The most common fundraising vehicle that people think about is an event. Types of events include sporting tournaments like golf or tennis, galas, luncheons, or musical concerts. If you or your company/friends would like to organize a fundraiser to benefit the Komen CNY Affiliate, here are some things you might want to consider.

1. Start planning early. This step cannot be overemphasized! Make sure your perspective event date doesn’t conflict with something else that’s going on in the community. Also, check with our office to see if that date is clear on our Komen events calendar.

2.  Complete the required paperwork for our approval. As a non-profit organization, we are accountable to the public for fundraising activities using the Komen name. Our Affiliate must approve of every function that uses our name and follow the progress of event planning through final disposition

3.  Keep expenses to 25% of gross revenue. This standard is set by the Better Business Bureau and our national Foundation to ensure that a great majority of the gross revenues goes to our mission, and not to fundraising expenses. Exceptions can be made for first time events and under special circumstances, but again, must receive approval from our Development Committee. The best way to keep track of this requirement is to make a budget and stick to it.

4.  All promotional material must be reviewed by the Komen CNY Affiliate prior to production and distribution. This includes, but is not limited to all press releases, invitations, newsletter articles, fliers, posters, and advertisements. Logo use is only allowed with special written permission. Our Foundation enjoys a high level of name recognition, and we want to make sure that the public is always able to distinguish our organization from among all of the other non-profits in our community. Because of this approval process, please make sure that you build in extra time for review and revisions.

5.  Inform the Komen CNY Affiliate of all underwriting requests before they are made. There are many generous corporations and individuals and we  want to give everyone the opportunity to contribute to further our mission. Additionally, we want to make sure that the same individuals and corporations are not constantly solicited. 

6.  Investigate if you will need permits and/or insurance. If you are planning a sporting event, permits and/or insurance is usually needed and takes time to acquire. Plan accordingly, and be prepared to submit payment up front in most cases. Additionally, for sporting events, the Foundation requires a signed waiver/release from all participants. This will impact your printing costs, so make sure to add this to your budget.

7.  Be prepared to handle all administrative aspects of your event. Our Komen CNY Affiliate has a staff of only three people. While we are able to give you guidance about your event, we simply do not have the manpower to handle administrative tasks like invitation distribution, compiling RSVP’s, or selling tickets.

8.  Keep your sense of humor. Rome was not built in a day! Our founder, Nancy Brinker, is living proof that one person can make a difference!