iSearch iGive
Help your cause every time you search the web. It’s that easy.
Need Help?
For quick answers to our most commonly-asked questions, please read our FAQs below. An overview of the iSearchiGive program is also available on our How it Works page. If that doesn't help, feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is iGive.com?
- Do I have to join iGive.com in order to use iSearchiGive? (The short answer: no, but there are perks if you do!)
- How can I shop online and raise money for my cause?
- What is the iGive Toolbar?
- Will the iGive Toolbar track my shopping donations?Updated
- What is "Donation Tracking" and how do I "Enable" it?New!
- I already installed the iGive Shopping Window on this computer. Can I / Should I install the iGive Toolbar too?
- How does the search box work?Updated
- What does the heart icon / charity name / dollar amount represent?
- How does the " Coupons" button work?New!
- I installed the iGive Toolbar but I don't see it anywhere. What's wrong?
- How do I uninstall the iGive Toolbar?
- Will the iGive Toolbar work on my computer?Updated
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What is a "Qualified Search?" What kinds of search activity are excluded from earning money?
A "Qualified Search" is an honest search made by a real human being using the web or product search features. Robots, hackers, fancy computer scripts, and other fraudulent search attempts don't count. Earnings that result from unqualified or fraudulent search activity will be reversed. Fraudulent searches may result in you or your favorite cause being excluded from iGive.com.
Also, the following types of search activity will not count for
a donation:
1) Searching for a URL or website domain. (Examples are search terms that
end in .com, .org, .net, .edu, .tv, .ca, etc.)
2) Searching for sites with well-known URLs. (Examples are AOL, CNN, Facebook,
Gmail, Hotmail, MySpace, etc.)
3) Repetitive Searching, defined as performing the same search more frequently than once per 60 minute period. In this case, only your first search for that term will result in a donation.
4) Exceeding 120 searches per hour. We will honor donations for up to 120 qualified searches per user per hour.
5) Searching for an image or video
6) Performing a "Search This Site" search
7) Searching for stock quotes or word definitions
8) Searching without having selected a cause first - we will not credit
donations retroactively
9) Dishonest Searching, defined as searching for the sole purpose of increasing
the money earned, without really caring about the search results.
10) Searches for Coupons, iGive Stores, and iGive Travel.
It's vitally important that real people, and only real people, use iSearchiGive.com in legitimate and normal ways. Otherwise, advertisers won't support us. Therefore, if we believe that any search activity isn't in this spirit, we'll declare it to be fraudulent and those earnings will be reversed.
If you are an iGive member who has chosen to receive a rebate check rather than donating your earnings, please note that you cannot raise funds for yourself through iSearchiGive.
What's the catch? Where does the money come from, and will it cost me anything?
There's no catch: it's free for you, and free for your cause. Our service is made possible by advertiser dollars. When you use iSearchiGive, those advertising dollars benefit your favorite cause.
Your designated cause receives exactly $0.02 per qualified search at iSearchiGive. No hidden fees, no vague percentages - just a blissfully simple way to raise money for a good cause.
Where can I see the total number of searches for my cause?
After you have selected a cause on the iSearchiGive homepage, click the "Total Raised" button to view the total number of searches and dollars raised for your cause. If you are logged in as an iGive.com member (membership is free and optional), that page will also provide details regarding your individual contributions through searching and shopping.
By creating your free iGive.com membership, you will enable us to track your individual earnings through searching (at iSearchiGive) and shopping (at iGive.com). Don't want to sign up? No problem. You can still raise money for your cause at iSearchiGive and view the total funds raised for your cause by all supporters on the "Total Raised" page.
You can support any cause in the U.S. or Canada. 501(c)3 nonprofit status is NOT required! (Political campaigns are not permitted, nor are organizations that promote violence/hate.) When you select a cause on the iSearchiGive homepage, you are viewing the list of 24,000+ causes that have been listed by folks just like you, through our parent website at www.iGive.com.
You can support any cause, large or small, including animal shelters, schools,
churches, disease research groups, social outreach efforts, classrooms,
kids' teams, PTAs, arts organizations, and other organizations that are
dedicated to doing good. If the cause you wish to support is not on our
list, you can add it for free by becoming an iGive member at www.iGive.com.
Only iGive members can add new causes to our list.
If you are an iGive member who has chosen to receive a rebate
check rather than donating your earnings, please note that you cannot
raise funds for yourself through iSearchiGive.
