Donor - Frequently Asked Questions

GivingExpress Online:

1. Why did American Express develop GivingExpress Online?
2. What are the benefits of using GivingExpress Online?
3. Who is JustGive?
4. Who is GuideStar? 

 

Donations:

1. Do I pay any additional fee for using the site?
2. How much of my donation actually goes to the charity?
3. How does the donation get to the charity of my choice?
4. How quickly does my donation reach the charity of my choice?
5. Is my Card information safe and secure?
6. Will you protect my privacy?
7. What are the advantages of donating online?
8. Can I make a donation on the phone if I don't want to donate online?
9. Can I make an anonymous donation?
10. Can I make a donation as a gift for or in memory of someone else?
11. Can I make a donation to a specific program, pledge, event, or fund?
12. Is there a minimum donation amount?
13. What if I have a problem making a donation?
14. What if my American Express statement shows the wrong amount for the donation?
15. How did you choose which charities would participate in your site?
16. Have these charities been screened?
17. Does American Express endorse these charities?
18. What methods of payment are accepted by the program?
19. Why can't I write a check or use an alternate credit card to make a donation on this site?
20. Can I make a donation to a local affiliate of a national organization?

 

Tax Benefits:

1. What does it mean to be a 501(c)3 organization?
2. Are my donations tax deductible? 
3. What counts as a charitable organization?
4. Do I need a receipt for donations I make?
5. How do I get a receipt? 
6. Does GivingExpress Online include nonprofit organizations worldwide or only those in the United States?

 

Recurring Donations FAQs

1. What is a recurring donation?
2. What are the benefits of recurring donations?
3. What is the schedule for recurring donations?
4. Do I need to create an account to make a recurring donation?
5. What is a Giving History?
6. Will I be notified when the recurring donation is made?
7. I have more than one charity in my Recurring Billing Profile, and I would like to change the terms for one, making it an "annual" recurring donation while keeping the other ones "monthly." How can I do this?
8. What information will I receive about my recurring donation?
9. Can I cancel or change a recurring donation?
10. Can I make a recurring billing donation as a gift?
11. Can I designate my recurring billing donation to a special program or event?
12. Can I make recurring donations to more than one charity?
13. Will my Card information be visible on my profile?
14. What should I do if my Card has been lost or stolen and I've received a replacement Card with a new account number?
15. If my email address changes, how will I log in to my account?
16. What if I forgot my login account name?
17. How do I cancel a recurring donation?
18. Do I have to make a recurring donation?
19. Who can I call if I need help?

 

 

 

GivingExpres Online:

1. Why did American Express develop GivingExpress Online?

American Express developed GivingExpress Online to provide its Cardmembers with a convenient way to donate to their favorite charities.  American Express has partnered with GuideStar and JustGive to create this site.  GuideStar provides a comprehensive database of over 1,000,000 public charities in the U.S. that are registered with the IRS.  JustGive processes donations and disburses funds to charities based on donor recommendations. [back to top]

2. What are the benefits of using GivingExpress Online?

Donors have the convenience of choosing from over 1,000,000 public charities in the U.S. and have the option of donating to multiple organizations in a single transaction or setting up monthly or yearly recurring donations. All donors will receive an immediate receipt via e-mail for tax documentation purposes. American Express Cardmembers who are enrolled in the Membership Rewards® program may redeem Membership Rewards points for a donation*. All Cardmembers enrolled in a rewards program will earn applicable rewards for their donations. Charities also benefit from this site, as credit or charge card contributions via the Internet are a cost efficient way to receive donations. [back to top]

3. Who is JustGive?

JustGive is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999.  JustGive processes donations made through GivingExpress Online and approves all disbursements based on donor recommendations. JustGive is the charity of record for tax documentation purposes. If your designated charity funds do not clear the bank within one year, those funds are reallocated to JustGive for program services. [back to top]

4. Who is GuideStar? 

GuideStar is a public charity located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1994, GuideStar provides a database of over 1,000,000 501(c)3 U.S. nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS. This database provides individuals with comprehensive information (such as mission statements, cost structure, annual donations, etc.) on charities that match the donor's interests. All public charities listed in the GuideStar database are recognized by the IRS as eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. [back to top]

 

Donations:

1. Do I pay any additional fee for using the site?

No.

