Q. What is the Giving Challenge?

The Giving Challenge is an online giving event that provides nonprofits the opportunity to gain exposure to -- and build relationships with -- new donors, and for people in our region to come together to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits. To learn more about the history of the Giving Challenge, click here. 

Q. When is the next Giving Challenge?

The Giving Challenge is not an annual or guaranteed event. After every challenge the foundation partners come together to discuss outcomes, financial goals, and community need to determine when or if to host another Challenge.

The decision on future Giving Challenges has not been made yet. Subscribe to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s monthly newsletter, Nonprofit News, to stay up to date on all of Community Foundation of Sarasota County events and announcements related to future Giving Challenges.

Q. Which organizations are eligible to participate in the Giving Challenge?

501(c)(3) public charities who serve in one or more of the following counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and/or DeSoto and that have demonstrated transparency with an updated profile in The Giving Partner (www.thegivingpartner.org).

Q. How can I stay up to date on what's happening with future Giving Challenges?

Details will be communicated on www.GivingChallenge.org and through the Community Foundation's monthly Nonprofit Newsletter. Sign up for Nonprofit News here.

Q. I have questions – who can answer them?

The Giving Challenge has partnered with the giving day platform, GiveGab/Bonterra. On the GivingChallenge.org website, click on the blue chat bubble at the bottom right-hand corner of any page and enter your email address and your question for the GiveGab/Bonterra tech support team. You can also email your Giving Challenge question to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County team at GivingChallenge@CFSarasota.org.

Q. Which organizations are eligible to participate in the Giving Challenge?

501(c)(3) public charities who serve in one or more of the following counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and/or DeSoto county and that have demonstrated transparency with an updated profile in The Giving Partner (www.thegivingpartner.org).

Questions regarding The Giving Partner or your nonprofit organization's profile in The Giving Partner? Contact the GiveGab/Bonterra support team by clicking on the blue chat bubble at the bottom right-hand corner of The Giving Partner or Giving Challenge webpage and enter your email address and your question, or the Community Foundation of Sarasota County team via email at Nonprofits@CFSarasota.org.

Q. How can I stay up to date on what's happening with future Giving Challenges?

Details will be communicated on www.GivingChallenge.org and through the Community Foundation's monthly Nonprofit Newsletter. Sign up for Nonprofit News here.

Nonprofit leaders and volunteers can join the Facebook group The Giving Partner Huddle for additional updates and reminders about future Giving Challenges. Click here to join the Facebook group.

Q. Who can donate?

Anyone with a credit card or debit card and access to the internet may donate. Donations through the Giving Challenge online portal to charitable nonprofit organizations are 100% tax-deductible.

Q. Are there fees involved?

The 2024 Giving Challenge online gift processing fee for donations made on www.GivingChallenge.org with a credit or debit card was approximately 5%, standard for Give Day events across the country. This fee, which was charged by the online payment vendor GiveGab and credit card processing company, was deducted from each contribution. You could have chosen to round up your donation to cover these fees during the checkout process.

There is no fee for nonprofit organizations to participate in the Giving Challenge. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County takes no fees, over the years has granted nearly $1.3M to incentivize giving, and donates hundreds of hours of administrative support to make the event possible.

Q. How can I make the most of The Patterson Foundation match?

In 2022, donors Joe and Mary Kay Henson maximized The Patterson Foundation’s match by donating $100 to each of the participating nonprofit organizations. The couple employed the strategy again in 2024, this time encouraging other donors to follow suit. Three additional donors ultimately joined the so-called “100 Percent Club” as a result. Donors who contributed $100 to all 724 nonprofits in 2024 include the Hensons, advisors to the Frank G. Berlin Foundation, trustees managing the H. Gladstone McKeon Trusts, and the advisor to the Sarah Greer Mayer Fund. Read more about this group and their unprecedented, combined impact on nonprofits during the 2024 Giving Challenge. These gifts can be made through a Donor Advised Fund. Please contact the Philanthropy Team at philanthropy@cfsarasota.org to learn more about Donor Advised Funds.

Q. What is GiveGab?

GiveGab, which is becoming Bonterra, is a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits raise money, engage donors and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy to use products that allows organizations to function in a more streamlined manner. The GiveGab platform is the host for both the Giving Challenge and The Giving Partner since 2020. 

Q. Do I need to create an account with GiveGab?

No. You do not need to create an account to make a donation. The benefits of creating an account include having your tax receipts collected in one location, being able to track your donations, follow the charities you support, and engage in future volunteering and donations. Your tax receipt is emailed immediately upon processing your donation. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. taxes, you should retain the donation receipt as an official record.