SHOW YOUR TEAM SPIRIT

Transcription

1 SHOW YOUR TEAM SPIRIT J AY S C A R E F O U N D AT I O N F U N D R A I S I N G T O O L K I T

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3 CONTENTS THANK YOU for stepping up to the plate to raise funds in support of Jays Care Foundation. Through Jays Care Foundation, the Toronto Blue Jays aim to create positive opportunities and increase access to organized sport for children and youth in need across Canada. With your help, the Blue Jays can continue to break barriers for kids through the power of sport. WHY WE NEED YOU TO PITCH IN... 2 HERE IS HOW WE INVEST THE FUNDS YOU RAISE... 3 GETTING STARTED...4 SET YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL... 5 EVENT IDEA GUIDE... 6 SUBMIT YOUR GAME PLAN...7 PLANNING CHECKLIST... 8 THIRD-PARTY FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES... 9 THANK YOU! THIRD-PARTY EVENT PROPOSAL FORM...11

4 WHY WE NEED YOU TO PITCH IN TEAMWORK MAKES A DIFFERENCE. It comes in all forms, from big, game-saving plays to consistent day-in and day-out contributions. It s a key attribute of championship teams, and it s seen every day in small victories. Teamwork helps us provide critical funding and invest in programs and initiatives that improve the lives of children and youth across Canada, including: Encouraging kids to become physically active through youth baseball initiatives Funding capital projects that break barriers and provide access to dedicated, safe spaces where children and youth can play, learn and grow Partnering to provide important educational opportunities for at-risk youth Providing grants to charities serving children and youth in need

5 HERE IS HOW WE INVEST THE FUNDS YOU RAISE JAYS CARE ABOUT GIVING EVERY KID THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY Baseball teaches the fundamental life skills of teamwork and cooperation, dedication and discipline, respect and responsibility, self-confidence and independence. Through a partnership with Toronto Community Housing and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, the Blue Jays Baseball Academy Rookie League introduces children and youth living in underresourced communities to the sport of baseball. For many participants, these opportunities represent their very first opportunity to experience organized sport. This year-round program is offered at no cost to participants and their families. Annually, Blue Jays Baseball Academy Rookie League reaches over 7,500 children in youth across Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation received the 2012 Commissioner s Award for Philanthropic Excellence in recognition of extraordinary charitable and philanthropic efforts of a Major League Baseball Club. BUILDING SAFE SPACES The Blue Jays believe that having a safe environment should be the right of all children and youth. Jays Care Foundation helps build and develop such safe places, where children and youth can play baseball, spend time with their friends, develop life-skills, and learn from positive role models. To date, Jays Care Foundation has invested more than $4 million in the creation of 40 safe youth spaces across Canada. HELPING CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN NEED To help children and youth get the best start in life, Jays Care Foundation supports charity and community groups that offer programs focused on physical activity, academic excellence and healthy living. Since 2008, Jays Care has invested over $6.2 million in Grand Slam grants. BREAKING BARRIERS TO EDUCATION Earning a high school diploma is one of the first steps on the path to success. Through a $1-million national partnership with Pathways to Education, the Home Run Scholars program is working to make Canada a Graduation Nation. Home Run Scholars helps youth in low-income communities graduate from high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education or training. Through tutoring, career mentoring, financial assistance, and one-on-one support, youth learn to overcome barriers that stand in the way of education. Home Run Scholars has doubled high school graduation rates among participants, and dropout rates in select areas have declined by as much as 70%. Beyond Sport recognized the Toronto Blue Jays as the 2013 Team of the Year. This international accolade was awarded for Jays Care Foundations efforts as the only major league sports team in North America to invest in kids and communities across an entire nation. MAKING UNFORGETTABLE BASEBALL EXPERIENCES Attending your first baseball game is a moment that sticks with you forever: watching your favourite player hit a home run, eating popcorn and hot dogs with your friends, and singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. The Jays Care Community Clubhouse is a kid-friendly, luxury suite at the Rogers Centre one that gives children and youth from a variety of difficult circumstances the opportunity to experience cheering on their Toronto Blue Jays at home games. Annually, more than 2,700 children, youth and families are invited to the Jays Care Community Clubhouse.