2. How much of my donation actually goes to the charity?

American Express will deduct a small transaction fee of 2.25% from your donation to cover processing costs. The charity receiving your gift will receive your donation minus the American Express processing fee and will not pay any additional fees for receiving donations through GivingExpress Online. This transaction fee is similar to or less than the processing fee the charity would pay if you were to charge your donation with your American Express Card through any other means (over the phone to the charity, through the charity's website, etc.) You will not be charged a fee for using GivingExpress Online and your full donation, including the processing fee, is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Please note, there is no transaction fee for donations made through Membership Rewards points redemptions. The charities will receive $10 for every 1,000 points you redeem. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the tax deductibility of a donation made using Membership Rewards points. [back to top]

3. How does the donation get to the charity of my choice?

Donations made to GivingExpress Online are made through JustGive, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that will process your donation and mail a check to the recommended charity by the 10th of the following month.  Like any tax-deductible contribution, your donation is non-refundable.  If the charity you have selected cannot or does not accept the donation, is no longer recognized by the IRS as a public charity, or is not in good standing with federal regulators, JustGive will contact you via e-mail for an alternate recommendation. If you do not respond to this email within 30 days, JustGive will select another charity that meets high public standards and whose mission is similar to the organization that you originally selected. If your designated charity funds do not clear the bank within one year, those funds are reallocated to JustGive for program services.

JustGive cannot refund your donation under any circumstances. [back to top]

4. How quickly does my donation reach the charity of my choice?

For dollar donations: Once the payment has been approved, a check will be mailed to the recommended charity on the 10th of the following month. For a donation made through the redemption of Membership Rewards points: a check will typically be mailed to the organization within 4-6 weeks, but this process may take up to 8 weeks. [back to top]

5. Is my Card information safe and secure?

American Express uses leading security technology to keep your personal information as secure as possible.  Further, your online transactions are protected under the American Express Fraud Protection Guarantee.  Under this provision, American Express Cardmembers are not responsible for any unauthorized transactions made on their American Express Card via the Internet.  [back to top]

6. Will you protect my privacy?

We understand that you may be concerned about privacy issues that surround the use of the Internet.  And, we believe that you should have complete control over who receives your personal information.  Therefore, we do not use the personal information that you provide, except to complete the transaction.  We only disclose personal information to the charities if you give us permission.  We will never sell, trade, or rent the personal information you provide via this site to other individuals or companies. [back to top]

7. What are the advantages of donating online?

For donors, making donations online allows for quick and secure transactions. GivingExpress Online provides a convenient way to make all your donations in a single transaction, set up recurring donations or redeem Membership Rewards points for a donation. For nonprofits, credit or charge card contributions via the Internet can be a cost efficient way for nonprofits to receive donations and using GivingExpress Online allows nonprofits to accept online donations free of charge. Donating online also eliminates the need to have paid staff or volunteers accept donations by phone and process pledges. [back to top]

8. Can I make a donation on the phone if I don't want to donate online?

We urge you to take advantage of the convenience, safety, and simplicity of giving online. To maximize the benefits to the nonprofits, we are processing only online donations at this time. [back to top]

9. Can I make an anonymous donation?

Yes.  We will only pass on donor information to the charity if you authorize us to do so. [back to top]

10. Can I make a donation as a gift for or in memory of someone else?

Yes, you can make a donation in memory of someone or make a donation on behalf of another person. This information may be entered in the “Designate my donation” field on the donation page. [back to top]

11.  Can I make a donation to a specific program, pledge, event, or fund?

Yes, you can include a designation requesting that your donation be applied to a specific program, event, or fund. However, you cannot receive goods or services in exchange for your donation and donations may not be used for any pre-existing pledge. JustGive acts as a Donor Advised Fund. Under IRS rules, a pledge is considered a personal obligation of the maker, and to use a Donor Advised Fund grant to satisfy such an obligation would be considered an impermissible private benefit. Other impermissible private benefits include grants for school tuition or scholarships sent directly to individuals, certain dues or membership fees, goods bought at charitable auctions, tickets for charitable events that entitle the attendees to any material benefit, or any other non-charitable purpose. Also grants may not be used for lobbying, political contributions, or to support political campaign activities.

If we discover that your donation is intended as payment for any personal benefit, we will be obligated to advise the charity that they cannot apply the donation as payment and we will not be able to refund your donation. [back to top]

12. Is there a minimum donation amount?

We are happy to accept any donation over $5. [back to top]

13. What if I have a problem making a donation?

To process a donation, the billing information you provide must match the information on file with American Express.  Please review your information carefully.  If you continue to have problems donating, please call JustGive at 1-877-660-2639(AMEX) or email us at customerservice@justgive.org. [back to top]

14. What if my American Express statement shows the wrong amount for the donation?

If your American Express statement shows the wrong donation amount, please call JustGive at 1-877-660-2639(AMEX) or email us at customerservice@justgive.org. Please note that the charge on your statement will read “Amex/JustGive”. [back to top]

