How the Giving Circle Works
Q: Is this a 501.c.3 organization? A: No, we are not a registered charity (501.c.3). However, our donation processing platform, Grapevine, is a 501.c.3 and issues tax receipts for member donations made on Grapevine. As such, we must donate our collective funds to a registered 501.c.3 organization in good standing, per IRS rules.
Q: How is the money being collected and distributed? A: We use the Grapevine platform to host our Giving Circle. Grapevine is an online tool developed specifically to host giving circles. The Grapevine Giving Foundation (a 501.c.3 organization) will process member donations, acknowledge each contribution with a tax receipt, and, at our request, send our collective donation to the winning charity.
Q: Do I have to give $100? How much money will be donated? A: Every member makes an equal donation and has an equal vote to decide how to distribute the funds. Our goal is to have 100 members (or more!) which allows us to grant $10,000 to a nonprofit. For many nonprofits, that is a gift that has a big impact on their work. (Members can donate more than $100, but it would be done anonymously with no change to the 'one member = one vote' rule).
Q: How often will I be asked to donate? A: We collect donations, vote, and distribute the funds two times a year, in the spring and fall.
Q: What organizations will be considered for receiving the Giving Circle grant? A: We donate to registered charities (i.e., a 501.c.3 organizations) in good standing, and the funds must be used in support of the charity’s mission – tickets to fundraising events, for example, are not allowed. Beyond these legal requirements, our Giving Circle focuses on organizations that provide services in support of under-resourced women and families in Massachusetts. There is no shortage of organizations meeting this broad criteria that need our help.
Q: How do we choose which organizations to consider? A: Each member is encouraged to nominate an organization they would like to be considered for funding, following the guidelines established above. It may be a charity that is very familiar to the nominator, or one newly discovered whose mission speaks to them. We seek three organizations each giving cycle – if more are nominated, the three will be selected randomly.
Q: How will we learn about the nominated charities? A: With guidelines prepared by the Giving Circle Planning Committee, the nominating member will present their organization to members when we all come together (in person with Zoom options available). We create slideshows with consistent formats and information across all nominees. Together, we learn about the organizations' missions and work, who is served, how they plan to use the grant, and why this charity was recommended. Members will have an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.
Q: How will the group decide who gets the money? A: Following the presentations and Q & A at our Learn & Vote gathering, we hold a vote – one member one vote. Members who can not attend have the opportunity of voting in advance electronically. The organization with the most votes is awarded the grant of our collective donations.
Q: How much time do I have to commit to the Giving Circle? A: Not much! Unless you want to be more involved. For most members, each giving cycle will require you to attend one meeting (either in person or by Zoom) where you will learn about the nominated charities, have the opportunity to ask questions, and vote! Members who can not attend will receive the presentations and vote in advance of the meeting. We do have events where we welcome new members, share ideas for upcoming giving circles, and generally enjoy each other's company.
The Donation Process
Q: Is my donation tax deductible? A: The Grapevine Giving Foundation is the 501.c.3 public charity (EIN #87-2389502) organization associated with Grapevine. All donations paid into and distributed on Grapevine are to verified nonprofits in good standing with the IRS. You’ll receive a receipt after you complete your donation. You may be able to claim a charitable contribution for the amount of the gift. Please check with your tax professional.
Q: What payment methods does Grapevine accept for donations? A: Donations may be submitted via Credit Card or ACH payment online through their payment processing partners, Stripe and Plaid. Stripe charges a standard credit/debit card fee of 2.2% + 30¢ (3.5% for AmEx). For ACH transfers through Plaid, the fee is 0.8% (maximum $5). Our MFF Giving Circle is asking members to pay the processing fee so that 100% of the donated amount ($100) will go directly to the selected nonprofit. Grapevine also accepts Donor Advised Funds (DAF) or check donations directly through the Grapevine Giving Foundation - the processing fee is $3, to be added to the donation amount. Make checks payable to Grapevine Giving Foundation and include the Giving Circle name as the purpose, and member name as the affiliation. Then mail the check to: Grapevine Giving Foundation, P.O. Box 23752, New York, NY 10087-3752. Please be sure email MFFGivingCircle@gmail.com to let us know of your check payment so that we can confirm receipt by the Giving Circle. Processing of checks by mail takes approximately 2 weeks.
