Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I raise the money?

2. Can we sign up as a team?

3. Who acknowledges my contributors?

4. How do you know that a donation is for me?

5. Can I accept the collection of contributions and write Extra Hands one check?

6. What if a check is made out to me, not to Extra Hands?

7. What do I do when I am collecting donations and supporters give me cash?

8. What is a matching gift, and how can it help my fundraising efforts?

9. Can I be reimbursed for my fundraising expenses?

10. Can I use the Extra Hands and/or the Athletic Challenge logos on my fundraising materials?

11. Where do I send the donations I receive?

12. Do you have a question that we have not answered?
    

How do I raise the money?     back to top
Raising money can be easier than you think. Remember, your philanthropic commitment to join The Athletic Challenge is inspiring. In asking for contributions you are allowing others to join you in the fight against ALS. Extra Hands is with you every step of the way. For specific questions about how to raise donation dollars, see the Fundraising Ideas and Fundraising Basics articles.

Can we sign up as a team?     back to top
If you are fundraising on behalf of a club, organization or group you should still register as a single member. Incentives and awards are for individual representatives.

Who acknowledges my contributors?     back to top
Extra Hands will send an acknowledgment to anyone who donates to your Athletic Challenge efforts. It is a good idea, however, to send your own personal thank-you to anyone who responds to your request for support. Share photos or updates of your progress to make contributors feel included in your game plan. When you log on to your Athletic Challenge account, you will be able to see your list of donors who have contributed.

How do you know that a donation is for me?     back to top
The best way is if the donor clicks through your personal webpage and makes an online credit card payment. If contributing via mail, the only way that we will know that a donation was made on your behalf is if the donor places your name and Extra Hands Athletic Challenge reference on the memo line of their check and sends it to us with a Contribution Form. To avoid confusion, ask donors to send their contributions to your personal address first. You then forward the collection to Extra Hands.

Can I accept the collection of contributions and write Extra Hands one check?     back to top
We don’t recommend it. If you collect all of the donations and deposit them into your personal account in order to write one check, the IRS will consider that deposit income in your account and you will be taxed on it. Also, because the check is from your account, your donors will not receive a tax receipt for their gift.

What if a check is made out to me, not to Extra Hands?     back to top
If a donor makes the check payable to you, simply endorse the check with your signature and "Payable to Extra Hands" and send it to us with a note explaining the contribution.

What do I do when I am collecting donations and supporters give me cash?     back to top
When donors give you cash, please have them fill out a Contribution Form with their contact information and donation amount. Transfer the cash into a cashier's check and send check and form to Extra Hands. To be safe, encourage your contributors to write a check instead of mailing cash.

What is a matching gift, and how can it help my fundraising efforts?     back to top
Many companies offer employees a matching gift benefit that, in effect, doubles your gift to Extra Hands. Check to see if your company has a matching gift program, taking note of any possible restrictions. Contact your human resources or finance department for the proper forms, and then send your paperwork with donations to Extra Hands. Remind your individual donors that their companies may have matching gift programs too.

Can I be reimbursed for my fundraising expenses?     back to top
Extra Hands cannot reimburse you for your fundraising expenses. To keep your expenses down, consider approaching businesses and asking them for in-kind donations for your event. In return you can give them free advertising on your flyers, brochures, letters, t-shirts, etc. In-kind donations of goods or services are not directly given to Extra Hands, however, so tax receipts are not available for these contributions.

Can I use the Extra Hands and/or the Athletic Challenge logos on my fundraising materials?     back to top
Our logos may be used as you write letters, make flyers, create programs, etc. But before you use them we ask that you email or mail us a copy of every usage so we can approve them.

Where do I send the donations I receive?     back to top
Checks should be made payable to Extra Hands for ALS.
Mail contributions to:
Extra Hands for ALS
36 Four Seasons Center, Suite 293
St. Louis, MO 63017

Do you have a question that we have not answered?     back to top
Email us at: xhac@extrahands.org

Posted by Editor at November 6, 2004 04:31 PM

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