I can't find my favorite cause. How can I add a new cause to your list?
Anyone can add a new cause to our list - that includes supporters, volunteers, and cause staff members . Our list features 35,000+ organizations that have been added by folks just like you, and 10-20 new causes are added every day.
Right now, new causes can only be added through iGive.com, the parent company of iSearchiGive. Please visit www.iGive.com to create your free personal account. During registration, you will be given the option to add a new cause to our list. As soon as your cause is listed at iGive.com, you will be able support that cause by searching at iSearchiGive and/or shopping at iGive.com. Both iSearchiGive and iGive.com are free services for you and the causes you support.
Any cause in the U.S. or Canada may be listed at iGive.com. 501(c)3 nonprofit status is NOT required. Political campaigns are not permitted, nor are organizations that promote violence/hate. For more information, please visit www.iGive.com.
Can I support more than one cause?
Yes, you can support many different causes. To begin supporting a different cause, look for the "Click here to change your cause" link on the iSearchiGive homepage. Change as often as you wish.
iGive.com members: if you are logged in, the system will ask you to make this change on the iGive.com website since your shopping donations will also be affected. In other words, if you are logged in as an iGive.com member, you must support the same cause through both programs (searching at iSearchiGive, and shopping at iGive.com).
After you have selected a cause on the iSearchiGive homepage, click the "Total Raised" button to view the total number of searches and dollars raised for your cause. If you are an iGive.com member, that page will also provide details regarding your individual contributions through searching and shopping.
By creating your free iGive.com membership, you will enable us to track your individual earnings through searching (at iSearchiGive) and shopping (at iGive.com). Don't want to sign up? No problem. You can still raise money for your cause at iSearchiGive and view the total funds raised for your cause by all supporters on the "Total Raised" page.
iGive.com members: your Cause Stats Statement at iGive.com contains a list of all donation checks which have been mailed to your cause, along with the estimated amount of their next donation check. Your cause's mailing address and contact information are also listed on that page, for reference.
How can I track my individual contributions through searching and/or shopping?
Everyone who uses iSearchiGive can view the total number of searches and dollars raised for your cause by all supporters. Just be sure you have selected a cause from the iSearchiGive homepage, then click the "Total Raised" button to view the overall earnings generated by all supporters of your cause.
To track your individual contributions, please take a moment to create your free iGive.com membership. If you're already an iGive.com member, make sure you are logged in so that the iSearchiGive website can recognize your cause settings and track your contributions accordingly.
Your free iGive.com membership enables us to track your individual earnings through searching (at iSearchiGive) and shopping (at iGive.com). Don't want to sign up? No problem. You can still raise money for your cause at iSearchiGive and view the total funds raised for your cause by all supporters on the "Total Raised" page.
When will my cause receive a donation check?
Donation checks are mailed every month, for funds calculated 75 days in arrears. The minimum for check issuance is $25. If your cause has not reached the $25 minimum, their funds will roll over to the following month. The amount of the check will include all earnings through searching (at iSearchiGive) as well as shopping (at iGive.com). Two ways to help, one fat donation check!
P.S. Some other search-and-donate programs send donation checks once a year (yes, we were surprised too!). We send checks every month. We know that your cause needs its check as soon as possible, and the iSearchiGive team is always working to shorten the turnaround time between your donation-generating activities and the issuance of your cause's donation check.
iSearchiGive is part of the iGive.com family, the internet's first online shopping mall where a portion of each purchase is donated to your favorite cause. iGive.com was established in 1997 for one purpose: to turn everyday online shopping into donations for worthy causes, at no cost to shoppers or the causes they support.
The iGive.com Mall features over 700 top-notch online stores (like eBay, Staples, Lands' End, and PETsMART), where up to 26% of each purchase is donated to your cause. For more information and a complete list of participating stores, please visit www.iGive.com.
Do I have to join iGive.com in order to use iSearchiGive? (The short answer: no, but there are perks if you do!)
No, you do not have to join iGive.com in order to use iSearchiGive. If you decide to create your free iGive.com membership, you will be able to:
1) Track your individual contributions
Your free iGive.com membership enables
us to track your individual earnings through searching (at iSearchiGive)
and shopping (at iGive.com). After you have selected a cause on the iSearchiGive
homepage, click the "Total Raised" button to
view the total number of searches and dollars raised for your cause. If
you are logged in as an
iGive.com member, that page will also provide details regarding your individual
contributions through searching and shopping, if applicable.
