University of Missouri Health Care Development

Fundraising Guidelines

Most fundraising events are promoted and conducted under the “Children’s Miracle Network” banner. Children’s Miracle Network (“CMN”) is a year-round fundraising program to benefit hospitals providing health care for children. Although 170 hospitals throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico participate in the program, all of the money raised in mid-Missouri stays in mid-Missouri to purchase equipment and fund programs at University of Missouri Children’s Hospital.

Before planning your event, please carefully read the enclosed information on planning a fundraiser and Guidelines for Fundraising. Complete the Fundraiser Event Application Form and submit it to our office for approval. This information is intended to be helpful, and is designed for the protection of you, the fundraiser, as well as the Hospital.

Again, please know that we deeply appreciate your interesting in helping improve the lives of children in mid-Missouri and beyond. If you have any questions in the planning of your fundraising event or activity, please do not hesitate to call us at (573) 882-KIDS.

Planning a Fundraiser

Fundraising events planned by community groups are a vital source of funds for University of Missouri’s Children’s Hospital. Careful and thoughtful planning will ensure that your event is successful, one that raises money for children and is an enjoyable experience for all involved.

Tips for planning your fundraiser:

Form a planning committee. The enthusiasm and dedication of the people who help you plan and organize your event will increase the probability of its success. Your committee should have enough members to share the work and represent lots of different skills.

Establish goals. Have a realistic and measurable financial goal.

Choose the right event. Your event should fit the size, interest, talents, goals and time availability of your group.

Identify your audience. Who is most likely to attend and support the type of event you have selected?

Develop a budget. Identify possible sources of income and all expenses. Keeping your up front costs down by identifying underwriting opportunities will ensure a larger contribution to the charity and result in satisfied guests.

Register your event. Once you know what type of event you would like to organize, it is important to complete a Fundraising Event Application Form and submit it to the Office of Development.

Promote and publicize. Your plan for promoting and publicizing your event will be important in reaching your target audience and overall goal.

Say “Thank You.” Please acknowledge everyone who participated in or supported your activity and let them know how much you appreciated their help. It’s also a good idea to report how much money was raised.

Guidelines for Fundraising Events

All fundraising events for Children’s Hospital require advance written approval from the Office of Development.
Approval is granted on a per event basis. You must reapply for annual events.
Do not make public announcements or promote the event until you receive written permission from the Office of Development.
The Office of Development must review all promotional materials (including press releases, public service announcements, scripts, posters, invitations, etc.) before they are used. Both the Children’s Hospital logo and the Children’s Miracle Network are registered trademarks and cannot legally be reproduced without permission from the Hospital.
Children’s Hospital reserves the right to deny any application for a special event or fundraising program that does not appropriately reflect the mission and values of the Hospital.
Fundraising events must comply with all relevant laws, including the laws of the State of Missouri.
Publicity should not suggest that the event is being sponsored by Children’s Hospital or that the Hospital is involved in any way except as the beneficiary. Printed materials and other information should state: “Proceeds will benefit MU Children’s Hospital.”
Children’s Hospital does not provide contact information in regard to its corporate sponsor/s, donors and supporters for solicitation purposes. Rather, Children’s Hospital agrees to promote the event or organization whenever it is appropriate and practical to do so.
We have a limited supply of banners, balloons and other items that may be made available upon request. Any items loaned should be returned immediately following your event.
When approaching businesses and corporations for assistance with events, please remember that many local organizations are already involved in supporting Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network and/or other University of Missouri Health Care programs, and may not wish to make additional donations. Please clear all contact with a particular business before an approach for support by calling the Office of Development at (573) 882-5437.
While we would love to attend every fundraising event, please understand that the volume of requests exceeds our available staff. Please indicate on your Fundraising Event Application Form if you would like a Children’s Hospital representative to attend your event, and call the Office of Development two (2) weeks prior to the event to confirm.
Hospital mailing lists, including donor lists, are strictly protected by federal law and Hospital policy and cannot be provided.

Events that Cannot Be Approved

Events that require any financing from the Hospital. All events must be financed solely by the sponsor of the event or from event proceeds.
Events that involve a professional fundraiser, telemarketer and/or involves an agreement to raise funds on a commission, bonus or percentage basis.
Events that ask for the use of names and/or stories of Children’s Hospital patients for use in promoting or during your event.
Events that compete or conflict with a previously scheduled event to benefit Children’s Hospital.
Events that require Hospital endorsement of a product, service, or Hospital participation in the direct sale of a product or service.

Other Important Requirements and Information

You must submit a Fundraising Event Application Form to the Office of Development for review at least four (4) weeks before your proposed event. Please include any additional materials outlining the proposed event.
You should determine whether permits, licenses or insurance are required for your event. If so, attach completed copies to your application.
Any separate contract that may be required for your event must be reviewed and approved by Children’s Hospital in advance and should also be attached to your application.
The public should be fully informed regarding any net amounts that will actually be donated to Children’s Hospital. Potential donors must be informed whenever less than one hundred percent of the net proceeds will be donated to the hospital.

(For example: “Ninety percent of the proceeds will benefit University of Missouri’s Children’s Hospital.”)

The IRS requires that all tickets, invitations or entry forms state what portion of the contribution is tax deductible. If donors will receive a product or service in exchange for their donation, subtract the fair market value of the product or service (even if the product or service was donated to you) from the contribution. The remaining amount is tax deductible.

(For example, the written materials might state: “The portion of the payment for each ticket which is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited under the federal tax laws to the excess of the payment over the value of the goods or services provided to a person attending this event. We estimate the value of goods or services provided to each person attending will be $_____. Accordingly, the amount of your payment which is deductible for federal tax purposes is $_____ ($_____ per ticket.)

Event expenses must be less than fifty percent of the total raised.
If event expenses are greater than the total collected, you are solely responsible for payment of these additional expenses.
Within 45 days after the last day of the fundraising event, you must send a final accounting of income and expenses to the Office of Development. A check made payable to University of Missouri Children’s Hospital should be mailed to One Hospital Drive, DC066.00, Columbia, Missouri 65212, or hand delivered to 2401 Lemone Industrial Boulevard, Room 123, Columbia, Missouri 65212.
If the budget for your fundraising event is greater than $10,000, you should establish a separate bank account. The title of the account should say “…to benefit University of Missouri’s Children’s Hospital.” Only event expenses may be deducted from this account and all donations are to be held in trust for University of Missouri’s Children’s Hospital.
Until written permission is received, the names “ University of Missouri’s Children’s Hospital and/or “Children’s Miracle Network” should not be used for any purpose and contributions should not be solicited.
If circumstances warrant, University of Missouri Children’s Hospital may at any time direct you to cancel the event. In such case, you agree to cancel the event, if so directed, and further agree to release University of Missouri Children’s Hospital, its officers, directors and employees from any and all liability in connection with such action.
Please advise the Office of Development of any changes in your event.