15. How did you choose which charities would participate in your site?

U.S. public charities that are eligible to receive tax deductible donations and are in good standing with federal regulators are included on our site.  Our partner, GuideStar, provides our Cardmembers with a robust database of over 1,000,000 public charities.  This database provides individuals with comprehensive information on charities that match their interests.  [back to top]

16. Have these charities been screened?

The nonprofit organizations listed on GivingExpress Online site come from the GuideStar database.  GuideStar verifies that each organization is qualified under IRS rules to receive tax-deductible contributions and is in good standing with federal regulators. [back to top]

17. Does American Express endorse these charities?

American Express encourages its Cardmembers to support the causes that are important to them.  We do not specifically endorse the charities listed in the database.  [back to top]

18. What methods of payment are accepted by GivingExpress Online?

Only the American Express Card can be used to make a donation on this site. [back to top]

19. Why can't I write a check or use an alternate credit card to make a donation on this site?

American Express has developed GivingExpress Online to provide a convenient way for its Cardmembers to donate to their favorite charities using the American Express Card. [back to top]

20. Can I make a donation to a local affiliate of a national organization?

Yes, you can make a donation to a local affiliate of a national organization.  Be sure to select the city/state of the specific affiliate when choosing the organization.  Please double-check this information before completing your donation so that we can ensure the recommended local affiliate receives your donation. [back to top]

 

Tax Benefits:

1. What does it mean to be a 501(c)3 organization?

For charities, this means that the organization can accept contributions and offer donors a tax deduction for their donations. For donors, this means your contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The email receipt that you will receive from JustGive.org meets the IRS requirements as a record of donation. [back to top]

2. Are my donations tax deductible? 

Yes, dollar donations made through GivingExpress Online are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the tax deductibility of a donation made using Membership Rewards points [back to top]

3. What counts as a charitable organization?

A charitable organization is generally defined as any nonprofit organization that is incorporated and identified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization.  These organizations have been given tax-exempt status and can accept contributions. All non-profit organizations listed on this website are charitable organizations. [back to top]

4. Do I need a receipt for donations I make?

The IRS will not allow any deduction for a cash, check, or other monetary gift unless the donor maintains a record of such contribution. A bank record or a written communication from the donee showing the name of the donee organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution is required. JustGive is the charity of record or the "donee" for tax documentation purposes for all donations made through GivingExpress Online. The e-mail confirmation that you receive from GivingExpress Online acknowledging your contribution should be sufficient documentation for the IRS but to be certain, always consult your tax advisor. [back to top]

5. How do I get a receipt?  

When you donate through GivingExpress Online, you will receive an email receipt.  This receipt will provide the amount, transaction date, and the charity name; all things the IRS wants you to keep record of when you donate. [back to top]

6. Does GivingExpress Online include nonprofit organizations worldwide or only those in the United States?

GivingExpress Online's charity database includes only those organizations recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as public charities.  Although all of these organizations are registered in the U.S., some of them conduct charitable operations around the world.  Because U.S. donors cannot claim an income tax deduction for gifts to foreign charities, GivingExpress Online does not process online donations to these charities.

[back to top]

Recurring Donations FAQs

1. What is a recurring donation?

A recurring donation is an ongoing charitable contribution that is automatically charged to your American Express Card either every month or every year. [back to top]

2. What are the benefits of recurring donations?

If you are committed to supporting a charitable organization over time, setting up a recurring donation account is a convenient way to have your contributions automatically charged to your American Express Card without any further action on your part. For example, you could sign up to donate a certain amount to your favorite charity every year. You will receive an email receipt for tax documentation purposes every time a recurring donation is charged to your American Express Card. American Express Cardmembers who use an eligible, enrolled Card may earn Membership Rewards points, miles or cash back for their donations. [back to top]

3. What is the schedule for recurring donations?

You can choose to make recurring donations on either a monthly or an annual basis. However, all recurring donations set up through GivingExpress Online must be on the same schedule (i.e., you cannot donate to one charity once a month and to another charity once a year). After you have set up your recurring donations account, if you decide to change one charity's payment schedule from monthly to annual, you will have to change all charities payment schedules from monthly to annual - and vice versa.

