Guide to the
2016 Human Race
for Businesses
www.humanracenow.org
Thank you 2016
Human Race Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Exchange Bank
Jackson Family Wines
The Press Democrat
Sonic
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County
Sponsors
Clover-Stornetta ~ G& C Auto Body ~ Hansel Auto Group
Keysight Technologies ~City of Santa Rosa ~ PG&E
Anderson Zeigler Fleet Feet Sports ~ Saucony
Cotati Food Services ~ ChromaGraphics
KZST 100.1 ~ Redwood Credit Union ~Whole Foods
Janssen Nonprofit Recruiting ~ Kaiser ~ Portola Systems
Friedman’s ~ American Ag Credit ~ Fast Signs ~ Riverport Insurance
Sole Desire ~ TLCD Architecture ~ Tri Counties Bank
Radio Promoters
KZST 100.1, KSRO 1350, 96X 96.7, Exitos 98.7,
Froggy 92.9, Krush 95.9, Mix104.9, River 97.7,
Y 100.9, Hot 101.7, Vintage 95.5
Your Guide to the 2016
Human Race
Table of Contents:
1.
Just The Facts!
2.
Basic Training 2016 & Web Training
3.
Walkers and Non-Timed Runners
4.
Instructions for Timed Runners
5.
Collecting Donations
6.
Fun & Games Tent
7.
Entry Form: Business Form
8.
Marketplace
9.
Deposit Form for Participating Organizations
10.
Online Fundraising
11.
Restaurant Week
12-13.
Glossary
14.
Who to Call
Totally Awesome 80s!
Just the Facts!
The Human Race is a nationwide community fundraising event for nonprofit organizations. The Sonoma
County Race features a 3K and 10K run and walk through Howarth and Spring Lake Parks. Businesses and
nonprofit organizations recruit walkers, runners and/or donation-gatherers to raise funds. Benefiting nonprofit organizations receive 75% of monies collected up to $7,500 and then receive 90% for amounts over
$7,500. The Volunteer Center receives the remaining percentage to coordinate and stage the event. In
2015 Sonoma County held the largest Human Race in the nation with 8,000+ participants and over
$450,000 raised.
When?
Saturday, May 7, 2016 - Rain or shine!
Registration: 6:30 - 7:45 a.m.
Run starts: 8:00 a.m.
Walk starts: Immediately following the runners
Where?
Registration, start and finish lines are at:
Herbert Slater Middle School - 3500 Sonoma Avenue- Santa Rosa, 95405.
3K & 10K Routes: Through the awesomely beautiful Howarth and Spring Lake Parks.
Who?
Funds can be raised for any nonprofit organization, school or church. The event is
open to all — runners and walkers. Dogs on leash and children in strollers are ALWAYS
welcomed.
How?
Each participating nonprofit needs to fill out a Human Race Participation Form (included in this
packet) and register with the Volunteer Center. Human Race supplies posters, postcards, stickers and donation sheets that are available for you to pick-up at the Volunteer Center or at our
kick-off breakfast in February. Make sure you take advantage of the services offered - Basic
Training sessions, webinars, this handbook - to learn how to achieve your goals.
Why?
The Human Race is a proven fundraiser that has been successful for Sonoma County nonprofits
for 34 years and continues to flourish. The Volunteer Center provides marketing, publicity, materials, and experienced assistance. Businesses provide the awesome, amazing people power!
1
Basic Training
2016
(or EVERYTHING you wanted to know about the race!)
Come learn the basics and get your Human Race questions answered!
Sessions are oriented to new & returning nonprofits, businesses,
and new Human Race coordinators.
Sessions last approximately 60 minutes. Each meeting will be held at the
Volunteer Center, 153 Stony Circle Ste. 100, Santa Rosa, CA
PLEASE call or email (see below) to RSVP if you will be
attending a Basic Training or Web Training session
Session 1 ~ Tuesday, February 16 - 12 noon
Classroom A
Session 2 ~ Tuesday, March 15 - - 12 noon
Classroom A
Session 3 ~ Tuesday, April 19 - - 12 noon
Classroom A
Web Training ONLY
Session 1 ~ Wednesday, February 24 - 12 noon
Volunteer Center’s Boardroom
Session 2
Wednesday, March 23
12 noon - Classroom A
RSVP CONTACTS: Alicia Alexander—707.573.3399 ext. 104 /aalexander@volunteernow.org
Jennifer Kulpa—707.573.3399 ext. 103 /jkulpa@volunteernow.org
Amy Ekren—707.573-3399 ext. 147 /aekren@volunteernow.org
2
Walkers &
Non-Timed Runners
We welcome walkers & non-timed runners of all ages, so join us
for this festive event and witness the giving spirit of Sonoma County!
