Q. What is GiveSI?
GiveSI is a 30-hour community day of giving supporting nonprofits and growing philanthropy in the 17 southernmost counties of Illinois.
Q. What nonprofits can participate in GiveSI?
To participate in GiveSI, an organization must be:
Located in, serving, and/or conducting organizational activities in the 17 southernmost counties of Illinois or a fund of SICF
Recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 organization
Registered with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office
Member of the SICF Nonprofit Network (SICF-NN)
Churches and K-12 schools are not eligible to participate in GiveSI. However, distinctive, ongoing programs that benefit the community offered by churches or schools that have 501(c)3 status, (e.g., childcare programs, food pantries, scholarship assistance) may be eligible. One-time projects of churches or schools are not eligible.
GiveSI is not intended to raise funds for a capital campaign or for a donor to fulfill an existing donation pledge. The Southern Illinois Community Foundation and SICF Nonprofit Network are not regulatory organizations. Nonprofits that participate in GiveSI attest that they meet the preceding eligibility criteria.
An organization’s participation in GiveSI does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of a nonprofit or its mission by GiveSI, UWSI, News 3 WSIL, the SICF Nonprofit Network, Southern Illinois Community Foundation, or any other giving day partner.
Q. How does the matching bonus pool work?
Donated by Community Partners, the matching bonus pool allows you to leverage additional dollars when you donate during GiveSI! The matching bonus pool will be awarded to all participating nonprofits based on the percentage of the overall total they raise on December 1st. For example: If a nonprofit raises 2% of our giving day total, they will receive 2% of their qualified matching bonus pool…if they raise 5% of the grand total, they get 5% of their qualified matching bonus pool. Basically, the matching bonus pool ensures that your donation goes a little bit further during GiveSI.
Q. What if my preferred organization is not listed?
If an organization is not listed, that organization is not participating in GiveSI this year. You can directly contact the organization to make sure they are aware of GiveSI or you can send an email to GiveSI@sicf.org to request that we contact them. Please note, organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits located in or serving the 17 southernmost counties of Illinois and 2021 members of the SICF Nonprofit Network to participate.
Q. If I have questions, who can I contact?
Please reach out to the GiveSI team at GiveSI@sicf.org they will be able to assist you with almost anything you might need, or get you in touch with the right person.
Q. Who can donate?
Anyone may donate to one or more organizations participating in GiveSI!
Q. What forms of donations are accepted?
MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express donations received through GiveSI.org.
Q. What is the minimum donation amount?
The minimum online donation is $5. There is no maximum donation amount.
Q. Can I make donations via a mobile device?
Yes! Simply visit GiveSI.org on your mobile device.
Q. Can I give to more than one organization at one time?
Yes! You can give to multiple organizations.
Q. Can I give to more than one organization at one time?
Yes! You can give to multiple organizations. When giving to multiple organizations, your credit card will be charged for each donation, and you will receive a donation acknowledgement for each.
Q. Can I make my donation anonymously?
Yes! When choosing to make your gift anonymously, you have three options:
1. Please do not display my name publicly
This option will display “Anonymous” in place of your name on the organization’s page and on the GiveSI website. The amount donated will still be displayed publicly, for example, “Anonymous $50”.
2. Please do not display my amount publicly
This option will remove the donation amount from the donor wall on the organization’s page and on the GiveSI website. The donor name will still be displayed publicly, for example, “Jane Smith”.
3. Please do not display my name or my amount publicly
You can choose both options to hide your name and the amount donated. In doing so, there will be no public recognition of your gift on the GiveSI website. Both your name and your amount donated will be hidden.
No matter which option is selected, organizations will still have full access to your name, amount donated, email address, and other contact information.
If you forgot to select the “Please make my donation anonymous” option, please reach out to the GiveSI support team at GiveSI@sicf.org.
Q. How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?
Credit card processing fees are deducted from each transaction of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction. All donations are final.
Q. May I pay a pledge with my gift?
GiveSI is designed to generate new support for our nonprofit community, not pay off existing pledges.
Q. May I designate how a nonprofit uses my gift?
GiveSI donations are considered unrestricted gifts to the nonprofit. You may express a desire that your gift be used for a specific program or project, but it is the responsibility of the nonprofit to follow that instruction, not the responsibility of the GiveSI or its giving day partners.
Q. Are donations tax-deductible?
Donations through the GiveSI website to charitable nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Consult with your tax and financial advisors regarding your tax benefits for charitable gifts.
Donations will be processed and receipted by SICF. Your tax receipt will indicate a donation has been made to the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, but your actual donation will go to the nonprofit of your choosing. The receipt will be emailed to you at the address you provide when making the donation. You should print or save this receipt for your records. Receipts will be sent in mid-December. If you do not receive one by the end of the year, please contact SICF at 618-997-3700
Q. What portion of a donation made on GiveSI is tax deductible?
The entire amount is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Donors will see the total amount they give to each organization reflected in their tax-deductible donation letter.
