Q: Why is GlobalGiving asking me to submit a due diligence application?
A: By completing the due diligence application, GlobalGiving can verify that you are legally registered as the type of entity that you have stated and are successfully able to implement programs.
Q: Is the due diligence application different than what Facebook requested?
A: Yes. Please note this is a separate process from Facebook. GlobalGiving requires all community leaders to successfully submit a due diligence application for their entity once every two years. You will only need to submit due diligence once per entity to GlobalGiving during the 2022 -2023 Facebook Community Accelerator program.
Q: What documents are required in the due diligence application?
A: The documents required are different based on how you will receive your grant funds (as a for-profit, nonprofit, or individual) and where your entity’s bank account is located (as a for-profit, nonprofit, or individual). Please find more details below on information collected based on entity type chosen:
Q: What if I’m not quite sure that I selected the correct entity type (for-profit, individual, nonprofit)?
A: Please reach out to the GlobalGiving team at grants+fca@globalgiving.org and the GlobalGiving team can support you in determining the selection.
Q: Can I submit my due diligence application in a language other than English?
A: No, at this time, all documentation in your due diligence application must be uploaded in English. However, we do not require official translations of any of your documentation and you are welcomed to use Google Translate for this task. If you have any issues with the translations, please reach out and we will be happy to assist.
Q: If I am a for-profit or individual, where can I get the proper tax forms?
A: You will be able to download the proper tax forms from the due diligence application sent to your organization by the GlobalGiving team.
Q: There is personal identifying information in my W-9, W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E form, will it be shared with people outside GlobalGiving?
A: No, we take privacy very seriously at GlobalGiving and will not share any information that you have provided in the application. Your W-9, W-8BEN, and W-8BEN-E will be uploaded using a secure platform to ensure your privacy.
Q: Is there a way to get W-9, W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E form in a language other than English?
A: Yes, thankfully Citi has translated the documents into over 20 different languages. You can use the link here to view all the translated documents. However, the document that you submit must be in English, but you can use the translated versions as a reference.
Q: I need help filing out my W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Can you help?
A: GlobalGiving is unable to give tax advice given its charitable status. However, please find below some support we think may be helpful:
Q: How long does it take for my due diligence application to be reviewed once it is submitted?
A: We guarantee to review your submitted application within 10 business days. However, we may have to send back the application for additional documentation which can extend the process.
Q: What happens if our due diligence application is late?
A: If your due diligence application is going to be late, please reach out to the GlobalGiving team at grants+fca@globalgiving.org to let the team know, as this will delay your grant funding.
Q: How many grants are part of this program and how much will each grant be?
A: There will be at least two grants issued to your organization, a flexible funding grant and a project based grant, as long as requirements are met for each grant award. The flexible funding grant will be $15,000 and will require the successful completion and approval of due diligence. The project-based community initiative grant will be up to $25,000 and will require the submission and approval of a community initiative plan.
Q: If my bank account is not located in the United States, may I spend funds in the United States?
A: If the bank in which GlobalGiving sent you funds is not located in the United States, you may not spend funds in the U.S. unless you have written authorization from the GlobalGiving team due to U.S. tax liability reasons. Our team can be reached at grants+fca@globalgiving.org.
Q: Will GlobalGiving require grant reports?
A: GlobalGiving will require one grant report to be submitted at the completion of the Facebook Community Accelerator (FCA) Program. As the program moves along GlobalGiving will provide more information on the details of the report process.
Q: What are prohibited expenses? What can’t I spend grant funds on?
A: Below please find a list of prohibited expenses. This list will also be included in your grant agreements.
Q: How can I check to see the status of my grant?
A: GlobalGiving aims to be as effective and transparent as possible as you go through our grant process. You will be able to access our online grant management system at any time called GG Grants. GG Grants will give you real-time updates in your award status, report due dates, and more.
Q: What happens if I require changes to my grant timeline, project scope, or budget after the grant agreement is issued?
A: We know that things do not go as planned and we are here to support you if you experience changes to your grant report. As soon as you are aware of needed changes, please email your grant manager to inform them of your changes. Depending on the change, we may need to issue you a grant amendment.
Q: Is there a final report outline I could follow?
A: Yes! Please see here for the Final Grant Report Outline.
Q: How can I receive funds + how do the options differ?
A: If your entity’s bank account is located in the United States you can choose to receive funds via ACH or check. If your entity’s bank account is not located in the United States, you can choose to receive funds via FXecute or wire transfer. GlobalGiving will send funds according to the disbursement details provided in the eligibility (due diligence application) stage. Please find your disbursement options below:
GlobalGiving sends disbursements to entities on a weekly basis. Disbursements must be scheduled by the Wednesday of each week and then disbursed Friday of the same week. It typically takes 3 – 10 business days to receive funds in your bank account. However, you may be asked additional questions from your bank or FXecute/StoneX that may increase this timeline.
Q: When do I decide which disbursement method I’d like?
A: During the due diligence application process, you will set-up how you would like to receive funds.
Q: What is the difference between applying as a nonprofit, a for-profit, or an individual?
A: If you are not a registered nonprofit, then you may be taxed on parts of your GlobalGiving grants. Individuals and for-profits will also have to provide expense statements and receipts if requested by GlobalGiving, and we ask that you keep funds in a separate account to avoid non-charitable spending.
Q: Will I be taxed on my grants, both the flexible funding and project-based grant if I’m located outside of the U.S.?
