Donation FAQ

Wishlist Foundation is a Pearl Jam fan nonprofit organization, staffed entirely by Pearl Jam fans on a 100% volunteer basis.

The goal of the Gift Gallery is:

• • Provide a secure, easy to use cart system to accept online donations that support Wishlist Foundation and our beneficiaries.
  • Offer cool Pearl Jam inspired items on quality merchandise that are designed by fans in our community or by professional guest artists
  • Offer Gold and Platinum Membership to our community. Membership is what keeps Wishlist Foundation operational.

GENERAL

Q: What is Wishlist Foundation? Who runs it?
A: Wishlist Foundation is a grassroots organization of Pearl Jam fans that incorporated in the state of Illinois that became a federally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on September 14, 2006.Wishlist Foundation was founded by a small group of passionate, like-minded Pearl Jam fans as a way to unite the Pearl Jam fan community from all over the globe to gather at preparties before Pearl Jam concerts. Inspired by the band’s philanthropy, we wanted to add the element of fundraising and creating awareness to a variety of charities, both national and local, that the fans and band supported. Thus, the preparty fundraisers were born.

Our first preparty fundraiser was held in Saint Louis on October 5, 2004 for Pearl Jam’s VFC tour. Preparty fundraisers were then held across Canada during the 2005 tour and $15,000 was raised by fans for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada. The Pearl Jam fan community was incredibly generous and there was a lot of money and items donated via the preparties that the organizers were personally responsible for.

Humbled by the respect and trust from the fan community, we decided to incorporate and apply for nonprofit status to legitimize what we were doing as a legal business entity, safeguarding both donors and organizers/volunteers alike. Our goal was to create an organization worthy of the trust the fans had placed in us. By becoming a nonprofit organization, we are able to provide tax receipts for donations and all of our business transactions are transparent to the public.

Wishlist Foundation is run by Pearl Jam fans as a labor of love. No one gets paid or receives any “cut” of anything we do. We are an entirely 100% volunteer organization run by passionate Pearl Jam fans from all over the globe. Wishlist is governed by a board of directors, guided by an advisory board and run by officers and team leaders. You can learn more about us here.

Since 2004, Wishlist Foundation has expanded globally to encompass a community of thousands. We have over 100 organizer volunteers, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of donors and almost three quarters of a million dollars raised for dozens of beneficiaries all over the world.

Q: What is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization?
A: To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

See the IRS website for more information.

ACCOUNT & ORDERS

Q: Why a new donation system (shopping cart)?
A: We decided to go with a new cart because it’s easier to use and keep current, has a lot more features that our old cart lacked including an inventory system and has superior security features.

Q: Why can’t I login with my old username?

A: Unfortunately when we moved to this new cart we couldn’t import usernames, passwords and account history from the old cart.

Q: Where is my old order history from 2 years ago?
A: See above.

Q: Do I have to create an account?
A: No. You can go through the process as a guest. However, if you create an account you can view your donation history and more.

Q: Do I have to become a Member of Wishlist Foundation to donate?
A: Absolutely not. Anyone can make a donation at any time.

Q: Can you combine donation orders?

A: Yes, just email both order numbers and your info to [email protected]

ITEMS & DONATIONS

Q: What’s the difference between donating online vs. donating at a preparty and receiving items?
A: There are quite a few differences between donating online vs. donating at a preparty:

• • Online donations benefit Wishlist Foundation directly, unless
    otherwise specified on the individual item’s detail page. Donations go
    to Wishlist to help cover the cost of business fees, shipping materials,
    shopping cart and online fees, future inventory items, and shipping to
    and supplying inventory for the preparty fundraisers.
  • Online donations are typically preorders and offer a larger variety
    of colors, styles and sizes. If you absolutely want a specific design,
    color and size, preordering is your best bet.
  • Preparty donations go directly to the beneficiary specified by the preparty fundraiser of the city you’re in.
  • Preparty donations allow you to take away your item in hand without having to wait for shipping.

Q: What does preorder mean?
A: This means that we offer a larger variety of items with many more options like extended sizes (2XL – 4XL), different ladies and outerwear styles and more color options, but only for a specified period of time. Once we receive your donation preoder reservations, we tally up sizes, styles, colors and quantities and then add the preparty fundraiser items to create a final order. We then place the order with our manufacturers and ship the items immediately upon receipt from our manufacturers. This is why there is typically a delay in preorder to shipping and delivery time.

Q: Why don’t you have my size?
A: We keep our inventory on a ‘necessity’ based system. We order items specifically for tour or during an online preorder fundraiser. This means that the items we have left on hand are whatever is left over from tour or fundraisers.

Q: When will you have X item back in stock?
A: It’s hard for us to say. Some items are limited – when they’re gone, they’re gone. Check back frequently to this site for news on when our next preorder fundraiser is happening.

SHIPPING & RETURNS

Q: Why does shipping take so long?
A: Wishlist Foundation is staffed entirely by 100% volunteer fans. We do shipping once or twice or month due to very limited resources and staffing.

Q: I have questions about my donation order or shipping. Who do I contact?
A: donations -at- wishlistfoundation.org

Q: Can I return my item(s) if I don’t like them?
A: Yes. You may return them within 10 business days of receipt. Items must be in new, unworn, unused condition. You must email us at donations -at- wishlistfoundation.org prior to shipping your return. You will receive a refund on your donation in the amount of your order, minus shipping. You will also be responsible for paying for your return shipping.

Q: Can I return my item(s) if they are damaged and get a refund on my donation?
A: No. Unfortunately, we have no control over the shipping methods of USPS, FedEx or any of the other carriers we may use. You would have to contact the shipping provider directly. You can also opt to add insurance to your shipping, just email donations -at- wishlistfoundation.org

Q: What happens if my item(s) get lost in the mail?
A: If they have a tracking number you can contact the shipper and start a claim with them. If your order does not have a tracking number unfortunately we have no way of attempting to locate it. You can place another order and we can credit you for your new shipping fee.

INTERNATIONAL

Q: Can I upgrade my international first class shipping to priority or express?
A: Yes, though there will be an increase in shipping fee to you. Please email donations -at- wishlistfoundation.org