Guidelines for Events Sponsored and Hosted by
Third-Party Organizations to Benefit the
American Red Cross Disaster Funds
Thank you for your willingness and efforts to help raise money for the American Red Cross. This sheet
should provide you with general guidelines about donating proceeds of your event to benefit the
American Red Cross.
Please complete the attached Event/Program Information Form with the details about your event.
What is a Third-Party Event?
Many organizations and groups are touched by the work of the Red Cross. These organizations sponsor
and host events that in whole or in part raise money for our organization. These events can range from
company outings and school fundraisers to pre-planned gala events.
Third-party events are events sponsored or hosted by individuals, organizations or groups not affiliated
with the American Red Cross. As such, the American Red Cross should not be listed as partners,
sponsors, or supporters of the third-party events or their organizers.
By signing our agreement:
• You agree to pay all costs associated with collecting and sending the donations to the Red Cross.
• You agree to forward to the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties 100% of your
donations.
• You shall indemnify, defend and hold the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties
harmless, including its chartered units and its governors, directors, officers, employees, agents
and volunteers from and against any and all suits, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating in any way to your
business and the fundraising activity.
• If you decide to cancel your event but some funds have already been collected, those funds must
still be turned over to the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties.
• You cannot make changes to the agreement without the authorization of the American Red Cross
of San Diego/Imperial Counties.
• You agree to comply with all federal, state and local charitable solicitation statutes, regulations
and ordinances that affect or apply to you and the fundraising activity.
How Do I Get Approval for Promotional Materials?
Please contact our office at the number below so that we can discuss your materials, provide guidance
to the proper use of the Red Cross name and approve the promotional material in a timely manner.
All fundraising materials should include the following information:
“You can help the victims of _(name of this disaster)_ and thousands of other disasters across the
country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which
enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance to those in need.”
You must agree to pay all costs associated with developing and printing promotional and marketing
material for your fundraiser.
Promotional materials should truthfully let the donor know what portion of the proceeds that will be
contributed to the American Red Cross. If the benefit to the American Red Cross is not expressible in
either percentage or fixed amounts, the benefit should be described as accurately as possible. You
should also let your donors know which fund their contributions will be supporting.
The American Red Cross will not incur or accept any financial liability for this promotion. Third-party
event organizers will assume all financial liabilities. Neither the American Red Cross, including its units,
nor their respective directors, officers, employees and volunteers, will be liable for any injury to, or
death of, any participant, customer, contractor or individual involved in the promotion of or
participation in the event.
All promotional material should include the American Red Cross address and contact information:
American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties
3950 Calle Fortunada
San Diego, CA 92123
858-309-1200
www.sdarc.org
Publicity
The American Red Cross wants to recognize the efforts of groups and organizations that help us raise
much-needed funds to serve our communities. Your stories inspire us…and our hope is to tell your story
and inspire others to give and help raise money for the American Red Cross. In the event that we can
feature your story, we will contact you for permission and further information.
Donor Thank You and Acknowledgement
The American Red Cross will only acknowledge the parties who have written checks directly to the
American Red Cross. If the participants of your event want to be acknowledged by the American Red
Cross for their donation, they MUST donate directly to us, via your fundraiser. For tax reasons, we can
only send acknowledgments to people who donate directly to us.
Acknowledgements may also serve as confirmation of donors’ financial contributions for tax purposes as
allowable by law.
American Red Cross Contact
For further information about fundraising on behalf of the American Red Cross, or to submit your ThirdParty Fundraising Agreement Form, please contact:
American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
3950 Calle Fortunada
San Diego, CA 92123
Donations Line: 858-309-1278
Fax: 858-309-1285
Email: [email protected]
American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
Third-Party Fundraising Agreement Form
This letter serves as an agreement between the fundraiser and the American Red Cross to set forth the
terms and conditions of our relationship with respect to the fundraising program described below.
Contact Information
Name:
Organization:
Title:
Address:
City:
Phone:
Email:
State:
Zip:
Event Information
Name of Event:
Location of Event (include address if possible):
Date/Time/Duration:
Description of Event:
Audience for Event (include # expected participants):
Promotional Information
Will you require the use of the American Red Cross name or logo in your promotional efforts? Yes/No
All uses of the American Red Cross name must comply with the American Red Cross Graphics Standards.
See Third-Party Guidelines Sheet for additional information. Note: The American Red Cross of San
Diego/Imperial Counties cannot provide printed materials for your fundraiser.
Additional information/comments