Registration FAQs
Is there a registration fee to participate?
While there is no registration fee, we encourage participants to set a personal fundraising goal and ask their friends, family and colleagues to support them with a donation. Every dollar donated to Canine Companions makes a difference and helps fund the mission of providing highly trained service dogs to people with disabilities free of charge.
I want to register someone else on my computer, but the site won't let me because I'm already registered.
The website "remembers" you on your computer. If you want to register someone else, you'll have to log out first, and then start the process again using their email address for the registration.
I registered as an individual, but now I want to join a team.
No problem! Once you are logged in, hover over your name in the upper right corner and select Manage My Page from the drop down menu. From your dashboard, navigate to the left menu, click on Join a Team, then click on Participate as Part of a Team. Click on the arrow in the box to select an existing team and click Save.
I forgot my password, what do I do?
From the NextHome fundraising homepage, click the Login button and select how you chose to create your login. Click on the Forgot Password link, enter your email address and click the Reset My Password button which will send you an email with instructions.
Donations FAQs
Where does the money go?
The money you raise supports Canine Companions’ mission of providing highly trained service dogs to people with disabilities, completely free of charge. Learn more.
How much money should I raise?
There is no specific amount you should raise, but NextHome’s cumulative goal is $50,000 annually. The more you raise, the bigger the difference you'll make in the lives of people with disabilities.
What if my donors need a receipt?
Everyone who makes an online donation will receive an email confirmation receipt for tax purposes. For those making a donation via cash or check, please follow the instructions on this page. All donations made to Canine Companions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
For donations less than $250, the IRS will accept the following as proof of a charitable donation: a canceled check, bank or credit union statement, or a credit card statement. Canine Companions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Identification Number: 94-2494324
What if a donor wrote a check out to the team or my name?
If you receive a check payable to your team, please write "Canine Companions" above your team name. If it's made out to you, please endorse the check payable to Canine Companions. Please be sure to write the name of the team member being credited for the donation, fundraising company name and year in the memo line of all checks (example: Joe Smith, NextHome South Pointe 2020).
Where do I mail my donations?
Mail your donations (made out to Canine Companions) to:
Attn: NextHome Gift Processing
Canine Companions
C/O [add fundraising company name here, i.e. NextHome South Pointe]
P.O. Box 446
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446
Please be sure to write your name, fundraising company name and year in the memo line of all checks (example: Joe Smith, NextHome South Pointe 2020). For more instructions, please visit our Donate By Mail or Phone page.
My fundraising total in my dashboard doesn't match what I know I turned in.
There may be up to a two-week delay entering donations. Your total may be inflated if you entered donations as offline gifts. Please log back in at a later date to check your fundraising total. If you have additional questions about your fundraising total, please contact us at partners@canine.org.
What are the benefits of a team?
Forming or joining a team multiplies the fun; it also encourages some healthy competition. Gather your office or regional colleagues and create a team. The team can celebrate a Canine Companions graduate team or honor your own four-legged friend! Challenge other teams to beat your fundraising efforts!
One of my team members registered as an individual when they meant to join my team. How do they correct this?
No problem! From the NextHome fundraising homepage, they can hover over Register at the top and select Join or Start a Team from the drop down. They can either search for your name or the team name or browse under Existing Teams, then click Join the Team.
Can I transfer some of my donations to another participant or team member?
Out of respect for the donor’s intent, donations will not be transferred from one participant to another once the donation has been received and posted.
Can I split a donation between multiple participants and team members?
Teams often hold fundraising events, with the intent to divide the proceeds evenly among all team members. Unfortunately, we are unable to split funds among multiple people. Allocation of a single donation is possible in the case of a cash donation only. Should your team receive a donation, the donation may be entered in the following ways:
Cash — Each individual to receive credit must submit cash and follow the instructions on our Donate By Mail or Phone page.
Checks — This form of payment cannot be divided among individuals. The donation must be entered into only one team member’s dashboard.
Online Donations — Donations must be made to an individual registrant, team or general donation.
I forgot my Password.
From the NextHome fundraising homepage, click the Login button and select how you chose to create your login. Click on the Forgot Password link, enter your email address and click the Reset My Password button. Follow the prompts to reset your password.
How do I change my Password?
You have two options for changing your password. You can use the Forgot Password link from the Login menu or you can email us at partners@canine.org and we will reset your password which will send you a link via email to choose a new password.
