1. family and parenting
2. children

Blank-athon™
Fundraising Toolkit
Photo: © 2011 Save the Children. By Susan Warner
Blank-athon™ 2011 to Support Save the Children East Africa Hunger Crisis Fund. Will YOU Fill in the Blank?
Step 1: Select your event and identify your audience
Think about the people you want to reach or involve. Choose the right fundraiser or event for your group’s
size, energy and experience. School fundraisers are solely responsible for the planning and execution of the
event. Save the Children can assist with event knowhow and will acknowledge donors who have provided
their name, gift amount and address. (Tax receipts will be issued to individuals who contribute $250 or
more.) NOTE: Charitable fundraising is a regulated activity in most schools. You are responsible for ensuring that you
are in compliance with campus regulations. We recommend that you contact your Student Activities Center before
your fundraising event to make sure that you have any necessary permits or authorizations.
Step 2: Let us know!
Tell us your plans so we can help ensure your success. Complete the Save the Children Fundraising Event &
Permission Form, ideally 30 days in advance of the intended event date. Please mail or email your completed
form to the attention of:
Jason Chmura Manager of Community and Volunteer Engagement:
54 Wilton Road. Westport, CT 06880 [email protected]
Step 3: Plan the finances
Establish a realistic fundraising goal. Then, identify all anticipated expenses and possible sources of income. If
you keep costs down, you will generate a bigger donation. Many people and businesses are happy to donate
goods or services, if asked. See if you can identify anyone that would be willing to help support your event in
this way.
Step 4: Publicize/Promote the fundraiser
Here are some ideas on how you can publicize and promote your fundraiser:
• Network with other students around school to publicize the event and gain their support and
participation.
• Ask permission to post flyers around your school or to reserve a table to display information
• Ask your professors and department heads to make an announcement before class or request to
have students make brief announcements during various club meetings around school.
• Contact your campus/school newspaper and radio station. (Draft a short and catchy press release to
grab the reader’s attention. It’s a great way to get free advertising.)
• Create a Facebook Group to send information about the event fundraiser.
• Encourage people to donate to the fundraiser if they can’t attend the event. Have a plan in place
prior to the event to accommodate this. Simply go to www.savethechildren.org/blankathon to get
started.
Step 5: After Your Fundraiser
Submit the contributions you raised along with the School Fundraising Donation Submission Form and send
to: Save the Children, c/o Jason Chmura 54 Wilton Road. Westport, CT 06880. Check(s) or money order(s)
should be made out to “Save the Children” with the name of the event (e.g. Blank-athon) in the notes
field; credit card contributions should also be submitted through the use of the School Fundraising Donation
Submission Form. Contributions are tax deductible as allowable by law.
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Blank-athon™ 2011 to Support Save the Children East Africa Hunger Crisis Fund. Will YOU Fill in the Blank?
Guidelines and rules for Blank-athon to benefit Save the Children are as follows:
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Events that conflict in any way with our mission or other program priorities are not
acceptable.
Fundraisers need to secure their own necessary insurance and permits.
Fundraisers must obtain necessary permissions and authorization to host the fundraiser in your
chosen location.
NOTE: Charitable fundraising is a regulated activity in many states. You are responsible for ensuring that
you are in compliance with federal, state and local regulations. We recommend that you contact your school
security department before your fundraising event to make sure that you have any necessary permits or
authorizations.
Always be very clear about the nature of the benefit to Save the Children from your event. For
example, advertisements and signage must clearly state what percentage (or dollar amount) of
the sales or admission price will be donated to Save the Children. You must state that your
event is “benefiting Save the Children’s East Africa Food Crisis Fund” as opposed to saying “a
portion of the proceeds will support Save the Children.” All fundraising must be reported by
November 24th 2011.
In an effort to direct the maximum amount of our donors’ dollars towards our programs for
children, Save the Children cannot provide volunteers nor guarantee staff attendance
at events. Otherwise, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members are able to
participate. All fundraising must be done on a voluntary basis.
In addition to promoting awareness of Save the Children’s programs and efforts, there should
be a financial goal for the fundraiser.
Save the Children cannot cover expenses incurred in the production of the fundraiser.
Save the Children may contact you by email, telephone or postal mail. We may also share a
selected portion of our mailing list with other organizations. Please visit our website at
www.savechildren.org/privacy or call 1-800-728-3843 to change how we manage your information
or obtain a copy of our Privacy Policy.
Appropriate logos, pictures, and media can be sent to the organizer at each school. If there are any
questions regarding the use of the Save the Children logo, you can email
[email protected] or mail to Save the Children, 54 Wilton Rd, Westport, CT 06880
Attn: Jason Chmura.
o NOTE: We ask that you do not change or alter the logo in any way. And never
redraw or alter the placement and size of its letters, alter the colors of the signature
or logo, stylize the signature in anyway, or change the signature in another typeface.
Blank-athon must last a “blank” number of hours. The use or consumption of alcohol and/or
drugs is not permitted during Blank-athon events.
Organize a plan for collecting contributions at the event. We are able to accept checks, money
orders or credit card contributions. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Save the
Children and sent along with the School Fundraising Donation Submission Form to:
Save the Children Federation, c/o Jason Chmura. 54 Wilton Road. Westport, CT 06880.
