FAQ
Q. What is Blessings in a Backpack?
Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry.
Q. Are donations to Blessings in a Backpack tax deductible?
Yes! Blessings in a Backpack is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, meaning that donations are 100% tax-deductible (less the value of goods and services received, if applicable). Our Tax ID # is 26-1964620. You will receive an email confirmation that may serve as your receipt for tax purposes.
Q. Is there a minimum gift?
There is a $5 minimum donation.
Q. Who can donate?
Anyone with a credit card and access to the internet. Donations will be received and receipted by GiveGab.
To mail a donation, make checks out to 'Blessings in a Backpack' and send them to Blessings in a Backpack, P.O. Box 950291, Louisville, KY 40295. If you’re supporting a specific program, please write the program name in the memo line.
Q. What is GiveGab?
GiveGab, which is becoming Bonterra, is a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits raise money, engage donors, and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy-to-use products that allows organizations to function in a more streamlined manner.
Q. How will donations be distributed?
Each donation made will be disbursed directly from GiveGab to Blessings in a Backpack via direct deposit within 5-7 business days.
Q. How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?
Credit Card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30 for all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). You are given the option to cover the fees, and if you choose this option, 100% of your online charitable gift will go to the receiving program. All donations are final and cannot be refunded. Any donations processed through GiveGab.com, or subsequent recurring donations are subject to transaction fees outlined on the GiveGab.com pricing page: info.givegab.com/pricing.
Q. Who will receive my contact information?
The program(s) you choose to support and Blessings in a Backpack will have access to your name and email address. This information is used solely to send thank you messages, provide the option to receive future notifications, and notify you of future activities.
Q. Do I need to create an account with GiveGab?
No. You do not need to create an account to donate. The benefits of creating an account include having your tax receipts collected in one location, being able to track your donations, and engaging in future volunteering and donations. Your tax receipt is emailed immediately upon processing your donation. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. taxes, you should retain the donation receipt as an official record.
Q. How will the donation be reported on my credit card?
Gifts made will appear on donors' credit cards as BLESSINGS IN A BACKPAC due to reaching a character limit.
Q. What forms of donations are accepted?
MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express donations received through the website on the giving day will be matched from the bonus pool on a prorated basis. If you’d like to donate via check, cash, or stock, visit blessingsinabackpack.org/ways-to-donate to learn more.
Q. What if my local program is not listed?
We are in the beginning stages of reviewing and approving program profiles. If your local program is not listed, please connect with the program coordinator about registering for an online giving page. You can email info@blessingsinabackpack.org if additional support is needed from the national office.
Q. Is my payment secure?
Absolutely – Blessings in a Backpack is using GiveGab, which has partnered with Stripe, a PCI Service Provider Level 1 (the most stringent level of certification possible), to process all gifts made through GivingDay.org. Read through Stripe's security documentation online.
Q. What if I already made a gift to the Blessings in a Backpack this year?
Thank you from the bottom of our backpacks! We appreciate your commitment to helping us feed kids over the weekends and encourage you to make additional gifts of any size throughout the year. The number of children we can feed is limited only by the financial support we can secure.
Q. Can I help promote Blessings in a Backpack?
Please do! We encourage you to share the images and messages that are located in the Nonprofit Toolkit. Send an email to friends and family, post on your Facebook page, tweet, blog, yell, and put signs on your lawn. It's all encouraged! It truly takes a village to feed a child.
Q. Can I use my employer's matching gifts funds?
Yes! We strongly encourage you to take advantage of your employer's generosity to enhance the impact of your support for Blessings in a Backpack. To see if your company offers this benefit or to learn more about your company's guidelines, visit our matching gift portal. You can also learn about matching gifts on the page on the Blessings in a Backpack: blessingsinabackpack.org/matching-gifts
Q. Who do I contact with questions about Blessings in a Backpack?
You can use the search or map function to find and connect with a Blessings in a Backpack program near you. To reach the national office, you can email info@blessingsinabackpack.org or call (800) 872-4366. To learn more about our organization, go to blessingsinabackpack.org.