Host Your Own Children’s Fundraiser
When you host a fundraiser benefiting Children’s, you’re making an impact on the lives of the thousands of kids we serve by contributing to lifesaving research, training programs for future care providers and specialty services that help families facing a challenging diagnosis. You’re also helping your community by supporting our efforts to extend our reach and provide families across Georgia access to the care they need when they need it most.
There are many ways to raise funds to support Children’s. The first step is choosing the fundraiser that’s right for you. Here are some things to consider as you decide on the best fit:
- How much time would you like to commit to this effort?
- Would you prefer to host a fundraiser on your own or with others?
- Are you interested in partnering with your company or employer?
- Would you like to host an event at your home?
Set up an online fundraiser and engage friends, family and co-workers to help you reach your fundraising goal.
Compel your friends and social media followers to help you make a difference for Georgia kids.
Foster the sense of fulfillment that comes from turning passion into purpose and joining together to make a positive impact on your community. Here are a few ideas for inspiration and tips for hosting a successful in-person fundraiser.
- Dinner with friends: Host a dinner party for friends, asking each couple to bring a check for Children’s in the amount it would have cost them to go out for dinner. Even an intimate dinner party can help raise funds to help Children’s.
- Kids can help kids, too: Encourage your children to do around-the-house chores or open a lemonade stand to raise money for Children’s. Kids for Kids activities offer fun opportunities to teach children the importance of giving back on behalf of the patients at Children’s.
- Sporting activities: Consider organizing a running or cycling event, tennis tournament, fishing event, walk-a-thon kick-a-thons, board breaks or any number of activities that engage sporting enthusiasts.
- Gifting for good: Rather than asking for birthday or other special occasion gifts, invite party guests to bring a check for Children’s. While having a fun celebration, attendees will know they are helping our young patients.
- Put it on the menu: Speak to the manager at a favorite restaurant or local store, and ask if he or she can donate a portion of sales or gratuities to Children’s.
- Strength in numbers: Think of fundraising activities for groups that are already established, such as knitting groups, scrapbooking groups or book clubs. Incorporate a fundraising activity that the group can do together at a regularly scheduled meeting or gathering. Selling knitted items or scrapbooks can be a fun way to use your group’s creative talents to help Children’s.
- Community yard sales: Invite several neighbors or friends to set up tables for a community yard sale, with proceeds benefiting Children’s.
- School fundraisers: Students searching for a great community service or club project may be interested in raising funds and awareness for Children’s. Consider hosting a fundraiser during a pep rally, field day or school dance.
If you’d like more ideas or have questions about planning an event, please contact Melisa Morrow, Corporate Development Officer at Children’s, at 404-785-7338 or melisa.morrow@choa.org.
Now that you have chosen what type of fundraiser you want to do, you need to register your event and get prior approval from our team.
This will allow our team to give you support and advice, as well as approval to use our benefiting logo. We can also provide a letter of endorsement so that everyone will know your event is officially sanctioned by Children’s. (Please note that you do not have to register through the link if you are doing a Click for Kids or Facebook fundraiser.)
Once your application is received, a Children’s Foundation representative will reach out to you to discuss the details of your event, including the date, time and place of the event or promotion.
Here are some additional guidelines to consider as you continue planning your event:
- Spending limits: Children’s recommends spending no more than 25 to 30 cents for every dollar raised, with some exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
- Event name: Mention Children’s as a beneficiary of your event, but not in the name of your event (“XYZ event benefiting Children’s,” not “Children’s XYZ Event”).
- Business sponsors: A list of potential business sponsors for your event must be approved by Children’s before your first contact, as many local businesses have longstanding involvement with Children’s.
- Fundraising: Children’s is authorized to have access to all fundraising records and accounting of its community events.
- Proceeds: Event proceeds must be submitted to Children’s within 45 days of the event date.
Questions? Contact Melisa Morrow, Development Officer Affiliate Events at Children’s, at 404-785-7338 or melisa.morrow@choa.org.
If you have any additional questions, please Contact Melisa Morrow at 404-785-7338 or melisa.morrow@choa.org.
Your fundraiser can be hosted at any time that is convenient for you. If you opt for an in-person event, be sure to consider factors like weather and the number of guests, which may dictate the time and location of your event.
You can designate your funds to a specific area of Children’s if you choose, or you can make a general donation that will go toward our most urgent needs. Rest assured that all the money raised will help us continue to provide access to specialized care, advance groundbreaking research, increase out support services and expand our facilities to meet the needs of Georgia kids for generations to come.
Anyone is welcome to host a fundraiser to support Children’s.
Unfortunately, we are unable to help with media outreach. We highly recommend asking friends and family to help spread the word about your event and using personal social media channels for publicity.
We would love to help, but due to confidentiality requirements, we cannot provide any mailing. We recommend asking friends and family to spread the word.
We will contact you within five business days after receiving your event application.
Yes. Once your event is approved, we are happy to provide a benefiting Children’s logo for use in your promotional materials. Submit materials for approval before printing or use.
Event organizers are responsible for finding volunteers to help with planning and staffing of the event.
We are busy planning Children’s events like the Hope and Will Ball, Southern Sizzle and many others, so we are unable to manage community events. We can, however, give advice and provide support for your event.
We are unable to provide auction items.
The state of Georgia requires a raffle license, and we are unable to provide this for community events.
We supply tax letters for donations made directly to Children’s.
Children’s can’t assume any liability for an event conducted on its behalf.
We strongly encourage event organizers to include a budget that covers expenses. Children’s cannot reimburse these costs. We are happy to provide a budget planning worksheet to help you.
Start your own online fundraiser
Your support has the power to make a difference. By fundraising through Click for Kids, you can make a greater impact than ever before. It’s simple and fast, and gives you the chance to raise funds for Children’s. In just a few easy steps, you can create your own fundraiser or join an existing team to honor a patient or commemorate a special occasion.
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