutions accept online donations through their websites or through specialized online giving platforms. You can typically make a one-time or recurring donation, and you may have the option to specify how your donation should be used, such as for scholarships or specific programs.

25. Can I get a matching gift for my online donation?

Some employers offer matching gift programs that will match charitable donations made by their employees. If your employer has a matching gift program, you may be able to request a matching gift for your online donation. You should check with your employer to see if this is an option and to get more information on the process.