Nonprofit Toolkit


Welcome to The Giving Partner!   

The Giving Partner, presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, is an online resource for informed charitable decisions, connecting philanthropy and our community.

Here are some important features:  

  • A centralized nonprofit directory for year-round awareness, engagement and giving (contains over 700 active profiles for 501(c) charitable organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties)  
  • Each profile reflects an organization’s commitment to transparency and shares their story (programmatic results and impact, financial health, leadership, governance and more)  
  • Powerful, searchable database (search by organization name, keywords, cause, geographical area, board member and volunteer opportunities)    
  • A trusted resource for grantmakers and other entities for philanthropic research (explore how each nonprofit organization is making a difference in the greater Sarasota area). Note: A profile with an Approved (Current) status is a prerequisite to eligibility for grants and other opportunities available through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, along with several other community funders.    
  • There is  no cost to have a profile   
  • Dedicated Customer Success Team when you have questions or need assistance     

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is committed to improving the lives of all people. We believe the strength of our community is in its diversity. Together, we strive to address issues and create opportunities so all people can achieve their full potential.

We use data from The Giving Partner to inform: 

  • Deepening our understanding of community needs 
  • Assessing our reach, gaps, and identifying opportunities 
  • Measuring the impact of our charitable investments 

Based on national best practices from Candid (formerly known as Guidestar) we have included demographic fields for nonprofit organizations’ board members and leadership. Having a greater knowledge of our community allows stakeholders to make better informed decisions. We know that what gets measured is a beginning point for thoughtful conversations about who we are and what we can become. Click here to learn more. 

To get started, refer to the appropriate sections of the Nonprofit Toolkit below. This contains everything that you need to know to ensure that creating and updating your nonprofit organization's profile is a success! 


What The Giving Partner Offers for Your Nonprofit


 

1.Qualify

2.Apply

3.Prepare

4.Create

5.Update

6.Donations

7.Promote 

1. Qualify

For Organizations That Don’t Yet Have a Profile (if your organization already has a profile, skip to Step #5). 

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A PROFILE 

A nonprofit organization must have ALL of the following in order to meet eligibility requirements:

  • IRS 501(c) Letter of Determination  (only the following determinations are eligible: 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) veterans' organizations with 90% war vet membership, or 501(c)(4) volunteer fire departments; see example below)   
  • At least one current program (in existence for at least six months) with local impact in at least one of the following counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto  
  • A street address in at least one of the following counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto 



2. Apply

For Organizations That Don’t Yet Have a Profile  (if your organization already has a profile, skip to Step #5). 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PROFILE 

If organization meets the above Qualifications and does not already have a profile, here are your next steps: 

  • After you've submitted your Application, your profile will be in a Pre-Pending Status while we verify the information.
  • So long as your organization meets the Qualifications, you'll receive an email notification indicating that you can proceed with developing your organization's profile.       

3. Prepare

HOW TO PREPARE 

Thoughtful preparation will enable you to efficiently and accurately complete your organization’s profile. 

  • If you aren’t comfortable with technology, please reach out to a friend or family member who can assist, as you will complete everything online. 
  • Use a compatible internet browser for the best experience (we highly suggest Google Chrome)! 
  • Always utilize the Nonprofit Toolkit for the most comprehensive information and instructions (this link lives on the admin dashboard of your profile).       
  • Gather required documents in digital format (IRS 501(c) Letter of Determination, 990s, Profit & Loss Statements, Balance Sheets, State Charitable Solicitations Permit). You will upload these initially, and then update most of these when they next expire or become due.
  • Mark notifications@givegab.com as a safe sender to ensure important emails make it to your inbox.  
  • Please do NOT “Unsubscribe” to any emails from GiveGab, otherwise you will no longer receive IMPORTANT notifications about your profile.     

