Frequently Asked Questions

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CharityChoice has been a leader in opening innovative new channels for charitable giving, since creating the original nonprofit charity gift card.

• Launched the first nonprofit charity gift cards in 2004, a recipient-designated charity donation gift.
• Transformed corporate gifting with custom-branded redemption pages enabling pre-selection of 5-10 charities aligned with the company's mission, and later expanded this innovation into personalized pages for individual's accounts; free and with no minimum purchase.
• Created 'Charitable-Giving' / 'Donations' as a category within the rewards and incentive industry, enabling the public to 'pay it forward' with their points.
• Launched the first nonprofit 'Donate Your Card' program, allowing people to turn unused retail gift card balances into cash donations for the charities of their choice.

Our mission is to make generosity simple, meaningful, and part of everyday life to benefit causes that help make a better world.

General Information

CharityChoice Gift Cards Online

Rewards and Incentives Programs - Third Party Purchases

Terms and Conditions

Charity registration

• How are charities selected to be listed?
  Charities apply online. We conduct a thorough charity review and approval process to make sure your donation is directed only to carefully vetted, reputable nonprofits. Our list of registered charities is now over 2,500 major and local causes.
• Are charities charged a fee to be listed?
  No. Charities are never charged a fee to register.
• How do I know that CharityChoice will reliably handle my charitable funds?
  CharityChoice is a nonprofit program of Special Kids Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. We undergo an annual state-required certified audit and follow all financial reporting standards. CharityChoice is also proud to serve as an official donation site of the American Red Cross.

Privacy

• Will any personal information be sold to marketers?
  No. We never rent, sell, or exchange personal information about donors or recipients.
• Will charities gain access to any personal information about us?
  No. All allocations are sent anonymously unless you specifically choose to optin to share your information.
• Privacy Policy
  We have created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for this site: Charity Gift Certificates assures you that the identity of all who contact us through this website is kept confidential: we do not rent, sell, or exchange our mailing lists; nor reveal names of purchasers/recipients to the individual charities on our list (unless opted-in). Funds are allocated to the charities "anonymously" without passing on any private information or identities.

Credit Card Security

• How do I know it is safe to use my credit card?
  We use secure, encrypted, industry-standard payment processing to ensure your online transaction is safe and reliable. Our site is SecurityMetrics certified secure.

Redemption

• As the purchaser of the card can I select a charity?
  Our cards are recipient-designated gifts; however, you may suggest a charity. When the recipient redeems the card, they may choose up to three charities, and they will see the charity you have suggested. CharityChoice is the only charity gift card that enables the gift-giver and the gift-recipient to share which causes they care deeply about; creating a meaningful interpersonal relationship with this unique gift.
  
  You may utilize our HonorCards to pre-designate your gift for a specific charity.
• Can I use my CharityChoice Gift Card toward a charity’s special event or program?
  You’ll need to reach out to the charity directly to request this, since each has their own criteria for supporting events.
• Do CharityChoice Gift Cards expire?
  No. CharityChoice Gift Cards never expire and may be redeemed at any time. Over time, funds are eventually used to support our parent nonprofit organization's fundraising, Special Kids Fund for underprivileged special needs children, so that funds do not lie dormant. We always maintain a reserve to honor your card.
• My recipient deleted the email containing their Charity Gift. How can I resend it?
  Log into your account, click on the Order, and select “Resend eCard".
• What if the recipient doesn't designate a charity?
  You can resend the card through your account, to remind and encourage redemption. Please note that, according to our Terms and Conditions, only the original recipient is eligible to redeem the code; once gifted it is exclusively theirs to designate.
  
  If a card remains unredeemed over an extended period, the funds are allocated to the Special Kids Fund, our 501(c)(3) organization supporting underprivileged children with special needs - ensuring the donation still makes a meaningful impact. CharityChoice is the only charity gift card portal that is a fundraiser for a specific charitable cause and has no funds transferred to a private corporation.
  
