Give Big Gallatin Valley 2026 FAQ

Quick answers for community members, donors, and nonprofits.

General FAQ

When is Give Big Gallatin Valley 2026?

Give Big 2026 will take place from 6 pm on Thursday, April 30 to 6 pm on Friday, May 1 at GiveBigGV.org.

What is Give Big Gallatin Valley?

Give Big Gallatin Valley is a 24-hour community celebration of generosity that supports local nonprofits. From 6 pm on April 30 to 6 pm on May 1, donors visit GiveBigGV.org to learn about organizations, make gifts of any size, and help unlock prize funding. It is an easy and meaningful way to support the people and places that make Gallatin County thrive.

Who is One Valley Community Foundation?

One Valley Community Foundation is the host of Give Big Gallatin Valley and a trusted local partner in philanthropy. We work to strengthen Gallatin County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. Through donor advised funds, nonprofit support, and initiatives like Give Big Gallatin Valley and the Regional Housing Coalition, we help turn generosity into lasting community impact.

Why does One Valley host Give Big?

We host Give Big to uplift the nonprofit organizations that play a vital role in our community. The event aims to:

  • Raise awareness for local nonprofits
  • Help organizations secure crucial unrestricted funding
  • Provide an opportunity for every community member to give back
  • Build a shared sense of generosity across Gallatin County
  • Provide nonprofits with tools and training they can use year-round

Does participation in Give Big mean that One Valley or sponsors endorse participating nonprofits?

No. Participation in Give Big does not mean that One Valley or any sponsors endorse an organization’s mission, programs, or viewpoints. Eligibility is based on 501(c)(3) status, location or service to Gallatin County, and good standing with the IRS and the State of Montana.

Why should I give through Give Big instead of on another day?

Give Big makes giving easy, inspiring, and more impactful. Over these 24 hours, your gift joins with thousands of others to support nonprofits across Gallatin County.

Many organizations also have matching funds or qualify for prize dollars. This means that even a $5 gift can help unlock significantly more support. When the whole community gives together, small gifts can create big results.

Is Give Big a competition between nonprofits?

No. Leaderboards and prizes add excitement, but Give Big is not a competition. It is a community-wide effort that lifts up nonprofits of all sizes and missions.

Donor FAQ

Who can donate?

Anyone can donate. Gifts made to participating nonprofits during Give Big are tax deductible.

How do I find an organization and make a donation?

Visit GiveBigGV.org/search during the event. You can search by name, community, or cause area. Once you find an organization you want to support, go to its profile page and click Donate.

What are my options for giving?

You can give online at GiveBigGV.org or offline through checks, donor advised funds, IRA distributions, or stock transfers. The Ways to Give page explains each option in detail.

Can I give to more than one organization at a time?

Yes. When giving online through GiveBigGV.org, you can add multiple organizations to your gift basket and support up to 10 organizations in a single transaction. If you would like to give to more than 10 nonprofits, you are welcome to complete additional transactions or use another giving method that works best for you.

Is there a minimum or maximum gift?

The minimum online gift is $5. The maximum is determined by your giving capacity and any card limits.

Are gifts tax deductible?

Yes. Most gifts made during Give Big are tax deductible and are unrestricted gifts to the receiving nonprofit. Gifts from a donor advised fund are not eligible for an additional tax deduction.

Can I tell the nonprofit how I want them to use my Give Big gift?

No. Give Big contributions are unrestricted and support the organization’s overall mission. This flexibility allows nonprofits to apply funds where they are needed most, which strengthens their ability to serve the community effectively.

How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?

An 8% plus $0.30 fee is applied to all online gifts:

You may choose to cover these fees during checkout so the nonprofit receives the full amount of your intended gift.

Can I give through my IRA, donor advised fund, or stock transfer?

Yes. Contact Jennifer Owens at accounting@onevalley.org for instructions. To ensure your gift is included in Give Big totals, we recommend initiating your request by April 15.

Can I donate via check?

Yes. You can give by check in two ways: directly to a nonprofit or through One Valley Community Foundation if you want to support more than one organization with one check. Please include “Give Big” in the memo line. Learn more about giving via check.

Who will receive my contact information?

Your name and email address are shared with the nonprofits you support unless you choose full anonymity. You may also opt to share your mailing address and phone number. One Valley will never sell or share your information.

Do I need a GiveGab account to donate?

