COMMUNITY EVENT GUIDELINES and FAQs
A community event is typically a one-day event with proceeds benefiting K9s For Warriors; however, we have had fundraisers set up as “ongoing” over the course of several days or weeks. Events are not promotions, partnerships or marketing campaigns. All events must reflect positively on K9s For Warriors and must abide by all local, state and federal laws. The most common events are golf tournaments, walks/runs, rucks, and motorcycle poker runs or memorial rides, but the sky is the limit for great fundraising ideas!
REGISTERING THE EVENT
Registering your event helps K9s For Warriors protect itself as well as protect you. By registering your event, K9s For Warriors is allowed the benefit of keeping in touch with you to track your fundraising and also be an important resource for you as you host your event. It also allows you access to our toolkit link containing items that will help you with your fundraiser such as our Proud Supporter Logo, approved photos, videos and press materials.
Simply click on “Register Your Event” on this portion of our website: https://www.k9sforwarriors.org/events. Please allow at least two business days for K9s For Warriors to formally approve your registration and provide the toolkit.
NAMING THE EVENT
“K9s For Warriors” can be used for your event when explaining that we are the beneficiary of your fundraiser; however, it cannot be used in the title of your event. For example, we will not approve a name like: K9s For Warriors 5K Race, because this alludes to the fact that K9s For Warriors owns this event. The alternative and correct way would be: 5K Race supporting K9s For Warriors.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Please provide as much detail as possible when describing your event on the request form. For example, “I am hosting a 5K fun run/walk and all proceeds will go to K9s For Warriors. We will have vendors, food trucks, live music, etc.”
AFTER THE EVENT IS OVER
All proceeds from community events should be submitted within 30 days after close of the event. We always appreciate any great stories or photos from your event that we may post or refer to in the future. By sending us stories and photos, you are giving us permission to post publicly unless you state otherwise. Please submit to events@k9sforwarriors.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO RAISE MONEY AND GET THE WORD OUT?
K9s For Warriors has TeamRaiser available to you to register your event and obtain a donor page specific to your fundraiser that you may personalize and share with your friends, family, contacts, and any potential attendees. Directing attendees to donate via the link allows funds to come directly to K9s For Warriors without the inconvenience of having to personally manage donations. Sharing your event information and link utilizing social media is a terrific way to get the news out about your event!
WILL K9S SEND ME MARKETING MATERIALS, POSTERS, ETC.?
K9s For Warriors does its best to be as fiscally responsible as possible to ensure donations go where they are intended, directly into our program. We will not be able to provide you with swag; however, included in our toolkit link (received upon approval of registration) is our Proud Supporter Logo, approved photos + videos, flyer template, social media recommendations, press release template, and other informational material that you can download and print. Be sure to also check out our website shop Here for potential swag items you may choose to order in bulk to have at your event. Should you wish to do so, don’t forget to let us know so we can track and possibly offer a discounted rate.
HOW WILL K9S FOR WARRIORS SUPPORT MY EVENT?
In addition to providing the K9s toolkit to you and listing your event on our website, we are happy to acknowledge your fundraiser by tagging you in our monthly thank yous on K9s’ official social media platforms. Be sure to tag us @K9sForWarriors in any posts you may create related to the event. That is a great way for us to see your efforts as you move through your event! Please use only our Proud Supporter Logo on any of your marketing materials. Note: K9s For Warriors must review all marketing/advertising for the event before it is printed or distributed.
CAN A K9s FOR WARRIORS STAFF MEMBER, WARRIOR, OR DOG ATTEND MY EVENT?
K9s For Warriors and all of our graduates are incredibly grateful to supporters who want nothing more than to help raise funds and awareness for our life-saving program. We would love to attend every event, but unfortunately, that is impossible. With our main campus and staff located in Ponte Vedra, Florida, we rely on our hosts to be our voice to help raise awareness and funds where we cannot. We evaluate a request for attendance on a case-by-case basis, and we cannot guarantee to have a representative at your event. Note: Graduates are not required to attend events or participate in any way. Many prefer their privacy and do not generally attend events.
*Should your event take place locally to the K9s For Warriors facility, we can coordinate a K9s information table at your event manned by our amazing volunteer ambassadors if the host requests it. Note: Please give at least a two week notice for this request.
CAN A BUSINESS OR INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR MY FUNDRAISER TO HELP COVER COSTS?
Yes. Having a sponsor is a great way to offset your fundraising costs. K9s For Warriors can provide you with an event verification letter if requested; however, we cannot provide your sponsor with a tax receipt for their donation to your fundraiser. If you are not with an organization that claims 501(c)3 status, please do not promise a charitable-tax receipt.
CAN I USE K9S FOR WARRIORS’ SALES TAX EXEMPTION TO PURCHASE MATERIALS FOR MY EVENT?
We are not legally permitted to provide our sales tax letter for third-party events.
CAN I USE K9S FOR WARRIORS’ 501(c)3 FEDERAL TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER?
Your third-party event cannot use our charitable 501(c)3 identification number. Donations that are made directly to K9s For Warriors will receive tax receipts.
CAN K9S FOR WARRIORS SEND TAX RECEIPTS TO MY DONORS?
We will send tax receipts to donors whose checks or online donations are made directly to K9s For Warriors. Should you choose to send us a combined donation check from your event and would like donors to receive tax receipts, we would just need the details of who donated, the amount donated and their contact information. By law we cannot not issue a tax receipt to both you and your donor(s).
DO I NEED TO CREATE A 501(c)3 (non-profit) ORGANIZATION TO HOST A FUNDRAISER FOR K9S FOR WARRIORS?
No, anyone can host a fundraiser for K9s For Warriors. We request that any fundraising event hosted by a third party is registered with us to receive approval prior to getting started.
HOW DO I COVER EXPENSES FOR MY FUNDRAISER?
We understand that fundraisers incur expenses; however, K9s For Warriors cannot fund or financially support community events. Community event organizers are responsible for covering all expenses and will not be reimbursed by K9s For Warriors. For these reasons, as you start to collect money, you may want to retain some funds to help pay for your expenses. Please note that we cannot issue a tax receipt for donations made to your event that are covering your expenses. If you are not with an organization that claims 501(c)3 status, please do not promise a charitable tax receipt.
