FAQ
Q. What is The Nonprofit Compass?
The Nonprofit Compass is Abilene’s first-ever, fully searchable online database of local nonprofit organizations. This resource was created to help our community better understand Abilene’s nonprofit organizations and how to engage in the causes they care about the most. All information is self-reported by the nonprofit organizations and does not indicate an endorsement by The Community Foundation of Abilene.
Q. How can a community member use Nonprofit Compass?
Once you have located a nonprofit of your choice, browse through their profile to learn more about the organization, programs, financial information and legal details. You can also see available job openings, volunteer opportunities, board openings, and wish list items. If you wish to learn more about a specific nonprofit, please refer to the contact information located on each profile to contact the organization directly. It is important to note that all information is self-reported by the organization and does not indicate an endorsement by the Community Foundation of Abilene.
Q. What if I can't find the organization that I am looking for in Nonprofit Compass?
If a nonprofit is not listed, it is because they have not created a profile or may not qualify to participate.
Q. What if the information in Nonprofit Compass looks out of date or inaccurate?
It's the responsibility of the nonprofit to create their profile and keep their information up-to-date. The Community Foundation of Abilene makes every effort to invite qualifying nonprofits to complete and maintain their profiles. All information is self-reported by the participating nonprofit organizations and is not verified for accuracy by the Community Foundation of Abilene.
Q. What are the qualifications for a nonprofit organization to participate?
Organizations must be verified 501(c)(3) public charities, headquartered and/or providing substantial services in the required geographic area. The required geographic area includes the following counties of West-Central Texas: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, and Throckmorton.
For nonprofit organizations that do not have a mailing address in the geographically-restricted area, the Community Foundation of Abilene will make a case-by-case determination regarding whether or not the nonprofit provides “substantial services” and qualifies for a listing in the Nonprofit Compass. Public and private schools are eligible to participate.
The Community Foundation of Abilene reserves the right to withdraw any participating organization for any reason deemed necessary by the Foundation Board of Trustees. Any/all decisions to withdraw a participating nonprofit organization will be communicated with the organization as timely as possible.
Q. What are the benefits of participating?
- Increase awareness of your organization among potential donors and new audiences.
- Tell your story and make a case for support.
- Help the community understand the need for your services, solutions, and results.
- The Foundation uses the contact email addresses listed in nonprofit profiles to share important news such as grant cycle dates, educational opportunities, etc.
- Post job openings to find new employees looking for an opportunity in the nonprofit sector.
- Post volunteer opportunities for one-day events or long-term support to build your volunteer base.
- Post board opportunities to allow the community to know that you are seeking board members to help drive your mission.
- Post wish list items for donors to see a current running catalog of community-wide nonprofit needs.
- Nonprofit Compass provides a platform for participating organizations to collect direct donations year-round.
Q. What is the relationship between Nonprofit Compass and Abilene Gives?
Nonprofit Compass and Abilene Gives both utilize Bonterra's GiveGab to maintain and facilitate online nonprofit profiles.
The Nonprofit Compass is a year-round, everyday online resource platform that details the programs and outcomes of local nonprofits. In addition, Nonprofit Compass creates a single source for volunteer opportunities, board openings, job openings, and wish list items.
Abilene Gives is a 12-hour online giving event occurring annually on the first Tuesday in May to celebrate and increase online giving to nonprofits serving Abilene.
Q. If my nonprofit organization is a past Abilene Gives participant, how does that impact my Nonprofit Compass profile?
The login credentials an organization creates for Abilene Gives will be the same information used for Nonprofit Compass. If you need assistance or to reset the password, use the blue chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your browser screen. The GiveGab team will have to assist as the Foundation does not have access to login credentials.
Q. How can my nonprofit create a profile?
Click here to begin the process by searching for your organization.
Organizations that register to have a profile with Nonprofit Compass are reviewed by the Foundation. Within two weeks following your registration, the Foundation will either approve your request, request supplemental documentation to finish reviewing your application, or deny your request. You will see your current status on your directory dashboard. Once your status states “Pending” you may start customizing your profile.
Q. How often do I need to update or edit my nonprofit’s profile?
Organizations can and should update their profiles when pertinent details change. At a minimum, profiles will require an annual update and refresh.
Q. How do I update or edit an existing profile?
You can quickly log in to your nonprofit administrative dashboard by clicking on the “Menu” button located in the top right corner of your screen and clicking “Log In.”
Q. Can my nonprofit have multiple managers?
Yes! It is encouraged to have multiple managers. Existing managers can add new managers by following the steps outlined here. Updating your managers through staffing changes will ensure your nonprofit receives important news about grants and other opportunities.
Q. What is the recommended browser to use with Nonprofit Compass?
While Nonprofit Compass will perform optimally with most browsers, we always recommend visitors use the most updated version of your browser for a better and faster user experience for both you and your donors.
Of these, our recommended browser is Google Chrome. Google Chrome undergoes regularly scheduled updates and tends to be more reliable due to its adaptability to a wide range of features and functionality.
Should you run into any challenges using Nonprofit Compass, please write into the little blue chat bubble located in the bottom right corner for immediate assistance.
Q. Does it cost anything for a nonprofit to participate?
No cost! It is FREE for organizations to participate in Nonprofit Compass and to maintain a profile on the site year round.
Q. How much of a donation goes to a participating nonprofit?
If a donor chooses to make a donation through Nonprofit Compass, the giving platform retains a 3.5% campaign management fee from all donations. Credit card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30. Donors are given the option to cover the fees and if a donor chooses this option, 100% of the intended contribution will go to the receiving organization. Each donation made to a participating nonprofit will be disbursed directly from Bonterra via direct deposit within five to seven business days.
Q. Is the Community Foundation taking a fee?
No. The Community Foundation of Abilene takes no fees from contributions. All fees are assessed by credit card processors and the platform, Bonterra, totaling approximately 6% + $0.30 per transaction.
These fees cover the cost of the technology to support the platform and ensure that the organizations and donors both experience a safe and secure web experience.
The Foundation funds the upfront cost of the platform in order to provide this service to our community. The Nonprofit Compass continues the Foundation’s work towards building a thriving local community.
Q. What is Bonterra?
Bonterra is the technology partner that hosts the nonprofit directory as well as the Community Foundation of Abilene’s day of giving in May, Abilene Gives.
Q. What if a donor requests a refund on their gift?
With approval from the Community Foundation of Abilene, refunds can be made through the platform up to four days after the donation is made. After that timeframe, the donor will be asked to coordinate the refund by communicating directly with the nonprofit who received the donation.
Q. Who receives a donor's contact information?
The organization(s) receiving a donation will have access to donor names and email addresses. This information is used to send thank you messages, provide the option to receive future notifications, and to notify donors of future activities.