Community Fundraising Event Handbook How to plan your own fundraiser

Community Fundraising Event Handbook How to plan your own fundraiser Table of Contents Title Page……………………………………………………………….…1 Table of Contents………………...
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Community Fundraising Event Handbook How to plan your own fundraiser

Table of Contents Title Page……………………………………………………………….…1 Table of Contents………………………………………………………...2 Introduction……………………………………………………………….3 About the BC SPCA………………………………………………………4 BC SPCA Statistics…………………………………………………….…5 Community Fundraising Event Ideas For Individuals……………………………………………………...6 Fundraising For Kids…..…………………………………………..7 Seasonal Fundraising Ideas.……………………………………...7 Fundraising in the Workplace…………………...………………..8 Fundraising 101……………………………………….…………...……...9 Dos & Don’ts…………………………………………………………......10 The BC SPCA’s Role in your Fundraising……………………….……..11 BC SPCA Gift Acceptance Policy……………………………….………12 BC SPCA Donation Form………………………………………………..13

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Thank You! Thank you for your interest in supporting the BC SPCA by hosting a fundraising event! As we currently receive no provincial or federal government funding, we are truly reliant on the generosity of supporters like you. This guide is intended to provide you with the tools needed to plan your very own event. To officially register your event with the BC SPCA and review our third party event policies, visit our site. Should you have any additional questions after reading this handbook, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call 1-800-665-1868.

Tibby, a sweet Abyssinian-cross Guinea Pig from the Nanaimo Shelter.

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About the BCSPCA How does the BC SPCA help animals in your community?

Did you know? The BC SPCA.... was founded in 1895. currently receives no provincial or federal government funding and is reliant on the support of individuals, employee groups, companies and service clubs. is the largest animal welfare organization in North America. rescues nearly 29,000 injured, homeless and abused animals (companion, farm and wild) every year.

Enforcement of animal cruelty laws by Special Provincial Constables. Sheltering and adoption of homeless, injured and abused animals. Low-cost spay/neuter programs and services to reduce pet overpopulation. Humane education through sponsored guest speakers, school programs, summer camps and the BC SPCA Kids Club. Advocacy on animal-related issues, such as campaigning for stronger anti-cruelty laws.

Comox Valley & District Branch Cruelty prevention and education programs for adults. Outreach through pet food banks and a free monthly vet clinic in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Reuniting lost pets with their guardians.

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

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BCSPCA Statistics In 2012, the BC SPCA: Operated thirty animal shelters, two education and adoption centres, one store-front adoption facility, three volunteer-run branches and Wild ARC, a wildlife rehabilitation centre on Vancouver Island. Rescued 28,973 injured, homeless, neglected and abused animals (companion, farm and wild). Reunited 4,477 lost animals with their anxious families. Found new, loving families for 16,363 homeless animals (4,603 dogs and puppies, 10,600 cats and kittens, 285 rabbits & others). Helped 2,464 injured and orphaned wild animals (1,729 birds, 729 mammals, two amphibians and four reptiles) at Wild ARC, the BC SPCA's wildlife rehabilitation centre in Metchosin on Vancouver Island. Conducted 6,042 new cruelty investigations. Removed 869 animals from dangerous or neglectful situations through cruelty investigations. Provided nearly $2 million for a wide range of programs to reduce pet overpopulation.

Whitney is a charming girl from our Shuswap Branch. She loves being petted and snuggling up. Your support helps cats like Whitney find their forever home.

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Community Fundraising Event Ideas For Individuals

There are so many ways in which you can raise funds for the BC SPCA. Here are just a few ideas: Put your talents to good use and hold a bake sale, craft sale or something similar. Hold a party and ask your guests to contribute a “cover” donation. Instead of receiving gifts for your birthday, ask your friends and family to make donations to the BC SPCA in your name. Run a car wash or dog wash with friends or a recreational group you belong to. Set a minimum donation price. Host a pub night and donate the proceeds to the BC SPCA. Looking to clear some clutter? Join together with some friends and hold a book or garage sale. Hold a Game Show Night. Organize your own Who Wants to be a Millionaire? or Canadian Idol with your friends and family.

