We've done multi organization fundraisers, multi-organization events, and been the beneficiary of a split gift from events.
The biggest thing here is just setting the ground rules very specifically from the start. Have as detailed as possible, in writing, and approved by every organization:
- Exactly who is contributing what, including staff time
- What their tasks and roles will be
- Who is taking the lead on coordination
- What the decision making process will be for decisions that need to be made about the event or changes that come up
- Who will host and/or where the event will be hosted
- What needs to be communicated and by when, with a full timeline from now until the event
- When and how it is appropriate for an organization to drop out
- What the approval process will be for any public communications or marketing that goes out
- If you need insurance for the event, how that will be covered or if you need to get temporary event insurance
- For a medical event, how will the medical records be recorded and where will they be kept after the event
- What the expectations are about committing money up front for things like venues, etc.
- What the expectations are about giving away money raised from the event. Usually an even split across all organizations is best, or using a 3rd party piece of software to create "teams" where you get whatever is donated to your team.
- How expenses will be accounted for if they're taken from the money raised by the event
- How the money from the event will be kept, do you need a separate bank account, how are you doing checks and balances to make sure the money is properly counted
- Dates for final distribution of event income and how that will be handled
It is doable and can potentially give you bigger reach, but you need to make sure everyone understands the agreement you make is a legally binding document, and then make sure that document is well written to protect you and the other parties.
There are also organizations like United Way that will do this for you, and can potentially give you bigger reach, but in general you pay quite a bit for this service in terms of them only giving you about 60-70 cents for any dollar that's donated, so not usually worthwhile unless you have no fundraising capacity.
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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2023 12:07 PM
From: Dara Edmonds
Subject: Multiple Org Fundraiser
Hi there,
Has anyone ever done a fundraiser with other similar organizations? Specifically we are consider a fundraiser with 3 other HQHVSN clinics. Is it a disaster waiting to happen?
#FundraisingandDevelopment
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Dara Edmonds
Executive Director
Central Florida Community Pet Clinic
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