FAQ

Nonprofit FAQ

Q. What is Spring2ACTion?

Spring2ACTion is a 24-hour online event that provides a simple way to connect donors to the charitable causes they care about most and encourages them to take action. This virtual fundraising effort, presented by ACT for Alexandria, with the help of generous sponsors, offers local nonprofits the chance to raise thousands of dollars to ensure that Alexandria is a strong, vibrant community for all. Last year, 7,700 donors gave $2.65M to 172 nonprofits serving Alexandria.

Q. When is Spring2ACTion?

Spring2ACTion is on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from midnight to 11:59 PM. Early giving will begin on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 and run through Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:59 PM.

Q. When is the deadline to register for Spring2ACTion?

The early registration deadline is February 28 for the $30 fee. Any last registrants have until March 31 with a $50 fee. Unfortunately, there will be no exceptions after that date. The deadline to complete your giving day profile is April 7, but we recommend completing your profile now.

Q. How does it work?

On April 26, 2023, ACT will host Spring2ACTion, a 24-hour giving event encouraging charitable donations through our online giving platform, hosted by GiveGab. ACT will provide toolkits, training sessions, outreach support, mass media and extensive social media coverage to make it easy for all nonprofits to participate. Each participating organization will have an individualized web page to promote their cause. Individuals will be able to donate money to the nonprofit organizations of their choice on April 26, 2023 with early giving beginning on April 12, 2023. All donations are tax deductible and irrevocable. (Donations will not be refunded). Donors will receive a receipt for their gift. The nonprofit will receive contact information for each donor, unless the donor elects to remain anonymous. Leaderboards will add a sense of competition and excitement during the build-up and event day. Additional cash grants will be awarded to the top winners in each leaderboard category for the day:

Nonprofits that have the Most Donors - we will award prizes based on operational budget size broken down into three categories - small - $0-$100K, medium - $100K-$500K, and large - $500K+
Free Agent Fundraisers that have the Most Donors - these prizes will be awarded to the organization designated by the Free Agent Fundraiser

In addition to Leaderboard prizes, there will be additional prizes including power hours, ACTion Heroes, and others - some will be awarded based on number of dollars and donors and others will be randomly drawn.

Q. What is the goal?

Let’s raise $2.5M for our community! The vision of Spring2ACTion is a community where everyone contributes to our nonprofit organizations. There are three primary goals:

Grow philanthropy – Create a fun and engaging way to learn about the critical issues impacting our community and inspire people to give
Grow revenue – Bring new donors and develop a new funding stream to the organizations that make our community and its future strong
Grow supporters – Educate the community on the positive impact Alexandria’s nonprofit organizations have on their lives.

Q. Who is behind it?

Spring2ACTion is hosted by ACT for Alexandria, a community foundation that catalyzes change through strategic initiatives and smart philanthropy. Founded in 2004, ACT connects donors with causes they are passionate about and collaborates with nonprofits to optimize resources and impact. ACT strives to improve the lives of Alexandrians by turning ideas into action and resources into results. Learn more: www.actforalexandria.org.

Q. Why should my organization participate?

Spring2ACTion is a fantastic way to boost your organization’s fundraising efforts. The 24-hour online giving event provides eligible nonprofits the opportunity to reach new donors and provides the visibility that only this type of community-wide initiative can generate. To make the most of these efforts your organization should ensure that its profile is up-to-date on the site and is custom-branded to tell its unique story. ACT for Alexandria will help your organization make the most of the day. Spring2ACTion includes easy registration for Free Agent Fundraisers, quick turnaround of online gifts to nonprofits, expanded training opportunities and an improved online experience for donors and nonprofits alike. Of course, prizes and incentives provided by our generous sponsors will attract donors and new dollars on this special day.

Q. Who is able to participate?

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations serving Alexandria are eligible to participate in Spring2ACTion. Funds raised during Spring2ACTion must benefit Alexandria.