Your first donation is charged to your Card immediately, and then you choose the scheduled date of your next month or annual recurring donations - you may choose the 1st or the 15th of each month. We cannot refund or modify donations once they are charged to your American Express Card, so please make any changes before the scheduled date of your next recurring donation. [back to top]

4. Do I need to create an account to make a recurring donation?

Yes. Setting up a recurring donation account lets you manage your recurring donations profile as well as your personal information that is needed for billing purposes. With your recurring donations account, you will be able to update your credit card number, expiration date, and recurring billing profile, such as the donation amount and donation frequency (monthly or annually). You can also update your email and mailing address or cancel any recurring donation you have scheduled. [back to top]

5. What is a Giving History?

Your password-protected Giving History is a record of all the donations you make through GivingExpress Online. It is a valuable feature that enables you to track your donations, grouped by year, which is especially helpful for tax purposes. [back to top]

6. Will I be notified when the recurring donation is made?

Yes, you will receive an immediate email receipt for tax documentation purposes every time a recurring donation is charged to your American Express Card. We cannot refund or modify donations once they are charged to your American Express Card, so please make any changes to your recurring donation account before the scheduled date of your next donation.

If the scheduled donation could not be processed, you will receive an email notifying you of the problem. [back to top]

7. I have more than one charity in my Recurring Billing Profile, and I would like to change the terms for one, making it an "annual" recurring donation while keeping the other ones "monthly." How can I do this?

You must choose the same frequency of billing for every charity in your Recurring Billing Profile. If you choose "annual" for one charity, you must choose "annual" for all other charities that you have set up for recurring donations. However, you can certainly choose various amounts for recurring donations. [back to top]

8. What information will I receive about my recurring donation?

You will receive an immediate email receipt for tax documentation purposes every time a recurring donation is charged to your American Express Card. This email will include the date, amount of your donation, and the charity your recurring donation is designated to. We will send this receipt to the email address on your account, so please be sure to update your account if you change your email address. [back to top]

9. Can I cancel or change a recurring donation?

Yes you can cancel or change a recurring donation before the recurring donation has been charged to your Card. You can log on to your account at any time to cancel or change future donations. Please note that we can cancel or change only future donations. We cannot refund donations once they have been charged to your American Express Card, so please make any changes before the scheduled date of your next donation. If you have any problems, please contact us at customerservice@justgive.org or 1-877-660-2639(AMEX). [back to top]

10. Can I make a recurring billing donation as a gift?

No. You may only make one-time donations as gifts. [back to top]

11. Can I designate my recurring billing donation to a special program or event?

Yes. When you choose your recurring donation charities, you may designate the donations. Each month (or year), when the donation is sent to the charity, it will include the designation you specify during the original transaction. You may change this at a future date. [back to top]

12. Can I make recurring donations to more than one charity?

Yes, you can make recurring donations to more than one charity, but they must all be on the same frequency schedule (either monthly or annually). You can sign up to make recurring donations to multiple charities at one time by clicking the "Add More Charities" button in your Giving Basket. Or, you can add more charities at a later date by logging into your account. All of your recurring donations will be made on the frequency schedule (either monthly or annually) that you select when you sign up for a recurring donation. [back to top]

13. Will my Card information be visible on my profile?

No. For your own security, credit card numbers do not appear in your profile. In fact, each time you update your profile, you will need to add your American Express account number. [back to top]

14. What should I do if my Card has been lost or stolen and I've received a replacement Card with a new account number?

Please log on to your account to enter your updated Card information. If a recurring donation charge is declined, we will contact you by email to ask you to update your Card information. Please note: for your own security, credit card numbers do not appear in your profile. Each time you update your profile, you will need to add your American Express account number. [back to top]

15. If my email address changes, how will I log in to my account?

Simply log into your account with your old email address and click on "Personal Information" once you log in. You will then see a link that says "Click here to edit your login, password, and hint information." Change your email address and hit "submit." Next time you log in, do so with your new email address. If you have any problems, please contact customer service at 1-877-660-2639(AMEX) or email us at customerservice@justgive.org. [back to top]

16. What if I forgot my login account name?

Your login account name would have been your email address. If you forgot which email address you used when you set up your account, please email us at customerservice@justgive.org. [back to top]

17. How do I cancel a recurring donation?

Log in using your email address and password, then click on "Update Recurring Billing Profile." Here you will be able to make any updates you like, including clicking on "cancel" next to a particular donation. You will then receive an email confirming your cancellation. You can only cancel a future recurring donation. A recurring donation cannot be refunded once your Card has been charged. [back to top]

18. Do I have to make a recurring donation?

No. At the time you select a charity that you want to contribute to, you choose whether you want the donation to be a one-time contribution or a recurring donation. You can also cancel or change a future recurring donation at any time. [back to top]

19. Who can I call if I need help?

If you have any questions, please contact customer service at 1-877-660-2639(AMEX) or email us at customerservice@justgive.org.