Collecting & Depositing Donations
COLLECTING
 Collect donations from your friends, family, co-workers and companies you do business
with. Log those donations onto your donation sheet as you receive the money. Make sure
that you get the donor’s mailing address or email address if they want an official acknowledgement of their donation for the IRS and their donation is $100 or more.
TO MAKE A DEPOSIT
 Complete a deposit slip for your checks and/or cash. (Deposit slip forms are online and
one master can be found in this handbook.) Please NO COINS.
 Bring your filled out deposit slip, cash & checks to the Volunteer Center during the weeks
leading up to and after the race. Volunteer Center is open from 8:30 to 5 pm, Monday—
Friday.
 Also bring your completed donation form if any of your donors wish to get an official thank
you letter and their donation is $100 or more. You will be given a new donation form if you
want to continue gathering donations. Make a copy of any donation form you plan to
hand-in if you want a copy for your files, which we recommend.
Please Note:
Do not bring in your collected donation money to Fleet Feet when you go to pick-up your
wristband. Donation money should be taken to the Volunteer Center any time prior to race
day or after race day. Yes, multiple wristbands can be picked up at Fleet Feet if you are part of
a group.
Those who haven’t collected donations before race day:
You can still enjoy the race by checking in early & making a $10.00 donation
to the Volunteer Center or the nonprofit of your choice at the event. This entitles you to a
wristband at the start and a Human Race T-shirt after you cross the finish line.
3
Instructions for
Timed Runners
 Timed Runners need to register online for the race & pay the runner’s fee
 Timed runners receive:
- bib number with an imbedded timing chip
- special event t-shirt when you pick-up your packet
- FREE pancake breakfast on race day
- NEW THIS YEAR — a totally rad event medal!
Runner’s Fees increase as event gets closer, so sign-up early!
ADULTS (13 years and older)
- $35 per person - Registration opens
- $40 as of March 31st
- $45 as of April 30th
- $50 day of race, May 7
Youth (12 years & younger)
- $15 through May 6
- $20 day of race, May 7
PLEASE NOTE: A portion of your fee counts as a donation toward
the Volunteer Center’s many programs — Secret Santa, Literacy Program, RSVP
Make it easy and pre-register online!
Go to the Human Race website (www.humanracenow.org) and click on the TIMED RUNNERS tab
at the top. Online registration will close on Monday, May 2. After May 2, runners will need to
register at Fleet Feet in Santa Rosa from May 3 – 6th OR on race day at Herbert Slater Middle
School.
Volunteer Center
153 Stony Circle, Ste 100
Santa Rosa CA 95401
707-573-3399
Fleet Feet
111 3rd Street
Santa Rosa, CA 65401
707-569-1494
4
Collecting Donations
Get a Donation Form*
Pick-up a donation form from:
the Volunteer Center
 the nonprofit organization you are supporting.
Write your name and the nonprofit organization’s name clearly on the
top lines.

*You can also create an online webpage to raise funds online by going to the Human Race
website, www.humanracenow.org.
Set a Goal
Set a goal for yourself (example: 20 donations of $10 = $200. The average donation last year
was $15). Prizes will be awarded to the top individuals who raise over $1,000. Organize your
efforts. Carry your donation form with you wherever you go.
Time to Ask!
Try to collect your donations at the time you ask for support. Remember to ask EVERYONE!
The more you ask, the more you'll get. With online funding, you will have the opportunity to
ask your friends & family anywhere in the United States! Have donor information complete on
the lines below. If your donor wishes to have a donation acknowledgment letter for taxes purpose and they have donated $100 or more, please make sure all the information for that donor
is provided.
Last Step —
Make sure to write the donor’s name, address, email address and phone number on the form
along with the amount of the donation.
All checks should be made payable to: VC Human Race
We will not be accepting any amount of coins this year,
please convert all coins to cash or check.
Turn in money you have collected to the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County. Deposit money
regularly – don’t wait until the deadline date! Only money deposited to the Volunteer Center
by Wednesday, May 25, 2016, by 4 p.m. qualifies for top prizes.
REMINDER: You DO NOT need to bring your money into the Volunteer Center the day before
the race OR the day of the race — you still have time after the race!
5
Costume Competitions and more at the
Fun & Games Tent
~ Contests for those feeling CrEaTivE & Colorful ~
Centipedes
(Any group of 4 or more people who are attached /connected AND walk or run together.)