Q. What does my nonprofit need to do?

Register your Nonprofit
Agree to the Terms of Service during the registration process.
Create a profile page for your organization using the GiveGab platform.
Broadcast your campaign's message using existing communication networks.
Utilize the Spring2ACTion logo and other provided images and messages consistent with the branding guidelines.
Secure matching grants and prizes to entice donors to your group.
Recruit individuals to be Free Agent Fundraisers for your organization.
Consider organizing an outreach event or community stunt to help further increase exposure for your organization.
Think outside the box, be engaged and have fun!!
For more tips, visit the Nonprofit Toolkit.

Q. Is there a fee to participate?

For nonprofits, a $30 participation fee will be charged for organizations registering by February 28, 2023. A $50 fee will be charged for registration beginning March 1st. Organizations will not be able to register after March 31, 2022 – no exceptions. ACT for Alexandria is assessing this nominal fee in order to make this important day sustainable and provide and grow the extensive marketing, advertising and outreach, corporate and foundation sponsorships, matches and prizes, live training sessions and useful resource materials to help nonprofits build capacity and reach new donors -- all that is required to make this day successful for all.

For each online donation, a 7% + $0.30 will be applied at checkout. This covers a small management fee of 2.5% for ACT for Alexandria to partially offset extensive staff support, marketing, training, planning and hosting Spring2ACTion; a GiveGab platform fee of 2% for building & maintaining a secure site and live support; and a standard credit card company fee of 2.5% + 30¢ on a per transaction basis will apply. If a donor uses the bank account withdrawal (ACH) payment option, there is a flat rate $3 charged instead of the credit card processing fee. ACH payments will be available for donations of $100 or more.

Donors have the option to cover these fees for the organization. In 2022, 75% of donors covered fees, meaning the nonprofit(s) received 100% of the intended gift.

100% of ACT management fee goes directly to support, build and improve Spring2ACTion year over year. Without the financial support generated through fees this event would not be possible.

The fees for Spring2ACTion are significantly less than other types of fundraisers. A 65%-75% net profit is standard for events such as galas, golf tournaments, luncheons, races/runs etc. For Spring2ACTion, nonprofits are making 93%+ net profit on donations. For more information on the value of Spring2ACTion, click here.

Any donations processed outside of Spring2ACTion, through GiveGab.com, or subsequent recurring donations are subject to transaction fees outlined on the GiveGab.com pricing page and may vary based on organization subscription: http://info.givegab.com/pricing.

Q. What are the Terms of Service for participating in Spring2ACTion?

Please click here to view the Terms of Service.

Q. What is GiveGab?

GiveGab is an online giving platform that helps nonprofits raise money, engage donors, and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy-to-use products that allow organizations to function in a more streamlined manner. Your profile on GiveGab is available 365 days a year for fundraising and volunteer management. GiveGab team members are available to help with any platform questions, you can reach them through the blue chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of each Spring2ACTion page.

Q. Who can donate during Spring2ACTion?

Any individual, business, foundation, or organization with a credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa), a computer or other mobile-enabled device (i.e., a computer, iPad, or smartphone), and access to the Internet may donate via Spring2ACTion.org. Donations are accepted by credit card, mobile pay (Apple Pay, Microsoft Pay, and Google Pay) and for donations over $100 donors can connect to their bank account using ACH. Donations through the Spring2ACTion online portal to charitable nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible and cannot be refunded.

Q. What is a unique donor?

A unique donor refers to a person who makes a donation to a nonprofit on Spring2ACTion. The goal for Spring2ACTion is to engage thousands of individuals – or unique donors - to give to Alexandria nonprofits on April 26. Each person will be counted once in our “total donors” tally that will be updated on the Spring2ACTion landing page. If one person makes donations to multiple organizations, they will be counted once per organization on the leaderboards.

