A law passed in May 2008 allows Alaskans filing for their PFD on-line to donate all or part of their dividend to eligible charitable and educational organizations, community foundations, and the campuses of the University of Alaska.  The law sets up a program that goes away (sunsets) after three years unless renewed by the Alaska Legislature.  This is the second year Alaskans have the opportunity to take part in Pick.Click.Give

The PFD Charitable Contributions Program provides a reliable way for Alaskans to support eligible nonprofit organizations. The program goal is to increase individual charitable giving overall, along with increasing the number of new donors to nonprofit organizations. The program provides an additional way for donors to support organizations they care about.

It is a safe and secure way to give in areas you haven't considered before and to provide additional support to organizations you care about.  By giving through this program, you join others to become an important force in bettering our communities and state.

The program was a success.  According to preliminary figures from the Alaska Department of Revenue, 5,163 Alaskans filing on-line selected the option to give to a nonprofit.  Those Alaskans made a total of 7,572 donations – some choosing to give to more than one organization.  The approximate total for the amount donated is $545,000.  Specific organization contribution totals and the final figure will be available in October when dividend checks are determined and disbursed.

When you donate through the PFD Program, you are making what is called an "unrestricted gift." Like other unrestricted gifts, the organization will use the funds to support its mission.

Thanks to a generous grant from Rasmuson Foundation, the state incurs no administrative costs to run this program for its first three years. Each dollar you give through the PFD Charitable Contributions Program goes directly to the organization you want to support.

The program is available to Alaskans who file on-line for their PFD. The on-line application will have a list of eligible organizations, and people will be able to choose those to which they want to contribute.

You may give anywhere from $25 up to the full amount of your dividend to eligible nonprofits. You will be able to give in $50 increments up to the total amount of the permanent fund dividend that the applicant is entitled to receive.

Every Alaskan who files on-line for a PFD dividend can give through this program. So every member of your family has the option to participate. This is an excellent way to help teach your children about the value of giving to the community.

Yes, each person who files on-line has a choice of eligible nonprofits to which they may give.

Yes, you may choose to give to more than one eligible organization.

Your donations will be distributed in the order you designate the receiving organizations. If you allocate more than the amount available, full amounts will be given to your chosen organizations in that order, until the money is all designated.

You will have the ability, when you make your donation, to check a box that authorizes the state to send your name, contact information and the amount you give when it sends contributions to an organization. We encourage you to check this box so your organization will know about your contribution, will be able to share with you how your contribution is being used, and will be able to honor and recognize you for your generous support.

The only way to give through the PFD Charitable Contributions Program is to file on-line. If you don't have access to a computer, check with your local public library for places in your community that may have a computer you can use. If you do not file on-line, please consider making a direct contribution to nonprofits you believe are serving the community.

The requirements to participate were set out by the Alaska Legislature in the new law. Some of those requirements are:

• The nonprofit is designated as a 501(c)(3) educational or charitable organization on the date of application and for the two calendar years that immediately precede the year the application is filed.
• It has a current Internal Revenue Service Form 990 on file, or if the IRS has granted a filing extension for the current year, has on file that form for the immediately preceding year.
• It is directed by a voluntary board of directors or local advisory board whose members are residents of the state.
• It provided services in Alaska during the two calendar years that immediately precede the year the application is filed.
• It receives at least $100,000 or five percent of its total annual receipts, whichever is less, from contributions.

You can find the entire bill on-line at www.legis.state.ak.us/basis -- search for House Bill 166 of the 25^th Legislature.

All the organizations are listed on the website, www.PickClickGive.org.

You may want to encourage your favorite organization to apply for the program next year if they aren't participating this year.  In the meantime, consider making a direct contribution to nonprofits you believe are serving the community. 

The best way is to check a box you'll see on the application that authorizes the state to send your name and contact information to the organizations you have chosen to support.  Donations, along with your name if you checked this box, will be sent to organizations in the fall of 2010, at the same time PFD checks are disbursed.  The organization won't receive any information about you or your gift before fall.

No. Information on your contribution will only be given to the organization you select, and only if you check the box authorizing it.

You will receive a distribution letter in the fall that shows how much money you donated and to which organizations. This is your official receipt that can be used for tax purposes.

Please consult with your tax advisor. Generally, you will declare the full amount of your PFD and then take a deduction for your contribution.

Yes.  If you e-signed your 2010 application, you can withdraw from all of your selections or select individual organizations to withdraw.  From the PFD website, select "Check Status" and log in to your myAlaska account.  Select "Show Deductions" and click on the "withdraw" box for the nonprofit organization that you wish to withdraw.  At the top of the page you will receive a message that you have successfully withdrawn.  If you did not e-sign, a Charitable Contributions Withdrawal form is available on our website under forms.

No.  You cannot change the amount that you elected or add a nonprofit organization after you submit your application.  Your only option is to withdraw from the selection per Statute.