How do I manage my page?
From the NextHome fundraising page, click the Login button, select how you chose to create a login and enter your email and password and click Login which will take you to your dashboard. Hover over your name in the upper right corner and click on Manage My Page.
What is a personal page?
A Personal Page is your own fundraising page where you can direct your supporters to learn about your participation, make donations and join your team! Upon registering, you will be provided a standard personal page. You aren’t required to personalize it, but on average, participants who update their pages with personal stories and pictures have twice the fundraising success than those who use the standard page.
How do I unsubscribe from email?
There’s an unsubscribe link at the bottom of each email you receive from our platform, OneCause – this will opt you out of all emails except those that are triggered by an action you or one of your supporters takes. But please note – if you opt out of email, you will be opted out of all email, including important updates.
How can I see who has donated to me?
Sign into your dashboard and click on View My Page at the top of the left navigation menu. You'll find the list of donors under your thermometer. You can also scroll down to Timeline and this will display your donation history.
How do I change my personal goal?
Sign into your dashboard and click on Manage My Personal Page. You can change your goal under What Is Your Fundraising Goal.
How do I change my team name or team goal?
Only the team captain has the ability to change the team name and goal by signing into the dashboard and clicking Manage My Team link in the left navigation menu.
What should I put on my personal fundraising page?
The choice is yours. You can upload your own text and image, as well as a video if you like, or use the standard default provided. We recommend you customize the page as much as possible so your supporters will understand why Canine Companions is important to you. A thermometer to track progress towards your fundraising goal is included, as well as a list of your supporters. Participants who update their pages with personal stories and pictures have twice the fundraising success than those who use the standard page
I just finished personalizing my fundraising page. What now?
Tell your friends and family about your page! Send an email to your contacts letting them know your page is setup and request their support. Share the link to your social media accounts, too.
How do I add photos?
Access your dashboard. Select Complete Activities on the left navigation menu and click on Add Photos To Your Page. Click upload a Photo From Your Computer or Choose a Photo From Instagram, select your image, click Open, customize your headline and Story, select whether you want to Share your photo on Twitter and Save.
How do I add a video?
Access your dashboard. Select Complete Activities on the left navigation menu and click on Add Videos To Your Page. Choose one of the four options provided and follow the prompts. Make sure your video file size is under 35 MB if uploading from your computer.
How do I update my page content?
Access your dashboard. Select Manage My Personal Page and scroll down to Add A Personal Message To Your Page to customize your story. If you would like to see what your content looks like, click Save then click View My Page.
How do I personalize my URL?
To personalize your URL, please email your requested change to partners@cci.org.
How do I update my fundraising goal?
On your dashboard, click on Manage My Personal Page and change your goal under “What is your personal fundraising goal?” Click Save to save your changes.
How do I preview my personal page?
Access your dashboard. Select View My Page on the left navigation menu and it will show you what your page looks like to your friends and family.
How do I find out who donated to my page?
From your dashboard, click View My Page. You'll find donor information under your thermometer.
How do I send an email?
Access your dashboard. Select Invite Friends to Join You from the left navigation menu. Select Invite Your Friends Using Email, add their email address, edit the Subject if you’d like to personalize it, review the default copy in the Message field and personalize if you’d like, and click Send Email.
What is a matching gift?
A matching gift is a gift from a donor's employer that matches the donor's original gift. Employers who match donations will typically match dollar for dollar.
How will a donor know if their employer has a matching gifts program?
Search for your employer, ask their human resources staff, or visit their company's intranet.
How does a donor request a matching gift?
The first step is to talk to their employer about their matching gift process. Generally, their human resources department is a great place to start.
What do they do with the form once they’ve filled it out?
Refer to the instructions on the matching gift form. Typically, the form is submitted by their employer but if they need to mail the form to us, please use the following information (they should include their name):
Attn: NextHome Gift Processing
Canine Companions
P.O. Box 446
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446
If I enter the donor's gift and the matching gift through my dashboard, do I enter them as one gift?
No, they are two separate gifts. Please enter only the employee's gift and mail/email the matching gift form, and we will enter the match.
How will I know when the matching gift has been paid?
Access your dashboard, click on View My Page and check under the Timeline. It usually takes months before we receive matching gifts.
I have a question not answered above.
We’d love to assist! Email us at partners@canine.org.