Q. What organizations are eligible to receive donations and Spring2ACTion prizes?

Alexandria nonprofit organizations (or nonprofits benefiting Alexandria) are eligible to participate in Spring2ACTion and receive donations. Online donations made through the Spring2ACTion giving platform are eligible for leaderboard prize and general prize consideration. Funds raise and prizes won must be directed towards Alexandria programs and services. Please note that private non-operating foundations cannot receive donations on Spring2ACTion.org or GiveGab.com and are not eligible for prize consideration.

Q. What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at Act for Alexandria and how does it work during Spring2ACTion?

A donor advised fund (DAF) is a simple and personal way to give charitably. DAFs are like a charitable bank account where the donor can control when and how much to give to causes they care about anywhere in the world. Benefits include an immediate tax deduction for the value of the assets deposited into the fund, a simple, flexible, and powerful tool to manage philanthropy, and legacy of giving for families to give for generations. Individuals and families with DAFs at ACT are able to use their Fund to support Spring2ACTion and make donations from their Fund to participating nonprofit organizations. DAF gifts are processed offline and will not be eligible for prize consideration.

Q. What are sponsor matches and challenges? How can I add them to my organization's profile?

Sponsor matches and challenges are great ways to help incentivize donors to make a greater impact by supporting your organization. You can use sponsor matches and challenges to excite your donors and help their donations go even further thanks to the support of a sponsor. You can learn more about matches and challenges here.

Q. If I have a fiscal sponsor, can I participate in Spring2ACTion?

Absolutely! GiveGab accommodates fiscal sponsorship as an option to receive tax-deductible donations if your organization is not currently eligible to receive tax-deductible gifts. You can learn more about fiscal sponsorship on GiveGab here:

What is fiscal sponsorship?

How does fiscal sponsorship work on GiveGab?

Q. How will an organizations know who has donated to them?

All organizations that participated in Spring2ACTion will be able to download a .CSV file of their donations via their administrative dashboard on GiveGab. The report is updated in real-time and will include the donation payout date for bank account reconciliation, donation information (including a breakdown of the fees), and the donor's name and contact information, if provided by the donor.

Q. When will my organization receive the funds contributed?

Organizations will receive all online donations, less any uncovered processing fees, within 5-7 business days after the donation is made via direct deposit as long as bank routing and account information has been verified. GiveGab uses a PCI Level I compliant payment service to ensure that all financial data is secure.

Q. Do I need to issue a tax receipt to my donors?

No, donors will automatically receive an emailed receipt after making their donation through GiveGab. The receipt will include the date of the gift, amount, and the specific organization's name and EIN for donors to use for tax purposes. The receipt will be branded from the organization and include a "thank you" message. We recommend each nonprofit to personalize their "thank you" through their Giving Day Dashboard. Click here to find out how you can customize your message.

Q. Why do you require a date of birth and last four digits of the nonprofit administrator's social security number for nonprofit's donation payouts?

As an online platform that collects, processes, and distributes money in the form of donations from supporters to organizations, GiveGab must abide by the rules, regulations, and compliance laws of the United States. In particular, they are required to verify that the individual registering an organization to collect donations is authorized to do so and is who they say they are. Additionally, GiveGab needs to verify that the organization is a legitimately registered corporation.

Collecting this information helps us streamline donation processing and payouts with our underlying payment processor (Stripe) and the financial institutions that Stripe works with.

More importantly, we have a duty to our users. When donors choose to support a cause with a monetary gift, it is essential that they trust that their donation is going where they expect it to go! You can read a full explanation here, including how this information is stored.

Q. What is state charitable solicitation registration?

Nonprofits 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. These benefits are not typically available to for-profit businesses, so laws are in place to protect the public and ensure nonprofits do not abuse their financial advantages. The IRS and states all have requirements for nonprofits.

