I need your help.... fundraiser for cancer patient

[zoie101]

One of my bff was diagnosed with colon cancer as spread to the live this past month. I want to do a raffle fundraiser to help her with medical bills and other daily expenses as she is a dance teacher and is unable to work.

How do I go about putting all of it together. Should I ask busisness for a donation to put on the raffle tix. How do I get a small games of chance liscense, or is one required? I live in PA. Any help you have I would appreciate.

TIA
Melissa

 

[Bren's Mom]

You'll have an easier time of it if you 'partner' with a reputable local business or 501(c)3 non-profit organization who will ensure that the prizes are there and that things are done above board. Not that you won't, but as a jo schmo buying one of your tickets *I* don't know you and might hesitate to buy. But if the local FD is running this, then I might be more inclined if you kwim.

Once you've done that, the local PD ought to be able to tell you what you need for a permit to hold a raffle.

Then you will solicit donations. Again, if you've partnered with a reputable known entity, this will be easier as well.

 

[akcire]

According to my husband--who is one of the foremost authorities on raffle license law, not even kidding. There is no legal way for a private person to conduct a raffle on behalf of another private person.

Every state that allows raffles, and not all do, considers raffles to be a form of lottery. PA does allow raffles they requires a license that is issued by the Attorney Generals office and are only provided to charitable organizations. Additionally you may need a county or a city license for your raffle. If you form a bona fide charity and get an IRS determination letter you could apply for the raffle license.

He suggested that instead you have a meal as a fundraiser--pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner, you could then have a silent auction. The biggest problem being that no one will be able to donate auction items and take a tax deduction unless you are a bona fide charity according to the tax code.

**Husband just said even if you form a 501-C-3 you can no longer direct all the funds to one family. Instead you would need to set up a charity, who's stated purpose would be to help low income families with medical bills, however you have to have rules as to distribution. If you don't have more than one recipient of the funds it is not a bona fide charity.

If you have more questions just PM me.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

First of all I commend you for offering to help this person. They did a benefit for my brother about 4 months after he was diagnosed. They had a benefit concert at their church. They got an up-and-coming artist to donate his time and tallent (he was able to promote his CD at the concert) and they took up a "love offering" for my Brother. It was so amazing. People can be so generous at times. Good luck.

 

[fletchers5]

15 years ago my husbands best friend had colon cancer..he was 33 years old. Had two small children and one on the way. He could not work and Social security would not kick in until 6 months. His wife did not work. They had no money.

A friend and myself went to a local printing business. They donated raffle tickets. We did a 50/50. Just so you know at the time I lived in Northwestern Pa. We did NOT check with local laws on this.

We went to local businesses to sell the tickets, bars and word of mouth.

We ended up selling $6000.00 in tickets.

The winner donated their winnings to our friend.


Although we probably broke a few laws...no one ever said anything to us. I am not saying to do this ...just letting you know that sometimes people turn their heads when it is for someone in need.

 

[hffmnheidi]

I think you're doing a great thing. Maybe the dance school that she worked at could help out and 'partner' with you. Perhaps her co-workers want to do something and can't afford to do it all by themselves.

Have a spaghetti dinner with salad/bread/dessert/non alc drinks. Set up a cash bar because you can buy the booze at Sams/Costco/UFS for a fraction of the cost after booze costs/bartender costs, any profits could go to her. Any leftovers can be divided and sent home with people who want it.

Do the silent auction or a basket auction. Perhaps some local businesses will donate their services like a photographer/photo studio, dance classes, spa services. All you have to do is ask-the worst they can tell you is no.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[jama]

I don't know anything about raffles..but thought you might be interested in this..which would be so helpful for women with cancer..see if its available in your area..

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

 

[crisi]

He suggested that instead you have a meal as a fundraiser--pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner, you could then have a silent auction. The biggest problem being that no one will be able to donate auction items and take a tax deduction unless you are a bona fide charity according to the tax code.

**Husband just said even if you form a 501-C-3 you can no longer direct all the funds to one family. Instead you would need to set up a charity, who's stated purpose would be to help low income families with medical bills, however you have to have rules as to distribution. If you don't have more than one recipient of the funds it is not a bona fide charity.

If you have more questions just PM me.

This is true.

People can certainly give money, but it won't be tax deductible. In small towns you are more likely to have luck pulling together donations from local businesses. Larger communities can be a lot harder.

