Question 1

How do I set-up my fundraising webpage?

Accepted Answer

Kimberly will work directly with you in setting up your fundraising site. Upload your website fundraising story via the Worksheet Portal to start the process.

Question 2

Why should I use Good Dog's fundraising platform instead of others like GoFundMe?

Accepted Answer

GD! Fundraising Platform • Donors will see you are legitimately connected with Good Dog! • Progress trackable by GD! and you • We set it up for you and provide website copywriting assistance, if needed Fundraising Platforms like GoFundMe • MYTH - charitable donors give to strangers they find on platforms like Go Fund Me • You could get taxed on the donations • We can not accept individual check donations

Question 3

Why shouldn't I use the Facebook Fundraising Platform?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, Facebook does not send us the appropriate information needed to accredit funds to the appropriate family fundraisers. When promoting your fundraiser on social media, please send people directly to your online fundraising website. ​

Question 4

Why is there a transaction fee for online donations?

Accepted Answer

Flipcause collects a small website transaction fee of 4.9% + 30 cents per transaction, which covers all credit card fees including American Express and international payments. They guarantee that this is the lowest in the industry, which is why we use them for our fundraising platform.   Supporters have the option to cover this fee but if they do not want to, they have two options:   1) they can click the "edit" link in the box that says " I'd like to cover the processing fee so 100% of my contribution goes to Good Dog! Autism Companions." and then select "I don't want to cover the processing fee", or   2) they can waive the small credit card fees by mailing a check made out to Good Dog! Service Canines, 855 South Main Avenue, Suite K-162, Fallbrook, California 92028.   Donors must indicate your child or family name in the memo line of their check so we know to apply the donation to the appropriate fundraiser.

Question 5

Where should check donations be sent?

Accepted Answer

Checks should be made out and sent to:

Good Dog! Service CaninesRE: [Your Child/Family Name]855 South Main Avenue, Suite K-162Fallbrook, California, 92028

IMPORTANT: Checks must indicate your family or fund name so we know to assign the donation to your fundraising requirement. ​

Question 6

Why hasn't my donor's check been deposited?

Accepted Answer

Checks are deposited and recorded once a month. Your donation may have been sent after that month's deposit was made and will be recorded and deposited with the following month's checks.

Question 7

Why was my donor's check deposited but not showing up on my website?

Accepted Answer

If the check was received without your family or fund name indicated, it may have been deposited to the general fund. Email Kimberly if you believe this has happened.

IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to notify us of corporate matching and DAF donations, and to remind your supporters that they must indicate your family or fund name in the memo portion of their check.

Question 8

What should I do if my donor's company offers corporate matching?

Accepted Answer

Different companies have different matching ratios, deadlines, and criteria for their matching programs. Advise your donor to check with their human resources department for their company’s specific information.

IMPORTANT: When we are notified of the corporate match donation, it may not include the family or child name. It is your responsibility to make sure we are aware that a match is expected for your child.

Question 9

Are donations to my child's fundraising campaign tax-deductible?

Accepted Answer

Good Dog! Autism Companions DBA: Good Dog! Service Canines is a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization. Federal Identification Number: #45-2627922

It is our understanding that earmarked donations for a specific child's fundraiser are not tax-deductible. However, some donor advisor funds and corporate matching programs have indicated that they are. Please consult with your tax professional and tell your donors to do the same if they have questions, as we can not give tax advice.​

Question 10

When will my child get on the waitlist?

Accepted Answer

When your fundraiser reaches $8k, your child/family is placed on the official Good Dog! waitlist. The typical wait is 2-3 years, which is in alignment with standard wait times in the service dog industry. That means you can expect your service dog will come home to your family about 2-3 years after reaching this milestone.

Question 11

What happens when my fundraiser reaches $16,000?

Accepted Answer

If you have requested help from the Good Dog! Family Scholarship Fund to afford your family's $32,000 service dog program cost, you've met your minimum commitment amount once you've reached this milestone.   What happens to my current fundraising webpage?   Your fundraiser and subdomain link will begin forwarding to your scholarship fund webpage to start securing funding for the remaining costs of your family's service dog program. The new scholarship fundraiser will feature a condensed version of your family's fundraising story and adhere to your privacy preferences. The fundraiser will reflect the progress amount raised to date.   How does Good Dog distribute scholarships?   Once a quarter, each family participating in the Good Dog Family Scholarship Fund will receive equal dispersal of funds from our fundraising efforts until their scholarship fundraiser reaches $32,000.    When will my child be included in matchings?   When your scholarship fund reaches $26,000, Good Dog! will include your family in all matchings as your child is 5 1/2 years or older.    Can I continue fundraising?   You are under no obligation to do so; however, many families continue fundraising to expedite the process.    Good Dog is always grateful when families choose to continue fundraising beyond their minimum commitment to help fund the remaining portion of their program costs. Please reach out to Kimberly if you need any help with your fundraising efforts.

Question 12

Can Good Dog! provide me with the contact information of supporters who donated to my online fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no. Due to privacy concerns, we are unable to provide you with donor contact information.

Question 13

What do I do if I have a question not related to fundraising? (ex: matching process, team training week, service dog training, etc.)"

Accepted Answer

You can attend as many online Family Orientation Meetings as you would like. Many families repeatedly attend these orientations at different stages of the Good Dog! process. They are generally held the first Monday of each month. Reserve your spot here: https://calendly.com/laura-gooddog/good-dog-orientation-meeting

Question 14

Important: Good Dog's Social Media Policies

Accepted Answer

If your family lists Good Dog! Service Canines and/or our website on your social media accounts, you must include the following sentence on your profile: “The views and opinions expressed here are solely my own.”   Feel free to share public content from official Good Dog! social media acounts (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)   Please do not share: Private posts or information from other Good Dog! Families Posts from the private Good Dog! Family Facebook group   If there is something you'd like to share and you are not sure if it is okay, please ask permission first.

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