Nonprofits - Frequently Asked Questions

Nonprofit General FAQs

Nonprofit Recurring Donations FAQs

1. Do nonprofits have to do anything to receive recurring donations?
2. How does my nonprofit know a donor's donation is recurring?
3. How will my nonprofit be notified if a recurring donation is cancelled?

1. What are the benefits of Members Give?

American Express developed this donation site to provide its Cardmembers with a convenient way to donate to their favorite charities and to provide nonprofits with a low-cost solution for accepting donations online. The site provides donors with the convenience of choosing from over 1,000,000 public charities in the U.S., donating to multiple organizations in a single transaction, and receiving an immediate receipt via e-mail for tax documentation purposes. Nonprofits can benefit from the site by promoting the site to their donors, with free marketing collateral available on the site that will link donors directly to the organization’s donation page on Members Give. In addition, credit or charge card contributions via the Internet are a cost effective way for nonprofits to receive donations and increase realization rates by reducing unfulfilled pledges. An added benefit for both donors and nonprofits is the ability to redeem Membership Rewards points for a donation*. [back to top]

2. Why do consumers donate online?

Increasingly, consumers are utilizing the Internet to access information and to save time.  For instance, Cardmembers visit the American Express web site to check and pay their American Express bill online, learn about exclusive American Express offers, and research new products.  By creating Members Give, we are enabling these Cardmembers to conduct yet another important piece of business online.  Not only does Members Give help make it easier for Cardmembers to make a donation, but it also provides its Cardmembers with a comprehensive database of over 1,000,000 charities with detailed information about each one. [back to top]

3.Who is JustGive?

JustGive is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999.  JustGive processes donations made through the American Express donation site and approves all disbursements based on donor recommendations.  JustGive is the charity of record for tax documentation purposes. [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]

5. How do I update my listing in GuideStar?

Please note that American Express does not choose which charities to list, how to list charities or manage the information on charitable organizations on the GuideStar website. Any updates to an existing listing, or requests to have a new listing should be handled by Guidestar directly. In order to do this, go to www.guidestar.org. Once you are on the main homepage, click on the "nonprofit resources" tab at the top navigation bar on the page. Then click on the "update your GIF" button, then log on or register if it is your first time visiting. If you are newly registering, please identify yourself as a "nonprofit manager" when you register. If you have any questions, you can also contact Guidestar directly at 800-784-9378 or via email at customerservice@guidestar.org. [back to top]

6. Why does the check amount my charity receives differ from the actual donation amount made by the Cardmember?

JustGive deducts a small transaction fee of 2.25% from each donation before it is sent to your organization to cover processing costs.  This fee is similar to the fee your organization would incur for processing direct credit card donations. Further, because JustGive acts as the fundraiser on your behalf, we estimate that these incremental donations are less costly for your organization to receive than donations you solicit on behalf of your own organization.  [back to top]

7. How long does it take to receive donations?

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]

8. Will we be provided with donor information?

If the donor gives us permission, we will send you the donor's name and/or email address and/or mailing address. [back to top]

9. What are the benefits of accepting credit cards for direct donations both online and offline?

Credit or charge card contributions via the Internet are a cost effective way for nonprofits to receive donations. Accepting cards can improve your cash flow because funds will be deposited in your account quicker than waiting for a check to be cleared or deposited. Credit cards may reduce your administrative costs because your staff will spend less time processing checks and following up on unfulfilled pledges. Finally, accepting credit cards may help you raise more donations because it makes it easier and more convenient for potential donors to contribute.

* To be eligible to redeem Membership Rewards points for a donation, your donation must be made using an eligible American Express Card enrolled in the Membership Rewards program. Terms, conditions and restrictions of the Membership Rewards program apply. For more information, visit www.membershiprewards.com.

Nonprofit Recurring Donations FAQs

1. Do nonprofits have to do anything to receive recurring donations?

Nonprofits can promote the American Express Recurring Donations feature within Members Give, but there is nothing to sign up for in order to receive them. Donors decide whether donations made through the donation site are one-time or recurring. The more you encourage your donors to use this system, the more you will receive recurring donations.

To promote Members Give, register your organization by visiting amex.justgive.org/nonprofits and follow the step by step instruction to download marketing collateral that will link directly to your organization’s donation page on Members Give. [back to top]

2. How does my nonprofit know a donor's donation is recurring?

Our Recurring Donation option enables donors to donate to their favorite nonprofits on a recurring basis, either monthly or annually. If the donation you receive is recurring, it will be indicated under the donor's name on the letter you receive. Please note that donors do have the right to cancel at any time, and our resources prevent us from notifying you when this happens. [back to top]

3. How will my nonprofit be notified if a recurring donation is cancelled?

As long as a donor has designated a recurring donation to your nonprofit, you will receive a check and a letter, which indicates that the contribution is recurring. Donors do have the right to cancel at any time, and our resources prevent us from notifying you when this happens. [back to top]