Initiate a grant recommendation

This tutorial guides you in recommending a grant on behalf of your client through our advisor platform, GivingCentral. If you have not already done so, you’ll need to register on GivingCentral.

1. Initiate the grant

From the Action menu, select grant recommendation. If you do not see this option, you will need to request transactional access from your client. 

A list of Giving Accounts for which you have transactional access will appear. Select the Giving Account your client intends to use to fund this grant recommendation.

Search for the nonprofit 

You can recommend a grant to virtually any IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity or private operating foundation on behalf of your client.

Giving Central Account opening step 2

1. Find the organization your client wants to support

You can search for charities by name or using their federal tax ID or EIN.

2. Narrow your search results

You can narrow your search by state if your client is looking for a local chapter of a large national organization. You also have the ability to refine by sector if your client knows the mission type he/she would like to support, but not the name of a specific organization. If the organization is not listed in the search results, you have the option to enter it manually. 

3. Once the correct organization is found, select recommend

Tip: Use the research tool to review GuideStar data on any organization. 

Verify the organization’s information

The default information that appears is provided by the IRS. 

Giving Central Account opening step 3

1. Verify the nonprofit’s information

Review the organization’s legal name and mailing address.

2. You may add additional contact information, if necessary

If desired, add a contact name and/or phone number for the organization. Note, this information is not required and is used for routing purposes only. Payments are made to the order of the organization, never an individual. 

Tip: Make changes only if you are confident the legal mailing address has changed. Entering a new address for the organization requires additional due diligence and may delay processing of the grant recommendation.

Indicate the purpose of the grant

The designation informs the organization how the funding is to be used. 

Giving Central Account opening step 4

1. Adding a grant designation

Select the appropriate designation. The default is “Where it’s needed most” which allows the organization to determine their most pressing need. 

Tip: Ensure the purpose of the grant is permissible.

While you can customize a designation or create your own, do know this requires additional due diligence and may delay processing of the grant recommendation.

Specify timing

You have the option to submit a one-time grant as soon as possible or schedule a grant – either on a future date or reoccurring for a specific amount of time. This allows the grant to be recommended without needing to log in again.

Giving Central Account opening step 5

1. Schedule your grant recommendation

Select when your client would like funds to be distributed. The default selection is a one-time grant issued “as soon as possible”.

Tip: Typical grant processing time is 2-10 business days. Be sure to plan accordingly if additional due diligence may be required.  

Processing time can be reduced by encouraging the nonprofit to enroll in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Once approved, funds are transferred directly into the nonprofit’s bank account rather than mailing a paper check. 

Indicate the grant amount

The grant minimum is $50. Grants initiated through GivingCentral must be recommended in increments of $5 or $18.

Giving Central Account opening step 6

1. Choose the grant amount

Identify the amount to be granted and the recommended pool allocation – either proportionately or from specific positions. 

IMPORTANT: Grants cannot be recommended for the full Giving Account balance via GivingCentral. Please contact our Fidelity Charitable team for assistance. 

Tip: Unfortunately, odd dollar grants cannot be made from GivingCentral. If you would like to make a grant on your client’s behalf that is not an increment of $5 or $18, please contact our Fidelity Charitable team for assistance. 

Select your client’s acknowledgment preference

Along with an EFT or check, the organization receives information regarding the source of the grant, if disclosed. Your client has several options for acknowledgement – name and address, Giving Account name only, or remain anonymous.

1. Indicate desired acknowledgment

Here you can add the donor’s name or grant anonymously. The default selection is “Name and Address”. A sample communication is provided for each option.

 

Confirm and submit the grant recommendation

This is your final opportunity to make edits to the recommendation. 

1. Review all the details 

Review the information you entered in the steps prior. 

2. Add your certification

Once you’ve proceeded to the next step, you will be asked to agree to several certifications. If you agree, submit the grant recommendation.