Nonprofit FAQs
Q. What is #HudsonGives?
#HudsonGives is an online giving event that provides nonprofits the opportunity to gain exposure to -- and start relationships with -- new donors, and for people in our region to unite around local causes and raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits.
Q. When is it?
#HudsonGives will take place over 24 hours on Thursday, May 11th, 2023 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM.
The GiveGab/Bonterra #HudsonGives website will open for donations at 12:00 AM on May 2, 2023, and closes on May 18, 2023, at 11:59 PM.
Q. What organizations are eligible for this Giving Day?
Organizations must have a current IRS approved 501(c)(3) status and perform a significant amount of direct services in Hudson County, New Jersey. Schools and churches with proper IRS documentation or a federal identification number/EIN are eligible to participate. We may ask for additional information.
Current Chamber members will receive a promo code that allows for free registration to Hudson Gives.
The $250 registration fee for prospective includes associate membership in the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce.
Small nonprofits (under $499,000) in income may become full members at a $499 registration rate that includes #HudsonGives. It includes an enhanced profile, listing and recognitions on the Hudson Chamber website, two customized introductions annually, admission for two to one networking event, discounted pricing to all Chamber events, admission to exclusive members-only events and one annual request for a full Chamber members contact list.
Nonprofits with incomes ranging from $500,000 to $1 million may join at a higher $699 basic membership rate. If your organization exceeds that income level, please contact Melissa Rosario at mrosario@hudsonchamber.com or 201-386-0699.
Please note that in extenuating circumstances, established nonprofits with a history of programming in Hudson County that are in the process of securing their tax-exempt status with the IRS or reestablishing their tax-exempt status with the IRS may be able to participate with a fiscal sponsor or request that the Hudson County Chamber Foundation act as a fiscal sponsor for #HudsonGives.
All organizations that register are subject to review and approval by the Hudson County Chamber Foundation.
Q. Why should my organization participate in #HudsonGives?
#HudsonGives is an exciting way to boost your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts and visibility in the region. #HudsonGives provides eligible nonprofits the opportunity to reach potential new donors and the type of visibility that only a county-wide effort of this type can generate. Participating nonprofits will also have access to webinar sessions, toolkits and training materials on how to maximize their giving day experience. To make the most of these efforts, your organization should ensure that your profile is up to date on the site well ahead of #HudsonGives and is custom-branded to tell your story.
Q. How much does it cost to participate in #HudsonGives?
#HudsonGives is a benefit to members of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce. Existing members can register for free using a promotional code provided by the Hudson Chamber. If you do not yet have the promo code, please contact foundation@hudsonchamber.org or 201-386-0699.
For prospective members, the $250 registration fee includes associate membership. Chamber fees for full membership are scalable based on the size of your organization. To discuss the benefits of membership or for more information on full membership, please contact Sharon Ambis at sharon@hudsonchamber.org
Q. What is the Hudson County Chamber Foundation?
The Hudson County Chamber Foundation, Inc., is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2017. The mission of the Hudson County Chamber Foundation is to support the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and to assist with building capacity for established small- and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations in the region.
Q. What is GiveGab (Bonterra)?
GiveGab (becoming Bonterra) is a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits to raise money, engage donors and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab/Bonterra offers a full portfolio of simple and easy-to-use products that allow organizations to function in a more streamlined manner.
Q. How can I ensure that I have a seamless experience when visiting the #HudsonGives site?
While #HudsonGives' website will perform optimally with most browsers, we always recommend visitors use the most updated version of your browser for a better and faster user experience for both you and your donors. Of these, our recommended browser is Google Chrome. That's because Chrome undergoes regularly scheduled updates and tends to be more reliable due to its adaptability to a wide range of features and functionality. Should you or your donors run into any challenges using the #HudsonGives site, please write in the little blue chat bubble on the website for immediate assistance!
Q. How much of the donation will go to our organization?
GiveGab/Bonterra retains a 3% campaign management fee from all donations. Credit Card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30 for all credit cards. 100% of all donations are tax-deductible for the donor. All donations will be officially receipted for tax purposes by GiveGab/Bonterra. Donors are given the option to cover the fees, and a majority of them do! If they cover the processing fees, 100% of their online charitable gift will go to your organization.
Q. What is my deadline to ensure my organization's participation in #HudsonGives?
Registration for #HudsonGives opens to nonprofits on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, and will close on Friday, April 7, 2023.
Q. Can more than one person claim administrative access to our organization's page?
Yes, pending approval from existing administrators. All administrators will need to create a personal profile on GiveGab/Bonterra. Every person who has administrative access will receive emails about updates to their page.
Q. When will my organization receive the donated funds?
Each donation made to a participating nonprofit will be disbursed directly from Bonterra via direct deposit within 5-7 business days of the donation date.
Q. How does an organization know who donated and how much? Can I download a donations report?
All organizations that participate in #HudsonGives will be able to access and download a .csv file of their donations via their administrative dashboard on GiveGab/Bonterra. The report is updated in real-time and will include the donation payout date for bank account reconciliation, donation information (including a breakdown of the fees), and the donor's name and contact information.
Q. What is state charitable solicitation registration?
Nonprofits are held to a high standard of government regulation and public scrutiny. And that is with good reason! Eligible 501(c) nonprofits are exempt from federal corporate taxes and have access to public funding. These benefits are not typically available to for-profit businesses, so laws are in place to protect the public and ensure nonprofits do not abuse their financial advantages. The IRS and states all have requirements for nonprofits.
Q. Why is state charitable solicitation registration compliance important?
While 501(c) nonprofits receive key financial benefits, the penalties for non-compliance can be serious. The IRS can revoke a nonprofit’s tax exemption and impose fines that can accrue daily. The states can administratively dissolve a nonprofit corporation and levy steep financial penalties. Perhaps worst of all, an organization can lose out on a grant or large donation because it has not kept itself in good standing.
Taking a proactive approach to compliance helps ensure the sustained success of the organization. The cost of staying compliant is small in comparison to the much larger costs of noncompliance. The saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” could not be more true in this context.
Q. What are the key aspects of state charitable solicitation registration compliance?
The IRS provides tax exemptions to eligible nonprofits under IRC 501(c). Public charities and private foundations receive 501(c)(3) tax exemption. The IRS scrutinizes organizations when they apply for 501(c)(3) but also ensures that those organizations meet the ongoing obligations to remain eligible. Nonprofits must file a 990 tax form each year with the IRS to disclose their financial data for the year.
Each state has its own set of requirements. Nonprofits are typically incorporated in a given state as nonprofit corporations. The state in which the nonprofit has been incorporated will impose requirements on the nonprofit, and those responsibilities typically span across multiple state agencies. Usually, nonprofits must submit an annual filing to the corporations division of the secretary of state, maintain their license to fundraise (charitable solicitation registration), file for a state business license, and maintain state-level tax exemption with the revenue department. As nonprofits expand outside of the state or operate nationwide, they must comply with the same items in each other state as well.
In addition to IRS and state filing requirements, nonprofits must keep adequate records. Keeping accurate and complete records is critical in the event that an organization is audited. It is also common that board members or donors request information from the organization. Finally, records are necessary for submitting applications and renewal filings with various government agencies.
Q. When I check the box on GiveGab/Bonterra to declare state charitable solicitation registration compliance, what am I attesting to?
When you check the box, you are attesting (defined as "declaring that something exists or is the case") that your organization is compliant with applicable state fundraising requirements in the states in which you may solicit donors using the GiveGab (Bonterra) platform.