Best Decorated
Most Legs
Fastest

Colorful Costumed Groups &
Individuals
Best Youth Group
Best Adult Group
Best Canine Group
Judges Choice
Most Creative Youth Costume
Most Creative Adult Costume
T-Shirt Contest
Best Use of Theme — The Awesome 80’s!
Best Message
Peoples’ Choice
Best of Show
The FUN continues with...
Marketplace booths to visit
 Pancakes, sausage, OJ & Coffee to enjoy at our Pancake Breakfast
 Entertainment & KZST to delight you
 RETURNING THIS YEAR—Activities for children at the Fun & Games Tent!

PLEASE NOTE: For the costume, centipede and t-shirt contests,
prizes are awarded at the Human Race Awards Celebration in June.
6
The Human Race 2016
brought to you by the
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County
We are thrilled that your organization has chosen to participate
in the Human Race and support a local nonprofit. This
collaborative effort benefits our whole community in Sonoma
County. This form lets the Volunteer Center know that your
business is fundraising for the current years Human Race so it
is important to make sure to send it in.
Please fill out this form and e-mail or fax to Alicia Alexander
aalexander@volunteernow.org, FAX:707-573-3380
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Human Race Business Engagement Form
About Your Company / Organization
Company/Org. __________________________________Branch/Location/Dept __________
Address_____________________________________ City/Zip________________________
Number of Employees:
100 or less
100 or more
About You
Contact Person _________________________________________________________________
Email Address ____________________________________Phone ________________________
Best Way to Contact You:
Email
Phone
Text
Human Race Participation
# _______________ Goal for # of participants on race day
$ _______________ Fundraising goal
Please list the nonprofit(s) you will be supporting:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Remember for 2016
* Nonprofits have until March 25 to turn in form. After 3/25, $100 fee will apply
* Businesses can sign-up to purchase a Marketplace Booth after March 25 - fee $250
Human Race Sponsor
Nonprofit 501©(3)
Health Related Business
Other Business
Business Giveaways:
Organization/Business:
Contact Name:
Phone:
E-Mail Address:
YES! We want to reserve a (10x10) space on the blacktop of Herbert Slater Middle
School for our booth at the Human Race Marketplace on May 7, 2016. We understand the
guidelines listed below. Please note that you must provide your own tables,
chairs, tents supplies and clean-up your space, PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT!
We would like to have the same space as last year.
You will get a phone confirmation from the Volunteer Center letting you know we have received
your form. The Human Race team DOES NOT know your marketplace booth space #, so please do not
call. You will be given your booth space number when you arrive to set up.
NOTE: The Marketplace is not a commercial venue and nothing can be sold. Participating businesses
should emphasize service to the community either in conjunction with an agency that the business
the public.
GUIDE LINES
Please understand that you must set up your booth on Friday evening, May 6, between 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm,
in order to hold your space. The Volunteer Center provides overnight security guards. On Saturday morning,
remaining spaces will be available on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. Last minute participants will be billed
their applicable fee the following week. All vehicles must be off the blacktop by 6:30 am. Marketplace
exhibitors should be "open for business" by 7:00 am and are expected to pack up and load out around 11:00
am.
Please return this completed form to "Human Race"
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County
153 Stony Circle, Suite 100 Santa Rosa, CA 95401
or via fax: 707.573.3380 www.humanracenow.org
8
All donations (checks & cash) need to be turned into the Volunteer Center.
Each person making a deposit must fill out and submit this form.
Deposits are to be submitted to:
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, 153 Stony Circle #100, Santa Rosa CA 95401
Monday- Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
To make a deposit, please follow directions below:
1. Please run an adding machine tape on all checks deposited; this tape must
accompany each deposit.
2. This form must accompany each deposit.
3. Checks need to be made out to the Human Race or endorsed over to the Human Race.
4. We will NOT be accepting rolled or any loose change.
Any and all coins must be converted to CASH or CHECK.
5. In order to qualify for awards and prizes, your donation money must be submitted to the
Volunteer Center by Wednesday, May 25, 4:00 pm
Please provide all the information requested below: Please PRINT CLEARLY
Benefiting Nonprofit:
Name:
(Person making the deposit)
Phone:
E-mail
Checks:
Currency:
$
$
Total:
$
Business/Corporate Champion:
(If you are a business fundraising for a nonprofit)
**VERY IMPORTANT**
Please calculate and list below the names of your organization's top donation-getters (over $1,000!), so that
they can be honored at the awards ceremony in June. (It is the nonprofit's responsibility to invite these
incredible people to the Human Race awards celebration.)
