Coordinator FAQ
If you don't find what you need here, contact Rivergate at [email protected].
About the Jubilee Fund
The Jubilee Fund is a giving platform created by Rivergate Foundation to help the church rally around missionaries and church staff facing urgent, unexpected financial needs. These are not handouts. They are the church doing what the church has always done: showing up for one another. Every campaign is validated before it goes live, and all funds are paid directly to providers, never to the recipient.
Any paid staff member or missionary serving as a Christian missionary or church staff member and experiencing a one-time extraordinary financial need (e.g., medical bills, car repairs, housing emergency) is eligible to apply.
Every Jubilee Fund is validated by Rivergate Foundation (to ensure documentation, referral, and compliance are in place) and approved by the applicant's local leadership as part of the referral process. This ensures both organizational and relational oversight before a campaign is launched.
Jubilee Funds are vetted, tax-deductible, and protected:
Every campaign is validated by Rivergate Foundation and approved through local leadership who understand the specifics of the need.
Donors receive a tax deduction.
Rivergate Foundation pays providers directly, ensuring funds are used as intended.
Campaigns are hosted through a nonprofit platform, not a for-profit crowdfunding site.
Donors & Giving
Yes. All gifts are made to Rivergate Foundation, a registered nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Yes. Donors can choose to give anonymously. Their name will not appear publicly on the campaign, and you as coordinator will not have their contact information.
Yes. Rivergate Foundation sends a close-out email to all donors once the campaign ends, including those who gave anonymously. You do not need to track them down. Rivergate handles that outreach directly. Your responsibility is the public thank-you post and personal notes to donors whose contact information you have.
No. All gifts are made to Rivergate Foundation, which retains full discretion and control over funds. This ensures IRS compliance and donor protection. Campaigns are specific, but funds are still stewarded and disbursed by Rivergate Foundation.
Each Jubilee Fund includes a 7% sustainability margin to ensure that 100% of your intended gift goes directly to the need, while covering secure processing and administrative stewardship. That 7% covers three real costs:
Payment processing (~4%): Every credit and debit card transaction carries a fee charged by the payment networks. This goes directly to the payment processor, Rivergate Foundation receives none of it.
Platform administration (~2%): Rivergate uses a grants management system to review applications, vet campaigns, and ensure funds reach their intended purpose. This cost is shared across all campaigns hosted.
Foundation operations (~1%): A portion helps sustain the staff who review every application, support campaign coordinators, and maintain the integrity of the program.
Disbursement & Accountability
Rivergate Foundation pays providers or institutions directly (e.g., hospitals, treatment programs, auto dealers). Funds are never given directly to recipients.
Every campaign requires a referral letter approved by local leadership.
All disbursements require documentation from providers.
Rivergate Foundation keeps detailed records of all payments and retains discretion over use of funds.
Rivergate Foundation retains full discretion and control over all donated funds. In practice, we honor donor preferences whenever possible. If a campaign does not reach its full goal, all funds raised will still be directed toward the verified need. For car campaigns, the amount raised will be applied toward purchasing a safe and reliable vehicle within the available funds. For all other campaigns, every gift is applied directly to verified invoices from providers. In the event funds cannot be used as intended, they will be directed toward other vetted Jubilee Fund needs at Rivergate Foundation's discretion. No donation is ever wasted.
If funds raised exceed the final cost or negotiated settlement, the excess will remain with Rivergate Foundation and be directed toward its Endowment or other vetted Jubilee Fund needs. Surplus funds are never returned directly to recipients.
Running Your Campaign
Jubilee Fund campaigns run for 30 days.
Post a public thank-you, reach out personally to donors you know, and notify Rivergate Foundation that the campaign has closed so disbursement can begin. Rivergate sends a close-out email to all donors, including anonymous ones, on your behalf. Tell donors specifically what their gifts will cover.
Yes, if they are comfortable doing so. Their voice is often the most compelling part of the campaign. Always follow their lead on what they are comfortable sharing and where, particularly if they serve in a context with security concerns.
Contact Rivergate before your campaign launches. Some workers serve in contexts where public visibility carries real risk. Work directly with the recipient to determine what details, photos, and platforms are safe. When in doubt, share less and ask first. Rivergate will work with you to set appropriate parameters for the campaign.
Getting Help
Email [email protected] or visit rivergatefoundation.org/jubilee-fund. Rivergate is available to support you throughout your campaign.
Still have questions?
For campaign setup, disbursement questions, or anything else, reach out directly.
[email protected]
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