Q. Why is state charitable solicitation registration compliance important?

While 501(c) nonprofits receive key financial benefits, the penalties for noncompliance can be serious. The IRS can revoke a nonprofit’s tax exemption and impose fines that can accrue daily. The states can administratively dissolve a nonprofit corporation and levy steep financial penalties. Perhaps worst of all, an organization can lose out on a grant or large donation because it has not kept itself in good standing.

Taking a proactive approach to compliance helps ensure the sustained success of the organization. The cost of staying compliant is small in comparison to the much larger costs of noncompliance. The saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be more true in this context.

Q. What are the key aspects of state charitable solicitation registration compliance?

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) but also ensures that those organizations meet the 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.

Each state has their own set of requirements. Nonprofits are typically incorporated in a given state as a nonprofit corporation. The state in which the nonprofit has incorporated will impose requirements on the nonprofit, and those responsibilities typically span across multiple state agencies. Usually nonprofits must submit an annual filing to the corporations division of the secretary of state, maintain its license to fundraise (charitable solicitation registration), file for a state business license, and maintain state-level tax exemption with the revenue department. As nonprofits expand outside of the state or operate nationwide, they must comply with the same items in each other state as well.

In addition to IRS and state filing requirements, nonprofits must keep adequate records. Keeping accurate and complete records is critical in the event that an organization is audited. It is also common that board members or donors request information from the organization. Finally, records are necessary for submitting applications and renewal filings with various government agencies.

Q. What are Virginia's requirements for charitable solicitation registration?

Virginia requires that before soliciting donations, a charitable organization must file a registration statement with the state. Churches, educational and health care institutions and certain other organizations are exempt from registration as well as solicitations limited in scope. More information is available on the website for the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.

Q. When I check the box on GiveGab to declare state charitable solicitation registration compliance, what am I attesting to?

When you check the box you are attesting (defined as "declaring that something exists or is the case") that your organization is compliant with applicable state fundraising requirements in the states in which you may solicit donors using the GiveGab platform.

Q. Do you have any additional resources to reference about state charitable solicitation registration?

Yes! Here are a few more resources from Harbor Compliance to help you:

Guide and Overview of Many Nonprofit State by State Compliance Requirements
Guide and Overview Specific to Fundraising Compliance
National Council of Nonprofits and Harbor Compliance have partnered to create a white paper explaining the state charitable solicitation registration requirements.
A Quick Summary of Charitable Solicitation in Graphic Form
Executive Brief: Charitable Solicitation Registration (great for driving awareness and support with leadership and the board)
State by State Links to the State Organizations that Regulate Charities, Solicitation, and Registrations

Q. How can I find out more about Spring2ACTion?

Stay tuned to this website for more information and details as the event draws near. You can also follow us on Twitter @Spring2ACT or Instagram @ACTforAlexandria and "like" us on Facebook to stay updated. Spring2ACTion will be hosting training sessions for nonprofits to share tools, highlight matching grants and strategize together to make this day another one for the history books!

Q. What is the process for verifying my nonprofit to collect donations?

Every nonprofit on GiveGab goes through 4 verification steps. These steps include a check against the IRS Database, the Office of Foreign Assets Control Database, the State Fundraising Database (varies across states), and Guidestar Database.

GiveGab checks organizations against the IRS database to ensure they are P78 verified. This is an automated check once the organization has entered their verification and bank account details.
Once an organization enters their bank account details, Stripe completes an auto-verification to confirm that the nonprofit has not been listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as a Specifically Designated National (SDN) engaged in or supporting terrorism and are in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Federal Regulations including US PATRIOT, BSA, and OFAC.
Every nonprofit who wishes to fundraise on GiveGab must attest that their “organization is compliant with applicable fundraising requirements in the states in which they solicit donors using the GiveGab platform. [They] understand that GiveGab does not solicit donations”.
GiveGab pulls in the organization's Guidestar Profile for information retrieval, if necessary.