2) Raise money for your cause when you shop online
When you shop through iGive.com at any of its 700+ participating online
stores, up to 26% of each purchase will be donated to your cause.
3) Enjoy exclusive member discounts when you shop online
You will never pay more to shop through iGive.com. In fact, members often
save money with exclusive coupon codes, free shipping deals, and sale alerts
which are available through the iGive.com website.
How can I shop online and raise money for my cause?
To raise money for your cause when you shop online, start by creating your free iGive.com membership at www.iGive.com. It's the internet's first online shopping mall where a portion of each purchase is donated to your favorite cause.
Then, shop through iGive.com where up to 26% of every purchase at over 700 participating online stores benefits your favorite cause. To learn more, visit www.iGive.com. Your shopping earnings will be displayed alongside your search earnings, on the "Total Raised" page at iSearchiGive. (After you have selected a cause on the iSearchiGive homepage, click the "Total Raised" button to view your individual contributions through searching and shopping).
Donation checks are issued by iGive.com, and will encompass all earnings through searching (at iSearchiGive) as well as shopping (at iGive.com). Two ways to help, one fat donation check!
The iGive Toolbar features a built-in iSearchiGive search box along with a handy Donation Tracking service for iGive members who wish to raise even more money when they shop online.
With the iGive Toolbar, anyone can:
- Search and raise money any time, from any site, using the iSearchiGive
search box.
- See the total funds raised for your cause, with handy reports just
one click away.
In addition, iGive.com members can:
- Shop at 700+ participating stores where up to 26% of each purchase
benefits your cause.
- Easily access your iGive Shopping Report, a list of stores you've
visited, the iGive Mall, and more.
- Instantly know if you are visiting a store that offers a donation
through iGive.com.
- Enable the Toolbar's Donation Tracking and never miss out on a potential
donation when you shop,
even if you forgot to start at iGive.com!
- Go directly to your favorite stores and still get a donation to your
cause, as long as the store participates
in our program. The Toolbar will automatically take you through iGive.com so that your purchase is eligible
for a donation.
Will the iGive Toolbar track
my shopping donations?
Yes, as long as you are logged in as an iGive.com member and you have "Enabled
Donation Tracking" within your Toolbar's Options menu, the Toolbar
will track your shopping donations automatically. Even if you forget to start at iGive.com, we'll make sure your purchases at over 700 participating stores will generate donations for your cause. Click here for details on "Donation Tracking."
A handy button in your iGive Toolbar will change to let you when shopping donations are being tracked:
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This means that everything is working correctly. You're visiting a store in the iGive network and your purchases will qualify for donations*. Yippee! |
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For some reason, we were unable to track the donation automatically. Never fear! Just click the "Click Here to Donate" button and we'll take you to that store through iGive's special link so your purchase can qualify for a donation. |
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This is what the button will look like at all other times - when you're not shopping, or you're visiting a store that is not in our network, etc. |
* For a VERY small handful of stores, iGive.com will need your help to apply the donations. Even if you're shopping with the Toolbar and you see the "Donation Enabled" button, we will still need you to tell us about these purchases so that we can credit the donations. For more information, please
log into iGive.com and then click
here.
What is "Donation Tracking" and how do I "Enable" it?
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Donation Tracking is a handy feature that makes sure you never miss a donation opportunity when you shop at any of 700+ participating stores in the iGive network. When you shop, the Toolbar
will automatically track your purchase and the resulting donation* will appear
in your iGive Shopping Report within 30 days from the shipment or travel
date. Even if you forget to start your shopping at iGive.com, the Toolbar
will automatically track your purchase and donation. This feature is enabled by default, for iGive members who install the iGive Toolbar. If you are not an iGive member, this feature will be disabled by default. You must be an iGive member to raise money through shopping! To enable "Donation Tracking," click the iGive.com menu (leftmost button) in your Toolbar and select "Options." Then, make sure you have selected "Enable Donation Tracking". |
* For a VERY small handful of stores, iGive.com will need your help to apply the donations. Even if you're shopping with Donation Tracking Enabled in your Toolbar, we will still need you to tell us about these purchases so that we can credit the donations. For more information, please log into iGive.com and then click here.
I already installed the iGive Shopping Window on this computer. Can I / Should I install the iGive Toolbar?
