STAND UP! For New York City s Youth in Foster Care They need you to STAND UP for them. It s easy, it s fun and it s up to you!
TABLE OF CONTENTS What is STAND UP? 3 Application Form 6 About NYFC 8 Guidelines 9 Event Sign-In Sheet 11 Donation Form 12 Results Form 13 2
What is STAND UP? It is Your Commitment to Assist 12,000 Youth in Foster Care in New York City New Yorkers For Children s (NYFC) STAND UP fundraising program is a grassroots campaign for friends and supporters who want to host fundraising events or initiate fundraising campaigns to raise money in support of our mission and young people in foster care. The best fundraisers start with great ideas! This is your project, make it your own, be creative and have fun with it. In our STAND UP fundraising kit, you ll find some helpful hints and ideas for fundraisers, an application form, a donation form, a fact sheet, a fundraising results form, as well as additional materials. We ask that you start by submitting the application form so that we can properly track, report on, and recognize your fundraising efforts. Funds raised from these events and campaigns are used to support programs and services offered by NYFC to the nearly 12,000 youth in foster care in New York City. This includes the Youth Advisory Board, Guardian Scholars, and Back-to-School Package programs, as well as conferences, collaborative programs preparing youth in foster care for adulthood, and general day-to-day organizational needs. But your efforts also help us do something equally as important you help NYFC raise awareness of our mission, the work we are doing, and how others can get involved and support youth in foster care. This is a critical component of our success story and we cannot do this without you! What is grassroots fundraising? A grassroots event or campaign is a fundraising initiative to benefit New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) that is sponsored and organized by an individual (you!) or an organization or company (your place of employment, your kid s school, your community center, your place of worship, etc.). It is your event. You plan all the details with information provided by NYFC. You cover the expenses - this is your contribution to NYFC s efforts! You enlist the help of friends, family, and co-workers to organize, plan, and support your event. These events and campaigns are fun, they should be creative, informative, educational and inspirational! 3
Why host a STAND UP fundraiser/initiate a campaign? When you host an event or start a fundraising campaign, you contribute financially to NYFC by raising money for the 12,000 youth in foster care in New York City. You also spread the word about the work NYFC does. How much should I expect to raise? We suggest you set a fundraising goal based on your resources before you begin planning your event/campaign. Challenge yourself to reach a goal that is meaningful to you. Some examples of what your fundraising efforts could help NYFC provide to a young person in foster care: $250 = a new suit for job interviews $500 = 15 backpacks $1,000 = a year of tutoring for a Guardian Scholar $1,500 = laptop computer & printer $2,500 = moving 5 Guardian Scholars into their first apartments $5,000 = 250 alarm clocks getting students to class on time! $10,000 = holiday gifts to 1,000 children in foster care who may otherwise not get a gift during the holiday season $50,000 = wrap-around services to a student for their entire college career Will NYFC help me with my event/campaign? NYFC will provide you will vital information included in our STAND UP Fundraising Kit. If applicable, we may also be able to help you publicize your efforts by using our social media resources (Facebook, Twitter, and our website) in an effort to increase exposure and maximize your fundraising efforts! Because of staff time restrictions, we will not be able to assist you with organizing the event. Additionally, NYFC cannot provide reimbursements for out of pocket expenses. What are some ideas or examples of STAND UP fundraisers/campaigns? Throw a party: Host a donate your night out cocktail party or dinner at your home. Allow guests to donate what they can afford or what they would normally spend on an evening out. Every dollar counts and makes a huge impact. These parties are a great way to mingle, meet new people, spread the word about NYFC, and have fun. Get your kids involved: What better way to build the next generation of philanthropists than to start now? There are so many ways to get your kids, your friends kids, their school group, their social or sports teams involved. Here are a few kid-friendly ideas: Collect and recycle cans Start a coin drive it all adds up! Host a bake sale Set up a lemonade stand Have a car wash Collect donations at sporting events Rake leaves or mow lawns Host a talent or fashion show Organize a themed dress-up day at school Host an A-thon walking, reading, biking, etc. 4
Take on a personal challenge: Use NYFC and the nearly 12,000 youth in foster care in NYC as your inspiration as you take on a personal challenge. Ever want to run a marathon, climb a mountain, swim a long distance, walk 50 miles, or challenge your physical abilities in some other way? Now is the time to do it. Encourage your friends and family to donate $5, $10, or $25 to NYFC for every milestone in your honor. Share your birthday with NYFC: Have everything you need? Instead of gifts, have your friends and family donate to NYFC in honor of your birthday. Start your own Facebook campaign or have a birthday party and collect donations. Make it fun, it s your birthday, after all! Honor a life change: Make a donation in lieu of wedding favors to NYFC or offer guests an alternative to traditional wedding gifts by asking them to make a donation to NYFC in your name. The same can be done for baby showers, anniversary parties, graduations, and gifts in honor or in memory of someone special. Participate as a group: Social organizations, places of worship, and schools can participate too! The more people involved, the better! Get your place of employment involved; employees can pay for a dress down day or raffle off an extra day of vacation. We encourage you to come up with a fundraising event or campaign that interests and motivates you. Please fill out the application form to begin the process. Feel free to contact us with any questions: New Yorkers For Children is a 501(c)(3) organization ID#13-3904537 New Yorkers For Children 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403 New York, NY 10123 Tel: 646.257.2930 * Fax: 646.257.2931 Email: standup@newyorkersforchildren.org * www.newyorkersforchildren.org 5
