Funding

Includes fundraising, events, grants, and other income generating activities.

Raffling a Porsche Boxster Online: Missing the Bumps in the Road

  • Post category:FundingManagement
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Prior to COVID-19 had you ever attended a virtual fundraising event? I hadn’t. When the Nonprofit Association of Oregon offered a webinar on how the Dougy Center transitioned their largest in-person fundraising event to a virtual event, I registered.

My family became aware of the Dougy Center when we lived in Oregon. They provide support for children and young adults dealing with grief. A fantastic organization that has loads of community support. For 23 years one sponsor has made the raffle of a Porsche Boxster possible.

Taking that raffle online required navigating bumps in the road.

To buy a raffle ticket online, the purchaser had to check a box verifying that they were in the state of Oregon. Why?

Raffles are gambling. A raffle involves pay-to-play, a prize, and a random drawing. Gambling is illegal, however most states and localities allow nonprofits, 501(c)(3), to conduct raffles for fundraising purposes. The rules governing raffles are determined by the state and locality where the nonprofit is located.

Usually it is only legal to sell raffle tickets in the state the nonprofit is located in. So even though the Dougy Center is just across the Columbia River from Washington state, it is not legal to sell tickets in Washington. Selling tickets online can be problematic and some states ban it. Many nonprofits avoid it or do as the Dougy Center did and require the purchaser to verify that they are physically located in the same state as the nonprofit.

If you are considering holding a raffle and want to avoid the bumps in the road then here are some things to consider:

  • Raffle are not allowed on Service-managed property (633 FW4)
  • Adhere to the local and state laws
  • Acquire the necessary permits
  • Follow the IRS regulations on Charitable Gaming
  • Ensure proper records are kept
  • File appropriate taxes that might include: excise, UBIT, and withholding
  • Ensure proceeds are used according to state regulations

Understanding the rules your nonprofit has to operate within will make your raffle successful. For us, we’ll have to take a trip to Oregon to purchase a raffle ticket for the Porsche Boxster.

Resources for nonprofits on raffles:
National Council of Nonprofits
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/games-of-chance-raffles-and-charity-auctions

Guide Through the Legal Jungle
https://www.guidethroughthelegaljungleblog.com/2013/04/why-your-non-profit-may-not-be-able-to-sell-raffle-tickets-online.html#:~:text=Raffle%20laws%20vary%20from%20state,raffle%20tickets%20across%20state%20lines

Fundraiser Help
https://www.fundraiserhelp.com/?s=raffle+rules

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NFWF Friends Grants Program Proposals Due June 30th

  • Post category:Funding
  • Reading time:1 mins read

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is now accepting grant proposals for the competitive 2020 National Wildlife Refuge Friends Grant Program.

NFWF announced that, “along with its partners, recognizes the important role refuge Friends organizations play in building critical community support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System). As such, NFWF is requesting proposals for projects that help organizations to be effective co-stewards of the nation’s important natural resources within the Refuge System. The Refuge System’s Friends program (Friends program) provides competitive grants of $1,500 to $15,000 to creative and innovative proposals that seek to increase the effectiveness of Friends organizations assisting the Refuge System nationwide.”

The Friends program will award grants for nonprofit capacity building grants, project specific grants, and peer-to-peer coaching grants, and special initiative grants. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provides funding for the Friends program.

Details about this funding opportunity are provided in the Request For Proposals at https://bit.ly/2XkslWM

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NWRA Fundraising Webinar for Friends

 

NWRA Fundraising Flyer
Click image to go to registration form.

Date: May 12 or May 14, 2020 (two sessions to choose from)
Presented by: Courtney Lewis, NWRA Director of Development

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is sponsoring a webinar exclusively for refuge Friends groups to discuss various fundraising strategies in response to the effects of COVID-19.

The topics of discussion are: Fundraising during COVID-19; Fundraising Events; Foundations, Individual Donors, and Major Donors. If time permits, we will have questions at the end.

Go to the online form to choose the date and time for the session you wish to attend. Connection information will be sent to you the day before the webinar.

“In fifty minutes, Courtney conveyed more useful, practical information on effective fundraising than I’ve heard in sessions many times that long.”  —Mike Baldwin, Ding Darling Wildlife Society

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#GivingTuesdayNow, a Global Day of Giving and Unity

  • Post category:Funding
  • Reading time:3 mins read

The Giving Tuesday organization has announced #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity set to take place on May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world. Communities are being encouraged to act on behalf of first responders, as well as the world’s other – often forgotten – frontline workers: the nonprofits and community organizations that feed, house, educate, and nurture neighbors impacted by the global pandemic.

As you likely realize, many nonprofits are currently in dire financial straits with needs that may jeopardize their ability to survive, much less serve those who most need their help. So, unless your Friends organization can describe a compelling need, this may not be the optimal time to launch a fundraising effort or even do heavy promotion in preparation for May 5. However, since Giving Tuesday will draw donor attention worldwide, you may want to be prepared with a message of support and even, as appropriate, invite your supporters to visit their nearby national wildlife refuge or park for quality time in nature—while “social distancing,” of course. You may also want to express your gratitude to supporters for their financial gifts and volunteer time since normal activities will resume at some point, and when the time comes, Friends want to be prepared to support their USFWS partners with event and project funding as in the past. .

Here are some ways you can help:

  • Give again to causes you love.
  • Learn about and support nonprofits and schools that are stepping up to help support those whose lives are affected by this crisis.
  • Search for your favorite causes or find a new one to get to know.
  • Help your local partners who are more directly involved with COVID 19 response to publicize their need and encourage your members and supporters to help however they can on Giving Tuesday, May 5, 2020.
  • Find out whether other virtual fundraising events may be planned in your state. For example, in Minnesota, #GiveAtHomeMN, a virtual fundraising event by GiveMN.org, will be taking place May 1 – 8 for nonprofits and schools across the state. All registered Minnesota nonprofits receive a free online giving page at GiveMN.org, and a fee rebate will be in effect through May 31.

Find out about Giving Tuesday here:

https://www.givingtuesday.org/blog/2020/03/givingtuesday-announces-day-global-action-giving-and-unity-response-covid-19

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