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Benevolink works with retail and online businesses where consumers shop every week. These retailers contribute a percentage of every dollar spent to your cause. Just by the simple act of shopping, consumers are giving charitable dollars to your nonprofit organization. And best of all, participating in Benevolink is absolutely free! Fundraising made simple.sm
Top 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is Benevolink?
Benevolink is an innovative community giving program that empowers consumers to support their favorite charities through their everyday shopping—without spending extra money.
How does Benevolink work?
The program has 3 basic steps: Join, Shop & Give. Consumers register with Benevolink for free as members. Members shop and retailers contribute a percentage of every dollar members spend into each member’s individual Benevolink account. Four times a year, members ‘direct’ their earned giving (charitable rebates) to the nonprofits of their choice. Nonprofits benefit by receiving free, year-round support. Click here to learn more.
What organizations qualify for Benevolink?
Virtually any 501(c) organization capable of receiving charitable (i.e., tax-deductible) contributions qualifies to receive funds from Benevolink.
Is Benevolink really free?
Yes! There is absolutely no charge to consumers or nonprofits for joining or using Benevolink. Nonprofits receive 100% of earned cash.
How do our supporters benefit?
Benevolink consumer members get to support any nonprofit they choose year round – including schools & religious organizations – without spending extra money or time.
How does our organization benefit?
Benevolink gives nonprofits a smart way to boost their annual, unrestricted giving. The program is easy to administer and fits into your existing fundraising and marketing mix, no matter what size organization. We provide free marketing tools, customer service and a dedicated nonprofit website to help you track funding and supporter giving. Enrolled nonprofits also receive monthly tips and other valuable services. Fundraising made simple.sm
How does our organization get started?
Follow these 3 easy steps: First, enroll online at www.benevolink.com/nonprofits – it’s free, quick and secure. Second, promote the program to your supporters using the free Marketing Toolbox. Third, begin earning unrestricted donations year-round.
What is EFT and why does Benevolink need my bank account and routing numbers?
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a safe and efficient means of making payments and receiving funds between the financial institutions of businesses and organizations. Electronic Funds Transfer can be more cost effective and is more secure than mailing paper checks. Benevolink is proud that 100% of earned funds go directly to nonprofits. To keep our overhead low, and to more efficiently disburse funds earned by our members to their chosen nonprofits, Benevolink plans to switch from mailing paper checks to disbursing funds via EFT. We need nonprofit bank account and routing numbers to send the funds via EFT. Benevolink uses best practices and industry standards to protect your organization’s information, including Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology, encryption of data, firewalls and other state of the art means to secure all the information that Benevolink stores in its databases. Additionally, Benevolink partners with one of the nation’s largest financial institutions to handle its EFT transmissions.
How do consumers earn money for our organization?
Members shop year-round with participating retailers. As members buy products from participating retailers, retailers automatically contribute charitable funds into the members' individual accounts based on member purchases.
How much can our organization earn?
The amount your organization earns each quarter depends on how much your supporters spend each shopping period, both online and in-store, and how many of your supporters choose to give to your organization. 100% of the funds your supporters accumulate are available to them to give to the nonprofits of their choice. You increase your organization’s earning ability by promoting the program year-round to your supporters through your existing avenues: on your website, through your print and electronic communications, at special events, etc.
Can members add their own personal donation?
Yes, using a personal credit card. Personal donations are tax deductible.
How does our organization get its cash?
The Benevolink Foundation accumulates all member giving and sends the nonprofit one check (or EFT) plus a donation summary report four times a year to nonprofits with earned funds. Enrolled nonprofits are also given the email addresses of members for communication purposes.
When does Benevolink send earned cash to nonprofits?
Four times a year, typically in March, June, September & December.
Can I see a list of Benevolink's participating stores?
Yes. Anyone can view our merchant list by name or category. Visit www.benevolink.com and click on the Marketplace link anywhere on the site. You must be a registered member of Benevolink to shop through our Marketplace and earn cash.
How do I search for a charity, school, cultural or religious organization?
Anyone can search our database of over one million charities. Click on the charities or causes link located on the top menu bar. If you are a registered Benevolink member, you can add charities to your planner and to your giving list by clicking on the Search & Select Charities button in the left menu bar. If you're not a member, you can view your favorite charity, school, cultural or religious organization in the database. Learn more about how to search-select-give.
Are all the nonprofits in your database enrolled organizations?
Not necessarily. The robust database of more than 1 million nonprofits is offered as a convenience for our consumer members to make it easy for them to find and give to their favorite charities. All nonprofits in the database are qualified to receive charitable contributions from the Benevolink Foundation. However, the inclusion of an organization in the Benevolink database does not imply endorsement by that organization. Benevolink’s database search feature is comprised of the IRS Exempt Organizations Master Listing, the Department of Education's Common Core of Data listing of public and private elementary and secondary schools and school districts. Additionally, organizations nominated by Benevolink members and approved are also listed in the database. Click to see a list of enrolled nonprofits.
What if I or a supporter can’t find my organization in your database?
Consumer members can nominate additional nonprofits, including schools and religious organizations, by completing a simple online nomination form.
How does Benevolink make money?
Benevolink charges a fee to its business partners for the management of its service.
What is The Benevolink Foundation?
The Benevolink Foundation is a 501(c)3 public entity with a separate board of directors. The purpose of the Foundation is to disburse funds that Benevolink members generate by shopping to charities, schools, cultural and religious organizations. For more information, click here.
How do I contact Benevolink?
Email us at nonprofits@benevolink.com or call us at 800-556-GIVE.
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