Another fundraising idea is a concert - or in her case perhaps a recital. She probably has a lot of friends and students in the dance community.

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.

 

[maroo]

Good luck! This is a great idea.

The other thing is to make sure she has contacted the organizations that help fund cancer treatment.

If she has no insurance then she should check out: http://www.needymeds.com.

If she has insurance, but is having some out of pocket costs related to chemotherapy treatment, then there are a LOT of organizations out there that can help cover some of those expenses. Then she can use her money to pay her bills and not have to worry about the doctor bills, too.

Some of these include:
Chronic Disease Fund: http://www.cdfund.org

Healthwell Foundation: http://www.healthwellfoundation.org

and the Patient Access Network Foundation: http://www.patientaccessnetwork.org


There are also local organizations that help - just ask at your doctors office or a social worker from your local hospital.

 

[Happy vacationer]

I would check to see if a local organization might match the money you raise. The Lutheran churches here all have matching funds provided by the Thrievent Financial group for just such events. They might have a limit of how much they can match but any extra funds would be a blessing for her.

 

[zoie101]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, I just dont even know where to begin. She has touched so many girls lives with dance, and I want to help her in any way I can, immediate relief from the stress of every day bils , and medical expenses that add up.

 

[zoie101]

bump anyone else

 

[DVCBELLE]

Does your community have a community foundation? We have one and they are designed to help in situations like this. They owuld be able to help you have the fundraiser and will hold the funds for you so it is all legal. In other words - they have all the proper status and you can throw the fundraiser under their name.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

We live in a small community in PA that has a lot of homes in a small area with lots of sidewalks. Anyway, the same thing happened to a friend's friend. The woman who organized this event had a GREAT idea. It was summer time and she bought about 75 pink flamingos and split them up into 3 groups. She then "Pink Flamingoed" 3 of her friends ... she snuck up on their lawns at night and put 25 Pink Flamingos in their yard with a note in the mailbox that said something like: "You have been Flamingoed" by ___________! The Flamingos will be removed tonight if you pay 10.00. If you would like to "Flamingo" someone else in the neighborhood, you can pay 25.00 or 40.00 to "Flamingo" 2 neighbors." You would NOT believe what a hit this was. The whole community got involved and was a fun event that ended up raising a lot of money.

Below is an article about the event:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...KfANAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tXADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6098,279808

Hope this helps ...

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

My aunt had cancer and all of her siblings done a Longaberger Basket Bingo. They all went to different businesses asking for donations for the baskets and for the door prizes, etc. Family and friends all made food to sell. We ended up making over 5,000 for the event.

It was allot of work but soo worth it.

 

[PebblesMom]

I have a friend who is battling cancer right now and we had a rummage sale at a local Church and we did pretty well. We are doing a dinner at a local resturant and who ever brings in a flyer or mentions her name, 10% their total bill will go to her. This is nice because there is no cost up front! We have talked about selling T-Shirts, and maybe a car wash. I have been amazed at how wonderful the community has been and how generous people are (with time and money)!

 

[muffyn]

we held a fund raiser for my brother in law last oct. ( he died in december).

we ONLY sold tickets (donation) for the spaghetti dinner to friends, much easier that way so you really know who is coming, plus finding a place to hold it was a concern , without knowing how many people to expect.
we were able to get the VFW for free. other places, are churches or masonic halls etc to get free or close to free for the event. each place will have their own rules what you can do.
a couple of us went for donations from stores for raffle items. best places are auto parts stores. restaurants, (except bigger chains) hair salons etc.
I must have gone to over 200 buisness's & about 50% gave something. ( although I usually cried during my request speech to them,, that was the hardest thing I ever did)
desserts & drinks were on a donation purchase.
even a grocery store donated the food supplies & one restaurant donated 300+ salads.
no, we didn't get the BIG ticket items for donations, you NEED the "501"
buisness write off for them to give you anything. but there were some good things, like a suite at clevelands hockey game for 10 people , many $100 certificates from autozone, tanning salons etc etc.
we raised $10,000 with only family word of mouth.

also for a suggestion, there are places who will run a "night at the races" for you. these DO make a lot of money.

good luck, you got my prayers

 

[muffyn]

We are doing a dinner at a local resturant and who ever brings in a flyer or mentions her name, 10% their total bill will go to her. )!

applebees offered this to us as well, & the whole staff then holds a bake sale .