Q. What else? Any fine print?

ACT for Alexandria can modify any restrictions or conditions if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such restriction or condition becomes unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community. As such, ACT for Alexandria reserves the right to deny or condition the distribution of prize grants if, in the judgment of its Board of Directors, such restriction or condition becomes necessary.

Donor FAQ

Q. What is Spring2ACTion?

Q. When is Spring2ACTion?

Spring2ACTion is on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from midnight to 11:59 PM. Early giving will begin on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 and run through Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:59 PM.

Q. How does it work?

Nonprofits that have the Most Donors - we will award prizes based on operational budget size broken down into three categories - small - $0-$100K, medium - $100K-$500K, and large - $500K+
Free Agent Fundraisers that have the Most Donors - these prizes will be awarded to the organization designated by the Free Agent Fundraiser

Q. What is the goal?

Let’s raise $2.5M for our community! The vision of Spring2ACTion is a community where everyone contributes to our nonprofit organizations. There are three primary goals:

Grow philanthropy – Create a fun and engaging way to learn about the critical issues impacting our community and inspire people to give
Grow revenue – Bring new donors and develop a new funding stream to the organizations that make our community and its future strong
Grow supporters – Educate the community on the positive impact Alexandria’s nonprofit organizations have on their lives.

Q. Why give during Spring2ACTion vs. any other time of year?

Spring2ACTion was created to celebrate and support our local nonprofits that make this a better community for everyone, while engaging all to come together and give. On this day, your gift has the ability to be matched by generous sponsors and give your favorite nonprofits a chance to win cash prizes throughout Spring2ACTion. In 2022, $717,600 was available in matching dollars and ACT awarded more than $20,000 in prizes. The day is intended to make it easy for donors to give on one platform to your favorite organizations and find new ones to support.

Q. Who is behind it?

Q. How much of the donation will go to the nonprofit?

For each online donation, a 7% + $0.30 will be applied at checkout. This covers a small management fee of 2.5% for ACT for Alexandria to partially offset extensive staff support, marketing, training, planning and hosting Spring2ACTion; a GiveGab platform fee of 2% for building & maintaining a secure site and live support; and a standard credit card company fee of 2.5% + $0.30 on a per transaction basis will apply. If a donor uses the bank account withdrawl (ACH) payment option, there is a flat rate $3 charged instead of the credit card processing fee. ACH payments will be available for donations of $100 or more.

Donors have the option to cover these fees for the organization. In 2022, 75% of donors covered fees, meaning the nonprofit(s) received 100% of the intended gift.

100% of ACT management fee goes directly to support, build and improve Spring2ACTion year over year. Without the financial support generated through fees this event would not be possible.

The fees for Spring2ACTion are significantly less than other types of fundraisers. A 65%-75% net profit is standard for events such as galas, golf tournaments, luncheons, races/runs etc.

For Spring2ACTion, nonprofits are making 93%+ net profit on donations. For more information on the value of Spring2ACTion, click here.

Q. Do I need an account on GiveGab to donate?

No, donors do not need to create an account to make a donation. A donor account will, however, collect tax receipts in one location, enable tracking of donations, provide the ability to follow supported charities, and engage in future volunteering and donations. A tax receipt is emailed to the donor immediately after their donation is processed. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. Taxes, the donor should retain the email donation receipt as an official record.

Q. Is there a minimum or maximum donation?

The minimum donation for Spring2ACTion is $5. There is no maximum donation limit for Spring2ACTion.

Q. How do I make a donation?

You can watch this video to learn how you can make a gift to the organization(s) of your choice! You can also give to multiple organizations at one time by using the multi-give feature. Check it out here!

Q. Is there a limit to the amount an organization can receive?

There is no maximum amount an organization may receive for Spring2ACTion.

Q. Can I donate to Spring2ACTion on my smartphone?

Yes – this site is mobile friendly! Simply visit www.Spring2ACTion.org on your smartphone to browse all the amazing nonprofits participating.

