FundraisingGuide

Fundraising Guide |

Table of ContentsFundraising for Autism Nova Scotia 1

Autism Nova Scotia Support 1

Getting Started 1

Gaming Licenses 2

Promotion & Planning 2

On the Day of your Event 3

Post Event 3

Logo Use and Guidelines 4

Official Tax Receipt Guidelines 5

Fundraising Ideas – Schools 6-7

Business Fundraising Ideas 8

Fundraising Ideas for Everyone 9

Misc. & Holiday Ideas 10

Contact Information 11

Fundraising Guide |

Fundraising for Autism Nova ScotiaAt Autism Nova Scotia, Autistic individuals, their families & caregivers, and our donors are at the heart of everything we do. Every year, we are inspired by members of our community who choose Autism Nova Scotia as their personal charity of choice and hold their own fundraisers and events to support our work.

We want to set you up for success give you the tools you need to help make your fundraiser the best that it can be.

Autism Nova Scotia will put the money you raise to good use delivering quality programs and services for those that need them most. By raising funds for Autism Nova Scotia, you will make a real difference for thousands of autistic Nova Scotians and their families across the province.

Autism Nova Scotia SupportWe ask that you register your fundraising event/campaign with us to ensure that you receive the full benefit of

partnering with us.

By registering with us, we can recognize your efforts by providing:

þ One-on-one support via phone or email with a dedicated staff member

þMarketing materials such as social media assistance, stories, etc.

þAutism Nova Scotia’s logo for use with your approved event

þPosting your event on our online event calendar

þLetter of acknowledgement (for soliciting sponsors and prize donations, and for gaming license applications

þTax receipts for eligible gifts

Getting StartedPlanningCan’t decide on an event? We have some great fundraising ideas for schools, businesses and just about everyone.

Make sure you start planning well ahead of when you’d like your fundraiser to start. It’s always good to recruit some

friends/co-workers to help organize and plan your event. There is a lot of details that you may have not thought of

and the work can become overwhelming. We want you to enjoy this experience and be successful and have fun!

Submit your ideas to Autism Nova ScotiaComplete the Third-Party Fundraising Form and submit it to Autism Nova Scotia. Our Events Coordinator will be

in touch and will be your main point of contact throughout your planning and execution of your event.

GoalSet a fundraising goal that you feel is attainable based on your budget and expenses.

BudgetTry to keep expenses as low as possible to maximize your fundraising.

ExpensesAsk individuals and/or local companies to see if they can donate supplies or offer discounts for your event

materials. Contact our Event Coordinator to receive an official letter of endorsement for your event if necessary.

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Fundraising Guide |

Gaming LicensingA gaming license is required by law for all bingos,

raffles and 50/50 tickets. Autism Nova Scotia will

provide letters of acknowledgement and support for

you to include with your lottery application. If you

require a lottery license for your event, please contact

the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.The application

can be done online.

There are a variety of applications. This link will take

you to the page where you can choose what type of a

license you require: https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/alcohol-gaming/forms-permits.asp

Promotion & PlanningRecruiting ParticipantsCreate a list of guests to invite – include your friends,

coworkers, neighbours or whoever is the appropriate target audience for your event.

Recruiting VolunteersAsk you friends and coworkers to help plan your event and assign them with specific roles. If appropriate, make

sure you provide your volunteers with clear instructions, briefing notes, details on their roles and responsibilities

and any training that they might need.

Social MediaSocial media is free and an effective way

to promote your event. Create a Facebook

Event page with your event details and link

it to Autism Nova Scotia’s Facebook page.

Make sure you share it with your friends

and make sure your volunteers do the

same.

Do you have a blog or want to set one up?

Share information on why and what you are

doing through it. Link these blog posts to

your Facebook Event page and let people

know you’ve posted a new blog through

Twitter. Promote and link your personalized

online fundraising page through the

Facebook event and Twitter.

Update social media as often as you can as the

event date gets closer. If you are on Twitter, tweet your

event details and ways to participate to your followers.

Let people know why you are doing the event and

give progress updates to maintaininterest.

Add @autismns to your tweets so we can retweet

and help you spread the word.

Quick Tip!

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On the Day of Your Event• Have fun. You are making a difference!