No. An account is optional. It allows you to store receipts and track your giving but is not required.

When can I donate online through Give Big?

You can donate online through GiveBigGV.org starting one day before the giving day begins with a soft open on April 29. Give Big runs for 24 hours, from 6 pm on April 30 to 6 pm on May 1. We encourage you to make your gift before 6 pm on May 1 to be included in the finale totals. The Give Big website accepts online donations through May 5. This extended window captures gifts inspired by the initiative that may fall just outside the 24-hour timeframe.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

For website support, click the Purple Question Mark in the bottom right corner of every page on the Give Big site or email customersuccess@givegab.com. For questions about offline giving or nonprofit support, contact One Valley’s Nonprofit Programming Manager, Chloe Loeffelholz, at chloe@onevalley.org.

Nonprofit FAQ

Which organizations can participate?

Any verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in or serving Gallatin County that registers by the deadlines is eligible. All organizations must complete registration and verification as outlined in the Welcome Packet.

Is there a fee to participate?

Yes. Registration fees support event planning, marketing, and nonprofit training.

  • Under $100,000 budget: $80
  • $100,000 to $500,000 budget: $110
  • Over $500,000 budget: $140

Scholarships may be available. Email chloe@onevalley.org to inquire.

Why should my organization participate?

As the largest 24-hour giving day in Montana, Give Big increases visibility, attracts new donors, and provides access to tools and trainings that support fundraising throughout the year. Prize funding can also boost the amount raised during the event. In 2025, 81% of nonprofits said that Give Big raised awareness of their organization.

What is GiveGab/Bonterra?

GiveGab, a product of Bonterra, is the online platform that powers Give Big. Nonprofits use it to build profiles, manage donations, and access fundraising tools. Bonterra is simply the parent company behind the GiveGab platform.

How and when will donations be distributed?

Online donations are distributed through Stripe directly to your bank account within five to seven business days. Offline gifts processed through One Valley and any prize funds are distributed via check within one month of the event.

Do offline gifts count toward Give Big totals?

Yes. Offline gifts such as checks, donor advised fund grants, or IRA distributions can count toward your organization’s Give Big total if the donor clearly designates the gift for Give Big. Organizations may be asked to provide simple proof of the gift. Offline gifts do not count toward prizes.

How much of the donations will my organization receive?

An 8% plus $0.30 fee is applied to online gifts:

Donors may choose to cover these fees during checkout so the nonprofit receives the full amount of their intended gift. In 2025, 86% of fees were covered by donors during Give Big. Offline gifts are passed through in full.

How do matches and challenges work?

Matches and challenges encourage giving by motivating donors through time-limited or goal-based opportunities. You can set them up in your Giving Day dashboard and customize timing, amounts, and goals. The donor providing the match or challenge should pay your organization directly, not through the Give Big website, and your organization is responsible for receipting that donor.

Can organizations use Give Big logos and branding?

Yes. Participating organizations may use the official Give Big logo and branding to promote the event. Logos must be used in their original form and cannot be altered. A full suite of logos, branded graphics, customizable template will be available for nonprofits to use.

When will my organization’s Give Big profile be public?

Your profile becomes publicly visible on GiveBigGV.org as soon as your organization is verified. This can happen at any point during the registration window, depending on when you complete all required steps and both GiveGab and One Valley have confirmed your organization's eligibility.

How do I request administrative access to my organization's GiveGab account?

The quickest way to gain access is to have a current administrator add you to the account using these steps. If the current administrator is no longer with the organization, you have two options. You can contact the GiveGab support team at customersuccess@givegab.com and cc chloe@onevalley.org. As the giving day administrator, Chloe can confirm your role and help ensure access is granted quickly by the GiveGab support team. Or, you can submit a letter of request following this process. Unfortunately, One Valley is not able to change account administrators due to GiveGab's security settings, so all access requests must go through the steps above.

Who should I contact for registration or support questions?

For platform support, click the Purple Question Mark in the bottom left corner or email customersuccess@givegab.com to contact the GiveGab support team. If you have questions about anything related to the website (such as verifying your organization to accept donations or downloading donation reports), please reach out to GiveGab first! 

For questions about eligibility, resources, or nonprofit support, contact One Valley’s Nonprofit Programming Manager, Chloe Loeffelholz, at chloe@onevalley.org.

For questions about communications, branding, or marketing, contact One Valley’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Anna Burkholder, at anna@onevalley.org.