STAND UP Fundraising Application Form Thank you for your interest in fundraising on behalf of New Yorkers For Children (NYFC)! We appreciate your efforts. When you fundraise for NYFC, you help us support the nearly 12,000 youth in foster care in New York City. You also help us spread the word on the work NYFC does. You will be making a tremendous impact on the lives of young people. Let us know your fundraising plan to support NYFC. Please take a moment to complete this form and return by email to standup@newyorkersforchildren.org or via fax to 646.257.2931. If you have any questions about the STAND UP fundraising process, please email us! Date: Name/Organization: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Email: Tell us about your STAND UP Event/Fundraising Campaign plan: Description: Event date/time: Estimated attendance: Location: Fundraising financial goal: 6
Is NYFC the only beneficiary of your event/campaign? If not, please give us more information: How will funds be raised/collected (ex: ticket entry, raffles, auction, donation requests, pledges, coin drives, bake sale, etc.): Beyond the materials in our STAND UP Fundraising Kit, is there any additional information we can provide you?: How did you learn about NYFC?: Would you be interested in helping NYFC in other ways in the future? New Yorkers for Children is a 501(c)(3) organization ID#13-3904537 New Yorkers For Children 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403 * New York, NY 10123 Tel: 646.257.2930 * Fax: 646.257.2931 Email: standup@newyorkersforchildren.org * www.newyorkersforchildren.org 7
There are nearly 12,000 children in foster care in New York City. Thank you New Yorkers For Children for giving me hope and being a great assistance in my life as I go forth with my education and turn into the man I need to be. Maurice Our Mission: New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) works in partnership with the Administration for Children s Services (ACS) to improve the prospects of children supported by the child welfare system and to engage New Yorkers in that effort. With a focus on young people in foster care, NYFC supports programs that promote paths to stable adulthood through education and sustainable relationships with caring adults. Our Youth: NYFC targets older youth, ages 12 to 21, as they are preparing to transition out of foster care and into adulthood. More than 40% of the children in foster care in NYC are over the age of 12. This is a population that faces tremendous obstacles as they strive to build a successful adult life with very few skills and a limited support system. Our Programs: NYFC is committed to enriching the lives of young people in foster care as they strive for success. Our programs promote education and youth development and have provided college scholarships, impactful programming, skill-building opportunities, and the encouragement, guidance and support that every child deserves. They include: Back-to-School Package Program College Preparatory Conference Guardian Scholars Program Network to Success Annual Vocational Conference Youth Advisory Board Wrap to Rap Holiday Program NYFC Spirit Award Our Partnerships: NYFC funds programs implemented by ACS and other non-profit organizations that work directly with youth in foster care. Our partnership with ACS, the agency that provides oversight for all child welfare in New York City, allows NYFC to reach and impact youth in foster care far beyond those that benefit from our own programs. NYFC has inspired me by making my dreams a reality. -Ishmael, Spirit Award Recipient 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403, New York, NY 10123 Phone: 646.257.2930 standup@newyorkersforchildren.org www.newyorkersforchildren.org www.facebook.com/newyorkersforchildren www.twitter.com/ny4children 8
Fundraising Guidelines Thank you so much for your interest in fundraising on behalf of New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) and the nearly 12,000 children in foster care in New York City. Your efforts and support are so greatly appreciated. Please review our guidelines for creating and staging a STAND UP fundraising event or campaign on behalf of NYFC: 1) It s up to you! We can provide you with ideas, but we re eager to hear what you d like to do this is your project! It starts with an idea share it with us by submitting the application form. Fundraising events/campaigns must be approved by NYFC. 2) Your event/campaign should be informative, educating participants on NYFC and youth in foster care. Additionally, it should be in keeping with the mission and image of NYFC. If you have questions about a particular fundraising idea, please let us know. 3) We will provide you with a fact sheet to get our message across as well as additional materials included in our STAND UP Fundraising Kit. Please be sure to use them in a manner which reflects the positive and professional image of NYFC. 4) All usage of NYFC logo or mission statement must be approved in advance. 5) If you plan to publicize your event or campaign, you must consult NYFC in advance. 6) Remember that this is your event/campaign so expenses incurred are the responsibility of the host (you!) so be mindful of the type, size and extent of the event that you d like to host. 7) If your STAND UP event is conducted and promoted to benefit NYFC, all proceeds must go to NYFC. The host of the event, or anyone involved, should not take any fees or commissions from the proceeds. 8) Our STAND UP campaign does not encourage events where only a portion of the proceeds go to benefit NYFC. If you would like more information on percentage of proceed events (Cause Related Marketing and Partnerships) please contact us at standup@newyorkersforchildren.org. 9) The individual, group or organization hosting the fundraiser is responsible for complying with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. NYFC cannot be held liable for any damage, risk or injury in connection with your fundraiser. 10) As a registered charitable organization NYFC must follow U.S. tax regulations regarding the issue of control of official income tax receipts. Charitable tax receipts are issued to donors who contribute $250 or more. Because of this, we require that you account for all donations and funds raised this includes donations of merchandise and supplies, checks, and cash. Please see below for information on collecting donations made by credit card. Our kit includes a donation form for each donor to submit with their donation. This will also help us properly 9