Q: How do the donations get distributed to the selected nonprofit? A: Once our Giving Circle meets to learn about and vote for a nonprofit recipient, our MAFFGC coordinator will inform Grapevine of our decision. Payments are then distributed (on the first of each month) with appropriate notification to the nonprofit. Individual member names are not shared with the recipient.
Q: What happens next? A: We do it again in 6 months! We do ask that members subscribe to semi-annual giving; your payment will be charged again in 6 months. If you pay by check, we will send reminders when the next giving cycle begins. We will meet, nominate, learn, vote, and send our gift to a newly selected nonprofit.
How Nominations Work
Q: How easy is the nomination process? What exactly do I need to do? A: To nominate a Charity, complete a simple form with four pieces of information. If your nomination is selected as one of the three charities to be presented, we will work with you to create the presentation.
Q: What about a charity I’m involved with? A: Absolutely! Whether you work with, volunteer at, or otherwise support the charity, you are welcome to nominate it. If you want help identifying a charity to nominate, we can help you to find qualified charities… just ask.
Q: How often can you (as an individual member) submit a nomination? A: There is no limit. If you have paid your $100 donation, you can nominate a nonprofit every cycle.
Q: How often can a Charity be nominated? A: Nominated Charities selected that did not win the most votes will be eligible to be submitted again after two full giving cycles. Winning Charities will not be eligible for submission again for a period of three years (six full giving cycles). Nominated Charities not selected for that giving cycle (not one of the three selected randomly for voting) may be submitted again any time. You can also find this information in more detail in our Member Guide.
Q: What if I’m not comfortable making a presentation or presenting in front of the group? A: We strive to make the presentation materials uniform across all nominees, so we will take the information you provide and create the presentations for you. For the actual presentation, you can speak about the organization from your perspective (i.e., why you chose to nominate it, how you have seen it help, etc.), and you can have a member of the organization there to back you up with specific facts and data. Please reach out to a member of the steering committee, and we’ll work together to find an appropriate strategy for the presentation.
Q: Are there rules or guidelines about the size of the organization that can be nominated? A: The organization can be of any size, if they provide services in Massachusetts to women and children. Often, but not always, there is a preference for smaller charities or programs where our donation will have a significant impact. But any sized charity can be nominated.
Q: What types of organization can be nominated? A: The charity must meet all three of these criteria: - Be registered 501.c.3 organization in good standing. - Serve under-resourced women, children and families. - Provide services in Massachusetts.
Q: What if the charity has many programs and only some of them (or one of them) provide services to women, children or families? A: Usually the funds can be earmarked for a particular program. We can support that program, even if the overall organization provides services to other populations.
Q: What are some examples of organizations you have funded? A: Here are some charities that have received funding from our giving circle: - Dove, Inc of Quincy MA. Dove, Inc., is committed to partnering with diverse communities, families, and individuals impacted by domestic violence. Dove promotes hope, healing, safety, and social change by providing a broad range of preventive and responsive services. - Dignity Matters of Westborough, MA. Dignity Matters is a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization dedicated to addressing period poverty by providing free menstrual products, bras, and underwear to women, girls, and transgender men who are homeless or disadvantaged. Their mission is to help individuals stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity. - Children’s Room - Center for Grieving Children & Teenagers Inc. of Arlington, MA. The Children’s Room creates safe, supportive communities so that no child, teen or family has to grieve alone. - Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange Inc. (MARE) of Newton, MA. The Massachusetts adoption resource exchange exists to find "a permanent place to call home" for children in foster care in Massachusetts, including sibling groups and children who are traditionally harder to place.