Groundswell FAQs

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Which charities can I give to on Groundswell?

The Groundswell app includes 1.5 million+ US charities. These are all certified 501(c)3 organizations in good standing with the IRS that are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.

For organizations not listed in the IRS’s database but eligible to receive tax-deductible donations (such as some houses of worship, schools, or fiscally-sponsored organizations), Groundswell staff conduct due-diligence to ensure that the organization meets the IRS’s standards. Groundswell does not process donations to organizations denoted as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

You can also donate to over 300,000 international charities, including every UK, Canada, and Australia charity and additional nonprofits across 83 other countries.

Using the Groundswell app, you can search for charities you’re already familiar with, or you can discover new charities to support.

If you can't find the charity you're looking for, send us a request at support@groundswell.io

 

How does Groundswell work?

Think of Groundswell like a savings account for all of your giving. First, you'll need to contribute funds to your Groundswell account. You can contribute by connecting a bank account, contributing stock, contributing money from your paycheck, or by using Apple Pay/Google Pay. Once you have contributed funds to your Groundswell account, you can donate that money to charities directly through the Groundswell platform. Your company will match those donations, up to your match limit (if applicable). So if your company offers a match of $100, they'll match the first $100 that you donate from your account. You can still donate more from your account (and you should!), but your company won't match anything over that $100.

 

Why use Groundswell rather than just give to charities directly?

Your Groundswell account is yours forever - even if you leave your current company. Groundswell makes it easy to centralize all of your giving, not just what your company will match. Rather than tracking individual donation receipts throughout the year, Groundswell gives you an impact report with a summary of your tax-deductible contributions. Hello, easier tax filing! Groundswell also can help you identify worthy charities that align with your interests with our charity spotlights. This is why users love using Groundswell for all their giving, not just their company matches.

 

Are there any fees for using Groundswell?

Groundswell takes 1% of donations (domestic and international) to cover the cost of processing. Many companies choose to cover those costs for you, so you may not see them when you give. (Of note, we have among the lowest distribution fee across giving platforms with most falling between 3-5%.)

 

Is Groundswell a nonprofit organization?

No, Groundswell is a company that works alongside the Groundswell Charitable Foundation. The Groundswell Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity that serves as a custodial sponsor of all personal giving accounts (Donor-Advised Funds) on the Groundswell platform.

 

Will I receive a tax receipt from Groundswell?

Yes! You can contribute funds into your Groundswell account and donate to as many charities as you like throughout the year. In January of the following year, you’ll receive a single consolidated tax receipt that shows all of the tax-deductible contributions that you have contributed into your Groundswell account for the previous year. The single receipt makes tax filing a little bit easier!

 

Is there a way to favorite my most support charities? 

Yes! You can use Groundswell's Favorites feature to highlight your favorite charities. Just search for your favorite charity and select "Add to Favorites" on the right hand side of their charity page. The next time you visit your homescreen you'll see that charity front and center in your Favorites section, making it even easier for you to give to your favorite organizations!

 

Can I use Groundswell without downloading the mobile app?

Yes! You can use Groundswell's Web app 

 

How much can I donate to charity?

A minimum amount of $5 is required for each donation transaction. There’s no maximum limit, you can be as charitable as you like!

 

What are recurring donations?

Recurring donations enable you to consistently support your favorite charities, so they can continue their important work. Charities rely on regular donors to plan for the future and more accurately forecast their fundraising efforts.

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