CHARITIES:
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Donataria Autorizada organization?
- The Mexican government gives special nonprofit status to qualifying organizations that apply for this special status but they still pay taxes. To take the next step, nonprofits are given tax-deductible status after they meet a more stringent set of criteria in terms of reporting and accountability. All of our nonprofits must have DA status and we will strive to have all of them have tax-deductible status as well. REGARDLESS of their tax-deductible status in Mexico, as a US citizen, you will be able to deduct your donation because ICF is a US based 501c3.
Why do I need to fill out a nomination form if my charity is not on the Pre-Qualified Charity List?
- Many of the members will be unfamiliar with the charities that are being nominated and will only hear a short five-minute presentation before being asked to vote and commit $250 to the winning charity. While the nomination form creates a small extra step for you, it ensures our members that any charity that receives an award satisfies our listed criteria, and that their donations will be tax deductible.
Can I nominate a Foundation (that distributes money to other charities), or can I only nominate a charity that provides direct service with its funding?
- We will allow funding foundations AS LONG AS they are specifically using our award for local charities that are either currently on our pre-qualified list, or charities that get pre-qualified through us.
Once a charity receives an award, can it be nominated again?
- Any charity that receives the large semi-annual award must wait three years before it can be nominated again. The charities that receive $500 awards can not be nominated again for the next meeting, but are free to be nominated after the meeting following when they received the $500 award. .
Once a charity is presented, if it is not chosen, can it be nominated again?
- Yes. In fact, charities that are presented but not awarded the donation often win the donation the second or third time they are presented. Persistence pays.
What happens to the names of the nominated charities that are not picked out of the box?
- At the end of each meeting, the nomination box is emptied, so each meeting has a brand new set of nominations.