The next open Challenge begins in September! Learn the details below:
The Open Challenge is a great opportunity to join the GlobalGiving community – so you can leverage our donor networks, technology, and partner relationships to raise funds for your projects online.
You have to be registered as a nonprofit in the U.S. (i.e. a 501 (c)3) or in your country to be eligible to participate in the Open Challenge.
The Open Challenge is a great opportunity to join the GlobalGiving community - so you can leverage our donor networks, technology, and partner relationships to raise funds for you projects online.
You have to be registered as a non-profit in the U.S. (i.e. a 501 (c)3) or in your country to be eligible to participate in the Open Challenge.
In order to be considered for the Open Challenge, you must fill out a nomination form and submit your application to the GlobalGiving team to verify your credentials by July 22, 2013. You can nominate your own organization or any organization you are familiar with.
We will let you know by August 15, 2013 if your application has been approved. For other key dates see the frequently asked questions below.
The Open Challenge runs from September 1 - September 30, 2013. Through the Challenge, projects have the opportunity to earn an ongoing spot on the GlobalGiving website if they can mobilize supporters to raise US $5,000 from at least 40 unique donors during this time period.
If you are an organization that is registered as a nonprofit in the U.S. (i.e. a 501 (c)3) or in your country, you are eligible to participate in the Open Challenge.
Unlike a traditional foundation, GlobalGiving does not directly offer grants to charitable organizations. Through its website, GlobalGiving connects individual and institutional donors directly to projects like yours all around the world. Participating in the Open Challenge provides the following benefits:
Exposure to a new community of online donors.
The GlobalGiving website is a destination for online donors interested in furthering causes and communities all around the world. The GlobalGiving Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and provides tax receipts directly to US donors who give through our website. Individual donors can make donations as small as $10 so anyone can make an impact.
Training from GlobalGiving's expert online fundraising team. Every day GlobalGiving works with hundreds of charitable organizations to help them raise money online to support their causes. We have a lot of collective knowledge and are experts in fundraising and giving. We provide training, tools and tips during the challenge to help you learn how to harness the power of crowdsourcing and online fundraising to further your cause. We also invite past winners and experts to share their knowledge with us by hosting a training.
Full online giving capability and fundraising tools. These include: a personalized landing page on the GlobalGiving website for your project, viral communication tools, personalized widgets, email templates, and the ability to communicate directly with donors through the GlobalGiving website.
If you gain a permanent space on GlobalGiving there are even more benefits. These include: Opportunity to participate in regular/ongoing marketing and fundraising campaigns and challenges, many of which offer matching funds or bounty awards; Alternative gift options such as gift cards and donating to your project “in honor of” someone; Opportunity for you to engage your donors in different ways, for example gift registries and fundraisers for your project; Ability to list multiple projects on GlobalGiving after you qualify for a spot on www.globalgiving.org; Potential to list projects and raise funds on GlobalGiving UK, a sister site (only after you qualify for a spot on www.globalgiving.org); Access to GlobalGiving Rewards benefits; Reduced administrative costs; Benefits from GlobalGiving's branding marketing and public relations efforts.
For visual learners, view a diagram of the bonus incentives (PDF)
Unlike a traditional foundation, GlobalGiving does not directly offer grants to charitable organizations. Through its website, GlobalGiving connects individual and institutional donors directly to projects like yours all around the world. Participating in the Open Challenge provides the following benefits:
Exposure to a new community of online donors.
The GlobalGiving website is a destination for online donors interested in furthering causes and communities all around the world. The GlobalGiving Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and provides tax receipts directly to US donors who give through our website. Individual donors can make donations as small as $10 so anyone can make an impact.
Training from GlobalGiving's expert online fundraising team. Every day GlobalGiving works with hundreds of charitable organizations to help them raise money online to support their causes. We have a lot of collective knowledge and are experts in fundraising and giving. We provide training, tools and tips during the challenge to help you learn how to harness the power of crowdsourcing and online fundraising to further your cause.
What are the important dates I need to remember?
July 22, 2013 -- Application is due
August 15, 2013 -- Project Leaders are notified about approval of their application
August 28, 2013 -- Project submission deadline
September 1 - September 30, 2013 -- Open Challenge Dates
October 1, 2013 -- Challenge results announced
End of October 2013 -- GlobalGiving to disburse funds
Is there a project proposal template? How do I write the project?
You will enter details about your project online via GlobalGiving’s project entry system. We suggest you start collecting photos and background information/documentation about your project, and think about how to present your project to potential donors in an engaging and compelling way. We have a few pages that give excelent guidence on how to create a fantastic project page.
How do I “win” (secure an ongoing spot on GlobalGiving)?
You must mobilize supporters to raise at least $5,000 from at least 40 unique donors during this time period in order to secure a “permanent” spot on GlobalGiving. A unique donor is defined by a unique email address, not by credit card information.
What’s the minimum dollar amount someone can donate?
The minimum online donation is U.S. $10.
Can donors donate by check?
Yes, but all checks must be received by GlobalGiving by September 27, 2013 to count in the challenge. In addition, check donors must specify the name of your project on the check in order for it to be properly attributed to your project.
What will happen to the funds raised if I don’t succeed in getting 40 donors and $5,000?
In October 2013, the funds will be disbursed to your project, but you will not remain on the GlobalGiving site beyond September 30, 2013. However, you are welcome to participate again in a future Open Challenge.
When will my funds be disbursed?
All projects that raise funds during the challenge will have their money disbursed to them in October 2013.
What is the fee for participating on GlobalGiving?
GlobalGiving does not charge a listing fee. However, we do have a transaction fee of 15% of donations made to cover the cost of providing your organization with an online fundraising platform and training services. Donors will have a clear option to make a separate donation to the GlobalGiving Foundation in the amount of GlobalGiving’s 15% fee, or a higher amount if they desire. When a donor chooses this option, you will receive a full 100% of the funds designated to your project. If the donor chooses not to make this donation, then GlobalGiving will deduct the standard 15% from the funds designated to your project.
Has GlobalGiving run similar “open” competitions in the past?
Yes, we have. You can view our Winter 2012 Open Challenge here.
Do you have suggestions for how we can get the word out once we post our project?
You can post news about the challenge on blogs, on your Facebook on Twitter, on your organization's website, and on your friends’ sites. Write an email to your friends and supporters asking them to spread the word through their websites and emails to other friends. Tell them about the benefits of donating through GlobalGiving, for example they can donate in honor of someone and make a gift!
Prior to and during the challenge, GlobalGiving will send out additional fundraising ideas and tips. An online toolkit is available that includes tools to help you in your efforts.
Who can I talk to for more information?
Contact Manmeet Mehta for information about the Challenge and your fundraising through GlobalGiving.
Contact Linda Oatley for information about your nomination or application forms.
Good luck!