4. Create 

For Organizations That Don’t Yet Have a Profile   

HOW TO CREATE A PROFILE

After our review of your Application, you will receive an email indicating if your organization can get started with creating a profile. It is important to follow the steps below to ensure you’ve not missed anything necessary for us to Approve your profile: 

  • Create your organization’s profile online:  Click this link for the CHECKLIST and follow the steps within (you may print the Checklist, or keep it open in a separate window/tab while working on your profile). Check your work for grammatical errors. It is also helpful to ask a friend or family member for their perspective (do things make sense?).  

         

  • Assign Profile Administrator(s) from your organization. They should have access to very basic technical knowledge, knowledge about your organization (some questions require detailed descriptions), and the ability to accurately complete the profile. Be mindful about who is chosen for this responsibility. 
  • After your work is fully completed, click SUBMIT PROFILE FOR REVIEW 
  • Deadline for Profile Submission: Submit your new profile for review/approval AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (preferably within 30 days of application acceptance).  

FOUNDATION REVIEW PROCESS

Foundation reviews occur in the order that profiles are submitted.

  • So long as you’ve not missed any required fields and have provided the correct documents/data, your profile will be published with the status of Approved (Current).
  • If you’ve missed any required fields or have not provided the correct documents/data, your profile status will indicate Pending until you have provided correct documents/data.
  • If you aren’t sure if you have completed all necessary fields, the best way to determine this is to easily cross-check your profile with the Checklist. 
  • As there are multiple data points in each profile that we must review, we appreciate your patience (especially during peak periods with many profiles awaiting review).

After our review:

  • You will receive an email indicating the profile status. 
  • Mark notifications@givegab.com as a safe sender to ensure important emails make it to your inbox.  
  • Please do NOT “Unsubscribe” to any emails from GiveGab, otherwise you will no longer receive IMPORTANT notifications about your profile.  

PROFILE STATUS

One of the profile statuses below will be indicated on your Admin Dashboard (top right). Anytime the status changes, you will receive a notification email!

  • Pending - Profile is awaiting your completion and submission of required fields that were not completed. 
  • Submitted - Profile is in line for review
  • In Review - Profile is being reviewed
  • Approved - Profile is up-to-date (status is reflected as Current in the Public Interface). This status signifies that the organization has provided required content and key information was reviewed by our team (this is not a grade, rating, or certification).

PROFILE EXPIRATION DATE 

  • This field is an internal control utilized by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. It is tied to the document/data point in your profile that will next be expiring or become due.  

FUTURE UPDATES

After initial approval, all profiles are to be updated when necessary by the nonprofit organization’s administrator(s). See Step #5 below.  

5. Update   

For Organizations That Already Have a Profile 

HOW TO UPDATE (MAINTAIN) YOUR ORGANIZATION’S PROFILE 

After initial approval, all profiles must be updated:

  • On a rolling basis (anytime something expires or becomes due) as key fields expire and become due on different dates throughout each year. 
  • Profiles must be updated to retain the Approved (Current) status. 
  • The best way to stay on top of this, is by routinely logging in (suggest setting a monthly recurring calendar reminder) and reviewing your profile against the Checklist to determine what needs updating.  

It is important to follow the steps below to ensure you’ve not missed anything necessary for us to re-Approve your profile: 

  • Update Profile Administrator(s) from your organization. They should have access to very basic technical knowledge, knowledge about your organization (some questions require detailed descriptions), and the ability to accurately complete the profile. Be mindful about who is chosen for this responsibility. 
  • Update your organization’s profile online:  Click this link for the CHECKLIST and follow the steps within (you may print the Checklist, or keep it open in a separate window/tab while working on your profile). Don’t forget to check grammar!

         

  • After your updates are fully completed, click SUBMIT PROFILE FOR RE-VERIFICATION.  
  • Deadline for Profile Submission: Submit your updated profile for review/approval AS SOON AS POSSIBLE when KEY UPDATE items have expired or become due, and anytime that you wish to make other organizational updates.  

FOUNDATION REVIEW PROCESS

Foundation reviews occur in the order that profiles are submitted. 

