FAQ
Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Tipping Bucket, and the best answers we could come up with.
What is TipppingBucket.org?
Tipping Bucket.org is a website dedicated to ensuring that no one feels too small to make a difference. We empower normal, everyday people like you to get together with family, friends, and a whole host of other people, and together make a real difference in the world.
How does it work?
Basically, we find one awesome, world-changing project at a time and ask you if you want to see it happen. You decide by voting with your dollar. If enough drips collect in the bucket, the bucket tips, and the project gets the money it needs to move forward and change the world. If not, all the donations are cancelled and you don't pay a cent.
Why only one project at a time?
By featuring only one project at a time, we are essentially asking you a simple yes or no question, "Do you support this project?" If you do, chip in a dollar. If not, wait until the time runs out and a new project gets its turn in the bucket. By only featuring one project at a time, we are making sure each project gets your full attention, and all you have to decide is whether or not you want to see this project succeed.
Why is the funding all-or-nothing?
We've seen far too many potentially world-changing projects stall halfway through and never make a difference because they ran out of funding. That's why we ensure our project partners ask for what they NEED, not what they think they can get, on our site. That way our donors have an accurate idea what the project will actually take and can be sure if they support it, they won't end up building half of a bridge to nowhere.
Where do you find these great ideas?
We scour the globe, (or at least the internet) for projects that meet our criteria (see What is DRIPS? below). We also rely on social entrepreneurs, change agents, or regular people with great ideas to submit projects by using the submit a project form. Also, feel free to nominate other people's projects that you believe in, and want to see happen. Click here to submit a project.
How do you choose projects?
DRIPS is an acronym which explains our criteria for selecting a project. We look at the Do-ability, Readiness, Impact, Propriety, and Sustainability of all projects submitted on the site in order to decide if they should be given a turn in the bucket. In the near future, we'll let you help out in the selection process and rate projects yourself based on the DRIPS criteria. For now, feel free to leave comments for projects by clicking on the project name on the projects page, and scrolling to the bottom for the comments section.
Are you sure these projects are legit?
We choose our projects very carefully. And, especially when it comes to larger undertakings, we run background checks, follow up with references, etc. No funding platform can guarantee that no one will EVER be able to work the system--but we can, and do, promise that we'll do our best to keep that from happening, and that we will be completely honest and transparent with you if it ever does.
Is it safe to donate through TippingBucket.org?
YES! Your credit card information is never actually stored by the Tipping Bucket, and is sent directly to our Merchant Account Provider after you fill in your payment information on the donate screen. We use a world renown, super-secure payment gateway called Authorize.net to run the transactions in a completely secure environment. This way, your donation is ensured to be safe and no one (not even me) can see your sensitive credit card information.
How much of my donation actually goes to the project?
We are proud to assure you that 100% of your donation goes to the project you donated to. We don't even charge you for the credit card fees. We can do this because generous donors like you can chose to leave us "tips" when they donate, which we use to pay for things like credit card fees and other operating expenses.
Why am I not immediately charged when I donate?
Our guarantee is "Change the world or your money back." To us, this means that we don't actually run any transactions unless the Bucket tips. If it tips, we run all the transactions that have been entered into our payment gateway (Authorize.net) and collect the money for the project. If the Bucket doesn't tip, we cancel all the donations, and you never get charged a cent.
How do I get a receipt? Who does the receipt come from? When do I get it?
If the Bucket tips, and your donation is collected, you will get a receipt at the e-mail you created your account with. It will come from receipts@tippingbucket.org. If you would like to request another copy of your receipt, or for additional receipt questions, please send an e-mail to receipts@tippingbucket.org.
Why are my donations all showing up as one transaction?
If you donate more than once to the same project, and if the bucket tips, we run all your transactions as one donation. We do this because we are charged every time we run a transaction, and only pay once if we lump all your donations together.
Do you take PayPal?
We will soon be offering paypal as an additional way to donate.
What if I want to give to a past project?
You can only donate to the currently featured project on TippingBucket.org. If you wish to make a donation to a past or future project, the partner organization that runs the project is listed on their project page. Follow the link to their homepage, and contact them directly in order to make a donation.
Can I donate directly to the Tipping Bucket?
Well, sure! You can either leave us a 'tip' when you add drops to a project, or just click here.
How do you make money?
Well, it doesn't come out of your donation, that's for sure! We're absolutely committed (many think too committed) to not taking even a penny of your donation for ourselves. So, we get the money we need to run our operation in a couple of creative ways. First, donors can add 'tips when they donate to a project, or donate to us directly by clicking here. Second, corporations pay us to become corporate sponsors, or to run corporate giving campaigns for them. If you are a corporation, or are otherwise interested in learning more about our corporate sponsorships or corporate giving campaigns, please send an e-mail to inquiries@tippingbucket.org
How come no one else is doing this?
That's a good question. We wondered the same thing. The simplest answer (and the one we heard over and over) is that micro-donations are financially unsustainable. It simply costs too much to process a $1 (or $5 or even $10) donation to keep the doors open doing it. Our response to that has been pretty much "damn the torpedos--full speed ahead!" and so far it's working. But it definitely takes some creativity (and generous support from the members of our community who can afford it) and only time will tell.
If we missed your question, or if you'd like to learn more about the Tipping Bucket, click here.
Also, here's a link to our terms of service
And our privacy policy