• Take pictures and post to social media and/or share with Autism Nova Scotia

• Display any promotional pieces at your event that shows that your supporting Autism Nova Scotia

• If your event’s supporters are eligible to tax receipts, please make sure to send complete information of

their gifts including:

Full name of donor

Gift amount received ($ value)

Gift type (cash or in kind)

Full mailing address & postal code

Post EventSubmit your event proceeds to Autism Nova Scotia by:

• Sending a personal cheque (please include the name/details of your event, so we know it’s you!) to the local

Autism Nova Scotia chapter your fundraiser wishes to support. Please contact your Chapter Coordinator to

arrange for delivery of the donation.

Autism Nova Scotia

5945 Spring Garden Rd.

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 1Y4

• If your event’s supporters are eligible for tax receipts, please make sure to send complete information of

their gifts including:

Full name of donor

Gift amount received ($ value)

Gift type (cash or in kind)

Full mailing address & postal code

• We ask that you do not send cash in the mail

• Organize a time to come to the office and drop off the funds in person – we’d love to meet you and thank

you in person. It’s always fun to have a photo op too!

• Thank your event participants by sending them an email or a card

• Send in a picture of your event along with the amount raised to us and send one to your local newspaper

to celebrate your event with your community.

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Logo Use and GuidelinesLogo UseWe are happy to provide you with Autism Nova Scotia’s logo for use on your approved marketing/fundraising

materials. Before the logo is published, please ensure that you have written approval from our staff.

If you would like to use our logo, please contact our Manager of Community Events and Giving,

Lynn Stewart-Yuill at lyuill@autismns.ca

Guidelines• Using Autism Nova Scotia’s logo can make your event stand out!

• Please note that you must receive permission from Autism Nova Scotia prior to using our logo on your event

materials.

• If you use our logo, please do not alter the logo design (including the graphic or text elements) in any way.

• Before using our logo, we also ask that you send a proof of any print or online material to be distributed or

published to a member of our team for approval.

Fundraising Guide |

Official Tax Receipt GuidelinesCharitable donation receipts are issued in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines. The

following descriptions, although not inclusive, attempt to answer the most commonly asked tax receipting

questions. For further clarification, please refer to the CRA website or contact our Manager of Community

Events and Giving, Lynn at lyuill@autismns.ca

General Rules• A charitable donation receipt can only be issued to the person who made the payment (e.g. the person

whose name is on the cheque or credit card).

• If a person is collecting donations from a group of people and submitting them all using one cheque or

credit card, donation receipts can be issued to the persons/parties. In this case, you would need to provide a

complete and legible list of information for each donor along with the payment. This list must include all of

the following: full donor name, full mailing address & postal code.

• A donation receipt cannot be issued in another name (ie on behalf of someone).

• A donation receipt may be issued for a gift-in-kind. Gifts-in-kind are property/goods that have a fair market

value attached. A gift-in-kind cannot be a gift of service.

• A donation receipt may be issued for the fair market value (FMV) of the property/goods on the date it is

received. If the item is new and has been recently purchased, a receipt or invoice is adequate proof of FMV.

• All property with a fair market value greater than $1,000 must be valued by a qualified appraiser independent

of the donor and Autism Nova Scotia.

• To receive a donation receipt for a gift of inventory (e.g. a gift of products directly from a business), the

business will need to send Autism Nova Scotia an invoice for the inventory given. Most businesses prefer to

claim the donation of inventory as a business expense.

• A charitable donation receipt cannot be issued for a Lottery Ticket or Raffle. No part of the cost of a lottery

ticket or raffle ticket is considered a gift because the ticket offers the purchaser a chance to win prizes.

• A charitable donation receipt cannot be issued for Sponsorships. Where a business gives cash or

merchandise to Autism Nova Scotia and receives a material business advantage such as promotional or

advertising services, the business has not made a gift according to CRA and Autism Nova Scotia cannot issue

a charitable donation receipt. In these circumstances, the business can usually claim the cash payment or

value of the merchandise as a business expense.

• If you have any questions, we are happy to share our Gift Acceptance Policy with you. Please ask your contact

at Autism Nova Scotia if you would like a copy of this document.

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School Fundraising IdeasAutism Nova Scotia partners with many schools

across the province during the month of April

to participate in Toonies for Autism. Schools

choose activities where they engage students and

raise money to support programs and activities

for students with autism or learning disabilities.