As a registered charitable organization, Save the Children must follow U.S. tax regulations regarding
the issue and control of official income tax receipts. Charitable tax receipts are issued to individuals
for contributions of $250 or more. (Please note that Save the Children reserves the right to audit
all event revenues and expenses to ensure we comply with U.S. tax regulations. Please save all
receipts in the event that this is needed.)
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Blank-athon™ 2011 to Support Save the Children East Africa Hunger Crisis Fund. Will YOU Fill in the Blank?
Specific Examples
Key Planning Considerations
Who to Contact
Concert
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Battle of the
Bands
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Venue
Sound Equipment
Band Choice
Length of Concert
Ticket Sales
Publicity
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Student Events
Coordinator
Athons
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Walk-athon
Jog-athon
Dance-athon
Bowl-athon
Fast-athon*
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Choose type of “athon”
Publicity
Pick a Venue
Refreshments
Sign Up Procedures
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Student Events
Coordinator
Local Officials if Using
Public Area (road,
sports track, etc).
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Competition
between
intramurals
Donation at
sporting events
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Consider using preexisting •
sporting events
Publicity
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Consider incorporating the
Greek System
Choose Incentive or Prize
Student Events
Coordinator
Presidents of other large
clubs on campus
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Dining Hall Coordinator
Student Events
Coordinator
Sports
Tournament
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Swipe fest
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Donate meal
swipes or
campus card $$
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Designate time when
students can donate meals
Advertise and publicize in
advance
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*Please Note: We recommend that you consult your physician before fasting. You should not fast if you if
are pregnant or nursing, under the age of 18 or are elderly, or suffer from any chronic medical condition(s).
Please include this language in any promotional material if you choose to organize a Fast-athon.
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Blank-athon™ 2011 to Support Save the Children East Africa Hunger Crisis Fund. Will YOU Fill in the Blank?
Publication date: October 2011
Information concerning Save the Children Federation, Inc., including financial, licensing or charitable purposes(s)
may be obtained, without cost, by writing to Save the Children Federation, Inc., Assistant Corporate Secretary, 54
Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, or by calling 1-800-728-3843.
In addition, residents of the following states may obtain financial and/or licensing information from their states, as indicated.
Registration with these states, or any other state, does not imply endorsement by the state.
Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLLFREE, 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE.
REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. FLORIDA
REGISTRATION # CH 502.
Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are available, for the cost of postage
and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 9745534.
Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Save the Children Federation, Inc. may be obtained from
the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply
endorsement by the Secretary of State.
New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE
SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST
REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 5046215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE
INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES
NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.
New York: A copy of the most recent financial report is available from the Office of the Attorney General, Department of
Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271.
North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State
Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Save the Children Federation, Inc., may be obtained from
the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling tollfree, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply
endorsement.
Virginia: A copy of the financial statement is available from the State Office of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agricultural
and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209 or call 1-804-786-2042.
Washington: Financial information available from the Corporations Division, Office of the Secretary of State,P.O. Box
40234,Olympia, WA 985040234, or call, in state, 1-800-332-4483.
West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the
Secretary of State, State Capital, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement. Contributions to Save
the Children are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
(Rev October/11)
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Blank-athon™ 2011 to Support Save the Children East Africa Hunger Crisis Fund. Will YOU Fill in the Blank?
Thank you for thinking of Save the Children. We greatly appreciate your interest and desire to organize a
fundraising event to raise contributions (hereinafter referred to as “Fundraiser”). In connection with the Fundraiser
and to benefit Save the Children, you may use Save the Children’s name and logo, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Permission. It is our understanding that you will collect contributions from the Fundraiser and
deliver them to Save the Children. We also understand that you intend to use our name and logo only in
connection with the marketing and promotion of the Fundraiser to the general public.
You may use the name and logo in the United States, its territories and possessions, during the dates indicated
below or for a period of up to 90 days in accordance with the terms of this Permission, unless Save the Children,
in its sole discretion, and exercising reasonable judgment, determines that your use our name and logo is
inconsistent with this Permission, outside the scope of this Permission, or otherwise jeopardizes Save the
Children’s reputation or ability to conduct its business.
Again, thank you for supporting Save the Children. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Please provide the following background information:
Name:
_______________________________________Phone:_______________________________________
School:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________City: __________________State: ______ Zip: _________
Email: ______________________________________
Type of Fundraiser:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Date(s) of Event: ___________________________________ Location of Event: _________________
Yes, I give Save the Children permission to send me e-mail.
My e-mail address is: _____________________________________________________________.
Please send me the following additional e-mail communications (
check all that apply):
Emergency and crisis alerts
Good Goes Child Survival Campaign
Monthly e-newsletter and ways to help
Information about my on-going support
(sponsorship, eProject, recurring giving)
Advocacy e-newsletter and action alerts
E-mails from other non-profits and commercial organizations
Save the Children may contact you by e-mail, telephone or postal mail. We may also share a selected portion of
our mailing list with other organizations. Please visit www.savethechildren.org/privacy or call 1-800-728-3843 to
change how we manage your information or obtain a copy of our Privacy Policy.
Information concerning Save the Children Federation, Inc., including financial, licensing, or charitable
purposes may be obtained, without cost, by writing to Save the Children Federation, Inc., Assistant Corporate
Secretary, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, or by calling 1-800-728-3843.
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Blank-athon™ 2011 to Support Save the Children East Africa Hunger Crisis Fund. Will YOU Fill in the Blank?
Blank-athon™ 2011
Will YOU fill in the blank?
Photo © 2011 Save the Children. By Per‐Anders Petterson 7/7