Before you kickstart your fundraising efforts, please review the following important information.
What is third-party fundraising?
Third-party fundraising is when individuals, groups, or organizations organize and host their own fundraising events or campaigns to raise money for Alice House. These activities are not organized or managed by Alice House but are done by supporters who want to help our cause. We are grateful to have community members who are passionate about our cause and their efforts make a big difference raising funds and awareness for Alice House!
How can I organize a fundraiser for Alice House?
Organizing a third-party fundraiser is easy! Start by filling out our Third-Party Fundraising Application Form here. Once approved, you can start planning your event or campaign. Be sure to follow our guidelines and use our logo and name correctly in your promotions.
Those who engage in fundraising activities on behalf of Alice House via donor events or external events must promote and maintain the positive image of Alice House. We reserves the right to decline participation in any fundraising proposal that does not fall within our mandate.
What types of fundraiser can I organize?
You can organize various types of fundraisers, such as a bake sale, a charity run, a garage sale, or an online fundraising campaign. The possibilities are endless! Visit this page for some ideas to get you started.
How can I promote my Alice House fundraiser?
You can use Alice House's logo and name in your promotional materials, but please make sure to use them correctly and in accordance with the below guidelines.
- The activity will be promoted and conducted in a manner which avoids the appearance of Alice House endorsing any product, individual, group or service.
- Alice House reserves the right to decline association with any fundraiser when it believes that such association or activity may have a negative effect on the reputation of the organization.
- The official name of Alice House and may not be altered in any way. Please do not alter the logo in any way.
- Promotional materials and/or advertisements cannot be purchased by us and are the responsibility of the organizer.
- Promotional materials must state that you and/or your organizations are conducting a fundraising initiative “In Support of Alice House”.
Alice House logos
Be sure to leave adequate space around the logo so that it is not crowded by other visual elements. Please don’t copy & paste the logo from an online search. For other versions of our logo, please contact us at funddevelopment@alicehouse.ca
Social Media Toolkit
We know that you’re going to want to share your activity on your social channels, and we want to make sure you have what you need to promote your fundraiser. These tools were built to help you achieve your fundraising goal, promote your activity, and share your progress, all through social media. Click on the images to download and share your "WHY" with family, colleagues, and friends.
In Support of Alice House logo
We have a special Alice House 'in support of' fundraiser logo that is available for you to use on any materials you develop on your own.
Additional assets
Message Templates
Donate to my fundraising:
From {date} to {date}, I'm fundraising for Alice House so they can continue to offer safe housing, counselling, and support services to women and children recovering from intimate partner violence. Can you support me today by making a donation on my fundraising page? It's safe, secure and easy. Any amount you give today will help me reach my goal and support more survivors - link's in bio!
Support my Fundraiser:
I’m hosting {insert name of event} on {insert date of event} in support of Alice House. Their vision is a society in which every person can live a life without fear or threat of abuse. Will you support my fundraiser for this organization that helps women and children escape violence and rebuild their lives? {insert link to fundraising page}
Donor thank you:
Thank you to all of my generous donors for helping support my fundraising efforts for Alice House. The housing and cost of living crisis has exacerbated and further limited choice for women and children trying to find economic independence and safe housing to recover from domestic violence. Thanks to your support, we’re one step closer to ensuring that no one is forced to return to a violent home.
Alice House messaging to use:
Alice House has been a pioneering force in Canada, serving as the second project of its kind in the nation. We are a Dartmouth-based charity dedicated to providing second-stage safe housing, support services, and counselling for women and children fleeing intimate partner violence. We have led a heart-strong and grassroots operation since 1983.
We are acutely aware of the profound challenges faced by folks who have endured violence in their homes. We offer 18 units, prioritizing resident safety with confidential location, security cameras, alarms, and kick-proof doors while allowing them to build credit and landlord history. Our wrap-around services include counselling for women and children, a food security program, an economic independence program, prevention education, and domestic violence court support. Our holistic trauma-informed approach addresses the multifaceted effects of violence, aiming to break the cycle of family violence and empowering survivors to heal and rebuild their lives with dignity.
Alice House's success has always relied on the generosity of our community and their passion for our life-saving cause. Will you join us in taking a stand against violence? Donate now.
How do I collect donations?
Offline Donations
If collecting cash or cheque donations, the responsibility for collecting contribution amounts, names of donors, and contact information to issue charitable tax receipts for Alice House lies with the third party.
Donation form
Do you have donors who would like to give you cash or cheque? Do you want to leave a donor with a donation form to fill in on their own? They can fill this donation form in, attach the funds and mail it into our office. Please remind them of the importance of indicating your name on the form. Download here.
Pledge form
Have you collected fundraising dollars from your donors, and want to send it all in together? Download this form and fill in all the necessary fields. Download here.
Online Donations
It is quick and easy to create a fundraising page through CanadaHelps. Just sign up, start your fundraiser, and send people a link to easily make a tax deductible donate online. Get started here!
