Benevity works with a global network of independent charitable foundations. Whenever you, the people at your company, or anyone from your larger community makes charitable donations through the Benevity platform, a foundation (as selected by you during implementation) receives the funds directly. It receives donor preferences and/or advice, as applicable, provided by users via the Benevity platform and, in turn, disburses funds to charities and non-profit organizations for charitable purposes.
Each foundation is a registered charitable organization with its own mission, governance and compliance requirements that are aligned with the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction where it is established and operating. Each foundation is governed by an independent board of trustees or directors. The trustees/directors oversee the governance of the foundation and ensure that it remains compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
The relationship between Benevity and disbursing foundations
Benevity works exclusively with some foundations, while others partner with Benevity as well as other organizations. Benevity conducts extensive due diligence of charitable foundations prior to formalizing our relationship and on an ongoing basis.
Benevity acts as a service provider to the foundations, to varying degrees and under formal written agreements with each. Its services include preparing and sending donation reports and tax receipts/donation acknowledgments, conducting validation and verification of recipient nonprofits, as well as collecting due diligence documentation from nonprofits receiving donations, as required. Donations are received by the foundations directly from donors. Charitable donations are not received by Benevity Inc. at any point.
In its own capacity and as a service provider to the foundations, Benevity receives, processes and stores client and donor information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If such information is required by one of the foundations’ regulatory authorities, Benevity assists the foundation with compliance in accordance with its Privacy Policy. For more information, please see the Benevity Privacy Policy.
The donor advised fund or other similar charitable funding models
Benevity works with third-party charitable foundations that are registered in the jurisdictions in which they are established (“Foundations”) so donation funds can be aggregated and disbursed to Eligible Nonprofits. As required by their respective charitable laws, each Foundation takes full legal ownership and control of, and exercises discretion and variance power over, donation funds it receives as of the Donation Date. While some of the Foundations operate on the basis of a “donor advised fund” model or similar, other Foundations use other charitable funding models or a variety of models.
The contract between you and Benevity governs use of the Benevity platform, including the donations to the foundations.