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 nonprofits with local impact. This offers multiple data points for reviewing a nonprofit.
  • 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 nonprofits 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 2024 (to learn more, click here). The next Giving Challenge will take place April 15-16, 2026.

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

Nonprofits must meet eligibility requirements. Click here to learn more.

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

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

Q. Can donations be made via a mobile device?

Yes! Visit TheGivingPartner.org on any mobile device.

Q. Is there a minimum donation?

Donations of $5 or more are accepted on TheGivingPartner.org and are 100 percent 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 TheGivingPartner.org (charged by technology partner GiveGab and the credit card processing company) that 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 nonprofits 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 card.

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

The gift basket multi-give feature offers the opportunity to donate to several nonprofits 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.

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 nonprofits 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 or nonprofits 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 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, following the charities they support, and engaging in future volunteering and donations.

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

Using 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.