You switch to Charity+Power by completing our on-line registration form. We will handle the rest. Remember, Charity+Power is a broker of utility services and your registration information will be sent to the provider of the rate you selected. You can expect to start receiving service from the provider you selected as soon as your information is processed by your utility company.
FAQ
Can I change the nonprofit I originally selected?
The short answer is yes. You can switch the nonprofit you selected at any time. Keep in mind, though, the nonprofit you selected may be expecting to receive your donation for at least 12 months. Your nonprofit could end up short in covering its annual budget.
Is Charity+Power competitive with my utility company?
Charity+Power has negotiated below market rates with your utility service provider that allows us to include your nonprofit donation and remain competitive with the rate you would otherwise pay your utility.
Why shouldn’t I deal directly with an electric service provider?
Because, by joining Charity+Power, a guaranteed portion of your utility bill charged by the rate plan provider you selected will be donated to the charity of your choice. You can also expect to receive a receipt at the end of the year for the portion of your bill that was donated to the nonprofit organization you selected. On top of that, we have negotiated rates that are competitive with your utility. Considered together, we believe we are offering a very competitive rate and, at the same time, you are supporting your favorite non-profit organization.
Will I be charged a fee to switch to Charity+Power?
No, Charity+Power doesn’t charge an enrollment or start-up fee.
What happens if I break my pledge; i.e., terminate my service with Charity+Power?
The short answer is nothing. Your pledge is legally non-binding and we do not charge any fees or penalties for early termination. The long answer is that the nonprofit you selected is expecting to receive your donation for at least 12 months. As with any broken pledge, your nonprofit could end up short in covering its annual budget. Charity+Power will be caught short as well. We have contracted with our suppliers for service on your behalf. By not charging a fee or penalty we are counting on you to fulfill your pledge and not terminate your service within your rate plan period; however, the supplier under the rate plan you selected may charge an early termination fee. Of course, when it is time for renewal of your membership, we hope you will have found no reason to leave us!
Will switching to Charity+Power cause any disruption in my service?
No, your utility provider will continue delivering electricity to your home with no interruptions.What if I have an emergency situation or utility outage? See Contact Us page for contact information for your utility provider. Your utility company will continue to respond to service interruptions, outages, and repairs.
Why is Charity+Power not listed on my electric bill?
We are a broker of utility services, meaning we have contracted with retail service providers to deliver the utility service to you. The retail service provider you selected when you registered with us and selected your rate plan will be the name that appears on your bill.
How much of my rate charge is donated to my charity?
The percentage of your rate charge that is donated to charity is included in the rate plan you selected (there is no additional mark-up of the rate plan you selected). Once your payment is received by the retail service supplier of the rate plan you selected, the donation is remitted to us and we, in turn, remit your donation to the nonprofit organization you selected, without any deduction.
Who do I contact about the electric service provider’s portion of the bill?
You can contact the retail services provider of the rate plan you selected. Contact information for your retail service provider is listed on the Contact Us page. If you do not have this information, we will put you in touch with the retail service provider of the plan you selected.
Can I select more than one non-profit?
No, but you may want to consider our smorgasbord menu. You can select from a group of environmental causes, animal welfare causes, medical research, and other affinity groupings that have been selected by us. Our smorgasbord menu will change from time to time depending on input from you.
What information is reported to my nonprofit?
The nonprofit will have access to information on each of our members who have chosen to make a donation to them, including name, address, phone number and email address of the member and an accounting of the amount of your donation and the date the donation was paid.
Why can’t I find my nonprofit on your list of nonprofits?
You can select any non-profit organization registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Charity+Power uses a third-party web-service from GuideStar that contains information on over 1.5 million US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. If you can’t find your nonprofit on Charity+Power, first try searching by the EIN (Tax ID). If you still can’t locate your nonprofit, go to the Guidestar.org website and search for your charity there. If you find your charity on the GuideStar website, simply email nposervices@guidestar.org and ask that the charity be opted in to their third party web-feed. Within 24 hours the charity will show up on our data base of non-profits. If you don’t see your charity on GuideStar, you can contact us or reach out to them directly but note that GuideStar receives a file from the IRS an average of 11 times a year of organizations who are deemed eligible to be listed as a nonprofit so it will take at most, a month and a half before your nonprofit can be automatically included in the GuideStar database.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Charity + Power is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that allows its members to donate 10% of the portion of their utility bill charged by us to tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations. We guarantee that 100 percent of your donation is will be donated to the nonprofit you selected, without deduction.
Will I receive a receipt for my donation?
If you are a member of Charity + Power, you will automatically receive a tax receipt for your cumulative annual contributions at the end of each fiscal year (customarily during the last week of January/first week of February).
Is any portion of my donation retained by Charity + Power?
No, 100% of your donation is forwarded to the nonprofit you selected without any deduction by us.
Who do I contact if I do not receive a receipt at year-end?
If you have not received your acknowledgement letter/tax receipt within the time frames listed above, please contact Member Services at member@charityplus power.com. Please provide your full name, phone number, and mailing address as it appears in our records so that we are able to locate your account. Once we find your membership record and the record of your donations we will mail your tax receipt straightaway.