Caper's Dog Wash

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Fundraising for Kids

You are never too young to make a difference! Wash cars, baby-sit, mow lawns, shovel snow, pet-sit – you name it – and donate your earnings to the BC SPCA. Soaring temperatures? Help your neighbours cool down by setting up a lemonade stand. Choose an area with high visibility. Fill a Guessing Jar with an item like M&Ms or buttons and get people to pay to guess the quantity. The winner gets the jar full of goodies. Hold a Read-a-thon where you and your friends get people to pay per page, word or book that you read. You can do this over the course of an hour, a week or months!

Seasonal Ideas

‘tis the season! Valentine’s Day - Get your students’ council or another school group to sell individual flowers to students and deliver them to friends or a crush on Valentine’s Day (this idea can also be used for a Halloween or Easter event with Candygrams). Easter - Easter Egg Hunt! Hide treats around a location of your choice. Ask everyone who participates (or their parents) to make a small donation. Christmas season - Create a gift-wrapping service. Ask for a minimum donation per gift to the BC SPCA. Halloween - Hold a pumpkin carving contest. Friends and family can pay to enter and the winner will get a prize that you provide.

In the Workplace

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Fundraising in the Workplace

Fundraising in the workplace is a great way to help out a worthwhile cause and boost morale. Get your company to fundraise through its sales. There are lots of ways to do this, by donating a percentage of sales on a certain day, collecting proceeds from a specific service or product or just putting out a donation jar. Contact [email protected] for more information. Hold casual Fridays or Jeans Days and ask every person who wishes to dress-down for a small donation to the BC SPCA for participating. Create your own snack store. Buy goodies in bulk and sell them to your coworkers. Recoup your expenses and donate the profits to the BC SPCA. Raffle off a parking spot. Employees can enter their name and a small donation to win the best spot for a month. Bosses and managers: offer to shave your head or have your legs waxed if the staff raise a certain amount. Set an ambitious fundraising goal and see how much your employees want to see you embarrassed! Set a fundraising goal, if your employees meet it, treat them to lunch!

This BC SPCA manager agreed to wax his legs if staff raised a certain amount of money....and they did!

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BCSPCA Fundraising 101 Here are some guidelines and suggestions to keep in mind when planning and executing your fundraising project Step-by-Step Plan 1.

Decide what kind of project you want to do to raise funds.

2.

Fill out the BC SPCA Fundraising Application form online.

3.

Plan and execute the event adhering to the BC SPCA Fundraising Guidelines and Gift Acceptance Policy. Visit our site for more details.

4.

Contact the BC SPCA within two weeks of your event to let us know how everything went.

5.

Submit donations (cash or cheques made out to the BC SPCA) within one month of the event.

Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause

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Dos and Don’ts DOs Set a goal - Decide how much money you want to raise. Be creative - There are many different ways to raise money. Set a date(s) - Take seasonal events, weather and holidays into consideration. Find a location - You’ll want to have the most visibility and traffic possible. Some venues are willing to give discounts for charitable fundraising – ask around. Involve others – Fundraising projects are more fun and less stressful with a team. Determine each person’s job and set timelines to keep everyone on track Invite friends and family – They are your best network and eager to support your efforts. Create a budget – Some money is almost always spent in the pursuit of raising funds. Make sure your costs will not overshadow your profits. Check out our budget template online. Advertise – Create posters, place ads at community events and add your project to online event calendars. Use social media to get the word out. Remember to check the content with your BC SPCA contact before distributing. Make sure you have the necessary licenses and permits. If you are holding a raffle or draw you should contact BC Gaming. If you are serving liquor at your event, contact BC Liquor Control & Licensing Branch.

Bailey was adopted from the Kelowna Branch at 12 years old. At first, he was overweight and had severe arthritis. After a couple months of TLC and dieting, he now enjoys going for long hikes with his forever family.