Name
Amount
Name
Amount
Name
Amount
FOR VOLUNTEER CENTER USE ONLY
Date:___________
Agency Code:_______________
Checks $
Receipt#
Entered
Cash$
Total Deposit
Person Taking Deposit:
9
Online Fundraising
through the Human Race Website
Log on to www.humanracenow.org to get started raising money
online for your nonprofit organization.
Here is another opportunity to raise funds for your nonprofit organization by setting up
your personalized online donation page. You may still collect traditional donations
with our donation form as well as online to reach your 2016
goal and surpass last year’s total.
Donations raised online are credited directly to your nonprofit account.
To help answer your questions regarding the use of the online fundraising page, check out the FAQs on the website.
Online Donations
Online donations are subject to a transaction fee and a credit card processing fee,
in addition to the Human Race admin fee. For this reason we strongly encourage online
donations for at least $20.00. Fill out the Nonprofit Agency Enrollment Form online before
starting your fundraising page. This is a quick and easy way to get started.
By setting up your online page to raise money for your nonprofit organization, you will
get your own personal website and email. PLEASE NOTE: Those that had web pages in
2015 (or earlier) will still have their pages but they need to be updated for 2016!
Setting Up Your Online NEW Donation Page:
(Make sure to go slowly and to give yourself plenty of time.)
1. Simply create a username and password which you will use to log into your Human Race site.
2. Fill out the contact information form and you are ready to go.
From your the ‘Dashboard’ screen you can:
• Personalize your Human Race page by choosing one of the templates and adding your own photo and
personal text about why you are in the Human Race for your nonprofit organization.
 Send email to friends and family by importing your own address book. Emails sent through your personal Human Race web page contain a link directly to your personal Human Race donation page.
 Make sure to indicate what nonprofit you are supporting!
It is your responsibility to keep track of online and off-line donations that are entered onto
your Human Race fundraising page.
10
Sonoma County Restaurants Feed the Human Race!
Human Race Restaurant Week
May 1 – May 7, 2016
The week of May 1st– 7th has been declared Human Race Restaurant Week. Nonprofits are
encouraged to pick a restaurant then work with your restaurant to pick a day or days when the
restaurant will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Human Race in support of your nonprofit agency. Human Race participants are encouraged to visit participating restaurants that
week and restaurants are encouraged to participate in the Human Race with the agency they are
supporting. Restaurants registered by March 25, 2016 will be included in Restaurant Week
promotional campaign -- Restaurant Week print ads, Human Race website and e-newsletters.
Below is a step-by-step outline of how to be part of Restaurant Week:
1. FIND the restaurant to be your Restaurant Week partner.
2. COMPLETE - Restaurant & nonprofit fill out Commitment Form and the terms of the partnership.
3. SUBMIT completed Commitment Form to the Volunteer Center by Wednesday, March 25.
4. PROMOTE - Nonprofit promotes partnership by encouraging their donors, volunteers and Human
Race participants to patronize their restaurant on their designated day(s).
5. FOLLOW-UP - Nonprofit follows-up with restaurant after Restaurant Week to remind them to
submits proceeds to Volunteer Center by Wednesday, May 25.
Helpful Tools and Templates



There are templates for a Restaurant Week flyer/mini poster and table tents. These items can be found
on the Restaurant Week page of Human Race website. Look for them at the bottom of the website page.
Use the flyer as a mini-poster around your office and the restaurant or mail to your supporters & staff.
Use table tents on the restaurant’s tables on your designated day, creating enthusiasm for the Human
Race and letting patrons know that a portion of the day’s receipts are going to your nonprofit.
Restaurant Week partnerships will be promoted by the Volunteer Center’s Human Race team through Press
Democrat ads, our e-newsletters and on the Human Race website. Generally those partnerships that are
heavily promoted by the nonprofit are the MOST successful ones!
Deadline is March 25th for inclusion in Restaurant Week promotional campaign.
11
Glossary
Awards – the Volunteer Center gives out awards for the Fun and Games categories (see Fun &
Games below) in addition to awarding top Corporate Champions (two categories: over 100 employees and under 100 employees), top nonprofit organizations and the Publisher’s Award for
the best Human Race story of the year.
Breakfast of Champions – the Human Race kick-off event, held annually in late January or
early February. The Breakfast of Champions is the first date that Human Race materials such as
donation sheets, posters, packets and giveaways are available. The breakfast features an inspirational speaker. Attendees can win a prize (or prizes) for their nonprofit.
Business Participant – a business that supports a nonprofit organization through the Human
Race, either through a direct sponsorship or by encouraging employees to participate in the
race and gather donations for that nonprofit organization.
