Our fundraising guidelines

It's important that fundraisers align with the mission and image of Boston Children's Hospital. Thank you for representing us so well.

Here are a few things to consider before you get started:

Promotion

• We must review everything with our name or logo on it prior to distribution.
• Boston Children's may only be identified as your event's beneficiary. For example, your fundraiser can't be called Boston Children's Hospital Ride for the Kids; it should be Ride for the Kids benefiting Boston Children's Hospital.
• If Boston Children's is one of several beneficiaries, the percentage or amount of proceeds that benefit the hospital must be clearly stated on all materials.
• To avoid duplicate solicitations, we ask that you notify us before asking a business or company for a donation, cash or in-kind.
• We cannot promote your fundraiser at the hospital, satellite locations or on social media, however, we love sharing your success! Contact your staff partner to discuss Boston Children's sharing your event photos and success on Facebook. Please note, we do have guidelines and posts are at the discretion of our social media and marketing team. We also may include your event in the featured fundraiser section of our website.

Planning

• All fundraisers must register their fundraising event with Boston Children’s. Boston Children’s reserves the right to ask you to from refrain from future fundraising if you don’t register and provide appropriate details in advance of your event.
• In light of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we are advising all fundraising coordinators to continue to safeguard the health and well-being of those connected to your third party fundraiser by abiding by local and state health guidelines. This includes but is not limited to efforts associated with social distancing, mask-wearing, hand hygiene as well as other measures deemed appropriate to help stop the spread of the virus.
• You're responsible for covering event expenses and will not be reimbursed by Boston Children's. If you're paying for expenses, please deduct these from the funds raised prior to sending your donation check. Your expenses shouldn't exceed 30% of funds raised. We maintain an average fundraising ratio of 22% and strongly encourage the same standard.
• No bank accounts in the name of “Boston Children's Hospital” can be set up to hold funds from a community fundraiser.
• You're responsible for obtaining any required permits as well as a certificate of insurance for the event.
• If you are a Boston Children’s Hospital employee hosting a fundraiser, please be aware that planning, promotion and execution should take place outside normal business hours. Soliciting during business hours, utilizing email distribution lists, or using other marketing or hospital resources is prohibited.
• Boston Children's Hospital strives to be a leader in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. As a supporter of the hospital, it is integral that your fundraiser upholds these ideals and actively promotes a welcoming environment for all people.

Donations

• We ask all fundraisers to send in proceeds 30 days after your fundraiser ends. Boston Children’s reserves the right to prohibit future fundraising if proceeds are not sent in in a timely manner. Please send your donation with a mail-in donation form (can be found in your fundraising center) to: Boston Children's Hospital Trust, Fundraise Your Way, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.
• To schedule a check presentation, you must notify your staff partner at Boston Children's Hospital Trust at least one week in advance and agree on a mutual date and time. Due to hospital guidelines, there might be instances where an in-person check presentation is not viable. When in-person presentations cannot take place, your staff partner will mail you a large paper check that you can use to celebrate your success.
• Boston Children's will issue IRS compliant charitable tax receipts to the full extent of the law if the gift is made payable to Boston Children's. Please do not promise any receipt to your donors as issuing an inappropriate receipt can put Boston Children's charitable tax status in jeopardy.
• When advertising any items in a silent or live auction, you must display the fair market value. No items can be priceless because the donor will not be eligible for a tax receipt. Boston Children's will only issue IRS-compliant tax receipts if the donor pays beyond the fair market value and if payment is made payable directly to Boston Children's Hospital.