FAQ for Donors
Why should I donate on Fayette Gives day?
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) will add additional bonus pool dollars on top of the gifts you make on Fayette Gives day. You will help build a stronger Fayette County by joining the community in supporting charities that are making a positive impact!
Is there a minimum and/or maximum donation?
The minimum donation is $25 per charity. There is no maximum donation; however, a donor may need to contact their credit card provider before a large transaction will be accepted.
Who can donate?
All donations must be from individuals or businesses. Charities are not eligible to make donations to themselves. Supporting organizations that directly support or fundraise for a participating charity are not eligible to make donations to that charity. No collected/pooled donations will be accepted.
When can I make my donation?
Online donations are available during the 12-hour period on the day of Fayette Gives. Check donations, however, are available prior to Fayette Gives day. The required Check Contribution Form will become available on this website once registration is closed and check donations are open. All donations must be received at the CFFC office by 8 p.m. on Fayette Gives day to be eligible for bonus pool dollars.
Why can’t I find the charity I want to donate to?
The charity may not have registered. Charities must register on this website each year by the deadline and meet all eligibility requirements.
To participate in Fayette Gives, the charity must have a physical presence in Fayette County. Charities must also be exempt from federal income tax as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, must not be a “private foundation” as defined in section 509(a) of the Code, and must file the Federal Form 990 annually.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County has the discretion to deny grants and participation in foundation programs to organizations or programs that conflict with the foundation’s values, mission, or the spirit of foundation programs. Determination of such conflicts is subject to the foundation’s interpretation.
When I donate, what will CFFC do with my contact information?
All donor contact and gift information received during Fayette Gives will be sent to the respective charities after the final numbers are calculated and checks are distributed. Anonymous donors will be listed as such.
CFFC DOES NOT solicit donors with annual appeals and as such we will not solicit donors using the information acquired during Fayette Gives. We will maintain the information to acknowledge donors in our annual report and invite participants to the CFFC’s e-newsletter.
If I don’t have an email address, then how do I donate online?
Give us a call at 724-437-8600 × 203 during Fayette Gives between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
What will my Fayette Gives donation be used for by the charity/ies?
Each participating charity must agree to use their Fayette Gives donations to benefit Fayette County, PA. Their use of the donations is otherwise unrestricted.
What if my employer matches gifts?
There will be a place on the checkout form to add if your employer will match your gift. Please note that you, as the employee, are responsible for initiating and completing the employer’s company match paperwork.
Please note that employer matched gifts will not be eligible for the bonus pool.
Make your employer aware that all gifts made for Fayette Gives are made to the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). CFFC does a pass-through gift to the charity/ies of the donor’s choice. Please have your employer include your selected charity/ies on the Memo line.
What types of credit cards are accepted?
Visa, Mastercard, and Discover will be accepted. Minimal credit card fees will be assesed by the processing company.
Debit cards will be accepted too. Credit card gift cards WILL NOT be accepted.
Why can’t I use a credit card gift card?
The processing fees for credit card gift cards (5%) are typically higher than those of normal credit cards (up to 3%).
My credit card was declined. What do I do?
Please contact your credit card company directly. Note: You should first verify you are entering all your information correctly. A transposed number, or putting in the wrong billing address or zip code can cause a card to be declined.
Do you have a refund policy?
Please review your donations for accuracy. All donations are final. No refunds will be issued.
Can I donate with cash?
No. Cash gifts will not be accepted. Money orders and counter checks will not be accepted either. Please contact CFFC if you have questions about your donation method.
Can I write a check instead of giving with a credit card?
Check-writing donors can support one or multiple charities by submitting one check payable to “CFFC” for the total amount accompanied by an official CFFC Fayette Gives Check Contribution Form. The Check Contribution Form will be available on this website once registration is closed and check donations are open. Please complete all fields on the Check Contribution Form to specify designation, amounts, and donor information for your gift. Checks must be received at the CFFC office (5 South Mt. Vernon Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401) by 8 p.m. on Fayette Gives day in order to be eligible for the bonus pool.
I didn’t get an emailed receipt. Why?
The receipt could be in your junk filter, or an incorrect email address could have been entered. If you need a receipt please call 724-437-8600 × 203. If you gave by check and did not provide an email address, you will not receive a receipt, but may call us if you wish to receive a hard copy in the mail.
I’m having problems with this site. What should I do?
Please call us at 724-437-8600 x203.
Can I donate from a charitable Donor Advised Fund?
Yes, but please allow extra time for processing and please be sure to verify the donation information (such as the CFFC’s mailing address). CFFC is not responsible for coordinating such donations, and late donations received at the CFFC office after 8 p.m. on Fayette Gives day will not receive bonus pool dollars regardless of donor intent or prior correspondence.
Additionally, CFFC can be contacted to make an ACH transfer.
Can I make a contribution through an IRA charitable transfer?
Yes, but IRA charitable transfers can take several weeks to process, so please allow extra time by initiating this early. Donations must be received at the CFFC office by 8 p.m. on Fayette Gives day to be eligible for the bonus pool.
When will I know how much the charities received?
Preliminary results are posted instantaneously. As soon as an online donation is made, you can see the charity’s total donation increase. The preliminary results will stay displayed on the website after Fayette Gives day, but they will not include bonus pool dollars. We will notify all participating charities when their numbers are final. Charities will receive their grant checks by end-of-year.
I have more questions; who can I contact?
Please email Rebecca Wardle or call her at 724-437-8600 × 203.
