Often, the District, its schools, and various groups associated with the District raise money and other resources to give District programs an extra boost. These efforts to raise funds and seek donations all help the District get what it needs, by obtaining services, purchasing supplies, and even sprucing up our facilities. But, to keep things organized – and remain considerate of local businesses and community members – we’ve set up an approval process to guide fundraising and donations, as well as assure communication and accepted processes.
It is important to understand the following definitions:
Fundraising = Activities, events, campaign, solicitation, if it is $10k+
Donation = Value of $10k+
So – any time someone associated with our District asks for money or an item(s) to be donated in-kind, whether it’s from individuals, groups, or businesses, on behalf of the District, school, or program, a Fundraising & Donation Request Form must be submitted. Yep, even those grant proposals count!
Step 1: A District staff person from your building (likely Administrator) must watch the “Fundraising & Donations in the District” online training video. Hopefully he/she has already done this assigned training and provided you with the “Fundraising & Donations in the District” Handout (see below).
Step 2: Through the submission of a Fundraising & Donations Request Form (see link below), requests to fundraise will be reviewed before the project/program kicks off. What will be reviewed? The scope, timing, and methods that will be used to solicit potential donors. If your school, group, or event is planning a fundraiser or fundraising campaign that meets the financial thresholds stated above, you are required to complete the Fundraising & Donations Request Form on this page.
NOTE: (1) If your campaign or solicitation aims to improve District facilities, you must also contact the District Operations, which has to weigh in before you get a thumbs up. Reach out to them at 319-558-2202. (2) If your campaign or solicitation will include any type of technology, contact District IT at 319-558-2249 before you complete the Form. IT must also be in agreement with the effort.
For any campaigns or solicitations undertaken that do NOT have an associated 501(c)(3) (tax-exempt) status, such organization will have to become a fiscal agent of the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation. This partnership will handle large donations and all the paperwork that – often! – goes with it. Contact the Foundation at 319-558-2400.
If your fundraising group DOES have an associated 501(c)(3) (tax-exempt) status, you must STILL submit the Fundraising & Donations Request Form on this page before you start solicitations.
Regardless of tax status, you DO need to submit the Fundraising Request form on this page before you can solicit donors, order materials, or start any facility improvements.