Frequently Asked Questions  

Where does my gift go?
You can designate your gift to one of the areas in the dropdown menu. You can also split your gift between more than one fund designation by selecting one designation first. After choosing the gift amount, click the plus symbol beneath the first gift amount. It will add another line where you can choose to a different fund designation. You can change the amounts for each designation you choose.  

Support other funds
If you don’t see the fund you wish to support in the drop down menu, you can search for the fund, e.g. Music, in the box for the designation. If you can’t find the fund, you can choose Other and type in the area you wish to support.

Who can participate?
Everyone can participate. Your participation, at any level, is important and makes a difference. Whatever size gift you give, you are counted as a donor. All gifts are greatly appreciated and when combined make a big impact! 

How can I help spread the word?
Your voice will make International Beaver Day a success. Post why you support BVU on all your social networks. Tell your friends and family about International Beaver Day and direct them to the webpage www.bvu.edu/beaverday.  

Is my payment secure?
Yes! All payments will be processed through GiveCampus using a secure online giving form. The information collected will be used only by Buena Vista University.  

Can I make a gift by mail or phone?
If you prefer, you can mail a check to BVU, University Advancement, 610 W Fourth St, Storm Lake, IA 50588 and indicate you want it to count toward International Beaver Day. If you would like to make a gift by phone, please call 712.749.2101.  

Will my gift be tax-deductible?
Your gift is tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you make your gift online, you will receive an email confirmation that serves as your receipt.

How do I create my own match or challenge?
You have the ability to extend your impact by creating your own match or challenge gift to encourage others to give.

To set this up, click on “Offer a Matching Gift” or “Offer a Challenge Gift”

What is the difference between a matching gift and a challenge gift?

• Match dollars are added to the campaign totals incrementally as donors / dollars apply towards the match. 
• Challenge gift dollars are added to the campaign total in one lump sum ONLY once a certain threshold is reached. 

 A Match can be set up with two different parameters:

    $X per donor

    $X per $1 donated.

        For example, "Buford T. Beaver will match $2 per $1 donated up to $5,000" OR “Professor Beaver will match $50 per donor up to $5,000.”  

When will a matching gift donor be charged?
The matching gift donor will be charged when the terms of their match are achieved. 

How and when will these matches be reflected in the overall numbers and leaderboards?
Match dollars will be added to the overall dollar count and the leaderboards as the matches accrue. 

Can a Matcher pick a designation for their donation and require all matching donations are for the same designation?
Yes! You can decide and do this on your own! We can also do it on our backend if you forgot to set up your gift this way. You can send a quick email to support@bvu.edu if you need us to edit any parameters of a match!

Can a donor elect to give the entirety of their match even if the terms are not met?
YES! This is an option for donors when they are setting up their match. It is a great way to ensure your gift is made in full while still encouraging others to give. At the end of a campaign, the total match amount will be charged even if the terms were not met during the campaign, if you choose this option.

A Challenge can be set up in two ways:

• The Challenge donor will give $X if Y number of donors give 
  • For example, “Buford T. Beaver will give $1,000 if 50 donors give”
• The Challenge donor will give $X if $Y is donated.
  • For example, Professor Buford will give $1,000 if $1,000 is donated”

When will a challenge gift donor be charged?
The Challenge gift donor will be charged when the terms of their challenge are achieved.

How and when will these challenges be reflected in the overall numbers and leaderboards?
Challenge gifts will be added to the overall dollar amount and leaderboards once their terms have been met.

Can a Challenger pick a designation for their donation and require donations are for the same designation?
Yes! You can decide and do this on your own! We can also do it on our backend if you forgot to set up your gift this way. You can send a quick email to support@bvu.edu if you need us to edit any parameters of a challenge!

Can a donor elect to give the entirety of their challenge even if the terms are not met?
YES! This is an option for donors when they are setting up their challenge. It is a great way to ensure your gift is made in full while still encouraging others to give. At the end of a campaign, the total challenge amount will be charged even if the terms were not met during the campaign, if you choose this option.

Other questions?
Feel free to send an email to support@bvu.edu or call us at 712.749.2101 if you have other questions.