The first phase of the GiveBack campaign was so successful that we have decided to extend the program for two more months (until September 30, 2008). During the first phase, local non-profit organizations around South Carolina earned thousands of dollars in donations. We hope to distribute even more during this next phase.

As part of the GiveBack campaign, organizations receive $1.00 for each review, and individual groups are eligible to earn a maximum donation of $1000. Organizations must earn a minimum of $50 before the conclusion of Give Back program in order receive their donation. PalmettoBizBuzz hopes to donate a total of $60,000 to non-profit organizations.

Reviews in certain business categories are now eligible for a $2 donation (rather than the standard $1 donation), so be sure to encourage your supporters to write reviews of businesses in the following categories (UPDATED 7/31/08):

Attorneys
Auto Glass Repair Shops
Blinds & Shades
Fencing Supplies & Sales
Flooring Service & Installation
Interior Designers
Mattress Shops
Retirement Homes
Tree Services
Web Site Design

In order to participate in the “Give Back” program, organizations must complete a simple registration form to confirm their eligibility. The program is open to all tax-exempt charitable non-profit organizations in South Carolina. Eligible organizations must be certified as Section 501(c)(3) according to the Internal Revenue Code. Organizations that are either religious or political in nature are not eligible, including those groups focused primarily on lobbying for political or policy change.

Individuals are limited to 25 eligible reviews per non-profit organization. In other words, an individual can write more than 25 eligible reviews as long as they earmark them for more than one organization. Individuals who wrote the maximum number of reviews during the first phase of the GiveBack campaign are now eligible again to write additional reviews (UPDATED 7/31/08). Each time they post a review, they will select which charity will receive the corresponding donation. If a consumer has not already created an account on PalmettoBizBuzz.com, they will need to complete a simple registration form in order to post reviews. Only reviews written between June 13 and September 30, 2008 will be eligible for the “Give Back” program.

Consumers must write reviews of local businesses to participate in the “Give Back” program. Reviews of national chains, such as Target or Starbucks, will not earn donations. The “Give Back” program is designed to generate reviews of service businesses and professionals. Consumers can visit the “Popular Searches” dropdown box on the homepage for ideas on businesses to review. To encourage feedback on a wide range of businesses, reviews of restaurants or bars are not eligible for the “Give Back” program (UPDATED 7/31/08).