Fundraising/Special Events Guidelines
January 2016
Thank you for your support of the Center for the Arts! Fundraising/Special Events, commonly referred to as “Third Party Events”, hosted by individuals and/or community organizations to support Center for the Arts are a vital part of our fundraising operation. We encourage you to team up with friends, family and co-workers to support the Center for the Arts (CFA). Whether you decide to host an art show, plan a benefit or sponsor a golf tournament, you can have fun while helping the Center for the Arts.
The Center for the Arts is grateful to our community members who work diligently to build support for mission to build an arts center in Harford County that will be accessible to all and will nurture art, artists, and the community in creative and collaborative experiences.
The Center for the Arts defines a “Third Party Event” as any fund raising activity by a non-affiliated group or individual, where CFA has no fiduciary responsibility and little or no staff involvement. Only those “Third Party Events” which meet specific criteria, and legitimately and genuinely benefit CFA, will be approved. Each event will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Guidelines: An event application (available here) must be submitted for review and approved before initiation of planning the event takes place. Please allow a minimum of 14 business days for review and response. CFA reserves the right to decline participation in any event.
Steps to Having a Successful Event:
1. Choose what type of event you will host (golf tournament, run/walk, gala, etc…). Then, decide on a theme, location, refreshments and programming.
2. Make sure you receive approval from CFA after you fill out our event application.
3. Form a committee of your friends, family and co-workers to help you plan and run the event. They will be able to help provide you with the support that you’ll need to run the event.
4. Establish a fund raising goal and identify your potential expenses and income.
5. Develop a timeline of important tasks and deadlines and assign them to various committee members. This will assist you in keeping your event running on schedule.
6. Get the word out about your event by sending invitations and e-mails to your circle of friends. This is a great time to utilize social media!
7. Hold your event and have a great time! Spread the word about CFA and the great work we’re doing.
Make sure to collect the proper funds for the event that you’ve hosted and send one check made payable to the Center for the Arts within 60 days of your event.
8. Congratulations! Make sure to applaud yourself and your committee for planning and hosting a successful event. Also make sure to properly acknowledge and thank all of your donors and sponsors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which foundation should I make my check payable to? You can make your check payable to the Center for the Arts.
Can CFA provide me with acknowledgement letters and tax-receipts for my donors? The Center for the Arts will provide acknowledgement letters and tax receipts for donations made payable by check or credit card directly to CFA.
Can I use the CFA name and logo to promote my event? Yes! Prior to use you will need to have event approval by filling out an event application (available here). Please also make sure to submit all materials on which you would like to use CFA’s name and/or logo for approval.
Third party event names may not incorporate the name, as in “CFA Swing Marathon” but may use a second line identifying the relationship with CFA, such as “Patterson Mill High School Swing Marathon benefitting CFA”.
If the CFA logo is provided to you for use in conjunction with your event, it may not be altered in any way. The Center for the Arts must also approve all invitation verbiage and promotional materials including, but not limited to, advertisements, letters, brochures, flyers, press releases, and website content before printing and production.
Can CFA help spread the word about my event? We’d love to help you spread the word about your event through our internal sources, but we reserve the right to refuse to promote any event. Each event is judged on a case-by-case basis.
Can CFA provide me with a list of supporters? No, we cannot provide any type of mailing list including donors, staff or vendors, as they are confidential.
Will CFA solicit corporate sponsorships for my event? No. We cannot solicit or provide any type of sponsorship for your event. Please inform us of any corporate sponsors you may approach before you contact them. We already have relationships with many area corporations and do not want to jeopardize those relationships.
Will the CFA run my event? While the CFA staff will be happy to provide you with event guidance, due to staff and time constraints, we are unable to manage your event for you. We strongly suggest that you form a committee of your friends, family and other supporters that are also excited about supporting CFA. They will be able to provide support and assist you during the planning process and will play a vital part in running your event.
What should I do with the money from my event after I’ve collected it? Within 60 days of your event, please deliver all net proceeds, made payable to:
Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 687
Bel Air, MD 21014
Financial Information
The Center for the Arts is not financially or otherwise liable for the promotion and/or staging of fund raising events by any third-party organization/individual. The sponsoring organization/individual may not incur any financial or other obligations on behalf of CFA. CFA cannot be responsible in any way for casualties and/or situations that occur at your fundraising event or promotion. CFA is unable to open or manage bank accounts for third-party events.
Events must comply with all federal, state and local laws governing charitable fund raising, gift reporting and special events. Maryland has strict regulations governing raffles and gaming events carried out for charitable purposes. Event organizers may obtain more information on the rules governing the conduct of raffles and other “games of chance” in Maryland by contacting the government offices in the county which the fundraiser will take place.
