FAQ

Q. What is Give Big Kern?

Give Big Kern Since 2016, Give Big Kern has raised millions of dollars from thousands of donors for hundreds of local nonprofits. GBK is a day when the community comes together to celebrate Kern County's official day of giving. Give Big Kern is part of  Kern Community Foundationv's Nonprofit Strengthening initiative.

Q. When is Give Big Kern?

Give Big Kern is on May 6th, 2025 from midnight to 11:59 PM.

Q. Which organizations can participate?

Organizations that are verified 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits are in “good standing” with the CA Attorney General’s Office, the California Franchise Tax Board, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This means a nonprofit must be current, registered, and not delinquent in its registration status with these three agencies, have a Silver 2023 GuideStar or higher, be registered with Kern Community Foundation, and provide services to Kern County residents. 

If you are not registered with KCF, please visit kernfoundation.org to learn more. 

Q. Who can donate?

Anyone can easily contribute to charitable nonprofit organizations through the Give Big Kern online portal using any device they prefer. Donations made via credit and debit cards are accepted and come with the benefit of being tax-deductible. It's important to note that, along with the convenience, there is a processing fee associated with online donations. Once made, online donations are non-refundable, and the seamless processing and receipting will be expertly managed by GiveGab.

If you opt for the traditional route and wish to donate with cash or a check, you can conveniently send your contribution directly to the organization of your choice. This allows for flexibility in payment methods while ensuring an efficient donation process. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.


Q. What is GiveGab?

GiveGab, which is becoming Bonterra, is a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits raise money, engage donors, and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy-to-use products that allow organizations to function more streamlined.

Q. How will donations be distributed?

Each donation made to a participating nonprofit will be disbursed directly from GiveGab via direct deposit within 5-7 business days.

Q. How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?

GiveGab retains a 3% campaign management fee from all donations. Credit Card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30 for all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). You are given the option to cover the fees, and if you choose this option, 100% of your online charitable gift will go to the receiving organization. All donations are final and cannot be refunded. Any donations processed outside of the Give Big Kern donation period through GiveGab.com, or subsequent recurring donations, are also subject to the transaction fees outlined above.

Q. Who will receive my contact information?

The organization(s) you choose to support will have access to your name and email address. This information is used solely to send thank you messages, provide the option to receive future notifications, and notify you of future activities.

Q. Do I need to create an account with GiveGab?

No. You do not need to create an account to make a donation. The benefits of creating an account include having your tax receipts collected in one location, being able to track your donations, follow the charities you support, and engage in future volunteering and donations. Your tax receipt is emailed immediately upon processing your donation. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. taxes, you should retain the donation receipt as an official record.

Q. Can I make donations via a mobile device?

Yes! Simply visit givebigkern.org on your mobile device.

Q. Can I pre-schedule a donation for Give Big Kern?

You cannot pre-schedule your Give Big Kern gift, but you may make a donation to a participating nonprofit before or after the Give Big Kern. In order for your donation to be counted towards prize incentives awarded on Give Big Kern it must be made between midnight at 11:59 p.m. on May 6th, 2025.

Q. What if my preferred organization is not listed?

Please send an email to fatima@kernfoundation.org to request that we contact your organization of choice.

Q. What is state charitable solicitation registration?

Nonprofits are held to a high standard of government regulation and public scrutiny. And that is with good reason! Eligible 501(c) nonprofits are exempt from federal corporate taxes and have access to public funding. These benefits are not typically available to for-profit businesses, so laws are in place to protect the public and ensure nonprofits do not abuse their financial advantages. The IRS and states all have requirements for nonprofits.

Q. Why is state charitable solicitation registration compliance important?

While 501(c) nonprofits receive key financial benefits, the penalties for noncompliance can be serious. The IRS can revoke a nonprofit’s tax exemption and impose fines that can accrue daily. The states can administratively dissolve a nonprofit corporation and levy steep financial penalties. Perhaps worst of all, an organization can lose out on a grant or large donation because it has not kept itself in good standing.

Taking a proactive approach to compliance helps ensure the sustained success of the organization. The cost of staying compliant is small in comparison to the much larger costs of noncompliance. The saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be more true in this context.

Q. What are the key aspects of state charitable solicitation registration compliance?

The IRS provides tax exemptions to eligible nonprofits under IRC 501(c). Public charities and private foundations receive 501(c)(3) tax exemption. The IRS scrutinizes organizations when they apply for 501(c)(3) but also ensures that those organizations meet the ongoing obligations to remain eligible. Nonprofits must file a 990 tax form each year with the IRS to disclose their financial data for the year.

Each state has their own set of requirements. Nonprofits are typically incorporated in a given state as a nonprofit corporation. The state in which the nonprofit has incorporated will impose requirements on the nonprofit, and those responsibilities typically span across multiple state agencies. Usually nonprofits must submit an annual filing to the corporations division of the secretary of state, maintain its license to fundraise (charitable solicitation registration), file for a state business license, and maintain state-level tax exemption with the revenue department. As nonprofits expand outside of the state or operate nationwide, they must comply with the same items in each other state as well.

In addition to IRS and state filing requirements, nonprofits must keep adequate records. Keeping accurate and complete records is critical in the event that an organization is audited. It is also common that board members or donors request information from the organization. Finally, records are necessary for submitting applications and renewal filings with various government agencies.

Q. When I check the box on GiveGab to declare state charitable solicitation registration compliance, what am I attesting to?

When you check the box you are attesting (defined as "declaring that something exists or is the case") that your organization is compliant with applicable state fundraising requirements in the states in which you may solicit donors using the GiveGab platform.

Q. Do you have additional resources to reference about state charitable solicitation registration?

Yes! Here are a few more resources from Harbor Compliance to help you:

Q. How can I ensure my organization receives it's donations?

In order to receive your donations via ACH transfer, GiveGab requires a checking account eligible to receive ACH transfers and withdrawals. Your donations will be deposited within 5-7 business days on a daily rolling basis.

If your organization supplies the wrong type of bank account (such as a savings account), or the wrong account numbers, GiveGab will be in touch! After 30 days, if GiveGab hasn't heard from your organization, they will refund your gifts back to your donors.