A. A group of local donor organizations has come together to address the impact the economic downturn is having on many people and the nonprofits that help them in the Coastal Bend. Pooling their funds, they have accumulated $150,000 to be used for challenge grants to 25 different nonprofit partners. All of these partner groups are on the front line, providing basic human services to at risk populations in our communities. Each will be eligible to receive up to a $6,000 matching grant based on how much it is able to raise from individuals or organizations on November 17, 2009, the Coastal Bend Day of Giving. A special website, www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org, has been set up to promote giving on this one day, November 17th, and to track donations to meet the match.

Through this unique approach, the donor organizations ask all in the Coastal Bend to join with them to realize their hope for this day: "Now more than ever is the time to come together!"

Q. How is the Coastal Bend Day of Giving attracting gifts to this program?

A. The donor organizations have provided $150,000 of matching funds that will be used to match gifts at the rate of $1 of match for every $1 of gift received up to a $6000 match per agency.

Q. When will donations be accepted?

A. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 for matching purposes; however, contributions at other times are always welcome.

Q. When will the match program end?

A. November 18, 2009

Q. What type of gifts can be accepted?

A. Only gifts by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express.) Debit cards through Visa and MasterCard are also accepted.

Q. Can I mail in my gift or make my credit card gift by phone?

A. No. To receive matching credit, all gifts must be made through the Coastal Bend Day of Giving website at www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org through a participating agency website.

Q. What is the address of the Website?

A. The Coastal Bend Day of Giving website is www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org.

Q. Is there a size limit on gifts?

A. No

Q. Can I make a pledge and earn match funds for an organization?

A. No. Only completed gifts and donor advised fund grants made through the Web site will be accepted.

Q. My employer will match charitable contributions. Can their matching gift be matched through this program?

A. The employer match can earn a match but only if it is made through the Website, is made before the close of the program and otherwise meets the eligibility rules of the program.

Q. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute?

A. No, but matching grants will only be made up to the first $6,000 donated on the Day of Giving.

Q. Is there a limit on the amount of matching funds an organization can earn?

A. Yes, $6000.

Q. What if I want to donate to multiple organizations?

A. If you want your donation to be distributed equally among the 25 nonprofit partners, simply select the All Equally category. If you want to donate to several organizations, a separate transaction is required for each additional contribution you make.

Q. What if the organization I want to donate to is not listed?

A.  The nonprofit partners participating this year were selected because they are on the front line, providing basic human services to at risk populations in our communities during these difficult economic times. Additionally, many of the donor partners are restricted to whom they can donate to by their individual charters.  Focusing on these 25 nonprofit partners also permits the donor partners to focus their normal grant making to other organizations in the community.  It is hoped that next year the number of donor partners and nonprofits partners will expand.

Q. How will a donor receive acknowledgement of their gift?

A. All gifts are made through the Coastal Bend Day of Giving website and processed by Network for Good, a service that accepts online donations. All donations will be recognized as such for tax purposes. The donor will receive an email receipt for tax purposes. After the close of the program, the Coastal Bend Day of Giving will provide a grant to the participating organizations based on the gifts secured under the program plus the matching funds being provided by the participating donors. Participating organizations will also receive the contact information for each donor that recommended support for the organization, unless the donor requested that the contribution remain anonymous.

Q. What costs are associated with the program?

A. A 3% processing fee for each online transaction is assessed by the partnering website affiliate, Network for Good. After that, donors can be assured that 100 percent of their gift will be granted to the participating nonprofits along with 100 percent of the eligible matching funds. The Coastal Bend Day of Giving donor partners are underwriting the administrative costs of the program including development of the Web site, all gift processing costs, development of e-mail and other marketing materials, and training costs.

Q. How can donors be sure that the participating organizations receive the recommended contributions?

A. It is the intent of the Coastal Bend Day of Giving to support the participating organizations recommended by the donors. The financial and public charity status of all participating organizations was pre-approved prior their participation. In the unlikely event that a participating organization should lose its tax-exempt status or close prior to the distribution of grants from the Coastal Bend Day of Giving, donations collected will be divided equally among the remaining participating organizations.