Frequently Asked Questions

1) How did you choose which projects to feature as part of GlobalGiving Green?

The projects that are included here can also be found on the main GlobalGiving.com website, and were selected for this special website because they demonstrated clear benefits in combating climate change.

2) What makes these projects "green"?

We partnered with Eco-Securities, a well-known scientific consulting firm that works with organizations to structure and guide greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, to evaluate each project according to how well it helps reduce harmful emissions. In addition, we also assessed how these projects stack up in areas such as providing sustainable, positive economic growth, aiding the culture and environment of a community, educating future generations on green techniques, and more.

One of the most important things to understand about climate change projects that seek to reduce real emissions is that they must be "additional." This means that the projects included in GlobalGiving Green are above and beyond business-as-usual, delivering new emissions reductions and not reductions that would have happened anyway.

Each project includes a summary and detailed information of key emissions-reductions and other benefits, including (click to learn more):

• "Additional" Impact
• Ecology-friendly Economics
• Other Environmental Benefits
• Social and Cultural Benefits
• "Adaptation" Benefits

3) How is donating to a GlobalGiving Green project different than purchasing carbon offsets?

GlobalGiving Green projects are different than traditional carbon offset projects in that they have been evaluated for the additional benefits ("co-benefits") - beyond reduction in greenhouse gases - that accrue to the communities in which they are located. These co-benefits may include economic development and new jobs, education, and improvement in things like air and water quality. And frequently, these co-benefits can not only aid the very people most likely to bear the brunt of climate change the soonest, but can indirectly lead to emission reductions, something not rewarded in the carbon offset world.

In the offset world, large projects often make the most financial sense. However, there are literally millions of potential projects that are much smaller in scope that don't get funded, and these projects may have huge potential for co-benefits, such as education and community development, both of which are important in the fight against climate change. Those types of projects are the focal point of GlobalGiving Green.

4) When will all GlobalGiving projects be evaluated for their "green"-ness?

The first phase of GlobalGiving Green includes existing projects that demonstrate clear benefits in the fight against climate change. Longer term, we will be evaluating additional projects and would like to ensure that all projects are, at the least, carbon neutral. We also would like to look beyond climate change-related projects to look at a broader range of environmental issues including conservation, biodiversity, etc.

5) How do I make my donation?

GlobalGiving currently accepts credit/debit cards, checks, PayPal, bank wire transfers, stock transfers, and private equity shares.

To pay by credit/debit card or PayPal, click "Give Now" next to the project you wish to support and enter your information accordingly through our secure server.

Ability to pay via recurring donations is not yet available on the GlobalGiving Green site, but is coming soon. If you wish to support one of these projects on an ongoing basis, go to www.globalgiving.com and search for the project by name - and you will be able to set up a recurring donation.

Checks should be made payable to The GlobalGiving Foundation. The project ID should be written in the memo field. Mail all checks to:
The GlobalGiving Foundation
1816 12th Street NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009

6) Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. All projects on globalgiving.com/green have been pre-qualified for 501(c)3 equivalency status. Further, all donations go through the GlobalGiving Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, making them tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers to the full extent permitted by law.

7) How do I know that my donation is actually making a difference?

GlobalGiving requires projects to report at least twice annually to donors on how the donated funds are being used and what results have been achieved. At least one of these progress reports must be made within the first 90 days of the organization posting the project. If you have given to a project, you will be notified via email when a progress report has been posted, and we encourage donors to "rate" the reports and provide feedback - this is extremely valuable to the project leader.

Furthermore, all projects within GlobalGiving Green meet the "additionality" standard, which determines that the project is delivering new emissions reductions and not reductions that would have happened anyway.

8) Can I make a donation in honor of someone else and send them a Gift Card? Or send Gift Certificates to be used on the GlobalGiving Green site?

Gift functionality is not currently available, but is coming soon. To send a Gift Card or Gift Certificate, visit www.globalgiving.com