FAQs for programs

The first step is to complete the Worker Classification Evaluation at least two weeks prior to when you plan on an independent contractor beginning. From there, the Goodnation team will follow up with appropriate next steps.

Misclassifying a worker as an IC rather than as a W2 employee can result in steep penalties for your program and for Goodnation. To that end, please help Goodnation classify your team members appropriately.

They should submit invoices to you for approval. From there, the invoices should be uploaded to your account for Goodnation to review and approve. For new recipients, please upload their W9 for tax purposes.

All invoices must be uploaded by Thursday end of day in order for us to review and approve them on Friday, at which time the recipient will be asked to share payment details the first time they are receiving funds; after that, payment details will be saved.

For Ribbon users: It’s a good idea to give your first-time payment recipients a heads up to look out for an email requesting their payment details. The email subject line will include the language “Goodnation Foundation has sent you a payment.”

Once a recipient connects their account for direct deposit, funds are typically deposited into the vendor's account within 5 to 7 business days. Keep in mind this may be affected by holidays as well as the fact that each bank has a different processing time.

Goodnation distributes these to them each year before the deadline.

In the shared Google Drive, you will find a template for an addendum. Please fill out and complete the correct form under the “Adjusting” section of the Managing Your Team page.

We are currently not hiring international consultants or employees.

Please use the template found in the shared Google Drive.

See a running list of suggested sites here. Reaching out to your network is also a great way to reach potential candidates, but keep in mind that this should not be your only source, as it is not always in line with DEI efforts.

See the shared Google Drive for suggested interview questions, suggested questions for references, an internal candidate evaluation form, and more that you can use as you see fit.

Find an overview of benefits offered through Goodnation here, as well as in the documents section of your account on Ribbon. Once you have narrowed down your final candidate, we can run a specific health insurance report based on their zip code for you.

See the payroll schedules here.

We recommend first verbally offering the candidate the role, and then following up with the offer letter, which Goodnation sends on your behalf.

You can find this template in the shared Google Drive, which you should complete and submit, unsigned, with the “Onboarding New Employee” form.

Please complete this form at least 15 days prior to the employee start date, and we will handle onboarding them to TriNet, our payroll and benefits platform. They will receive an email inviting them to create an account, including setting up direct deposit, electing or waiving benefits, and completing their section of the I9.

See a template in the shared Google Drive for suggested meetings and check ins with employees, as well as templates you can copy and adjust to fit your needs.

Use the correct form, found here, to update an employee’s information or to offboard them, at least two weeks in advance if possible.

If you are already enrolled in TriNet, we encourage you to search their Knowledge Center or connect with support via live chat, phone, or email in the "Contact TriNet" tab in your account.

Wire, check, donor-advised fund, stock, BILL.com, and a a custom credit card donation form are all options

See details on your sponsor in your account for all legal documents, which can also be found in the shared Google Drive folder. If you need any additional documentation, reach out to your Program Manager.

Once a funder has sent a gift, it will arrive in your account soon. Wire transfers are typically the quickest delivery, often arriving within 72 hours. Mailed checks and gifts through donor-advised funds take the longest to arrive and can take up to 10 days to receive. If you have waited an appropriate amount of time to receive the gift and still don’t see it in your account, please reach out to your Program Manager who can look into the situation.

Your Goodnation Program Manager can assist you. Please reach out to your Program Manager at least 10 business days before the deadline with your specific requests so that we can best support you.

Acknowledgment letters are generated in your account.

In order for your Program Manager to best support you and to ensure that funding sources are in line with Goodnation’s mission, please keep them in the loop on expected funding, including grant applications you plan to apply for.

To help get everyone on the same page, we will be implementing a funding tracking system. If you currently do not have a system for tracking grants and other income, we have created a template for you. Please make a copy of it and grant access to your Program Manager so you can both view it at any time. If you have your own system for tracking funding sources and details, you can grant access to your Program Manager so you do not need to duplicate efforts.  

Submit approved invoices and expense reimbursements through your account. Note that each vendor must have a unique email address to avoid complications.

You must submit payment requests by Thursday end of day in order for Goodnation to review and approve weekly on Fridays. Invoices or reimbursement requests with missing or incorrect information may experience delays.

Ribbon users: It’s a good idea to give your first-time payment recipients a heads up to look out for an email requesting their payment details. The email subject line will include the language “Goodnation Foundation has sent you a payment.”

Please upload your recipients’ W9 either at the time of their first bill pay, or afterwards in your Vendor list.

Please also make sure to include proper documentation around your expenses, for audit purposes. This includes contracts and receipts. If you have questions, reach out to you Program Manager.

See a reimbursement request template in the shared Google Drive folder, making it easy to upload multiple receipts.

Virtual or physical debit cards can be created for you or other team members. They are tied to your available balance. Transaction limits are automatically set, and can be adjusted in advance of creating a new card by reaching out to your Program Manager.

You must upload a receipt for each debit card transaction. After five missing receipts, your card will be frozen.

View this document for step-by-step instructions. Grant agreement templates can be found in the shared Google Drive folder.

Model C programs are required to use this funds request template, and upload it to your account for payment request.

Start by searching Ribbon’s Help Center. You can also chat through your account, or email support@getribbon.org and cc your Program Manager.

Add the team member to just one account and reach out to Ribbon support at support@getribbon.org asking them to add the member to your other account. Not following this process may result in errors.

We know that tech discounts are limited for fiscally sponsored programs, so Goodnation does our best to identify opportunities where you can save money.

Canva for Nonprofits: Select “I can’t find my organization,” enter your details including a work email address and Goodnation’s EIN (814768448), and share your fiscal sponsorship agreement if prompted.

TechSoup: Goodnation is excited to be part of their pilot program for fiscally sponsored programs. You can browse offers and get started here.

Be prepared to provide the following information when requesting a discounted service:

• Sponsor: Goodnation Foundation

• Sponsor ID: 814768448

• Project ID Number: Leave blank

• Project Email Address: Program point of contact

• Annual Expenses: Estimate

• Street Address: Model A groups should use 1120 Avenue of the Americas 4th Floor, NY, NY 10036, while Model C groups should use their legal address

We know that today, fiscally sponsored programs do not have the same visibility as nonprofits, limiting their access to funding and other benefits. In partnership with Candid, we’d like to change that. Candid has launched a pilot program to collect data on fiscally sponsored programs. Listed programs will have searchable profiles for donors and funders to access to make giving decisions.

How to participate:
Candid will only display and share programs’ data with their consent. If you would like to have a Candid profile, please complete this form so that we can capture your consent and share basic information about your work with Candid and permit them to create and display a Candid profile on your behalf.

For every program you refer that completes the required minimum annual fundraising goal of $200,000, Goodnation will make a one-time gift to your program in the amount of $2,000.

Make sure the program enters your name in their application. Thank you for your support!

You are invited to share feedback with your Program Manager at any time. You may also choose to complete this form (anonymously, if you prefer) whenever you wish.