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FuellingChange™ Q & A

Find answers to your questions on how you can Help Us Change the World, One Click at a Time

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About FuellingChange

What is FuellingChange?
FuellingChange is an exciting new social investment program that grants $2 million each year to environmental projects that improve the state of Canada’s Land, Air and Water.
Applications that meet the criteria for FuellingChange submission will be uploaded onto a website so the public and Shell customers can vote for their favourite environmental projects. Shell will then award grants in the amount of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 to initiatives that receive the most votes in the categories of Land, Air and Water.
How long will FuellingChange exist?
FuellingChange is an ongoing initiative and when one online voting cycle ends, the next one starts immediately.

Language
Why are most of the projects in English?
While the entire user interface and Shell-provided site content is provided in both of Canada’s official languages, “Project Profiles” and “Project Updates” are created by the organizations themselves and are presented using the language in which they were originally provided.
Why are some of the projects in French?
“Project Profiles” and “Project Updates” are created by the organizations themselves and are presented using the language in which they were originally provided.

Disqualification
Is FuellingChange monitored for fraudulent activity?
Shell monitors the FuellingChange system on an ongoing basis and any irregular voting or other activity is investigated. In addition, organizations involved in any fraudulent activity are disqualified.
Q&A For Potential Grant Recipients

How do organizations participate in FuellingChange?
Not-for-profit and charitable organizations such as environmental/wildlife groups, educational institutions, Aboriginal organizations, community associations, community groups and municipalities operating within Canada may apply. These organizations submit an application to Shell for projects that protect, improve or restore Canada’s land, air or water.
What kind of projects can participate in FuellingChange?
Projects that are grassroots and action-oriented in nature that improve, restore or protect the Canadian environment in the categories of Land, Air and Water can be submitted online. These environmental initiatives can be national, provincial or regional in scope.
Do projects get listed automatically on the site?
No. Organizations must submit an online application on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window to participate in this new social investment program. In order to be approved and uploaded online for voting, the projects must also meet specific criteria.
How many applications is Shell accepting?
There is no limit set on the amount of applications that Shell will accept. However, applications received after the deadline will be considered for the following cycle.
How many applications can one organization submit?
Organizations can submit one application per granting cycle.
May I submit my application via fax or mail?
No, you must submit online on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window and use a valid email address.
What does the grant application entail?
There will be a series of questions regarding your project, including a project description, plans for delivery, environmental impact, budget as well as evaluation.
Will I be able to save my application and work on it later?
Yes, as long as you remember to print off your ID and password. Also, remember to “Save” your application, not “Submit”, and you can always log in and work on your application. Once you press “Submit”, you can no longer access your online application.
What is the timeline for implementing my project and using the grant?
Organizations must complete their projects within 24 months from the start date indicated on their applications.
What are the application time frames for each cycle?
Submission Deadline Online Posting Date and First Voting Date Final Voting Date
31-July-11 4-Nov-11 30-Apr-12
31-Jan-12 4-May-12 31-Oct-12
31-July-12 4-Nov-12 30-Apr-13
31-Jan-13 4-May-13 31-Oct-13
Voting time deadline for all cycles is 11:59:59 EST.
If approved for participation, when will my application be posted online?
Please see above table.
How many applications will be selected to participate in FuellingChange?
Fifty-four applications will be eligible for participation. Further details will be posted on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window.
When will I know if I am a potential grant recipient?
If you have been approved to participate in FuellingChange, you will be notified by email within one month of the Submission Deadline.
How will I know if I am a successful grant recipient?
The project that receives the most votes in each grant level will receive a grant amount of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 depending on the grant level applied for.
Will I be notified if my project is not approved?
Yes, you will receive an email within 45 days of the application deadline.
Will I be told why I was not approved?
