TOC increase web presence

TOC has increased its Web visibility. The center is now listed with Grantmatch.com, Guidestar.com, and Helping.org, Internet conduits designed to ease the transfer of information and funds between nonprofits and their supporters. Individuals looking for organizations through which they can promote their values (and gain tax deductions) can find such groups easily with Guidestar.com and Grantmatch.com.

Grantmatch.com is a searchable database that is organized to act as matchmaker for "grantseekers" and "grantmakers." Nonprofit groups post their descriptions on the site, while philanthropists list their interests.

Guidestar.com is an online database of nonprofit organizations. Individuals can search for nonprofits by keywords, income, name, or location. For example, enter into Guidestar's search engine the keywords "john galt," and a link to information about The Objectivist Center will be displayed. Viewers will find information about TOC's Mission and Programs, Goals and Results, Financial Reports, and Leader. However, Guidestar does not have the capability to accept donations on behalf of any nonprofit.

Helping.org handles charitable transactions. To contribute to TOC, individuals simply fill out a short, secure Web form and their contribution is sent directly from their credit card to TOC's bank account. Helping.org will then issue a receipt for tax purposes. There are also Helping.org banners on TOC's Web site, for visitors who may not find TOC through Guidestar.com, Grantmatch.org, or Helping.org. Donors can support TOC anonymously with Helping.org--TOC need never know the source of the contribution. Helping.org does not sell their lists of contributions or contributors and every transaction in secure and confidential. Each donation goes entirely to the center.

Friends of TOC can also support the organization by making online purchases through iGive.com, the online mall that will contribute up to 12 percent of the cost of a purchase to TOC. iGive.com will also contribute $1 to the center for each referral (if the person shops through iGive.com), plus $1 for each shopper the referral refers-out through six degrees of referrals. Nordstrom.com, Gap.com, tutorials.com, Brooks Brothers, Dell, half.com, and Luxury Finder are just a few of the 230-plus merchants at iGive.com. To take advantage of these benefits, simply register on their site as a member, list TOC as your preferred charity, then buy through the iGive Mall. When a merchant e-mails a purchase confirmation, e-mail a copy of it to iGive.com. You will be provided with reports of all charitable contributions sent on your behalf. So that TOC may credit you for your contributions, please send us a copy of these reports as you receive them.