Categories help donors discover projects that match the causes they care about. On Charity Bridge Fund, category selection is designed to keep that process accurate, clear, and easy to use. Rather than presenting an overwhelming list of technical classifications, the platform uses a simplified category structure that helps nonprofits represent their work while making donor browsing more intuitive.
Why the Category System Is Simplified
Charity Bridge Fund does not display every individual NTEE subcategory. Instead, related classifications are grouped under broader cause areas to make the experience easier for both nonprofits and donors.
Simplicity for nonprofits
You do not need to sort through dozens of highly specific codes to describe your work.
Clarity for donors
Donors can browse major cause areas more easily and understand what your project does at a glance.
Broader categories still count
Many related subcategories are already covered under one main category, so you are not losing visibility by choosing the broader option.
Example
Under Arts, Culture & Humanities, you may see Performing Arts as a category or subcategory, but you may not see more detailed options like Opera or Theater. Those more specific areas are generally covered under Performing Arts, so choosing the broader option still helps donors understand the type of work the project supports.
Where Categories Are Selected
Categories are selected directly when creating or editing a project.
This means each project should be categorized based on its own purpose, not the full range of work your organization does. For example, if your nonprofit works in education, food access, and community development, but one project is focused only on school meals, the project category should reflect that specific food access work.
Focused category selection helps donors understand what the project supports and makes browsing more accurate across Charity Bridge Fund.
For most projects, one category is ideal. If a project genuinely spans multiple areas, you can choose more than one, but it is still best to keep the total focused and relevant. Charity Bridge Fund recommends selecting no more than four categories per project.
How to Choose the Right Categories
Choosing categories well can improve how your project appears in searches and how clearly it is understood by potential donors.
Start with your primary impact
Choose the categories that most directly reflect what your project actually does.
Avoid overloading the selection
Picking too many categories can dilute your focus and make discovery less effective.
Use broad categories confidently
In many cases, the broader category already includes the subcategory you had in mind.
Match the category to the project
Choose the category that best describes what this project supports, even if your organization works across several cause areas.
FAQ
Where do I choose categories for a project?
Categories are selected directly when creating or editing a project. Choose the category or categories that best match the specific purpose of the project.
Why does Charity Bridge Fund not list every NTEE subcategory?
Charity Bridge Fund uses a simplified category structure to make the platform easier to use. Related classifications are grouped under broader cause areas, so nonprofits do not have to sort through highly specific codes, and donors can browse causes more clearly.
How many categories should I select?
For most projects, one category is ideal. If a project genuinely fits more than one cause area, you can select multiple categories, but Charity Bridge Fund recommends keeping the total focused and selecting no more than four.
What if my project fits more than one category?
You can select multiple categories if they are all genuinely relevant, but it is best to keep the selection focused.
What if my project fits more than one category?
You can select more than one category if each one is directly relevant to the project. Avoid adding categories only because your organization works in those areas more broadly.
Can I change project categories later?
Yes. Project categories can be updated from the project editor if the project information needs to be adjusted.
Category selection helps donors understand what each project supports and find opportunities that match the causes they care about. When you choose categories that are accurate, focused, and aligned with the project’s real impact, you make the project easier to discover and easier to trust. If your project feels difficult to classify or you believe an additional category should exist, contact nonprofits@charitybridgefund.org