Yes, you can install the Toolbar on top of the iGive Shopping window, and the Toolbar will automatically replace your Shopping Window. It's the same service you know and love, along with some useful improvements.
If you are logged in as an iGive.com member, your Toolbar's new and improved Donation Tracking will replace the Shopping Window reminder software on your computer. The Toolbar provides the same handy functionality, with smarter technology:
- We'll take you to the specific page you were trying to reach,
while tracking your iGive donation, any time
you visit one of our participating stores. Even if you forget to start at iGive.com, the Toolbar will make
sure you don't miss out on a potential donation.
- When you're visiting one of our participating stores, the Toolbar's
"Donation Enabled" button will appear,
assuring you that the purchase and donation are being tracked for your cause.
With iSearchiGive built into your web browser, you can search and raise
money any time, from any site. Just make sure iSearchiGive is selected in
your Toolbar's dropdown menu.
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To
make version 2.0 of the iGive Toolbar even more useful, we've added eBay and Amazon.com to the search dropdown
menu. iGive members can find products, shop, and raise money for their causes! Google is included here for your convenience. When searching, please remember that only qualified searches at iSearchiGive will result in donations! |
| Getting cluttered? You can clear your search history anytime. In your Toolbar, click the iGive.com menu (leftmost button) and select "Clear Search History." | |
What does the heart icon /
charity name / dollar amount represent?
This
Toolbar button shows the total funds raised for your favorite cause, including
all iSearchiGive funds as well as iGive.com shopping donations that have
been processed as of today. The balance is updated daily. Click this button
to view a detailed report of your cause's earnings through searching at
iSearchiGive and shopping at iGive.com.
How does the "Coupons" button work?
This is a new feature of iGive Toolbar 2.0, and we think you're going to love it! Here's why:
When you're visiting any of 700+ stores in the iGive network, clicking this button will take you to a special page dedicated to that store. There, you'll find coupons (and we have TONS of coupons for hundreds of our stores) plus donation details - all tailored to the store you're visiting. Let's say you're visiting Amazon.com. Just click the "Coupons" button and we'll whisk you away to iGive.com/Amazon where tons of deals await! Neat, right?
Clicking this button at all other times will take you to the coupon motherlode - iGive.com's current list of sales and coupons at stores you know and love.
I installed the iGive Toolbar
but I don't see it anywhere. What's wrong?
Close and re-open your browser window(s). Upon first use, it may take a few seconds for your Toolbar to begin functioning.
If the Toolbar still does not appear, check the browser settings that control
visibility of your toolbars.
For Internet Explorer:
Click "View" (or look under the "Tools" menu), select
"Toolbars" and then make sure the iGive Toolbar is checked.
Also, make sure "Lock the Toolbars" is NOT checked. This should
allow you to rearrange and resize your browser
elements so that the iGive Toolbar can be seen.
For Firefox:
Click "View" then select "Toolbars." Make sure the iGive
Toolbar is checked.
If you are still unable to see the iGive Toolbar, open your computer's Control Panel and make sure the iGive Toolbar is appearing in your Add/Remove Programs menu. You may want to remove the iGive Toolbar at this point, and download the Toolbar again by visiting http://www.iSearchiGive.com/Toolbar.cfm.
If you continue to have difficulties, please contact us.
How do I uninstall the iGive
Toolbar?
An
easy uninstall link is included in the iGive.com menu (leftmost button)
of your Toolbar.
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Also, you can uninstall the Toolbar by closing your browser window(s) then
going to Start | Settings | Control Panel. Go to "Add / Remove Programs".
Click "iGive Toolbar", then remove. Firefox users can also uninstall the iGive Toolbar by following these steps: 1) Click the "Tools" menu, and select "Add-ons" 2) Select "iGive Toolbar" from the list of add-ons 3) Click the "Uninstall" button 4) When you're done, restart Firefox |
Will the iGive Toolbar work
on my computer?
The iGive Toolbar 2.0 is compatible with:
Windows XP or Windows Vista
Internet Explorer 6.0 - 8.0
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0
(Firefox 3.0 users: yes, the iGive Toolbar 2.0 will work for you!)
Sorry, the iGive Toolbar is not compatible with other web browsers such as Google Chrome and Safari.
Mac users: we apologize that we have no immediate plans to introduce a Mac version of our Toolbar.