6 GETTING STARTED Here are a few important things to consider before you start planning your event: SHARE YOUR STORY. People are more likely to donate or volunteer their time to help if you clearly articulate why a cause is important to you and why you need their support. Be prepared to share your story with your donors. BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN! The more interesting the event, the more appealing it will be. Think about who you are trying to attract and what you personally would be excited about, then tailor the event accordingly. Fun and unique experiences are key. SET REALISTIC GOALS. We recommend setting a realistic fundraising goal; this will not only help to motivate your team members, but it will also give your supporters something to work towards. KEEP EXPENSES IN CHECK. When planning a fundraiser, it is important to manage administrative expenses and keep them low. Try soliciting in-kind donations or, if possible, finding sponsors. TIMING IS EVERYTHING. Check the calendar before committing to an event date. To give your event relevance, schedule its theme to coincide with a special day (examples: birthdays, holidays, or even when the Blue Jays are in town). USE YOUR NETWORK. Be mindful of who is in your network and solicit accordingly. Think about who you can ask to support your fundraising efforts, including friends, family and colleagues. Remember, ask not, have not! SPREAD THE WORD. Take advantage of all the social media tools available to collect donations and recruit people to attend your event. Make sure your supporters know any donation over $20 is tax deductible. The online fundraising software used by Jays Care Foundation is compatible with both Twitter and Facebook. DON T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP! Remember, we are here to help you. Call us anytime to discuss your idea, how we can lend support, or any questions you have, at

7 SET YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL With your help, here is what we can accomplish in communities across the country: Dollar Amount Impact $100 Help us supply 10 kids with a backpack full of school supplies so they are prepared to take on the school year. $250 Help provide equipment to a Boys & Girls Club location for kids to participate in the Blue Jays Baseball Academy Rookie League program. $400 Register a child for the seven-week Blue Jays Baseball Academy Rookie League season. $1,000 Provide transportation for Rookie League communities for an entire season in Toronto. $2,500 Provide a unique and unforgettable baseball experience for 35 kids to cheer on their Toronto Blue Jays from the Jays Care Community Clubhouse. $5000 Help fund the construction, renovation and/or programming of safe youth spaces for kids to play, learn and grow.

8 EVENT IDEA GUIDE Browse through the list of event ideas below for inspiration! Think about the skills and network you have and what you would enjoy doing. Slow-pitch (or Snow-pitch) tournament Home Run Challenge Scavenger Hunt Silent Auction Donation Match (to player stats) Garage Sale Raffle* Equipment Drive Car Wash CN Tower Edge Walk Pancakes and Beer Event Dress-down Day (at work or school) Golf Tournament Catch-athon Benefit Concert Run/Jog/Walk-athon (5K, 10K, etc.) Bake Sale BBQ (community or workplace) Pool Party Dinner Party Gala Event Blue Jays Ticket Sales Fundraiser (offered to groups). Call Group Sales at for more information *May require a lottery license to conduct a raffle. For more information, please contact Jays Care Foundation at CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED SPORT TAKE 1,600 MORE STEPS PER DAY THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT DID YOU KNOW? SOURCE: 2011 ACTIVE HEALTHY KIDS CANADA REPORT CARD ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

9 SUBMIT YOUR GAME PLAN 2011 ACTIVE HEALTHY KIDS CANADA REPORT CARD ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH HOW TO REGISTER Please complete the enclosed Fan Fundraising Proposal Form (pg. 11) so we can add you to our events calendar and help you achieve your goal. START FUNDRAISING! Once you decide on an idea to raise funds, here are a few suggestions on how to collect pledges: COLLECT PLEDGES ONLINE Jays Care Foundation has the tools available for Fan Fundraiser events that will allow online fundraising; you can even build teams of fundraisers with individual and team goals. The online resource can be used for participants to solicit donations in an easy and secure way, track progress, and communicate with donors and teammates. To create your own personal (or team) online fundraising page, please follow these steps below: 1. Visit 2. Click on Sign Up 3. Register as Team Captain, Team Member or Individual 4. Personalize your page 5. Solicit donations. Send s and share your story on social media networks! 6. Keep track of donations and watch your thermometer rise! COLLECT OFFLINE PLEDGES You can also collect pledges in person at your event, in the form of cash or cheque (payable to Jays Care Foundation). Please make sure to record the donations and donor information on the pledge form (enclosed). All donations over $20 will be issued a tax receipt. LET US HELP YOU SPREAD THE WORD Make sure to connect with us online so we can help you promote your fundraising activity! CLOSE TO 40% OF BOYS AND ALMOST 30% OF GIRLS AGES 5-11 IN ONTARIO ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE DID YOU

