Fundraiser FAQ

Yes. After you register your event, you will receive access to a downloadable version of the MSK logo, which you may use on your printed materials or social media pages. When using the MSK name and logo, please make sure it is clear MSK is the beneficiary and not the host of the event (you may do so by including the word “benefiting” above the logo).

We are fortunate to have many passionate fundraisers like you fundraising for MSK across the country each year. Depending upon staff availability, someone from MSK may be able to attend your event. We are also always happy to provide you with resources to ensure that the MSK brand is visible at your event. Contact us for more details.

MSK cannot solicit corporate sponsors for your event. However, we will provide approved events with an acceptance letter, which can be used to add credibility to your efforts when soliciting corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations. You can also find sponsorship proposal templates in the Appendices of the event toolkits.

Yes, you may direct the funds you raise to a specific area within MSK during the registration process. If you choose not to select a specific designation, the funds you raise will support the area of MSK’s greatest need. At any point, you may redirect your funds by letting your MSK representative know what area of treatment/research you would like to support.

We recommend that you form a committee of friends, family, and others who are passionate about the cause. They will play an important role in providing support during your event and throughout the planning process.

Opportunity drawings and auctions are great ways to raise money. Many states have strict regulations governing drawings and gaming events carried out for charitable purposes. For more information about the rules in your state, please contact your local municipality or review your state’s official website.

MSK’s tax ID number is 13-1924236. Please note that due to legal guidelines, you may not use the tax-exempt number to make purchases related to your event. However, you can provide the number to businesses who make donations to your event and need to verify the tax status of MSK.

You are responsible for covering all expenses for your event. MSK cannot reimburse for these expenses. You may deduct your event costs from the funds raised before you send your funds to MSK, but these costs cannot exceed 20% of the total amount raised. Many fundraisers try to obtain corporate or individual underwriters to absorb some or all of the event expenses.

Sponsors make monetary donations directly to MSK. These donations are counted toward the event revenue and cannot be used by the event organizer to cover expenses. Sponsors receive a 100% tax deduction as long as they do not receive any substantial return benefits other than an acknowledgment of the name or logo at the event. Please refer to www.irs.gov for additional information.

The majority of gifts should be made through your online personal fundraising page (more information below). These gifts can be made securely using a credit or debit card and you can watch your fundraising progress unfold in real time. Whenever possible, encourage your attendees, sponsors, and other donors to use the online platform to make their contributions.

We understand that in some cases check donations are necessary. Checks should be made payable to ‘Memorial Sloan Kettering’ and include your event name in the memo line. Before the event, please instruct donors to send any checks directly to your MSK representative. If you receive checks on event day, please hold on to them and send them to your MSK representative after the event.

Yes, please register your event online and indicate that you are a returning event.

After registering and receiving approval for your event, you will get a link to create an online fundraising page. You can customize this page with your event details and collect credit and debit card donations to directly support MSK. You can also encourage your network to create their own personal fundraising pages off of your main page to fundraise for the event.

After you create your online fundraising page, you will receive an email with a link to your Participant Center. Create a shorter, cleaner URL in the Fundraising Center and include this URL in your email solicitations to your family, friends, and network. You may also share the URL on social media.

We encourage your donors to contribute via your online fundraising page, but if you receive checks, please mail them directly to your MSK representative with the event name in the memo line of all checks. Please convert any cash donations to a money order before mailing to your MSK representative.

The IRS has regulations on the tax deductibility of donations made through auctions. Therefore, winning bidders cannot make a donation through your online fundraising page. Please inform your MSK representative if you are organizing an auction with proceeds benefiting MSK.

Yes, all donors who donate online via your fundraising page will receive an email tax acknowledgment. Donors who make gifts by check directly to MSK will receive mailed tax acknowledgments.

Yes, anyone who works for a company that participates in a corporate matching gift program can apply for a match if MSK is an eligible organization. To learn more and find your company’s matching gift policies, please visit our matching gifts information page.

Donors who make gifts directly to MSK are eligible to receive communications regarding MSK’s breakthrough research. Donors who give a gift of $1,000 or more will receive a personal thank you from our staff for their generosity. If you prefer that MSK does not contact your donors, please alert your MSK representative.