What change was made?
YourCause is a software company and is not a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Previously, YourCause was a Fiscal Agent for the United Way Worldwide. This relationship allowed us to issue the donor's tax acknowledgments.
On August 1, 2020, YourCause began partnering with The Blackbaud Giving Fund. This relationship allows us to continue issuing donors a tax acknowledgment at the time the donors make the donation. It also continues our ability for vetting charities and assuring compliance with IRS regulations.
The Blackbaud Giving fund is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and the sponsoring organization for a donor-advised fund.
Will YourCause provide a tax acknowledgment to the donor?
YourCause will provide donors with a tax acknowledgment from The Blackbaud Giving Fund. Your organization is not responsible for providing a tax acknowledgment for any donation that comes from YourCause.
What is the relationship between YourCause and The Blackbaud Giving Fund?
The Blackbaud Giving fund is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and the sponsoring organization for a donor-advised fund. Donations made via YourCause are legally made to The Blackbaud Giving Fund and The Blackbaud Giving Fund would issue the tax acknowledgment.
The Blackbaud Giving Fund uses the donor’s charity selection to make a corresponding grant to such charity in the amount of the donor's original donation.
The Blackbaud Giving Fund operates exclusively for charitable purposes and it is a legal entity separate from and independent of Blackbaud.
What is a donor-advised fund (DAF)?
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a type of giving program administered by a third party that allows donors to receive immediate tax benefits (donations treated as tax-deductible charitable contributions) with the flexibility to easily support their favorite charities.
Is my organization impacted by this change?
The move to The Blackbaud Giving Fund will impact organizations that are in the U.S. and receive donations through YourCause.
How is my organization impacted by this change?
YourCause will continue to send tax acknowledgments. Since the donations are now coming from The Blackbaud Giving Fund, you may need to change the way you enter the donations into your donor management system.
We recommend updating the record for YourCause to read “The Blackbaud Giving Fund by its Agent YourCause “
However, you may need to consult with your colleagues for additional support on how you would enter the donations for your unique organization.
If you still receive paper checks, the check will look different and be from The Blackbaud Giving Fund.
If you receive ACH (direct deposit), there will not be any changes. The transaction on your bank statement will continue to show “YourCause”.
Another change is that donors will no longer be able to request a refund for his or her donation. Because the donations are going through a Donor Advised Fund, there are legal limitations that would not allow for YourCause to refund a donor. If you receive a refund request from the donor, please have them contact YourCause at support@yourcause.com.
If you have any questions on the process of returning a corporate match, please contact charity@yourcause.com.
What changes can the donor expect?
The donation flow will remain the same for the donor. One difference that the donor will be receiving a tax acknowledgment from The Blackbaud Giving Fund rather than The United Way Worldwide.
Another change is that the donor will not be able to receive a refund for his or her donation(s) once the donation is made. Please note we there will a message to the donor before he or she finalizes their donation.
Who would receive the hard credit for donations through YourCause?
In philanthropy, a hard credit usually refers to the donor that will receive the tax acknowledgment (tax credit). The Blackbaud Giving Fund would receive the hard credit since we are the Donor Advised Fund that is making the donation to your organization.
Who would receive the soft credit for donations through YourCause?
In philanthropy, a soft credit usually refers to the individual that influenced the donation. For a donor’s credit card or payroll donation made through YourCause, the donor would usually receive the soft credit.
Soft credits can be used differently among nonprofits. We recommend working with your colleagues on how to best enter soft credits into your nonprofit’s donor management system.
Where can I get donor details?
Donor details will continue to be available on our Nonprofit Portal (https://nonprofit.yourcause.com/).
Do we need to register for The Blackbaud Giving Fund?
No, there is no need for any additional registration. If you are receiving a check from The Blackbaud Giving Fund, then you are eligible for donations.
Donor details will continue to be available on our Nonprofit Portal (https://nonprofit.yourcause.com/).
Why do the checks look different?
The checks will now be coming from The Blackbaud Giving Fund. This is due to the change described in Question 1.
Will ACH (direct deposits) from YourCause say The Blackbaud Giving Fund?
If you receive ACH (direct deposit), the transaction on your bank statement will continue to show “YourCause”.
Additional Questions on The Blackbaud Giving Fund.
https://www.blackbaudgivingfund.org/