This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on December 09, 2015 with Kate Glantz of Heartful.ly. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

Kate Glantz is the founder and CEO of Heartful.ly, a wedding registry for charitable giving. Kate’s career spans the intersection of communications and international development. Prior to founding Heartful.ly, she served at the Department of State as the Public Diplomacy Advisor for America’s global HIV/AIDS initiative. She has also worked in Tanzania, Senegal, and the United States for the Centers for Disease Control and the Peace Corps and founded a global advocacy and fundraising campaign against malaria that spanned 30 countries. Her most formative experience, and the inspiration for Heartful.ly, was her service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania where she experienced firsthand how grassroots solutions can change lives.

Q1: What is Heartful.ly?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Heartful_ly is a new kind of wedding registry for charitable giving. We partner with nonprofits to feature real projects in the U.S. and around the world and build beautiful wedding registries.

Q2: How did the idea for Heartful.ly come about?  

Answer

Kate Glantz: Heartful.ly’s story begins in a Tanzanian village where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. The heart and generosity of my Tanzanian community influenced the way I celebrate and view the world. I believe that life’s most important moments–and especially weddings— are the best times to give back.  

Q3: Why Millennials couples are more apt to give to charities in place of gifts?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Millennials are emerging as the most generous generation. Last year, 89% of millennials gave time or money to a cause. You’ve heard millennials value experiences over things. At @Heartful_ly,  we are curating a very personal experience. Millennials are also marrying later and living together first. Many don’t want or need more stuff.

Q4: What types of programs can couples support through Heartful.ly?
Answer

Kate Glantz: We are proud to support many diverse and innovative orgs working to make the world safer, healthier, and more beautiful. We have projects on 5 continents ranging from education, women’s empowerment, clean energy, healthcare and more. You can filter our projects by issue and location here heartful.ly/projects

Q5: How can couples setup a registry on Heartful.ly?
Answer

Kate Glantz: Setting up a registry takes just a few minutes! Create an account, upload a few photos, and tell us about your big day! Next, select a project you’d like to support. Finally, share your registry with loved ones! 

Q6: How can couples or their guests see the impact of their gift?

Answer

Kate Glantz: After the wedding, we send an impact update to everyone who donated that shows how the registry has made a difference. Couples can track donations made in their honor through a dashboard linked to their account.

Q7: How do you select the partners and projects that you work with?

Answer

Kate Glantz: We carefully vet all nonprofits. Most come through referrals, but we have an application process and review financials.  You can learn more about our amazing nonprofits here: heartful.ly/our-partners Is there a nonprofit you love and support that would be a great fit for us? Send them our way! https://www.heartful.ly/organizations/application

Q8: What makes Heartful.ly special?  

Answer

Kate Glantz: Through Heartful.ly registries, couples are literally sharing their love with the people and places that need it most. Heartful.ly registries empower couples and their communities to create a legacy to grow alongside their marriage.

Q9 How does the money get donated to the project?

Answer

Kate Glantz: We securely process payments and transfer all funds donated to the organization after the wedding.

Q10: How does a couple communicate their registry with their guests?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Couples create a personalized URL for their registry that can link to on their wedding website. In the coming months we’ll be developing more social tools and resources to share the love.

Q11: What if a cause isn’t listed that a couple would like to donate to?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Let us know the cause or org you want to support and we’ll make every effort to reach out and make it happen. If you have any suggestions or questions about partnerships, direct them to partnerships@heartful.ly.

Q12: How does a couple know that a donation has been given in their behalf?

Answer

Kate Glantz: The couple is notified by email and can also track gifts and notes from the guest in the admin section of their account.

Q13: How can wedding pros help or become involved with Heartful.ly?

Answer

Kate Glantz: We <3 the wedding community! Let’s find ways to collaborate! Please also spread the word to your clients.

Q14: Do you have any favorite causes?
Answer

Kate Glantz: That’s like picking a favorite child! 🙂 Because of my background, I’m passionate about orgs in Tanzania like @JiaminiTZ. I’m also really invested in public health. Orgs like @watsi and @ArlFreeClinic are doing incredible work on that front.

Q15: What’s special about Tanazania @jiaminiTZ the non-profit?

Answer

Kate Glantz: For starters, it was founded by a @PeaceCorps Volunteer! They connect orphans and vulnerable children to quality education.

Q16: If wedding pros are interested in helping to spread the word. How can they obtain info for their blog?

Answer

Kate Glantz: I can write guest blogs or provide you w/ soundbites on #weddingsthatgiveback. Can also offer content for social media.

Q17: What would you like everyone to take away from this #weddingmarket chat?

Answer

Kate Glantz: We all have a role to play! As a community we have the collective power to do amazing things. I hope you’ll join us! You can find us at http://facebook.com/beheartful  and http://instagram.com/heartful.ly

#WeddingMarket Questions

@FrillsBridal @Heartful_ly can couples also work with you on charitable donations as a favor for their guests?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Not yet, but it’s something we’re working on and should be ready to support soon! We’ll keep you posted!

@sothisislov Can couples choose multiple causes to disburse or are they committed to one ?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Great question! Couples select 1 project. We find the community-to-community aspect more personal.

@FrillsBridal @Heartful_ly are their tiers of prices for guests to choose to donate or can they also select their own amount?

Answer

Kate Glantz: Yes, we price all gifts between $25-$250 so everyone can participate regardless of budget. We’ll be rolling out a feature soon that lets people select their own amount!

@sothisislov  @Heartful_ly Are the funds delivered on the couple’s wedding day ?

Answer

Kate Glantz: We keep registries open for 60 days after the couple’s wedding and transfer funds at that time.