  Even when a recipient does not follow through with the designation, they are genuinely touched by the thoughtful nature of a charitable gift, which reflects positively on your values and generosity.
• When does CharityChoice transfer donations to selected charities?
  Funds are distributed to the charities quarterly.
• How do I know that my gift recipient has selected a charity?
  You can check the redemption status at any time by logging into your account. If the recipient has designated a charity, it will be displayed there. Even when recipients take time to redeem, they are genuinely touched by the thoughtful and meaningful nature of a charitable gift—your generosity leaves a lasting, positive impression.

Tax Deductions

• Is my CharityChoice Gift Card purchase tax-deductible?
  Yes. Your purchase is a charitable donation to Special Kids Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 58-2550249), and is fully tax-deductible at the time of purchase.
• What about using CharityChoice as a business gift? Are there any tax benefits or advantages?
  CharityChoice Gift Cards may offer more flexibility than traditional business gift deductions, since they are treated as charitable contributions rather than standard business gifts. Because tax situations vary, we recommend consulting your tax advisor to understand how this may apply to your specific circumstances.
• Who qualifies for the tax deduction, the giver or the recipient?
  The buyer receives the deduction because they make the charitable donation. Recipients are only entitled to designate the funds that you have donated on their behalf.
• Will I receive an acknowledgment of my donation for tax purposes?
  Yes. When you purchase our gift cards, you’ll receive a confirmation that acts as a tax-acknowledgement receipt for your donation. You can also access your receipts anytime through your account.

Redemption Guarantee - Corporate Accounts

• What happens with unredeemed cards for corporate orders?
  CharityChoice gift cards never expire and always remain redeemable for the gift-recipient. Corporate clients may also opt into our 70% Redemption Guarantee. After 7 months, this will enable them to redeem (designate for up to 3 of our listed charities) the value of unredeemed codes to reach a 70% redemption rate for their order. This option is not available for discounted or third-party purchases.

Online - Terms and conditions

• Terms and conditions
  CharityChoice Gift Cards are recipient-designated charity gifts: a fundraising project of Special Kids Fund (501c3, EIN 58-2550249). Only the original gift-recipient is entitled to designate the charity, which he/she may do at any time. Cards never lose value, nor expire. We always retain a reserve for honoring unredeemed cards. Purchases of gift cards are charity donations that are 100% tax deductible at the time of purchase; and, as such, are non-refundable. For cards purchased on our website, we deduct $0.50 per card [for cards $2 and up]+ 3% credit card processing and 5% fundraising costs. Fees are used towards the management of this nonprofit fundraising program, and towards our parent charity's mission to benefit special needs children (Special Kids Fund). We send allocations to charities following each quarter in one bulk check (usually within 4-6 weeks after the closing date), for all designations made during the past quarter.

Rewards Programs - Redeeming Points

• Can I claim a tax deduction for redeeming a reward-based gift card?
  We provide a tax acknowledgment, and you should keep your rewards-program receipt. We advise you to consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation and claiming a deduction.
• How do I order a charity donation card through my rewards program?
  Check your rewards catalog to see if CharityChoice is available. Proceed to redeem your points for a CharityChoice Gift Card. You’ll receive a redemption code by email. Simply enter that code on our website and select the charity or charities you’d like to support.
• How do I redeem multiple gift cards (codes) received from my rewards program?
  Use our multi-code redemption tool to enter all codes at once, then allocate the combined amount to up to three charities.

Rewards Terms And Conditions

• Rewards Terms and Conditions
  CharityChoice is a fundraising project of Special Kids Fund (501c3, EIN 58-2550249), as such your confirmation and donation is 100% charitable. For gift cards purchased through third-party partners or redeeming points from rewards programs, when allocating funds to the chosen charities, we deduct a 10% fundraising cost and an additional affiliate fee required by the third party. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductions and your specific tax situation.

• Online Terms and Conditions
• Rewards Terms and Conditions