Fundraisers

Third Party Event Fundraising

A Third Party Event is any fundraising activity by a non-affiliated group or individual where Butte Humane Society has no fiduciary responsibility and little or no staff involvement. (Examples include donation drives, fundraising parties and bake sales.) The path to launching a third party event typically begins with an idea and plan of action that is presented to Butte Humane Society. Event organizers must obtain their own liability insurance to cover the event.

The time and effort that you put into such event will benefit the thousands of injured, neglected or abandoned animals we care for each year at Butte Humane Society. No matter how large or small, your contribution will make a big difference in the lives of our animals.

Below are some helpful tips and guidelines to help you plan your special event:

1. Brainstorm for event ideas. Examples:

• ____-a-Thons: bowl, walk, run, bike, dance, swim
• Auctions: donated goods, art, handmade products, etc.
• Arts and Crafts Shows
• Birthday Parties or Personal Celebrations
• Bring Your Dog to Work Day
• Car Washes
• Church or Community Neighborhood Donation Drive
• Galas
• Garage & Yard Sales
• Theme Parties
• Ticket Sales, Raffles and Entry Fees
• Pet Washes
• School Events: raise a certain amount to make your teacher/principal do something unusual
• Sporting Events and Tournaments
• Denim Friday
• Bake Sale

2. Set the date and location.

Schedule your event for a day, time and location that provides you with plenty of time to plan and promote it properly. Before confirming the date, check with BHS to make sure it doesn't conflict with another event. 

3. Set fundraising goals and a budget.

Remember, the lower your costs to produce the event, the higher your contribution will be. 

4. Submit a Third Party Events Contract to Butte Humane Society.

(Download the Third Party Contract here.) An events coordinator will contact you to review any issues or concerns and will provide you with guidance and feedback on your proposed plan. Determine legal, insurance, liability, permit and safety issues you may need to address.

5. Create a "Day of Event" agenda and checklist.

6. Develop a publicity/promotion plan.

Flyers, posters and other promotional materials will help generate awareness and excitement about your event.

7. Have the event!

With proper planning, you can have a fun and successful event. Once your event is over, just submit the proceeds to Butte Humane Society and start planning your next event. (Oh, and don't forget to take pictures! Send them to shelter@buttehumane.org and we'll post them on our web albums.)

Rules & Guidelines

The third party event hosts are responsible for all aspects of the event, including organizing, funding, planning, promoting, managing and staffing. BHS is unable to provide assistance with any of these aspects. (For instance, we cannot pay for any event-related costs, provide mailing lists, send e-mail blasts or direct mail promoting the event, ensure attendance, etc.) Requests for BHS staff, volunteers and/or animals to attend your event are handled on a case-by case basis, but cannot be guaranteed.

Upon approval, you may, in most instances, use the BHS name and logo. BHS must pre-approve all flyers, press releases, publications and any other event promotional materials. All materials must clearly indicate that the event is not sponsored by BHS. It is important that the shelter name and logo be used correctly and spelled properly. Always refer to the organization as Butte Humane Society (not simply the Humane Society). The logo may be reproduced in all black or in all white (on a black or equally dark background.) For color print jobs the color logo should be used.

Learn More

To learn how your group or business can plan an activity to help the animals awaiting their forever homes at Butte Humane Society, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Lori Wells, at (530) 894-9066 ext. 3 or via email.