A: GlobalGiving is a 501(c)(3) charity, and we are subject to federal tax law, in the United States only. It’s important to take into consideration your own country’s tax law. You may be taxed by your local authorities, so we encourage you to work with a local tax professional.
Please note that GlobalGiving will assess if the proposed community initiative will fund activities in the U.S. If your grant does include funding activities in the United States it may be subject to tax withholding in the U.S.
Q: Will I be taxed on my grants, both the flexible funding and project-based grant if I receive my grant as an individual or for-profit in the U.S.?
A: If you are receiving your Grant award as an individual or for-profit in the United States, GlobalGiving funds are taxable income to the IRS. GlobalGiving is a 501(c)(3) charity, registered in the U.S., and as such we are subject to the U.S. federal tax laws, and we must be compliant to maintain our charitable status. What this means for your Grant Award is:
Project-Based, Community Initiative Grant – Your project-based, community initiative grant proposal will be rigorously reviewed for its charitable purpose. If you use Grant funding for your salary or to purchase assets then GlobalGiving is obligated to report that amount to the IRS.
We encourage you to speak with a tax professional should questions arise.
Q: When is the Community Initiative due to GlobalGiving?
A: Monday February 6, 2023.
Q: When will I get my Community Initiative grant funds?
A: If your Community Initiative is submitted by the deadline (February 6, 2023), and all other milestones are met (please see the timeline below), then grant funds will be disbursed on Friday, 03 March 2023.
Q: What is the full timeline of the deadline for the Community Initiative funding?:
A:
*It typically takes about 3 – 10 business days for funds to enter accounts.
Q: Will I be taxed on my grants, both the flexible and project-based community initiative if I receive funding as a registered nonprofit in the U.S.?
A: As a registered nonprofit in the United States your grant awards are not subject to tax.
Q. Will I be taxed on my grants, both the flexible and project-based community initiative if I receive funding as a registered nonprofit outside of the U.S.?
A: GlobalGiving is the only fundraising platform that offers 501(c)(3) equivalency and registered nonprofits around the world, and your organization will receive your donations from GlobalGiving, as grants. When receiving funding internally, GlobalGiving recommends consulting with a tax professional in order to receive country-specific tax advice. You can allocate grant funding for this support.
Q: What happens if I am an individual or a for-profit and I use the grant to purchase a large asset such as a vehicle?
A: If you are an individual or a for-profit and you purchase a large asset, GlobalGiving will have to guarantee that the asset will not be used to benefit yourself or the for-profit company after the grant. This could be resolved by paying taxes on the asset, leasing the asset, or donating the asset. Please reach out to your Grants Manager with any questions at grants+fca@globalgiving.org.
Q: What happens if I am an individual or a for-profit and the grant project that I implement produces income?
A: The grant agreement will need to account for the additional funds that the entity will incur and ensure that it is still spent on a charitable purpose. If the additional funds are not used for a charitable purpose, then you will be required to pay taxes on the income generated.
Q: Can I include salary expenses in my grant?
A: Yes, we understand that operating a grant can take up a lot of your time and that it should be compensated. However, if you are not a nonprofit then those funds are subject to being taxed both for the salaries you pay yourself and your employee.
Q: If my grant is under budget and I do not use all of the funds, do I have to return the funds to GlobalGiving?
A: If you do not use the full budget for your project GlobalGiving will work with you to determine the appropriate next steps.
Q: If I create a non-profit now, will I be able to receive funds into that bank account?
A: You must have a bank account established and ready to receive funds for the entity that you selected in the initial program onboarding form. If you do not yet have a non-profit bank account established at the time of your invitation to the program, then you cannot receive funds into that account.
Q: I’m receiving the grants as an individual, but I want to send the money to my team member’s bank account instead. Can I do that?
A: No, if you are receiving funds as an individual, the funds must be sent to your bank account, not another person’s bank account.
Q: What if I lose funding due to transferring fees or a fluctuating exchange rate?
A: GlobalGiving does not directly charge a fee for any of the options listed above. But it’s important to note that those receiving funding outside of the United States are subject to transfer fees and currency loss due to exchange rates and fees. Unfortunately, this is out of the control of GlobalGiving and Facebook. Please take this into consideration when budgeting for your award; we recommend accounting for a potential funding decrease.
Q: Can the grant budget be written to include bank fees and currency losses?
A: Yes, we understand that entities outside the U.S may lose funds due to currency conversion or bank fees and encourage you to write your grant budget to reflect those fees.
Q: When can I expect to receive funds?
A: Once you have submitted your community’s Due Diligence application it will be sent to GlobalGiving for review. The GlobalGiving team requests that you submit your Due Diligence application no later than Friday, 21 October 2022 in order to not delay your receipt of funding. If you submit your application by the deadline then your process will follow the following timeline:
Please note:
Q: What kind of support can I expect to receive from GlobalGiving during the Facebook Community Accelerator (FCA) Program?
A: You will have a dedicated Grants Manager + support team answering your questions and providing you with guidance through the FCA Program. The GlobalGiving team is excited by working with you! You’ll receive support through content like a Grantee Toolkit, group webinars, “office” hours, and 1:1 support offered through video conference calls and email.
Q: If I am a nonprofit, can I engage with GlobalGiving after my Facebook grant?
A: Yes! We are always excited to have more nonprofits join our community. GlobalGiving can be a great way to expand and diversify your donor base. Please reach out to GlobalGiving at grants+fca@globalgiving.org, if you’re interested in this step.