acknowledge their gift and your efforts. Please see the instructions below on how to properly track and collect your donations: - Please have checks written out to New Yorkers For Children. Checks should not be written out to your name. - Donations may be made in cash, however check and credit card donations are preferable. If you receive donations in cash, please submit one payment in the form of a money order or check to New Yorkers For Children. - Please have each donor fill out our donation form which will accompany their donation so that we can properly acknowledge their contribution and track funds. - Donations made by credit card can be made online via our website (www.newyorkersforchildren.org), through a Crowdrise Campaign (www.crowdrise.com/nyfc) or submitted on our donation form. 11) It is recommended that you send the donations you have collected and the corresponding forms in a traceable format ex: registered mail, FedEx or UPS. 12) After your event, please tell us how it went! Use the results form to share the amount of funds you raised, photos, feedback from guests or participants and other information. We may include it in updates on our social media outlets or on our website. 13) Thank your donors and supporters! Send them results of your effort and their generosity. Share photos or other event related materials with them after its completion. Encourage them to keep up with where their money goes by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/newyorkersforchildren) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/ny4children) or visiting our website at www.newyorkersforchildren.org. If you have any questions, or require further information please contact: New Yorkers For Children 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403 New York, NY 10123 Tel: 646.257.2930 * Fax: 646.257.2931 Email: standup@newyorkersforchildren.org * www.newyorkersforchildren.org 10
New Yorkers For Children 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403 New York, NY 10123 Tel: 646.257.2930 * Fax: 646.257.2931 Email: standup@newyorkersforchildren.org www.newyorkersforchildren.org Event Sign-In Sheet Event Name: Event Date/Location: Organizer/Host: Thank you for being a part of this fundraiser benefiting New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) and the 12,000 youth in foster care in New York City. If you wish to receive information about NYFC s upcoming events and ongoing activities, please provide your contact details below: Name Address Email Address Phone # 11
Donation Form Thank you for your generous contribution to New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) and the 12,000 youth in foster care in New York City! Please take a moment to fill out the donation form which will accompany your gift to NYFC. Your name and address must be clearly printed and complete in order to receive a tax receipt from NYFC, when applicable. NYFC is a 501(c)(3) organization with the ID #13-3904537. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Name/Organization: Title: Address: City, State Zip: Phone: Email: Donation Amount: Payment information: Check (made payable to New Yorkers For Children) Cash Money Order Credit Card (circle one) American Express MasterCard Visa Credit card number: Exp. Date: Signature: Please check here if you would like your donation to be anonymous. You may be able to double your donation through your employer s matching gift program. Contact your corporate giving office at your place of employment to learn how to increase your impact helping children in foster care. Event/campaign your donation is in support of: Name of event/campaign organizer: Return this form and your donation to the organizer of the fundraiser you are supporting. If you need to mail it yourself, please send to: New Yorkers For Children 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403 New York, NY 10123 Tel: 646.257.2930 * Fax: 646.257.2931 Email: standup@newyorkersforchildren.org * www.newyorkersforchildren.org 12
STAND UP Fundraising Event/Campaign Results Form Thank you fundraising on behalf of New Yorkers For Children (NYFC)! We appreciate your dedication to NYFC and the 12,000 youth in foster care in New York City. We d like to hear about your fundraising efforts and how it went. Please take a moment and fill out the results form and submit it along with the donations you received and their corresponding donation forms to: New Yorkers For Children 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 403 New York, NY 10123 Please mail materials back to NYFC within 30 days of completing your event/campaign. Date: Name/Organization: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Email: Tell us about the type of STAND UP Fundraising Event/Campaign you sponsored Description: Event Date/Time: Location: Number of Attendees/Participants: Fundraising Results: Total amount raised (including outstanding payments): Total amount enclosed: Approximate amount of funds donated online (by credit card): Total amount pledged/still due: How did you collect funds (ex: ticket entry, raffles, auction, donation requests, pledges, coin drives, bake sale, etc.): 13
What was the most and least successful part of your event or campaign?: What was the biggest challenge you faced when planning your event/campaign and what did you enjoy the most about it?: What can NYFC do in the future to help improve upon these events?: Would you be interesting in fundraising for NYFC again in the future and/or helping NYFC in other ways when/if needed? Would you be willing to submit a testimonial or quote on your experience? If so, please do so here: Please sign below if you agree to allow NYFC to use your testimonial or quote, and photos you submit directly to NYFC for marketing, promotional, and fundraising purposes. Sharing your success story will inspire others to create their own fundraiser! Name (print) Signature Date Should you have any questions, please email us at: standup@newyorkersforchildren.org or call us at 646.257.2930. Photos and additional result materials may be also be emailed the above email address. 14