Nonprofit FAQs

  • How do I create a portrait for my organization?
  • Is there a fee to participate?
  • How do I make changes to my organization’s portrait? 
  • I am a nonprofit administrator, can I search PowerPhilanthropy?
  • How do I search for organizations in PowerPhilanthropy?
  • How do I read a portrait?
  • Is the information in each organization’s portrait verified?
  • Do Foundation donors see a different version of PowerPhilanthropy? 
  • Who can see my organization’s documents? 
  • How do I print a copy of my organization’s portrait?
  • How many visitors are viewing my portrait?
  • How do I encourage individuals to look at my organization’s portrait?
  • How do individuals make a gift to my organization?   
  • Is there a fee for credit card gifts?
  • Will I know who made a gift to my organization?
  • When will I receive my organization’s gifts?
  • How can my organization be featured online in the Connect section?
  • What are Shared Investments?
  • What is the Knowledge Center?
  • What is DonorEdge?

How do I create a portrait for my organization?
To create a portrait for your organization, contact Joyce Ray or Sarah Cook at 614/251-4000 or p2admin@columbusfoundation.org.


Is there a fee to participate?
There is no fee for your organization to participate in PowerPhilanthropy.


How do I make changes to my organization’s portrait? 
Each organization featured in PowerPhilanthropy has an assigned nonprofit administrator. Visit www.p2admin.org to submit updates to your portrait or contact a PowerPhilanthropy coach at p2admin@columbusfoundation.org to learn more. Please note that all updates submitted to your portrait must undergo an internal review process before being posted.


I am a nonprofit administrator, can I search PowerPhilanthropy?
Yes, if you are a nonprofit administrator you may enter the username and password you use to access the administrative site to log in and search PowerPhilanthropy. You do not have to create a new username and password. 


How do I search for organizations in PowerPhilanthropy?
Once logged in, you may search the online database by selecting “View Nonprofit Portraits,” where you can identify your interests and search by organization name or keywords, browse organizations alphabetically by name, or explore by program type to learn more about the central Ohio nonprofit community. Click “View Portrait” to access in-depth information or “Give Now” to make a gift. 


How do I read a portrait?
Each portrait is divided into four sections:

  • Organizational Information—This section contains contact and background information for the organization, including mission, background, and impact statements. Personal statements from the executive director and the board chair may be included.
  • Programs—A maximum of five program descriptions are listed in this section. Each entry includes a brief description of the program and program category. 
  • Management and Governance—Information about board and staff members is located in this section. This includes board membership and details about the organization’s infrastructure. 
  • Financial—This section includes the current fiscal year’s budget projections and a three-year financial analysis. The financial analysis provides a history of revenue and expenses, assets, and capital campaign information. 


Is the information in each organization’s portrait verified?
All PowerPhilanthropy portrait information is provided voluntarily by nonprofit organizations. At a minimum, information is provided annually — sometimes more frequently. Documents indicated as available by an organization are verified by Foundation staff — for example, a strategic plan. The financial section is completed by Foundation staff based on Form 990 and audit statements for a three-year period.


Do Foundation donors see a different version of PowerPhilanthropy? 
Yes, Foundation donors have access to view an additional 43 fields in your nonprofit’s portrait. This expanded view includes your organization’s impact and executive director statements, staff biographies, revenue sources, endowment fund information, and more.  Foundation donors are also able to manage their funds and make grant suggestions through PowerPhilanthropy. 


Who can see my organization’s documents? 
Your organization’s IRS Determination Letter and Form 990s are available to Foundation donors. The general public is not able to view this information. Audits are not available for viewing and are used only by Foundation staff in completing the financial analysis for an organization.  


How do I print a copy of my organization’s portrait?
You may print a copy of your nonprofit’s full portrait by logging in at www.p2admin.org. Select the “PowerPhilanthropy Portrait Reviewed Data” report on the Organization Summary page. 


How many visitors are viewing my portrait?
You may view the number of times your portrait has appeared in search results and been viewed by unique users by logging in to the administrative system at www.p2admin.org. These details and more are available under “Portrait Access Statistics” on the Organization Summary page. 

How do I encourage individuals to look at my organization’s portrait?

A marketing tool kit has been developed to help you inform board members, volunteers, and donors about PowerPhilanthropy and your portrait. You may also add a link to PowerPhilanthropy from your organization’s website.  


How do individuals make a gift to my organization?  
You may direct potential donors to register for a username and password or to log in at www.columbusfoundation.org. Anyone with a Foundation fund or credit card may make a gift to your organization, starting at $20.
 

Is there a fee for credit card gifts?
All online credit card gifts made through PowerPhilanthropy will be processed through the Greater Horizons Community Foundation and distributed to your organization in the form of a grant check. A fee of 3% of the amount of the total gift plus $1 will be deducted from the total amount of the gift, with no charge to your organization.


Will I know who made a gift to my organization?
Your organization will receive donor acknowledgement information with your grant check, unless the donor has requested that their gift remain anonymous.


When will I receive my organization’s gifts?
Grants made to your organization from Columbus Foundation funds will be processed and distributed per normal. Credit card gifts to your organization will be processed by the Greater Horizons Community Foundation on a monthly basis.

How can my organization be featured online in the Connect section?
Featured PowerPhilanthropy projects are selected quarterly by the community research and grants management department. Inclusion is based on those projects which represent donor interest, sector diversity, and community impact.


What are Shared Investments?
The Foundation has a pulse on emerging issues that affect life in central Ohio. In order to share these important issues, we have created shared investment opportunities for the community. Donors are able to explore PowerPhilanthropy Projects, Call to Action Projects, and Current Initiatives to partner with the Foundation and make an immediate impact in the lives of local residents.


What is the Knowledge Center?
The Foundation wants to ensure that you are kept in-the-know regarding charitable giving; community needs and trends; and the nonprofit sector in general. Our Knowledge Center provides easy access to information in a variety of forms, from research studies and sector reports to podcasts and surveys.


What is DonorEdge?
The Foundation has partnered with community foundations across the country to bring you PowerPhilanthropy. DonorEdge is a community leadership process developed by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Currently, partners include community foundations in Arvada, CO; Harrisburg, PA; Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; and Orlando, FL.

More questions?  E-mail p2admin@columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.