We will indicate that your application was not approved for posting in the rejection email that we send to your organization. Keep in mind that with the amount of applications being received, we reject applications if you do not adhere to the necessary criteria or if you do not follow the directions – please read carefully.
If not approved, can I reapply with the same project in the next round?
Depending on the reason for the rejection of the application, you can resubmit the project for the next voting cycle. For example, if the budget did not add up to the Shell grant of $25,000 right to the penny, please feel free to resubmit with a corrected budget. However, if your project is a research project, we state that we do not fund research projects, so that project should not be resubmitted.
If I am a grant recipient, when will I get my funds?
As a grant recipient, you will receive your funds within six to eight weeks after the voting cycle closes.
What is required of me if I am a grant recipient?
You will be asked to sign a grant agreement for certain terms and conditions for implementing your project and reporting back once your project is completed.
If I work for one of the organizations with a project participating in FuellingChange, can I still vote?
Yes. We encourage you to vote for your organization's project, and to spread the word to your friends and family via online media. The more you can do to support your project, the better chance you have of securing the grant.
If I submit a project or become a grant recipient, does Shell own my ideas?
No, the project belongs to your organization. However, grant recipients will be required to sign a grant agreement.
What is a “Project Profile”?
The Project Profile is a page on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window where the main information (if uploaded by participant) about a project is displayed. This includes a photo, project description, organization information and a tab to access the project updates (if some have been published). The Project Profile also includes a sidebar displaying the project’s current rank, total votes accumulated as well as a list of the top ranked organizations and a scrollable list showing all of the projects in the same grant category.
What is a “Project Dashboard”?
The Project Dashboard is a page that can only be seen by a project’s administrator using their login information. When a project administrator is logged in to the FuellingChange website - opens in new window, they can access their Project Dashboard by clicking on the “Project Dashboard“ link in the upper right-hand corner.
The Project Dashboard allows organizations to update their profile photo (and video), link their project to the organization’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, change their password, as well as create and publish Project Updates to keep the public informed about their progress and rally support.
Why can't I see the link to my “Project Dashboard” when I log in?
Check to make sure you are logged into your organization's account as opposed to your own account. If you see a link at the top of the page for "My Account”, you are logged into your personal FuellingChange account. You can only access your “Project Dashboard” from your organization's account.
How can I get votes for my project?
You need to spread the word about your project, and show the Canadian public how your project will work to support the Canadian environment. The quickest way to build awareness and support for your project is to tell your existing members and supporters about your participation in FuellingChange, and encourage them to create a FuellingChange account. They will automatically receive 10 votes that can be cast for your project. To gain additional votes they can make purchases at Shell retail locations across Canada, and redeem their receipt codes for votes.
The next step is to keep the public interested throughout the voting cycle. Publish regular updates, use photos and video to tell your story. Get creative and find unique ways to draw an audience to your Project Profile on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window. Encourage your supporters to spread the word through their social media networks.
How can I monitor the progress of my project?
Simply visiting your Project Profile page will show you how many votes you’ve received to-date, and your current ranking. Both votes and ranking are calculated and displayed in real-time so you always know where your project stands.
What kind of projects can participate in FuellingChange?
Not-for-profit and charitable organizations such as environmental/wildlife groups, educational institutions, Aboriginal organizations, community associations, community groups and municipalities operating within Canada may apply. These organizations submit an application to Shell for projects that protect, improve or restore Canada’s land, air or water.
How much money can projects receive?
Projects that receive the most votes will receive grants in the amounts of $25,000 (top 8 receive grants), $50,000 (top 4 receive grants) and $100,000 (top 2 receive grants) and 40 grants of $10,000 will be awarded to the projects posted, which did not receive the highest votes.
How many voting cycles are there?
There will be two (2) voting cycles. Cycle 2 starts on November 4, 2011, and ends on April 30, 2012. For further information, please refer to the chart above.
Q&A For Voters