  • So long as you’ve not missed any required fields or key updates and have provided the correct documents/data, your profile will be published with the status of Approved (Current).
  • If you’ve missed any required fields or key updates or have not provided the correct documents/data, your profile status will indicate Pending (Re-Verification) until you have provided correct documents/data.
  • If you aren’t sure if you have completed all necessary fields, the best way to determine this is to easily cross-check your profile with the Checklist.
  • As there are multiple data points in each profile that we must review, we appreciate your patience (especially during peak periods with many profiles awaiting review).

After our review:

  • You will receive an email indicating the profile status.
  • Mark notifications@givegab.com as a safe sender to ensure important emails make it to your inbox.  
  • Please do NOT “Unsubscribe” to any emails from GiveGab, otherwise you will no longer receive IMPORTANT notifications about your profile.  

PROFILE STATUS

One of the profile statuses below will be indicated on your Admin Dashboard (top right). Anytime the status changes, you will receive a notification email. Note: You can still make updates while profile is under review.  

  • Re-verification Pending - Key updates are due (status is reflected as Not Current on Public interface)    
  • Submitted for Re-verification - Profile is in line for review  
  • Re-verification (In Review) - Profile is being reviewed
  • Approved - Profile is up-to-date (status is reflected as Current in the Public Interface). This status signifies that the organization has provided required content and key information was reviewed by our team (this is not a grade, rating, or certification).   
PROFILE EXPIRATION DATE 
  • This field is an internal control utilized by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. It is tied to the document/data point in your profile that will next be expiring or become due.  

6. Donations 

HOW TO COLLECT AND MANAGE DONATIONS THROUGH THE GIVING PARTNER    

The functionality to collect and manage donations online is integrated within your profile!    

  • Leverage the Donate Button (Opt-In only; fees apply to donations collected) - Click here to learn more. When you're ready to get started, login to your organization’s profile and go to Profile Setup > Get Verified to Collect Donations              


  • Manage Donations (Opt-In only; fees apply to donations collected) - Click here to learn more. Login to your organization’s profile and go to Reports > Donations.               


  • View Analytics - Click on the Analytics button to view details for your organization.       

           

                          


7. Promote

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR ORGANIZATION THROUGH THE GIVING PARTNER     

The functionality to set up fundraisers and promote your organization is integrated within your profile's Admin Dashboard to enhance and streamline your fundraising!

  • Share your profile on Socials!  

         


  • Leverage the Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers functionality (Opt-in only; no subscription fees).      
    • Click here to learn more. When you're ready to get started, login to your organization’s profile and go to Profile Setup tab > Add Fundraisers.   

            


  • Leverage the GiveGab Fundraising Suite (Opt-In only; subscription fees apply for an annual, quarterly or monthly plan).      
    • Click here to view the demo and slides. Subscribing adds a Fundraising Campaigns and Events menu to your profile's Admin Dashboard, along with access to additional features ( analytics, launch and end dates, fundraising champions, event registration and swag, reporting) beyond the standard Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers functionality.             


  • Leverage Matches and Challenges (Opt-in only; no subscription fees).      
    • Click here to learn more. When you're ready to get started, login to your organization’s profile and go to Profile Setup tab > Donation Tools > Manage Matches and Challenges.                      

Platform Relationships

Please note the relationship and differences between our two highly-regarded platforms with similar names:

  • The Giving Partner - An online platform for year-round giving. Having a profile with an Approved (Current) status in The Giving Partner is a prerequisite to be eligible for other opportunities available through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (such as, grant applications, trainings, workshops, Giving Challenge). 
  • Giving Challenge - A 24-hour online giving event (typically held every other year) exclusively for organizations with an Approved (Current) profile in The Giving Partner.

           The last Giving Challenge was held in April 2022 (for more information click here). 

           The next Giving Challenge date has not yet been determined. 

Questions & Assistance 


  • Answers to frequently asked questions.  
  • If you encounter any technology issues, need clarification, or help uploading documents, connect with the Customer Success Team:        

            -  Click on the blue Chat Bubble in the lower right corner of any page on The Giving Partner. 

  • If you have any further questions, please contact Nonprofits@CFsarasota.org or 941-556-7170. 

Trainings & Learning Resources


Learn more by checking out the following links which are specifically related to The Giving Partner: