Frequently Asked Questions



Q. What are the differences between The Giving Partner and Giving Challenge?  

  • The Giving Partner is a year-round/everyday online giving platform reflecting the profiles of nonprofit organizations with local impact. This offers multiple data points for reviewing a nonprofit organization. 
  • Giving Challenge is a 24-hour online giving event, typically held every other year, exclusively for nonprofit organizations with a tax status of 501(c)(3) Public Supported Charity or Public Charity Supporting Organization with an Approved (Current) status in The Giving Partner. This event provides nonprofit organizations the opportunity to gain exposure and create relationships with donors, and brings our community together to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations.  The last Giving Challenge was held in April 2022 (to learn more, click here). The next Giving Challenge will take place April 9-10, 2024.  

Q. What are the requirements for a nonprofit organization to create and have a profile?

Nonprofit organizations must meet eligibility requirements. Click here to learn more. 

Q. When are nonprofit organizations required to update their profile, and what updates are needed?

To be eligible for grants and other opportunities, nonprofit organizations must update key documents and/or data that has expired or is due in order to retain an updated profile. Click here to learn more.

Q. Can donations be made via a mobile device?

Yes! Visit www.TheGivingPartner.org on any mobile device.

Q. Is there a minimum donation?

Donations of $5 or more are accepted on www.TheGivingPartner.org and are 100% tax-deductible.

Q. Will donors receive a receipt for tax purposes?

A tax receipt is automatically emailed to the donor immediately upon processing a donation. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. taxes, donors should retain the receipt as an official record.

Q. Are there fees involved?

  • There is an online processing fee for donations made on www.TheGivingPartner.org (charged by technology partner GiveGab and the credit card processing company) which is deducted from each contribution. A donor can choose to round up the donation to cover these fees during the checkout process. 
  • There is no fee for nonprofit organizations to have a profile.

Q. Can donors receive a benefit for giving?

Donations may not be made in exchange for goods, services, memberships, dues, tickets or other services or benefits.

Q. What forms of payment are accepted?

Credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express) or debit cards.

Q. Can donations be made to multiple nonprofits in one transaction?

The gift basket multi-give feature offers the opportunity to donate to several nonprofit organizations by entering credit card information only one time.

Q. May a donor designate how a nonprofit uses their gift?

All donations are considered unrestricted gifts to the nonprofit organization. 

Q. Is the site secure?

Secure donations are provided through GiveGab to each donor entering their own credit card information directly on The Giving Partner. 

Any third party who enters credit card information on behalf of a donor, by their actions of entering any such credit card information on behalf of a donor assumes all risk of loss and any liability associated with such transaction and indemnifies each of the sponsoring foundations and nonprofit organizations of The Giving Partner against any and all risk of loss and any liability associated with such transaction.

Q. Who will receive a donor’s contact information?

The nonprofit organization(s) that a donor chooses to support will have access to the donor’s name and email address, unless the donor checks the box 'hide my name from this organization and the public' to remain anonymous. 

Q. What is GiveGab?

A technology platform that helps nonprofits to raise money, engage donors and manage volunteers.

Q. Does a donor need to create an account with GiveGab to donate?

A donor does not need to create an account to make a donation. The benefits of creating an account include the donor having their tax receipts collected in one location, being able to track their donations, follow the charities they support, and engage in future volunteering and donations.

Q. What if I can't find a nonprofit organization on The Giving Partner?

Click the Blue Chat Bubble (located in the bottom right corner of the website) to connect with the Customer Success Team for assistance, or contact Nonprofits@CFSarasota.org.

Q. Why am I encountering issues with certain functionality of The Giving Partner?

Be sure you are always using the most current browser. Click here to learn which browsers work best.   

Q. How can foundations, grant-makers or giving circles utilize The Giving Partner? 

Utilizing The Giving Partner for your grant application process allows access to comprehensive information. View information for local nonprofits at the community level to analyze needs and trends. Please contact Nonprofits@CFSarasota.org for more information.