10 PLANNING CHECKLIST Use this step-by-step checklist to ensure you are on the right track to making your event a success. BEFORE YOUR EVENT q Brainstorm fundraising ideas (see pg. 6) q Check into any possible safety, insurance and licensing issues q Determine how many people you will need to organize the event q Connect with Jays Care Foundation about your event by completing the Proposal Form (pg. 11) so we can support your efforts q Find a suitable location q Select a date q Promote your event, share your story! Please ensure all materials are approved by Jays Care Foundation prior to use DURING THE EVENT q Assign someone to be responsible for collecting any offline donations (cash/cheques) q Display/distribute Jays Care Foundation newsletters and materials q Tell your story to a captive audience q Thank event attendees and sponsors for their participation AFTER YOUR EVENT q Thank your donors and volunteers q Send any offline donations (cash/cheques) to Jays Care Foundation within two weeks of the event q Tell Jays Care Foundation about your event: report total funds raised and the number of attendees. Don t forget to send us photos and testimonials! NOTES:

11 THIRD-PARTY FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES USE OF JAYS CARE FOUNDATION NAME AND LOGO Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation (JCF) and related words and designs are trademarks of Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership Fan Fundraisers must have written approval for any materials bearing Jays Care Foundation name or marks prior to public use. Jays Care Foundation in support of logo is available for use to promote Fan Fundraising events, but its use must be approved by Jays Care Foundation, and the style guidelines must be followed. The logo cannot be manipulated in any way (stretching, changing colour, adding borders, etc.). For promotional material, be sure to use the text in support of Jays Care Foundation for absolute clarity of your purpose. TAX RECEIPTING Jays Care Foundation is permitted to issue tax receipts to individuals who make a donation without receiving a tangible item or benefit in return (e.g. gifting, dinner, auction item, etc.). Jays Care Foundation will issue tax receipts for monetary donations of $20 or more. Online donations will be receipted electronically to the donors . For all off-line donations, the event organizer must submit a complete off-line donation form provided by Jays Care Foundation, including all necessary information (name, address, donation amount, phone number, etc.) to accompany the cash/cheques collected by the organizers. PLAY SAFE Safety is an important aspect of any fundraising activity. For outdoor activities, you should always have a first aid kit available for emergencies. If you are hosting an outdoor event, you should consider a contingency plan in case the weather is not favourable. As a Fan Fundraiser, you are not covered under Jays Care Foundation policies. We suggest that any Fan Fundraising groups or individuals have their own insurance for any fundraising activities they undertake. THANK YOU NOTE Always remember to thank your donors for their support every little bit counts! Share your results once you have finished collecting funds - it is important to make your donors feel like part of your success. Don t forget to let us at Jays Care Foundation know how we can help. DID YOU KNOW? 5ONLY % OF CANADIAN CHILDREN MEET THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SOURCE: TORONTO STAR: TORONTO S VITAL SIGNS:2013 REPORT

12 THANK YOU! A TIP OF THE HAT to our supporters, fans and friends. The work we do would not be possible without the generous support of people like you. JAYS CARE FOUNDATION Charitable Registration # RR0001 One Blue Jays Way, Suite 3200 Toronto, ON M5V 1J1 10

13 FUNDRAISING TOOL KIT THIRD-PARTY EVENT PROPOSAL FORM CONTACT INFORMATION Applicant/Organization: Primary Contact: Address: City: Province/Territory: Postal Code: Phone Number: Fax: EVENT INFORMATION Event Date/Time: Event Name: Location: Anticipated Attendance: Target Audience: Fundraising Goal: $ Please provide a brief description of the proposed event: If applicable, how many years has this event been hosted? What was the revenue from the previous year? How will the event be promoted (before, during & after: Facebook, Twitter, posters etc.) REQUEST FOR PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT: q Twitter q Facebook q Other: Twitter Handle: REQUEST FOR MATERIALS I would like to request: q Newsletters Quantity: q Donation Cards Quantity: q Prizing Please describe intended use (i.e. Top Fundraiser, MVP): q Thank You Cards Quantity: ONCE COMPLETED, PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM VIA TO SHONNA SPICER AT SHONNA.SPICER@BLUEJAYS.COM * Please note: due to the Blue Jays schedule, players are not generally available to attend or participate in events.

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