Q. Can I make my donation early for Spring2ACTion?

Yes! Starting April 12, donors will be able to make their Spring2ACTion donation in advance, while still having it count toward the giving day. Simply go to www.Spring2ACTion.org, search for the nonprofit you wish to support and make a donation.

Q. What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at ACT for Alexandria and how does it work during Spring2ACTion?

Q. If I am unsatisfied with my donation, can I get a refund?

No, all donations made through Spring2ACTion are final and non-refundable.

Q. When individuals donate for Spring2ACTion, who will receive their information?

The nonprofit organization receiving the donation will receive the contact information for the donor, unless the donor chose to make their donation anonymous from the organization. Donors will have the option to identify as an anonymous donor to the public and/or the nonprofit organization. Donors will also have the option to keep their donation amount hidden from the public. As the host of Spring2ACTion, ACT for Alexandria will also receive the information in order to send news and updates about Spring2ACTion related activities. We will not share your information.

Q. Can I fundraise for my favorite nonprofit?

Yes! You can be a champion for the cause(s) you care about – we call these Free Agent Fundraisers!

Become a champion for your nonprofit. If you weren't invited to fundraise for an organization, you can still sign up to be a fundraiser!

Visit the organization’s profile.
Click the "Fundraise" button!
Use the toolkit for ideas, sample text and all you need to fundraise.

Spread the word. Talk about Spring2ACTion with friends, family, and colleagues. Email your friends. Post about on it Facebook or share one of the posts on the Spring2ACTion Facebook Page. Tweet about it or retweet one of ours from Spring2ACTion Twitter Page. Change your profile picture and cover photos to Spring2ACTion graphics.

Please note that in order to create a Fundraising Page you will be prompted to sign into your GiveGab user account, or create one if you don’t already have an account.

Free Agent Fundraisers also have the opportunity to win up to $5,000 for their favorite nonprofit on a separate leaderboard.

Using eCards for Spring2ACTion

eCards FAQs

What is an eCard?

Like other digital gift cards, GiveGab's eCards can be purchased and used to make a gift directly on your Giving Day site. Through this offering, any Giving Day supporter can share the joy of fundraising with their friends, family, or colleagues.

How do I buy an eCard?

eCards are easy to purchase and allow you to designate a recipient’s name and email address, along with a personalized message. The recipient will receive the eCard via email with instructions on how to use the gift.

Multiple eCards may be purchased by credit card and paid for all at once if you choose.

If you wish to send an eCard to someone and you do not have the recipient's email address, we recommend inputting your personal email and printing out the receipt to gift in person.

Purchase Your eCards Here!

Please note that the purchase of an eCard is not tax-deductible.

I received an eCard; how do I use it?

Once you have decided who to support and have placed your donation(s) in the gift basket, select the eCard payment method on Step 2 of the donation process. Make sure to have your eCard receipt ready because you will need the confirmation number to complete your transaction.

When selecting your donation amount(s), please note that your total gift cannot exceed your eCard amount as transactions may not be split across payment methods at this time.

Donations made with an eCard are tax-deductible to you, the donor. For specific questions concerning the tax-deductibility of a donation, please consult a tax professional.

Please review this support article for additional step-by-step instructions on how to use your eCard!

Browse Participating Organizations!

Are eCards Refundable?

No, the purchase of an eCard is non-refundable. Additionally, donations made with eCards are non-refundable.

When can I use an eCard?

eCards must be used within two years of purchase. An eCard can be used while donations are open for Spring2ACTion.

Is there a fee when purchasing an eCard?

Yes, the fee for purchasing an eCard is the same as the Giving Day credit card fee.

Can you give to more than one organization using a single eCard?

Yes! You can give to multiple organizations using a single eCard, however; the total given cannot exceed the balance of the eCard.

Do donations made from an eCard count towards prizes?

Yes! Donations made with an eCard do count towards prizes.

Will my eCard expire?

Yes, eCards will expire 2 years from the date of purchase.