Foundation Involvement
There are two things we'd like to highlight before you undertake your event. Please take the time to read these sections while you are putting your ideas together!
**Please note: If you are undertaking an event for the second time, we are thrilled to have your support again!! We only ask that you remember to follow all of the procedures outlined below.
Communications
We are honoured that you would like to raise money for HIV/AIDS in Africa by holding an event to benefit the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Here's what you need to do in all your material which promotes your event: You must make it clear that you have chosen to donate the funds raised at your event to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In other words, the Foundation is simply the beneficiary of your efforts. The Foundation cannot be, or appear to be, in partnership with your organization, involved in the organizing, or collaborating with the organizers or their sponsors.
Here is one easy way of putting the event in the proper context: "We have chosen to donate all proceeds raised to the Stephen Lewis Foundation."
Don't get us wrong. We think it is marvellous that so many individuals and organizations have jumped in to do fundraising for the Foundation, and we are most grateful. But, please understand that legal considerations prevent us from having you represented (in posters, or programs, or invitations) as "agents" or "representatives" or "co-sponsors" of the Foundation. This is why we must insist on these clarifications.
We have gained a vast array of experience on how to communicate this relationship. To ensure that we keep within our regulations, we must request to see all material which you have produced -- prior to printing or distribution – which pertains to your event and mentions the Stephen Lewis Foundation name. Use of the Foundation logo also requires our express consent. This will help us immensely to ensure we are staying within our regulations at all times.
If you do not intend to mention the Stephen Lewis Foundation or provide tax receipts for your event to raise funds for HIV/AIDS in Africa, you do not need to send materials in for review.
The Foundation's limited capacity prevents us from having official representatives at every event. If you or the organizers of your event are happy to speak about the Foundation, we encourage you to share the information found on our website – but please make sure that your guests understand that you are not speaking in an official capacity for the Foundation. (Please see Foundation Materials and Resources for full details).
Tax Receipting
The Foundation is able to provide tax receipts for donations collected at your event in the following circumstances:
Cheques for straight donations are made payable to the Stephen Lewis Foundation and are forwarded to us with the donor's complete address and postal code.
Cash donations are compiled into a money order and forwarded with relevant donor information via a Donor Card. For more details on managing cash donations, see the Cash Donations section.
Important: If you are selling tickets for your event, or holding an auction or a raffle, please refer to the Donations & Receipts FAQ below for more details on the particulars surrounding this type of contribution and the specific instances in which tax receipts are possible.