Frequently Asked Questions
- Date Last Revised: Jun 12, 2024
What is a Glow Community?
A Glow Community is a group of individuals who come together to pool their funds and collectively decide on how and where to donate the money. It amplifies the impact of individual giving by leveraging the power of collective decision-making and resources.
How do Glow Communities work?
In a Glow Community, members contribute funds, often on a monthly basis, into a shared pool. These funds are then collectively allocated to chosen charitable projects or nonprofits, based on a voting mechanism where members decide on the most impactful projects to support.
Why do most Glow Communities vote on projects?
Voting ensures that the allocation of funds is democratic and reflects the collective will of the community members. This ensures transparency, accountability, and ensures that funds are distributed to causes that resonate most with the majority of members. Plus it's fun!
How do you choose the projects that are voted on within a Glow Community?
Projects are curated based on rigorous assessment criteria that evaluate the potential impact, sustainability, and credibility of the initiative. Member suggestions and recommendations are also often encouraged, making sure the interests of the community are well-represented.
How does Glow make giving more efficient for donors?
By pooling resources and making collective decisions, Glow Communities reduce overhead costs, negotiate better terms with charitable organizations, and fund larger projects that would be beyond the reach of individual donors. The collective wisdom also ensures more informed and strategic giving.
How do you choose the tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that you grant money to?
We all want to support the best nonprofits doing the best work, but finding the time to research them is daunting for most of us. So Glow makes this easy for donors. Every nonprofit on our platform goes through a rigorous 35-step vetting process that results in a Glow Trust Score™ which is displayed transparently alongside the nonprofit's name. We look at financial reports from 990's including executive compensation, program spending and growth over 3 years, storytelling, social media, volunteer opportunities, online reviews, and reputation analysis. We also consider feedback and reviews from experts and other donors to ensure our selections are sound.
Why should I donate through Glow rather than giving directly to the nonprofit?
Donating through Glow allows you to leverage the collective power and wisdom of the Giving community. Your donation, when combined with others, can fund larger projects, receive expert input on project selection, and ensure that the process remains transparent and efficient. It's not just about giving, but giving wisely.
How does Glow support itself and what are the fees?
5% of donations are collected as a community fee which helps us maintain and develop the Glow app, support our team who curate and vet projects, report impact stories, and ensure that our platform remains a trustworthy and efficient space for collective giving. Our goal is to maximize the impact of your donation, and the fee ensures we can continually offer this service.
A 5% fee sounds like a lot... please explain?
We understand your concerns. The 5% fee might seem significant at first glance, but it's essential to the sustainability and effectiveness of our platform. This fee covers the operational costs of vetting and curating high-impact projects, maintaining a secure and user-friendly platform, and providing excellent customer support. When compared to the industry standard for similar services, our fee ensures that a larger portion of your donation goes directly to the cause while maintaining the quality and integrity of our service. Plus, by simplifying fundraising and administration for nonprofits, Glow can enhance donation efficiency by up to 35% compared to direct giving.
How does Glow achieve 35% donation efficiency compared to direct giving?
Many well-run nonprofits typically spend between 10-20% on fundraising initiatives and another 15-20% on administration costs. This means that when you give directly to some nonprofits, only 50-75% of your donation may directly benefit the intended projects. Glow simplifies the fundraising process and significantly reduces administrative burdens for these nonprofits. By doing so, we enhance the efficiency, ensuring that a larger portion of your donation goes straight to the cause, leading to an overall increase in donation efficiency by up to 35% compared to traditional methods.
What is your “down to the dollar promise”?
Our "down to the dollar promise" ensures that every dollar of your donation, including the 5% fee that keeps our community alive, goes directly to the chosen charitable projects. We pledge full transparency in our financial dealings and aim to make every penny count.
How can I suggest a project or a nonprofit for consideration?
Members are always encouraged to suggest projects or nonprofits. Simply use the "Suggest a Cause" feature in the app and provide relevant details. Our team will then evaluate the suggestion based on our criteria.
Generally, the Glow Foundation can support any U.S.-based public charity that is in good standing with the IRS with 501(c)(3) status. The Glow Foundation relies on a pre-approved database maintained by GuideStar that contains the vast majority of U.S.-based and IRS-qualified public charities.
Can I start my own Glow community?
Absolutely! Reach out and book a demo from our homepage.
How secure is my donation and personal information on Glow?
Your security is paramount to us. We use industry-leading encryption and security measures to ensure that your donation and personal information are protected at all times.
What does it mean that Glow is donor-focused?
Being donor-focused means that at Glow, we prioritize the needs, preferences, and experiences of our donors. We strive to offer a platform where donors feel informed, empowered, and valued. From the projects we curate to the transparency in our processes, every decision is made keeping our donor community in mind. Our goal is to create a Social, Authentic, Fun, and Easy (SAFE) giving experience for everyone.
What do you mean by "Glow's goal is to make giving delightful for the donor"?
At Glow, we believe that the act of giving should not only be impactful but also joyous and fulfilling. By "delightful," we mean creating an experience where donors feel informed, involved, and inspired. From the ease of using our platform to the stories of impact we share, our aim is to make every step of your giving journey a pleasure. We want donors to feel the same joy in giving as beneficiaries feel in receiving.
How is Glow different from other giving platforms?
Glow is unique in its emphasis on collective decision-making and its curated approach to project selection. Our platform isn't just about donating; it's about being part of a community of like-minded givers who amplify their impact through united efforts.
How often can I vote on projects within Glow?
Voting frequency is typically determined by the Glow Community structure and the number of projects available for funding. However, we aim to offer regular opportunities for our members to participate and make their voices heard.
Can I track the impact of my donation on Glow?
Yes! Transparency and impact tracking are central to our ethos. We provide regular updates on funded projects so you can see the tangible difference your contribution is making.
Can I join more than one Glow Community?
Absolutely! You're free to join multiple Glow Communities to diversify your giving portfolio and engage with various causes and communities that resonate with you.
How does Glow handle feedback and concerns?
We highly value our community's feedback and concerns. If you have any suggestions, issues, or inquiries, you can reach out to our dedicated support team through the app, and we promise to address them promptly.
Where did the name Glow come from?
We believe that when giving is delightful for the donor, the feeling you get from being generous should make you happy. Glow is that feeling! We believe everyone deserves to glow from the inside when they’re being generous.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, donations are tax-deductible in the USA to the full extent of the law. The Glow Foundation is a nonprofit corporation with IRS Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status - EIN 27-4252335.
If you live outside the US, please talk to your financial or tax advisor for details on tax-deductibility.
What is the difference between The Glow Foundation and Superglow Inc.?
Donations are received and receipted by The Glow Foundation, a registered nonprofit corporation with federal tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), EIN EIN 27-4252335, that operates a fund to handle donor advised contributions and Giving Circles using the Superglow technology. Superglow is a Public Benefit Corporation with mission to unleash radical generosity across teh world.
Why Two Organizations?
The Glow Foundation and Superglow Inc. are committed to supporting transparent philanthropy and helping donors have maximum impact with their charity. To that end, the Glow Foundation accepts donor contributions that is maintained and managed by a board of directors and its only mission is to give away the money to vetted nonprofits and their projects. Superglow Inc. is a Public Benefit Corporation who owns the technology IP and manages the Glow operations and business.
The Glow Foundation utilizes a database of U.S. based public charities that have received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and are in good standing with the IRS.
- Date Last Revised: Jun 12, 2024