Church FAQs

Overview

This article answers the most commonly ask questions we receive from churches regarding CarePortal.

Intended Audience

Current & Potential CarePortal Churches

This article answers: 

• Who does the CarePortal network serve?
• Who can respond to a CarePortal request?
• Can churches give money to the caseworker to purchase the items requested?
• Is there a cost to use CarePortal?
• Is CarePortal specifically for Christian churches?
• How does CarePortal define a local church?
• Can churches contact the requesting agency through CarePortal?
• Can churches contact other churches through CarePortal?
• When a church responds to a request, will the email state where to take the requested items to?
• If multiple churches respond, will the churches not chosen to assist be notified that the issue is being addressed elsewhere?
• Does CarePortal offer tax receipts for in-kind donations?

1. Who does the CarePortal network serve?

CarePortal serves any child in crisis. Jesus cast the widest net of love, tearing down cultural biases and promoting radical, personal generosity and concern for those in need. With that example, CarePortal brings together diverse constituents – government agencies, churches, businesses, schools, and other ministries – to support children and families in crisis regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, citizenship status, political leanings, etc. If we find any of our partners are discriminating against the children and families they are meant to unconditionally serve, they will be removed from the network.

2. Who can respond to a CarePortal request?

Anyone who has created a free CarePortal account is able to make a response to a CarePortal request. This can be done with two types of responses to choose from: a responder can "Fund" some or all of the need(s) listed by making a tax-deductible donation directly through the CarePortal platform, or by making a commitment to "Provide" the needs outside of the platform by working out the necessary logistics. Either way, if the responder is not an approved member of a local CarePortal church, their resources will be stewarded by a specially-trained local church to ensure the need(s) they've responded to are met.

3. Can churches give money to the caseworker to purchase the items requested?

No, a caseworker cannot accept cash or gift cards. The caseworker has been encouraged to connect the family directly with the church leader should they have a monetary need.

4. Is there a cost to use CarePortal?

By joining the CarePortal network, you gain access to real-time needs and a community of churches working together with a common goal. You will have training and support along the way through your local representatives on the ground and from the CarePortal platform support team. In order to provide you with these, your financial participation is appreciated. The organization implementing CarePortal (Implementing Partner) in your community will inform you the best way to partner financially to sustain the work.

5. Is CarePortal Specifically for Christian churches?

CarePortal is a Church and Community empowerment platform: it exists to mobilize Christian churches that affirm they are consistent with the CS Lewis Foundation Statement of Faith along with the Apostles’ Creed, and the Community to care for vulnerable children and families in their own communities, together, stimulating life-changing relational connections in the process. The example and teachings of Jesus fuel everything we do. At the same time, CarePortal brings together diverse constituents – government agencies, businesses, schools, and other faith-based ministries – to accomplish a shared mission of caring for vulnerable children and families. There is a place at the table for everyone. Our Church and Community focus is on the Child.

6. How Does CarePortal Define a Local Church?

A “local church” for CarePortal purposes is a local fellowship of believers living in community, worship, and service together as a body, with spiritual and behavioral accountability to the leadership authority(ies) of the local fellowship, whether pastor(s), priest(s), elder(s), or other overseer(s), and consistent with the CS Lewis Foundation Statement of Faith along with the Apostles’ Creed.

7. Can churches contact the requesting agency through CarePortal?

Yes, directly through a response to a request. The intent of CarePortal is for child-serving agencies to notify the Church about needs. Then the Church has a chance to respond.

8. Can churches contact other churches through CarePortal?

Yes, each request comes with a link to “See Churches” that received the initial request. This allows you direct access to other churches in order to partner together. You can also access a group of churches in your Active Community, meaning the churches geographically nearest your church by hitting the “Send a message” button under the “Need help meeting this request?” section of the request email.

9. When a church responds to a request, will the email state where to take the requested items to?

No, the email will have contact information and details for the requesting caseworker to connect directly to the responder to meet the need in a way that works for both of them.

10. If multiple churches respond, will the churches not chosen to assist be notified that the issue is being addressed elsewhere?

Yes, once the need is met, the requesting caseworker will close the request and all relevant churches will be notified. In the meantime, when you click “Respond” on a request, it will show you all previous responses from other churches (if any) so that you can be aware of what has already transpired.

11. Does CarePortal offer tax receipts for in-kind donations? 

In most cases, in-kind donations for specific CarePortal requests, such as clothing, furniture, or other goods, are considered direct gifts to the recipient families. Since these items are not being donated to CarePortal or another registered nonprofit, but rather to individuals in need, the donations would not qualify for tax deductions under IRS guidelines. 

Churches or nonprofit organizations other than CarePortal that receive in kind donations that are then provided by the church or nonprofit to recipient families would be responsible for documenting and issuing tax receipts as the entity receiving and distributing donations.

Churches and other partner organizations are encouraged to provide this clarity to their members and donors to ensure such individuals have appropriate expectations around tax documents associated with their acts of generosity. 

Individuals are advised to consult with a tax professional or refer to IRS guidelines on charitable contributions for any additional information. CarePortal does not provide tax advice to individual donors.