Third-party fundraising opportunities
You put the FUN in fundraising!
The Red Cross relies on public generosity to fulfill our important humanitarian mission of helping people prepare for, prevent and respond to emergencies.
We couldn't help without your help!
Central Illinoisans can support the Red Cross in a variety of ways by holding what's called a "third-party" fundraiser.
You can help by recruiting your friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates or fellow civic organization members to take on a worthwhile fundraising project.
First, download a third-party fundraising application at right. Then check out the ideas below to get started!
Download an application
Third-party fundraising application
Before you begin, please complete and submit this application to give us information about your proposed event.
Download this Word document, fill out, and send to John Wahlfeld, Director of Community Support.
Fax: (309) 677-7283
Mail: Attn. John Wahlfeld
American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter
311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave., Peoria, IL 61605
E-mail: jwahlfeld@redcrossillinois.org
After you submit your application, we will review it and our best to contact you within seven days. Please do not move forward with your plans until you have been notified of our decision. Once your application is approved, we will send you an agreement to sign. Thank you!
How do third-party fundraisers work?
A third-party event is any fundraising activity by a non-affiliated group or individual where the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter has no fiduciary responsibility and little or no staff involvement.
Your path to launching a third-party event typically begins with an idea and plan of action that is presented to the Red Cross. You and/or your group should complete an application and submit a signed Third Party Contract. Upon careful review, we will assist the potential organizers in determining if the proposed event is viable. Although we actively encourage third-party fundraising events, all such events must be approved by us in advance.
This is an important safeguard to preserving the integrity of the American Red Cross name and our commitment to raise the funds necessary to fulfill our mission in a cost-efficient and effective manner. While we are able to provide guidance for your event, we do not have the personnel to handle the organizational and administrative tasks associated with third-party events. Therefore, the event sponsor is responsible for the details of the event, including:
- Underwriting all of the related costs
- Recruiting volunteers to help out at the event
- Creating flyers to publicize the event
- Working at the actual event
Fundraising ideas
At work and at school
- Jeans Day: Have colleagues/peers
donate $5 to wear jeans to work - Recycle cans and donate proceeds to Red Cross
- Put containers out at retail businesses or classrooms
to collect loose change - Class projects
Weddings & showers
- Have guests contribute to the Red Cross,
in lieu of/in addition to gifts
Sports
- Softball tournament: Charge an entry fee for each team
- Dunk tank: Get local celebrities to be dunked at your event
- Concession stands at Little League games
More fundraising ideas
Auctions and sales
- Pampered Chef, Tupperware, or jewelry party:
Donate a portion of the sales - Car wash
- Book sale
- Bake sale
- Crafts auction
- Baskets (Theme) auction:
Put together theme baskets to be auctioned off - Wrapping: Set up a Christmas package wrapping station
at the mall for donations - Lemonade stand
Also, check with local stores for matching funds and/or grants.
Other considerations
- Organizers must sign a Third-Party Event contract..
- The event will be promoted in a manner to avoid statement or appearance of the American Red Cross endorsing any product, firm, organization, individual or service.
- The Red Cross must approve all promotional materials, including but not limited to letters, brochures, flyers and press releases prior to production or distribution.
- All promotional materials must clearly state the percentage of proceeds that will benefit the Red Cross.
- The Red Cross should receive a list of targeted sponsors for the event before they are approached to minimize overlap with other Red Cross events and/or fundraising campaigns that may be underway.
- The Red Cross can provide collection canisters and informational materials promoting the organization, its goals and accomplishments. Advance notice is needed regarding the quantities needed for the event.
- Event organizers are responsible for obtaining all permits especially those for raffles and/or games of chance.
- Event organizers must obtain their own liability insurance to cover the event.
- Under no circumstances should third-party event revenue and expenses flow through American Red Cross books. Only the final net proceeds from the event are to be processed by the American Red Cross.
- American Red Cross should receive a complete accounting of all funds collected and expenses related to the event. We reserve the right to inspect all event financial records.
- American Red Cross is not financially liable for the promotion and/or staging of third-party events.