Will Alice House issue tax receipts?
Alice House is a registered charity and will issue charitable tax receipts for eligible donations in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines.
Alice House CAN provide charitable tax receipts to third party fundraising donors under the following circumstances:
- Donations made online through our website or CanadaHelps will automatically receive a tax receipt.
- Cash or cheque donations of less than $20 will not be receipted unless specifically requested.
- For cash and cheque donations requiring a tax receipt (minimum $20), the event organizers must submit, along with any funds, a detailed breakdown on a donation-tracking sheet with the full name, address, and amount to be receipted. (see above section for instructions)
- Charitable tax receipts for in-kind donations (e.g. auction items) will only be issued when the gift is received directly by, and authorized by, Alice House. Event organizers must contact Alice House before promising tax receipts on our behalf for in-kind donations. CRA maintains strict guidelines as to what in-kind donations are receiptable and Alice House adheres strictly to those guidelines, so the final decision to issue a tax receipt rests with Alice House.
Alice House CANNOT issue a charitable tax receipt:
- To donors, sponsors or organizers who receive value from a donor/external event.
- For gifts of service. At law, a gift is a voluntary transfer of property. Gifts of services (donated time, skills, or efforts) provided to a charity are not property, and therefore do not qualify, according to the CRA, as gifts for the purposes of issuing tax receipts.
- For the purchase of auction items. If someone purchases an item at an auction, they are considered by the CRA to have received something of value (the item) and therefore a tax receipt will not be issued.
- For the purchase of a ticket or entrance fee to an event (gala, show, sporting event, etc.), the purchaser is considered by the CRA to have received something of value (the event) and therefore a tax receipt will not be issued.
- Sponsorship dollars are not receiptable, as sponsors are considered by CRA to be receiving marketing value in return for their sponsorship.
If your donors have not received their receipt within 60 days of submission, please email livesafe@alicehouse.ca. Please include donor’s full name and all other details (date, cheque #, amount, etc.).
Can Alice House provide support for my fundraiser?
While Alice House cannot provide financial support for third-party fundraisers, we can often offer guidance, resources, and promotional support to help make your event a success. Participation by Alice House staff are voluntary and limited to available resources. Please fill out this form in order to share more information about your fundraiser and to make requests for support: Click here!
The organizer is responsible for all aspects of the fundraising initiative, including but not limited to:
- recruiting and managing volunteers
- event advertising
- press releases
- ticket sales/registrations
- budgeting
- all expenses incurred
- event sponsorship and/or solicitation
- special event/liability insurance/licensing
- processing of auction and other payments
- event cancellation and alternate dates for weather
Do I need permits and insurance?
Fundraiser organizers must comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances of government authorities. Alice House does not apply for permits or insurance on behalf of fundraisers. If your event requires permits or insurance, it is your responsibility as the organizer to obtain them.
Permits: Depending on the location of your event, you may need an event permit. Permit requirements, including fees and timelines, vary based on your venue and local municipality. Generally, applications must be submitted at least 60 to 90 days prior to the event. Please check with your venue and local authorities for specific requirements.
Insurance: As the organizer, you are responsible for obtaining necessary insurance or liability coverage. Check with your venue for their specific requirements and start your checklist! Several insurance vendors offer special event insurance policies to protect you, your guests, and your venue from accidents, unexpected damages, and cancellation costs.
Alice House is not responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property that may occur during the event. The sponsoring organization/individual will indemnify and save harmless Alice House and its servants, agents, employees, officers and directors from and against all claims, suits and causes of action arising out of the fundraising event.
Will Alice House help me find event sponsorships?
While Alice House does not directly assist with finding event sponsorships, we encourage you to seek sponsorships to support your fundraising efforts! We simply ask that you inform us of the sponsors and donors you approach to avoid conflicting with existing relationships Alice House may have. Recognizing your sponsors on event materials and signage is a great way to show appreciation for their support—they are integral to making your event a success!
Please note that sponsors are not eligible for tax receipts, as they receive value for their support (such as tickets or brand recognition). However, a business acknowledgment letter can be provided to sponsors or corporate contributors as proof of payment, which can often be claimed as a business or marketing expense.
Can Alice House withdraw our affiliation?
Alice House reserves the right to withdraw its name from affiliation with the sponsoring organization or event if the Board of Directors or Alice House determines, at its sole discretion, that the event is or will be injurious to Alice House. In such cases, Alice House may also withdraw the right to use its name for fundraising or other purposes, and all related activities must cease immediately.
Additionally, Alice House may withdraw the right to use its name and cancel this third-party agreement with 24 hours' notice if there are serious concerns about the event. Please note that Alice House will not be responsible for any financial or other damages resulting from this cancellation.
Still have questions?
Jolee Smith
Manager of Community Giving
Funddevelopment@alicehouse.ca
(902)809-7585