Communicate with us – Be sure to let us know your idea, we may be able to help! DON’Ts DO NOT go door to door soliciting from strangers. DO NOT promise tax receipts. Not all donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Please contact the BC SPCA Provincial Office to find out if your fundraising proceeds are tax receiptable. BC SPCA Community Fundraising Handbook 10

The BCSPCA’s Role in Your Fundraising How we are ABLE to help You can download a BC SPCA poster and fundraising/pledge form. Donation boxes, large posters and banners are available as well. Email our events team at [email protected] for more details.

How we are UNABLE to help Unfortunately, as a not-for-profit organization with limited staff and resources we cannot: guarantee staff or volunteer attendance at your event, advertise on our website or in promotional materials beyond event listings or contact current donors on your behalf.

Maddie was adopted from the Vancouver branch. She now loves to cuddle and explore her family’s garden under supervision.

Important Fundraising Guidelines The BC SPCA is not financially liable for the promotion and/or staging of community fundraising events. Only the final net proceeds will be processed by the BC SPCA. Under no circumstances will community fundraising event revenues and expenses flow through the BC SPCA.

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BCSPCA Gift Acceptance Policy We cannot accept any donations that contradict the mission of the BC SPCA. To better understand what this means, please note the following circumstances under which we cannot accept a donation. The BC SPCA will not accept donations of any kind that are derived or reasonably believed to be derived from the proceeds of crime. The BC SPCA will not accept donations of any kind that it believes may be a scheme or part of a scheme to evade the payment of income tax. The BC SPCA will not accept donations from individuals, businesses or organizations whose actions, or actions of any parent or associated organization, are inconsistent with the charter of the BC SPCA. The BC SPCA will not accept gifts from individuals, businesses or organizations that have been convicted of causing or permitting cruelty to animals as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada or the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act or have had animals Riley, a Victoria Shelter Adoptee seized by the BC SPCA. The BC SPCA will not accept donations or gifts from individuals or organizations that host Third Party events at which animals are killed. The BC SPCA reserves the right to refuse any gift or donation which the Society believes offends generally accepted standards of morals or any gift or donation that it believes will harm the reputation of the Society or render it open to criticism or which would hinder the mandate of the Society. Should you have any questions, please contact us via phone, email or fax. BC SPCA Provincial Office 1245 East 7th Ave, Vancouver BC V5T1R1 Phone: 604.709.4651 Fax: 604.681.7022 Email: [email protected]

We respect your privacy. The Society collects your personal information in order to process your request to organize an event for the BC SPCA. We may also contact you from time to time with information about other ways you can help us in our mission. If you prefer not to receive this kind of communication from us, or for more information about our privacy practices: http://www.spca.bc.ca/about/governance-accountability/privacypolicy.html. BC SPCA Charitable Registration # BN 11881 9036 RR0001

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BCSPCA Donation Form What to do after the event

Event Name:_______________________ Event Organiser: _________________________ Donor/Attendee Information Salutation: __ Mr. ___Mrs. ___Ms. ___Dr ___Other:_______ First Name: ____________________________ Last Name: _____________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________ Prov: ____________ Postal Code: ________________ Home Phone: _______________________________Email:______________________________

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Please do not send updates and information on the BC SPCA. Please send me information on leaving a gift in my will.

Gift Information

Individual Gift (can be tax receiptable): $_____________________ OR Event Proceeds (not tax receiptable): $______________________ Payment Information Gift Type: ___ cheque enclosed (payable to BC SPCA) ___Cash ___Visa ___Mastercard ____AMEX Credit Card Number: ________/_________/_________/_________ Expires: _______/_______ Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _______________________ Tribute Information (If Applicable) In Memory of: ____________________________________ In Honour of: _____________________________ Honour Reason: _______________________ Please send Acknowledgment Card to (if required): __________________________________ First Name:_______________________________ Last Name:___________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________ Prov: ___________ Postal Code: ______________ BC SPCA Charitable Registration # BN 11881 9036 RR0001

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