Who can I contact if I have more questions? Please contact the Center for the Arts by phone, e-mail or in writing.
Phone: 443-567-5216
E-mail: info@harfordcfa.org
Mail: Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 687
Bel Air, MD 21014
The Center for the Arts is grateful to our community members who work diligently to build support for mission to build an arts center in Harford County that will be accessible to all and will nurture art, artists, and the community in creative and collaborative experiences.
The Center for the Arts defines a “Third Party Event” as any fund raising activity by a non-affiliated group or individual, where CFA has no fiduciary responsibility and little or no staff involvement. Only those “Third Party Events” which meet specific criteria, and legitimately and genuinely benefit CFA, will be approved. Each event will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Guidelines: An event application (available here) must be submitted for review and approved before initiation of planning the event takes place. Please allow a minimum of 14 business days for review and response. CFA reserves the right to decline participation in any event.
Steps to Having a Successful Event:
1. Choose what type of event you will host (golf tournament, run/walk, gala, etc…). Then, decide on a theme, location, refreshments and programming.
2. Make sure you receive approval from CFA after you fill out our event application.
3. Form a committee of your friends, family and co-workers to help you plan and run the event. They will be able to help provide you with the support that you’ll need to run the event.
4. Establish a fund raising goal and identify your potential expenses and income.
5. Develop a timeline of important tasks and deadlines and assign them to various committee members. This will assist you in keeping your event running on schedule.
6. Get the word out about your event by sending invitations and e-mails to your circle of friends. This is a great time to utilize social media!
7. Hold your event and have a great time! Spread the word about CFA and the great work we’re doing.
Make sure to collect the proper funds for the event that you’ve hosted and send one check made payable to the Center for the Arts within 60 days of your event.
8. Congratulations! Make sure to applaud yourself and your committee for planning and hosting a successful event. Also make sure to properly acknowledge and thank all of your donors and sponsors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which foundation should I make my check payable to? You can make your check payable to the Center for the Arts.
Can CFA provide me with acknowledgement letters and tax-receipts for my donors? The Center for the Arts will provide acknowledgement letters and tax receipts for donations made payable by check or credit card directly to CFA.
Can I use the CFA name and logo to promote my event? Yes! Prior to use you will need to have event approval by filling out an event application (available here). Please also make sure to submit all materials on which you would like to use CFA’s name and/or logo for approval.
Third party event names may not incorporate the name, as in “CFA Swing Marathon” but may use a second line identifying the relationship with CFA, such as “Patterson Mill High School Swing Marathon benefitting CFA”.
If the CFA logo is provided to you for use in conjunction with your event, it may not be altered in any way. The Center for the Arts must also approve all invitation verbiage and promotional materials including, but not limited to, advertisements, letters, brochures, flyers, press releases, and website content before printing and production.
Can CFA help spread the word about my event? We’d love to help you spread the word about your event through our internal sources, but we reserve the right to refuse to promote any event. Each event is judged on a case-by-case basis.
Can CFA provide me with a list of supporters? No, we cannot provide any type of mailing list including donors, staff or vendors, as they are confidential.
Will CFA solicit corporate sponsorships for my event? No. We cannot solicit or provide any type of sponsorship for your event. Please inform us of any corporate sponsors you may approach before you contact them. We already have relationships with many area corporations and do not want to jeopardize those relationships.
Will the CFA run my event? While the CFA staff will be happy to provide you with event guidance, due to staff and time constraints, we are unable to manage your event for you. We strongly suggest that you form a committee of your friends, family and other supporters that are also excited about supporting CFA. They will be able to provide support and assist you during the planning process and will play a vital part in running your event.
What should I do with the money from my event after I’ve collected it? Within 60 days of your event, please deliver all net proceeds, made payable to:
Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 687
Bel Air, MD 21014
Financial Information
The Center for the Arts is not financially or otherwise liable for the promotion and/or staging of fund raising events by any third-party organization/individual. The sponsoring organization/individual may not incur any financial or other obligations on behalf of CFA. CFA cannot be responsible in any way for casualties and/or situations that occur at your fundraising event or promotion. CFA is unable to open or manage bank accounts for third-party events.
Events must comply with all federal, state and local laws governing charitable fund raising, gift reporting and special events. Maryland has strict regulations governing raffles and gaming events carried out for charitable purposes. Event organizers may obtain more information on the rules governing the conduct of raffles and other “games of chance” in Maryland by contacting the government offices in the county which the fundraiser will take place.
Who can I contact if I have more questions? Please contact the Center for the Arts by phone, e-mail or in writing.
Phone: 443-567-5216
E-mail: info@harfordcfa.org
Mail: Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 687
Bel Air, MD 21014