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GiveBIG FAQs

When does GiveBIG begin and end?
GiveBIG is a 24-hour period beginning at midnight and running through midnight, Pacific Daylight Time, on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
How does the "stretch pool" and match work?
Credit card donations made during this time period will be counted as GiveBIG donations and used to calculate distribution of the stretch pool. The amount of a nonprofit organization's share of the stretch pool will be based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the total online contributions made through www.seattlefoundation.org on May 2. In other words, distribution of the stretch pool will be pro-rated. If X organization receives 1% of the donations through our site on GiveBIG, they will receive 1% of the stretch pool dollars.
How big is the stretch pool?
The stretch pool is $500,000, thanks to The Seattle Foundation and our generous GiveBIG corporate sponsors.
What methods of payment are accepted?
Donations made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover) via Click & Pledge (our online donations provider) through The Seattle Foundation's website will qualify for the stretch pool. Because they cannot be tracked through our website, donations in other forms will not count toward the totals for the stretch dollars.
Is there a minimum contribution?
The suggested minimum gift is $25, but you are free to enter any amount.
What makes an organization eligible to participate in GiveBIG?
Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a completed profile on www.seattlefoundation.org is eligible to participate in GiveBIG and receive funds from the stretch pool.
If a gift is made from a Seattle Foundation donor-advised fund, is it eligible for the GiveBIG match?
Gifts made through Seattle Foundation donor-advised funds are not eligible to receive the GiveBIG stretch dollars. Only credit card donations made on www.seattlefoundation.org on May 2 are eligible. We value our relationships with our fundholders and welcome their involvement in GiveBIG in other ways, including challenge grants, "stretch pool" and Golden Ticket sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities.
What if I can’t find my favorite nonprofit on the website?
If you can’t find them on www.seattlefoundation.org, then it's most likely that organization never completed a profile for our website. Our deadline to sign up for a profile has passed, so unfortunately they will not be able to participate this year. We did extensive outreach to let local nonprofits know about GiveBIG, giving them time to sign up by the deadline. We certainly were not trying to limit those participating.
Is there a limit to the amount an organization can receive from the stretch pool?
There is no maximum to the amount an organization may receive from the stretch pool.
Can donors call in contributions on that day or send a check or does the gift have to be made online?
The Foundation will accept online contributions only for GiveBIG. Our website has the highest level of security and your personal information will be safe if you make an online contribution through www.seattlefoundation.org.
What is a "Golden Ticket"?
A Golden Ticket is an opportunity for a nonprofit organization to receive an additional $1,000 on GiveBIG. From 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on May 2, donors will be chosen at random from the online donations made through www.seattlefoundation.org to have an additional $1,000 given to the charity that received their donation. Golden Ticket winners are also eligible to win prizes. Golden Tickets are not part of the stretch pool and are in addition to any portion of the stretch pool an organization receives. More on Golden Tickets
Do I need a login to make a contribution on your website?
No, you do not need a login to make a donation on our site. Someone using "log in" information may be a Seattle Foundation fundholder.
Can I make my donation over the phone?
No. Only donations made online through www.seattlefoundation.org are GiveBIG donations and will count towards the calculation of the stretch pool. If you need assistance, however, please call The Seattle Foundation at (206) 515-2109 and we will do our best to help you.
Can I give anonymously?
Yes. You will have the option of giving anonymously when you are making your donations. Please enter this request in the "Comments" field provided on the online form.
Is there a fee charged for the online credit card gifts?
The online gift processing fee has been lowered to 3.99% this year, which is standard for the industry. This fee, which is charged by credit card companies and the online payment vendor Click & Pledge, will be deducted from each contribution. The Seattle Foundation does not collect any fees associated with contributions made through our website. There is also a $0.25 per transaction fee, but Click & Pledge has generously offered to cover this charge, which will be reimbursed to the nonprofits after the event.
Will processing fees be matched?
Credit card gifts will be eligible for the stretch pool to the value of actual donations prior to deduction for the fees. Therefore, yes, the processing fees will be counted toward the match.
Are there any provisions for employer matching for GiveBIG?
Any donations your organization receives can be matched through an employer matching program and donors are encouraged to submit their donations to their employers for matching funds. However, employer matches will not be applied in calculating the nonprofit's share of the GiveBIG stretch pool. Note: Please check with your employer for details on their employee matching policies.

There is also an "Employer" box on the donation form that will be included in the donor information provided to the nonprofit organizations.
How will the donations be reported on my credit card statement?
They will be reported either by the name of the nonprofit you donated to, or as "The Seattle Foundation" for those nonprofits for whom we are receiving the donation on their behalf. When submitting the online form and agreeing to the terms and conditions, you will have to check a box that states, “I understand that this charge will appear as “NAME OF NONPROFIT” on my credit card so it will be clear to you.
I am getting a decline on my credit card when I try to make my donation—why is that happening?
Please contact your credit card company directly. For security purposes, the Foundation does not receive any credit card information from Click & Pledge (our online donations provider) and will not know about declined credit cards. It is usually because the credit card company suspects possible fraud, either because of the size of the donation or if you don't regularly make online contributions. Since we can’t help you, please contact your company directly – and quickly – so you can still contribute to GiveBIG. The number can usually be found on the back of your credit card.