General FAQs
What is the process for organizing an event to benefit Joslin Diabetes Center?
The process is easy – simply register here and fill out your event details. A staff member will be in touch if your event idea is approved and is in compliance with our policies and procedures. These policies serve to ensure that all events using Joslin’s name and logo maintain a prudent cost of funds raised; follow all relevant local, state, and federal laws; and portray Joslin Diabetes Center in a positive light.
How can I use the Joslin name and logo?
Your Joslin staff member will let you know if you are allowed to utilize the Joslin name and/or logo based on your event details. If allowed, you must submit any collateral to a Joslin staff member for approval prior to distribution.
How do I set up a personal fundraising page?
Please select the type of fundraiser you would like to create and follow the step by step instructions (click here). If you need assistance in setting up your fundraising page, please contact a team member at communitychampions@joslin.harvard.edu for help.
How do I submit my donation if I am not using an online fundraising page?
You can mail your event proceeds to Joslin Diabetes Center at 1 Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215. We ask that you do so within 30 days of your event and include the offline donation form with your donation to ensure you are credited appropriately.
Offline Donation Form.
Does everyone who makes a donation to my fundraiser get a tax benefit?
Yes, donors who make a donation directly on your personal online fundraising page will receive a tax receipt from Joslin. We are only able to provide tax documentation for gifts made directly to Joslin Diabetes Center. If someone gives an organizer a check made out to Joslin the donor will receive tax benefits and a receipt. If someone gives an organizer a check made out to the organizer, the donor does not qualify for tax benefits and will not be provided a receipt. Joslin cannot provide tax receipts for anyone who donates an in-kind item to your event, such as an auction item. If someone wants to support you they can mail a check to Joslin Diabetes Center at 1 Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215 with an offline donation form so the gift is credited to your event.
Can I hold a raffle during my fundraiser and can you provide the items?
No, Massachusetts state law does not allow third party event organizers to hold raffles. We also are unable to provide you with any items for your raffle. Although raffles may not be conducted, opportunity drawings may be held. An opportunity drawing is similar to a raffle, except that donors do not need to give a donation in order to get a ticket and enter the drawing. In fact, while you can suggest an appropriate donation, you must also provide a clear and visible statement letting people know that they can enter the drawing whether or not they give a donation. You will also need to describe the prize(s) and their fair market value. Your Joslin Development staff member will be happy to talk with you more about opportunity drawings.
How do I know who has supported my fundraiser?
You can log into your participant center to view who has supported you by clicking the progress tab.
Event-Specific FAQs
Get Active
Will Joslin Diabetes Center sponsor my participation in an event?
Unfortunately Joslin Diabetes Center cannot sponsor an athlete’s participation in athletic events.
How can I get a Team Joslin shirt to wear in my race?
Joslin Diabetes Center is happy to provide you with a Team Joslin tank, as available, if you raise at least $500 for your event.
Does Joslin Diabetes Center have entries into races? How do I apply?
Yes! We are fortunate enough to be a part of a number of world renowned races. For more information on how to apply for Team Joslin please visit https://www.joslin.org/support-joslin/get-involved/team-joslin.
Honor or Memorialize
How will I know who made gifts in memory/honor of my loved one?
When a gift is made in someone’s memory, the name of the individual will be included on the donation or in a note, unless they have requested their gift to be anonymous.
Community Challenge Event
Will donors at my fundraiser receive tax acknowledgement information?
Yes, anyone who makes a donation on your personal fundraising page will receive an email receipt with tax acknowledgement information. We unfortunately cannot provide tax acknowledgement information to anyone that has given you a check or cash directly.
What should I do if I give donors a good or service in exchange for a ticket to my event?
If you charge for a ticket to a fundraising event you’re hosting and the donor gets something in return, this is considered a good or service and is not tax deductible. Please notify Joslin Diabetes Center so that we can account for the correct tax deductible value for ticket purchases made payable directly to Joslin Diabetes Center.
$100K for 100
How will the funds I raise count towards Joslin’s $100,000 goal?
By setting up your page under our $100K for 100 campaign, the money you raise will automatically count towards our yearlong goal of raising $100,000 for Joslin Diabetes Center in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Joslin.
What types of events can I do as part of this campaign?
The type of event you do as part of our yearlong campaign is up to you! For ideas and inspiration for virtual fundraising events, please visit www.joslin.org/virtual-fundraising-ideas.
Guidelines
As you plan your fundraising event to benefit Joslin, we have established guidelines to ensure that your event aligns with Joslin’s mission, principles and brand.
- A suggested minimum goal of $500 is requested to use the Joslin Diabetes Center name and/or logo in association with any virtual event or promotion.
- Any use of Joslin’s name must be approved prior to use by the event organizer. In addition, Joslin Diabetes Center must be identified as the beneficiary of the event, not the sponsor. For example, organizers should not characterize an event as the "Joslin Diabetes Center Golf Tournament." Instead, it should be promoted as the "Golf Tournament to benefit Joslin Diabetes Center." This rule applies to all invitation copy as well as advertising and promotional activities. Events must comply with all federal, state and local laws governing charitable fund-raising, gift reporting and special events.
- Estimated expenses and revenue should be established by the event organizer and submitted to Joslin Diabetes Center for review before the event. The cost per dollar raised should be 40% or less. Joslin Diabetes Center may not approve any event/promotion in which fundraising costs exceed 40% of total income. Joslin Diabetes Center maintains fundraising costs at 15.8% of the total income and strongly encourages event coordinators to abide by the same standard.
- If you are hosting an event, you are responsible for covering all event expenses. If you are paying for expenses, please deduct these funds raised prior to sending in your gift.
- Joslin Diabetes Center needs to receive a minimum of 50% of the proceeds if not all proceeds are going to Joslin. If Joslin Diabetes Center will not be receiving all of the proceeds from the event, then the exact percentage of the proceeds to benefit Joslin Diabetes Center must be stated clearly on all invitation copy, advertising and promotional materials.
- Under no circumstance may an individual or group keep any portion of the proceeds as profit or compensation for organizing the event.
- Joslin Diabetes Center is not responsible for obtaining any required permits or a certificate of insurance for the event.
- The sponsoring organization must seek approval from Joslin Diabetes Center to repeat the event in each succeeding year.