THIRD PARTY FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES
OVERVIEW
NAMI DuPage encourages individuals and organizations to conduct fundraising events to benefit its
programs and services for individuals and families who struggle with mental illness. Any individual or
organization that organizes and hosts an event, program, promotion, sale or donation drive on behalf of
and independently of NAMI DuPage is defined as a “third party fundraiser”
As a county-level affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), NAMI DuPage is one of the
largest and most innovative of the 1,200 affiliates in the country. NAMI DuPage operates as a financially
independent 501(c) (3) organization and does not receive any direct financial support from the national
or state NAMI organizations. Nor does it receive any federal or state funding. Rather, NAMI DuPage
relies on the remarkable generosity of the community for operational and program support. Therefore,
we need your support.
In order to enhance the success of third party fundraising events and to avoid conflicts with NAMI
DuPage’s donors, corporate sponsors or other events already planned, the following policies should be
adhered to:
General Guidelines
1) All fundraisers, for the benefit of NAMI DuPage, must be approved in advance. Organizers must
complete and file a Third Party Fundraising Application with the NAMI DuPage Development
Department no less than 6 weeks prior to the proposed promotion or event start date before
approval can be granted.
2) Fundraisers which benefit NAMI DuPage must reflect positively on its mission. NAMI DuPage
reserves the right to decline any fundraising proposal that is not in line with its mission,
fundraising efforts or event calendar. Furthermore, NAMI DuPage may cancel a third party event
of disassociate with a third party event at any time if these guidelines are not satisfied.
3) Event organizers are responsible for obtaining all permits, vendor agreements, licenses and
insurance certificates necessary for the event. (Please note that raffles, drawings and other
games of chance are governed by a variety of state, municipal and federal laws. If you are
holding a raffle, drawing or other game of chance at your event, be aware that such an activity
needs special permits and allow extra time for these to be obtained).
4) NAMI DuPage assumes no legal or financial liability associated with third-party events.
Page 1|4
5) Fundraisers must fully and truthfully state the portion of the proceeds which will be donated to
NAMI DuPage in all advertising, promotions and in all contact with donors, sponsors and
participants. If less than 100% of the net proceeds will be donated, the “portion of proceeds”
may be stated as a percentage of net proceeds, a portion of a product price or a fixed amount
per sale/transaction that is to benefit NAMI DuPage.
Communication Guidelines
1) Any promotion of the event must avoid statement or appearance of NAMI DuPage endorsing
any product, firm, organization, individual or service.
2) Participants may not use the copyrighted information, mission statement, logos, or photos on
the NAMI DuPage website without the express written consent of NAMI DuPage.
3) All promotional materials should clearly state the event is sponsored by you or your
organization with net proceeds going to NAMI DuPage.
4) The NAMI DuPage name cannot be used as an event title nor sponsor but may be identified as
the beneficiary of third party fundraising events. For example an event may not be referred to
as “The NAMI DuPage Bake Sale.” Instead, it should be promoted as “ABC Bake Sale to Benefit
NAMI DuPage”
5) Do not represent yourself as a representative of NAMI DuPage. NAMI DuPage will make every
effort to have a staff or volunteer speaker at your event if requested but cannot guarantee
availability. If you wish to speak about NAMI DuPage by using information provided at the time
of your event approval, please make sure that your audience understands that you are not
speaking in an official capacity.
Financial Guidelines
1) NAMI DuPage will not incur third-party expenses or provide any funds for third-party events.
2) No bank accounts or holding accounts may be established under the NAMI DuPage name. If the
budget for your fundraising event is greater than $10,000, then you should establish a separate
bank account. The account should be titled as “XXX event to benefit NAMI DuPage. You cannot
open an account in NAMI DuPage’s name.
3) The not-for-profit tax exempt status of NAMI DuPage may not be used by the host organization
to purchase items and materials with which to conduct the activity.
4) Event organizer shall not retain any portion of event proceeds as personal profit or
compensation. No fees, commissions or salaries may be retained from event proceeds by your
organization or its members.
5) A check for the third party event’s net proceeds (gross proceeds less all related expenses), along
with a complete accounting of all funds collected and expenses related to the event, must be
delivered to NAMI DuPage within 45 days of the event’s conclusion
6) NAMI DuPage reserves the right to request your event financial records and accounting at any
time for our review if circumstances warrant it.
Charitable Giving Guidelines
1) Unless your organization is a registered non-profit entity, donations made to it are not tax
deductible.
Page 2|4
2) Donations made directly to a third-party event can be used to cover the event’s expenses, but
are not tax-deductible.
3) A donation solicited on our behalf, whether the donation is an item or cash, is fully tax
deductible only when it is made directly and entirely to NAMI DuPage, as we are the only agent
who can verify that such a gift was made, and the nature of the gift, to the IRS.
4) In order for a tax receipt to be issued, NAMI DuPage must be provided with the donor’s name,
address and phone number.
5) Any checks made payable to NAMI DuPage must be forwarded to NAMI DuPage for processing
and deposit.
6) Checks must represent an outright donation and cannot include any exchange of products or
services. Such donations are tax-deductible and will be receipted by NAMI DuPage
GETTING STARTED
1) Submit an application and a signed copy of the Third Party Fundraising Application to the NAMI
DuPage Development Department for review at least 6 weeks before your proposed event.
Please attach any additional material outlining the proposed event.
2) Attach a copy of all necessary permits, licenses or insurance requirements for the event.
3) Your application will be reviewed within 48 hours of submittal and a response will be sent to you
via email
4) If approved, you will receive a jpeg of our logo and your approval email.
5) Please advise NAMI DuPage of any changes in your event, including cancellations.
6) After your event is completed, please send a check for the third party event’s net proceeds
(gross proceeds less all related expenses), along with a complete accounting of all funds
collected and expenses related to the event, must be delivered to NAMI DuPage within 45 days
of the event’s conclusion. A check payable to NAMI DuPage should be sent to: 115 N. Couty
Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187.
WHAT NAMI DUPAGE CAN DO TO HELP YOUR FUNDRAISER?
Listed below is a list of some of things NAMI DuPage may be able to offer to help make your fundraiser a
success:









Help you to select a program area for your donation to support
Provide our Tax ID number for direct donation purposes only
Provide authorization to validate the authenticity of the event and its organizers
Provide limited volunteers
Promote the event through the NAMI DuPage website and social media sites.
Provide materials about our programs and services
Have a representative from NAMI DuPage speak at your event.
Attend check presentations if necessary
Provide acknowledgment and sincere thanks on our website, social media sites, annual report
and newsletter.
Page 3|4
WHAT NAMI DUPAGE CANNOT PROVIDE:






State sales tax exemption letter for event related purchases.
Gift recognition letter noting a charitable donation to individual or corporate contributors unless
the gift is made payable or donated directly to NAMI DuPage
Insurance or Liability coverage
Funding or reimbursement for expenses
Mailing list of donors or vendors
NAMI DuPage stationary
For questions or more information on third party events, please contact William B. Peterson,
Development Director, at 630-752-0066 x202 or w.peterson@namidupage.org. Thank you very much for
your interest in supporting NAMI DuPage’s programs. Best wishes with your event.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read and agree to the following guidelines:
Sponsoring Organization: ________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________________ State: ________ Zip: _____________________
Contact Name: ________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Signature
Date
Phone: _________________________________ Email:________________________________________
Page 4|4