Start a Fundraiser
Third-Party Fundraiser – ‘How to Get Started’ Guide
Thank you for your interest in organizing a third-party fundraiser to support Lupus Canada! Your dedication to raising awareness and funds for our cause is sincerely appreciated and invaluable. By hosting an event in support of Lupus Canada’s mission, you are helping to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
To ensure the success of your fundraiser and maintain transparency and accountability, we have created this guide to assist you in planning, promoting, and hosting your event. Please read it carefully and reach out to us with any questions or clarifications.
How to Get Started
Choose Your Fundraising Event
Your fundraiser can take many forms, such as a bake sale, a charity run, an auction, or a concert. Think about what type of event will resonate with your community and align with your skills. Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Sporting Event – Charity Golf Tournament, Soccer Tournament, Race.
- Social Events – Dinners, Party, Wine Tasting.
- Community Engagement – Garage Sales, Bake Sales, Trivia Night, Car Washes, Craft Sales.
- School or Corporate Events – get your school or team involved!
- Birthday or special occasions.
Register Your Event with Us
Before proceeding, it’s important to register your event with Lupus Canada to ensure we can offer appropriate support and confirm that the event aligns with our values and mission. You can complete the event registration form on our website or contact our team directly at info@lupuscanada.org.
Plan Your Event
Once you’ve chosen and registered your event, begin the planning process. Here are some steps to consider:
- Set a Fundraising Goal – determine how much you would like to raise for Lupus Canada.
- Create a Budget – outline any expenses associated with hosting your event.
- Source Sponsors – local businesses may be interested in supporting your event through donations or sponsorship.
- Promotion – this public awareness piece is so important and can be a lot of fun! Consider social media, email, media, and word of mouth to support promotion.
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Host Your Event
Ensure your event is well-organized, enjoyable, and safe for all participants. Purchasing event insurance is recommended. Don’t forget to share the story of why you’re fundraising for Lupus Canada – it helps people connect to the cause and motivates them to donate.
Accounting and Donation Guidelines
Transparency and accountability are crucial for fundraising events. Please follow these guidelines to ensure all funds raised are handled appropriately.
Financial Transparency
All funds raised must be accurately tracked and accounted for. Keep a detailed record of income/ revenue (donations, ticket sales, etc.) and expenses (venue costs, marketing materials, insurance etc.). It’s important to follow the financial regulations of your local area and ensure all legal requirements are met.
Issuing Tax Receipts
Lupus Canada can only issue tax receipts for donations made directly to our organization. Any donations collected by the event organizer must be submitted to Lupus Canada along with the donor’s contact information for a tax receipt to be issued. Note that event fees, raffle ticket sales, and auction proceeds do not qualify for tax receipts.
Submitting Funds
All funds raised should be submitted to Lupus Canada within 30 days of your event. We recommend using our online donation platform for quick and easy processing. Cheques can also be mailed to the address below:
Lupus Canada PO Box 8 LCD 1 Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W3
Use of Logo and Branding
If you wish to use Lupus Canada’s logo or branding materials, please seek approval from our team prior to use. We will provide guidelines for appropriate use of our name and logo to ensure consistency and professionalism.
What We Can Do for You
We want to help make your event as successful as possible, and we are happy to provide support in the following ways:
Event Promotion
We can promote your event on our social media channels, website, and e-newsletter. Please provide us with the necessary details at least 3-4 weeks in advance to allow ample time for promotion.
Marketing Materials
We can offer brochures, pamphlets, and digital materials to distribute at your event. These will help raise awareness about our cause and educate participants about the work we do.
Fundraising Tools
Our team can provide access to an online fundraising platform where you can set up a custom event page. This will allow you to track donations in real-time and make it easy for supporters to contribute.
Public Recognition
We are deeply grateful for the efforts of third-party fundraisers, and we are happy to acknowledge your support publicly. We can highlight your event in our monthly e-newsletter, recognizing the impact you have had on Lupus Canada.
Where Our Support Stops
While we are thrilled to support your fundraising efforts, it’s important to note that Lupus Canada is not responsible for organizing or managing your event. Here are the limitations of our involvement:
1. Event Liability
As a third-party fundraiser, you are responsible for securing necessary permits, licenses, insurance, and liability coverage for your event. Lupus Canada cannot be held liable for any accidents, injuries, or damages that occur during your event.
2. Financial Responsibility
Lupus Canada cannot provide upfront funding or cover any expenses related to your event. Any costs associated with hosting your event, such as venue rentals, equipment, or promotional materials, must be covered by you as the event organizer.
3. Event Logistics
While we are happy to provide advice and guidance, we cannot assist with the logistics of planning and executing your event. This includes tasks such as booking venues, coordinating volunteers, or managing event-day operations.
4. Endorsements and Partnerships
We are unable to formally endorse third-party events or enter legal partnerships. Your event will be recognized as a community fundraiser “in support of” Lupus Canada, rather than an official event hosted by our organization.
5. Controversial or High-Risk Activities
To maintain our integrity and reputation, Lupus Canada reserves the right to decline involvement in events that involve high-risk activities or those that conflict with our mission and values.
On behalf of Lupus Canada, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your enthusiasm and commitment to organizing a third-party fundraiser. Whether your event is large or small, every effort contributes to our mission and allows us to continue providing support, education, and research funding for Canadians impacted by lupus. We appreciate your hard work and dedication, and we look forward to supporting you as much as we can.
Together, we can create a lasting impact!
If you have any questions or need further guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@lupuscanada.org. Good luck with your event and thank you for being a champion for Lupus Canada!