How do I get votes so I can support my favourite environmental projects?
When you sign up for a free FuellingChange account on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window you automatically receive ten (10) votes. You can earn additional votes by making a purchase at any Shell retail location in Canada. You enter the Receipt Code on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window to obtain your votes, and you have the option of using them right away or keeping them in your account to use later on in the voting cycle.
How do I vote?
Log into your FuellingChange account on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window and browse the listed projects in the environmental categories of Land, Air and Water. When you find a project that you want to support, click the "Vote" button and decide how many votes to allocate.
Can I vote for multiple projects?
Yes. When voting, you may choose the number of your votes to allocate to a particular project. This can be as few as a single vote, or as many as your entire vote balance.
Do I have to make a purchase to vote?
No. Anyone in Canada can sign up for a free FuellingChange account with no purchase necessary. You will automatically receive ten (10) votes when you have successfully created your account. To receive additional votes; however, you need to make purchases at Shell retail locations.
Can I trade my votes for anything else?
No. FuellingChange votes can only be used to vote for the environmental projects listed on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window by participating organizations. Votes have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for goods or services.
Is there a limit to the receipts I can redeem for votes?
Each user may only redeem up to three (3) transaction codes each day.
Do I have to use my votes right away?
No. You can save votes in your account, but you must use these votes prior to the end of the voting cycle in order for them to be valid.
Is there a limit to the amount I can vote?
No. You may vote as often as you like with as many votes as you like. It is up to you whether you want to use a few or all the votes in your account on a particular day.
Do my votes expire if I do not use them?
Yes. You may store your votes in your account and use them whenever you like throughout the current voting cycle. Your total available votes are listed at the top of each page, and on your Account page when logged in. At the end of each voting cycle, any unused votes are cleared from your account’s balance.
Who can vote?
You must have a FuellingChange account to vote for projects. Voters/Users on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window must also be residents of Canada, 16 years of age and older, and must have an active email account so we can verify accounts. Each user may only create one account.
Will you publish which projects I voted for on the FuellingChange website?
No. Users’ votes are only displayed on the FuellingChange website - opens in new window in an aggregate form. The public and the participating organizations can see how many votes there are for each project, but not who has voted. Your voting history is logged by the system so that only you can see which projects you have voted for in the past and how many votes you cast for each project.
What else can I do once I have an account?
You can click on the heart-shaped "Add to Favourites" button on your Project Profile page. This adds the project to your “Favourites & Subscriptions” list on your Account page, so you can quickly find them again later. You can also "Subscribe" to a project to receive updates. When you click on the envelope-shaped "Subscribe to Updates" button, the project is added to your “Favourites & Subscriptions” list on your Account page, and you will receive updates in your Notifications list when updates are published.
Every time a Project Update is published by a project that you have subscribed to, you will receive an email with a link to the update.
How do I "Save" or "Bookmark" projects so I can find them later?
You can add projects to your “Favourites & Subscriptions” list on your Account page by clicking on the heart-shaped "Add to Favourites" button on each project's Profile page. Then you will be able to find your favourite projects quickly again later.
What does it mean to "Subscribe" to a project?
You can "Subscribe" to a project in order to keep informed about the project's news without having to visit their profile page each time they publish an update. When you click on a project's envelope-shaped "Subscribe to Updates" button, the project is added to your Favourites & Subscriptions list on your Account page, and you will receive published updates in your Notifications list.
Why should I link my Facebook and Twitter accounts to FuellingChange?
Adding your social media accounts to FuellingChange lets your friends know that you are supporting environmental projects that make a real difference to Canada's Land, Air and Water through FuellingChange. It helps create awareness for the organizations and projects you care about, and helps build support for the work they do. And, it will help your favourite projects to win the grants!
How do I connect my Facebook and Twitter accounts?
When you set up your FuellingChange account, you are asked to add your Facebook and Twitter accounts or you can also add them later using the “Edit Account Details" link on your Account page. If you choose to create a connection the Facebook or Twitter login screen will be displayed, and providing your username and password will create the connection.
Can I remove my Facebook and Twitter accounts from FuellingChange later if I want?
Yes. On your Account page there is an "Edit Account Details" link. This allows you to remove your Facebook and/or Twitter account, or change the connection to another Facebook or Twitter account, if you like. You can also remove these connections using the Privacy Settings page within your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
If I make a purchase at a Shell station in the United States or overseas, can I redeem these receipts for votes?
No. Only transaction codes on Canadian Shell site receipts can be redeemed for votes. Only Canadian residents can participate.
What's a "Promo Code"?
From time to time Shell may offer special FuellingChange promotions. Codes for these promotions can be redeemed for a number of Fuelling Change votes. If you receive a FuellingChange Promo Code, you can redeem it for votes using the “Redeem Codes” screen, just as you would redeem a Receipt Code.
How many votes is a "Promo Code" worth?
The amount of the Promo Code will vary from five to 100, depending on the promotion.
What's a "Receipt Code"?
A “Receipt Code” is a set of numbers you can enter into the FuellingChange "Redeem Codes" screen in order to get your votes. A “Receipt Code” is three separate numbers that must be entered: a Transaction Number (10 digits) a Location Number (3-4 digits) and the date of the transaction.
How many votes is a "Receipt Code" worth?
A “Receipt Code” can be redeemed for ten (10) FuellingChange votes.
Why should I enter my Air Miles™ Collector Number into my FuellingChange account?
If you choose to provide us with your Air Miles collector number, then we may contact you with FuellingChange promotions that are exclusive to Air Miles collectors.
Will you use my email address to send marketing messages?
No. We require a valid email account to limit the number of accounts that a user can create, and to make sure users can retrieve their passwords. Your information will not be used by Shell for marketing purposes, and it will not be shared with third-parties, unless you agree that we can send you future promotions and marketing information.
If you provide your Air Miles collector number and give us permission, we may contact you with special FuellingChange Air Miles promotions.
If I use the "email" tool to share a Project Profile or Project Update with my friends, will you send marketing messages to them?
No. We do not store the email addresses you enter into the email sharing tool. Once the email messages are sent, the addresses are immediately cleared from the database.
What safeguards does Shell have in place to protect my personal information?
The information you provide when creating your FuellingChange account is encrypted in our database to make sure it is safe from unauthorized access.
What web browsers should I use?
The FuellingChange website - opens in new window is designed to work best with a modern standards-compliant browser with JavaScript enabled. For the best site experience, please use one of the following web browsers:
• Firefox 3.0
• Firefox 3.5
• Firefox 4.0
• Internet Explorer 7
• Internet Explorer 8
• Safari 4
• Chrome
How can I change the password for my FuellingChange account?
If you cannot remember the password you created when you first created your account, or if you want to change your password, you can use the "Forgot your Password?" link on the Login screen. An email will be sent to the email address we have on file for your account and a link provided in the email will take you to a screen that allows you to create a new password.
What if I no longer have access to the email address I used to sign up for my account?
You can continue to use your FuellingChange account as long as you like, even if you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your account. Your account is tied to your original email; however, so you will be unable to retrieve your password or change it later without access to the original email account.
What happens if there is a technical problem which prevents me from voting?
If for some reason the FuellingChange site is not available or has technical issues that prevent a significant number of people from voting in the last week of a voting cycle, the voting cycle will be extended for a 48hour period.