Centipede – a group of 4 or more people joined together in some way for the complete Human Race. Groups may be joined by ribbon, rope, or cloth – in any imaginative fashion that you
choose! Making a centipede is a fun way for groups to do the race together, with a chance of
winning a monetary prize for a chosen nonprofit. Awards are for Fastest, Best Decorated and
Most Legs.
Costume Contest – a race day contest. Costumes should relate to the theme of the race.
Awards are for Most Creative Children’s Group, Most Creative Adult Group, Best Costume
(Group and Individual) plus more.
Deposit Form (Your donation sheet is NOT a deposit form) – form included in this packet that must accompany every Human Race deposit. Fill it out as completely. Make a copy for
your records and then turn in the original when you turn in your money.
Donation - an amount given by a person to the asker’s chosen nonprofit organization.
Donation-getters are usually responsible for collecting all their donations, unless their chosen
nonprofit organization is willing to help out with this.
Donation Form – the forms are provided by the Volunteer Center. The pre-printed donation
form has race day information, a run registration form and a space for the donations to be
written down. Nonprofit organizations may get as many donation forms as they need from the
Volunteer Center. The donation form can be found on the website.
12
Entry Form - Form is included in this packet for those nonprofits wanting to paricipate in this
year’s Human Race.
Fun & Games Tent - A tent in the Marketplace where the T-Shirt Contest, Centipede
Contest, Costume Contest and any other fun ideas we can come up with to add to the
excitement on race day can be found! Remember to visit the Photo Op Booth!
Human Race Awards Celebration – Awards for costumes & centipedes plus fundraising
awards for businesses and nonprofit organizations are handed out at this event that is held in
late June. Wines and light hors d’oeuvres are served at this relaxed and enjoyable after-work
event. All participating nonprofit organizations and businesses are invited to come, free of
charge
Marketplace – each year the blacktop area behind Slater Middle School is transformed into a
bustling festival area where nonprofit organizations and businesses can reach out to the community. REMINDER: Nonprofits that sign up after March 25 will be charged $100. Businesses
will be able to sign-up for a Marketplace booth after March 25 for $250. You must supply your
own table, chairs, tent, etc… You must sign-up ahead of time, using the form in this packet.
The Marketplace is not a sales venue and nothing may be sold. Participating businesses
should emphasize service to the community by showing support for their chosen nonprofit organizations and/or giving away “freebies” to the public.
Nonprofit Organization – A charity with valid nonprofit status from the IRS. Nonprofits are
the only entities that can be beneficiaries of the Human Race.
Nonprofit Status - Required for nonprofit organization participation in the Human Race. The
501(c)(3) letter from the IRS confirming a nonprofit organization’s tax-exempt status. All new
nonprofit organizations must submit their letter. If a nonprofit organization has previously provided the letter to the Volunteer Center, it is not necessary to re-submit it.
Restaurant Week – An opportunity for a nonprofit to increase their funds by partnering with
a local restaurant for a selected day (or days) during Restaurant Week to donate a portion of
the restaurant’s proceeds to the nonprofit. Commitment forms need to be submitted by
Wednesday, March 25 to take full advantage of the publicity campaign.
T-Shirt Contest – Businesses and nonprofit organizations may compete for awards in Best
Design, Best Color Use, Best Message, Best of Show and Judge’s Choice categories. Bring an
example of your T-shirt the morning of the Human Race and hang it on the clothesline in the
marketplace. That’s all there is to it! Awards are given out at the Awards Celebration in
13
June.
Who Ya Gonna Call
About the Human Race?
For general questions about date/time/deadlines,
you can call the Volunteer Center front desk at 573-3399, ext. 0
Or check out our website:
www.humanracenow.org
Other questions can be directed to:
Jennifer Kulpa
Special Events Coordinator
Phone: 573-3399 ext. 103
Email: jkulpa@volunteernow.org
Alicia Alexander
Marketing & Special Events Coordinator
Phone: 573-3399 ext. 104
Email: aalexander@volunteernow.org
14
News in 2016
Raise More, Keep More Incentive!
This year, when you raise more donation dollars than
you did in the 2015 Human Race, your participation fee will
be reduced from 25% to 10% on any funds
raised above last year’s amount!
This year the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County wants
you to be successful in growing your community’s
support for your programs through the Human Race! Our
team is always here to support you with
fundraising ideas and supplies!
Tax-deductible Acknowledgments
The Volunteer Center is now the responsible agency for
providing official tax-deductible donation letters to donors
that provide an email or mailing address and donate $100 or more.
We will need a copy (or original) of your donation form when you turn it
in, so be sure to submit when turning in funds. Please feel free to send
your own personal thank you, but rest assured we will provide
the tax-deductible acknowledgment to donors of $100 or more.