The money raised is split evenly between the

participating school and Autism Nova Scotia.

It’s a Win/Win program. Please reach out to our

Manager of Community Events and Giving, Lynn at lyuill@autismns.ca to learn more and to register

for Toonies for Autism.

Shine BlueFor over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and

3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by

lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue

light in efforts to shine a light on autism.

We hope you will join us and the rest of the world

on April 2nd by participating on social media using

#ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World

Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up

displays. Encourage everyone in the school to wear blue

and donate $2 each to support Autism Nova Scotia.

Principal for an HourFor each donation (of a pre-determine amount), students can enter their names for a chance to ‘rule the

school’. The lucky winner(s) get to switch places with their Principal for an hour.

No Homework PassA draw can be held for a coveted ‘Homework Pass’. Students can buy tickets for a chance to be excused

from their homework. The pass can only be used during a certain time and only for those assignments pre-

determined by their teachers.

Fashion/Talent ShowHost a fashion show using worn and/or low-cost clothing, or organize a talent show for your school. You can set

an admission price at the door, or during the fashion show you could auction off the outfits that you’ve created.

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Carnival DayHost a mini carnival with games, face painting, etc. Sell

ride and game tickets and assign each activity a certain

number of tickets needed to plan.

Art GalleryInspire students and teach creativity by inviting them to

create a piece of art for your school’s Art Gallery. Once the

masterpieces are finished, invite the community to attend

the gallery opening and charge admission at the door. To

add an extra special touch, auction off your pieces of art

at the end of the show. Funds could be collected through

admission at the door, auction and canteen sales.

Guessing GamesThese are popular games that can be done quite simply

and are a lot of fun. Example: fill a jar with brightly

coloured jellybeans and charge a fee per guest.

Best Seat in the HouseRaffle off tickets for a student and two or three friends to

win the best seat in the house at a school sporting event

or play. The winners get to sit on a sofa during the game

or the best seats in the house for the plan. For halftime/

intermission, order pizza and beverages for the winner &

guests.

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Fundraising Guide |

Business Fundraising IdeasWorkplace fundraising is a positive, rewarding and fun way to motivate and further engage employees in your

organization. Studies have shown that one of the factors contributing to engagement in the workplace is pride

of the company’s support of the community. Through workplace fundraising, your employees will have Autism

Nova Scotia further its mission and will provide your employees with an enriching experience.

Shine BlueFor over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by

lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism.

We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using

#ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up

displays. Encourage everyone in the school to wear blue and donate $2 each to support Autism Nova Scotia.

Cooking CompetitionStaff register to complete in a cooking competition. The contest could be cookies, chili, chowder, cheesecakes –

the sky is the limit. Participants would cook and the rest of the staff would donation a specified amount to eat/

judge. At the end of the event a winner is announced!

Casual DaysA Designate Fridays as casual days in exchange for donations to Autism Nova Scotia. It can be as easy as people

paying for this every week or making a deduction on payroll. Staff members would be eligible for a charitable

tax receipt if a list is provided with the name, full address and amount donated over the year.

Celebrity Bagger EventA great idea for any store is to invite local celebrities to help bag purchases for a few hours. It may attract local

media attention and your customers will be all smiles! Ask for a small donation to be made at the cash!

Potluck Meals or Brown Bag LunchesInvite members of your organization to prepare and bring potluck inspired dishes for a breakfast or lunch event

and all participants donate a specified amount to eat. You could do the same with a brown bag lunch where

several staff members make up a lunch with sandwiches, fruit and a sweet treat. Staff order ahead of time and

make a donation to Autism Nova Scotia for their lunch.

Office Supply AuctionGather up office supplies, equipment, etc that isn’t used any longer and hold an auction or yard sale. Donate

the proceeds to Autism Nova Scotia.

Staff LotteryStaff interest is crucial for the success of this event as you need to be able to sell a certain number of tickets to

make this worthwhile. Be sure to determine how many tickets you are going to sell before applying for a lottery

license. It is important to promote the event a couple of months in advance to allow enough time for ticket sales.

For best practices and information about Staff Lotteries, please contact a member of our Development Team.

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Fundraising Ideas for EveryoneWalk the Walk for AutismJoin us for our annual Walk the Walk for Autism. This event is typically held in June in 9 locations across the

province. You can sign up as an individual, start a team, or join an existing team. You can use any of the ideas

provided in this booklet to help you fundraise and reach your goal.

Bluenose MarathonThe Bluenose Marathon typically happens in May every year in Halifax. There is a charity challenge portion to

this event. If you’re someone who likes to run a marathon/ ½ marathon/ 10K or 5K, this might be the right fit

for you. You can sign up, fundraise for Autism Nova Scotia and know that you’re helping to provide programs,

services and advocacy for individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

Jail & BailLock-up principals, teachers, managers or co-workers in a mock jail. This could be in a private location or in a

local mall. Participants have to raise funds to get themselves out of jail, or have donors pay to keep them in jail.

Candy GramsParticipants buy bags of candy to give to friends and co-workers. All candy grams are delivered at a specified time.

‘A-Thons’Host a walk-a-thon, dance-a-thon, bike-a-thon. Participants collect pledges leading up to the event. Compete

individually or as a team.

Bake SaleThe sale could take place during the lunch hour to allow staff, students or community members to stop by and

purchase your tasty treats.

Baby Photo ContestCan you guess which baby photo is your teacher, or your boss? For a small fee you can take a guess.

GPS Geocaching CompetitionHave a one-day competition. The group that finds the most geocaching in that day wins (you can also include

2nd & 3rd place winners). There could also be additional special prizes awarded.

Amazing RaceEach team gets and envelope filled with pictures from around your community. These pictures can be a part

of a business name, part of a place in town, modified pictures you must unscramble, etc. You have a specified

amount of time to figure out what and where these places are. Once your team has found them, you have to

take a picture in front of that place. Points are given if you have identified the correct place, for the most original

picture and if you have your entire team in the picture. Return to the starting point with your pictures printed out

before you run out of time. Prizes are handed out to the highest ranking and most original team. This works well

for competitions of similar industries (hotels/restaurants, law firms, banks, etc).

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Misc & Holiday IdeasRaffle or 50/50 DrawA lottery license is required for this type of fundraising, see details on page XX. Call Autism Nova Scotia to request

the endorsement letter for your application. Don’t forget to put the license number on all of your tickets/posters.

Sell tickets to family, friends, co-workers and let them know you are supporting Autism Nova Scotia.

Silent AuctionCall Autism Nova Scotia to discuss your fundraiser and fill out any required agreements. Once you have

approval, you can request the endorsement letter indicating that you are raising money for Autism Nova Scotia.

Have committee members approach local businesses (with the endorsement letter in hand) to donate some

of their products for the auction. Please do not ask for cash donations – we do not endorse the solicitation of

money on our behalf. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to anyone who donation items to your auction.

Once the items are secured, you can set up your auction items at school or work and give participants a chance

to bid on the items.

Secondhand Shopping SpreeInvite staff/students to bring in gently used clothing that they no longer wear and have a shopping spree. All

donated items are displayed, and employees/students can purchase these items for a small fee. You’re not

only helping Autism Nova Scotia, but you’re cleaning out your closet and giving new life to clothing you’re not

wearing any longer. It’s a win-win situation.

RecyclingSet up a recycling bin at work/school and ask everyone to bring their returnable items and drop them off. You can

then bring them to the local recycling depot on a monthly basis and donate the money to Autism Nova Scotia.

Plant SaleEveryone loves plants and flowers. Try setting up the Friday and Saturday before Mother’s Day in May. A nice

touch is to have a children’s table where for $1 a child can buy a flower to give to Mom on her special day.

Pumpkin Carving ContestOrganize a pumpkin carving contest and charge an entry fee. Think about holding an auction at the end of the

event once the judging is complete to raise even more money for Autism Nova Scotia.

Wallet of Gift CardsApproach local business for gift card donations and then sell raffle tickets on a wallet full of gift cards. Don’t forget

to contact Autism Nova Scotia for an endorsement letter so you can get a gaming license, and a letter you can use

to approach businesses to ask for the donations.

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THANK YOU!Remember that we’re here to help. We want you to put the FUN in FUNdraising!

Reach out to our Manager of Community Events and Giving, Lynn, at lyuill@autismns.ca

Fundraising Guide | 11