Fundraising FAQ

Question: What is the minimum fundraising amount and what is the deadline to turn in pledges?
Answer: Although we do not require participants to fundraise, we encourage all participants to fundraise $50 or more for a chance to win great raffle prizes! The $30 participation fee is counted toward your fundraising. All donations must be turned in by August 31, 2008.

Question: Are donations made on my behalf tax deductible?
Answer: Yes, all donations in which goods or services are not received are 100% tax deductible. Donors will receive a gift receipt and acknowledgement letter from Children's Memorial Foundation.

Question: Will Children's Memorial Foundation acknowledge my contributors?
Answer: Children's Memorial Foundation will send a gift receipt and acknowledgement letter to anyone who makes a donation on behalf of a runner within 10 business days of receiving the gift.

Question: Where can my contributors go to make a donation?
Answer: The fastest and easiest way is to refer your supporters to the personal fundraising pages you create on the website. For those who prefer to write a check, checks should be made out to Young Associates Board (please write the runners name on the memo line) and mailed to:
Young Associates Board
Attn: David Oshinski
2300 Children's Plaza, Box 4
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3394

Question: What online fundraising tools are offered to Run for Gus runners/walkers?
Answer: Each participant has the opportunity to create a personal page within our website to personalize, track fundraising, keep contacts and share your story. We also have a fundraising letter template and pledge form available on the website. We encourage you to share your story and personalize your web page as much as you want - the more your friends and family know about your commitment, they more likely they will be to support you.

Question: How can I find out if my company offers a matching gift?
Answer: First, check to see if your company has a matching gift program that matches for health organizations. Obtain and fill out the company's matching gift form (available in Human Resources) and send it to:
Young Associates Board
Attn: David Oshinski
2300 Children's Plaza, Box 4
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3394

Question: How can I check my fundraising totals throughout the program?
Answer: You can keep track of your fundraising efforts by utilizing your online runner/ walker page. This tool allows you to log on and review your pledges any time of the day! When a donation is made online, it is processed automatically and is added toward your fundraising total. Donations made by check or money order will be processed and counted toward your total within 10 business days after it is received by our office. Please note that these donations are not added to your webpage and it is your responsibility to add these gifts to your website so you can keep an accurate count of what you have raised to date.

Question: Who is Gus?
Answer: Gus Evangelides died after a courageous battle with a malignant brain tumor in April of 1995 - three months shy of his second birthday. The Run for Gus is held in his memory to raise funds for brain tumor research and family support services at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Question: What is the Run for Gus?
Answer: The Sixth Annual Run for Gus is a 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk to be held on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park, Chicago. The Run for Gus 5K is a USATF certified 5K course.

Question: What is the Young Associates Board?
Answer: The Young Associate Board (YAB) is a tax-exempt, non-profit affiliated organization of Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago that is committed to providing hope for children with brain tumors.

The YAB was established in 2000 as a Junior Board of the Gus Foundation. The YAB raises funds through activities aimed at young professionals such as social events, special events, and the annual 5K Run for Gus in Chicago's Lincoln Park. Additionally, the Young Associates Board organizes a variety of service projects that directly benefit children with brain tumors and their families.

Question: What does the Young Associates Board support?
Answer: The YAB provides hope for children with brain tumors by raising funds for research and family support services at Children's Memorial Hospital. Pediatric brain tumors are the deadliest form of cancer in children, and are fatal for almost half of the 2,900 children diagnosed every year. Despite this fact, only $1 million is given annually to this cause by government agencies. Therefore, it is up to organizations like the YAB to provide funds to help improve the lives of children fighting this disease and to support the cutting edge treatments and critical research that will hopefully lead to a cure.

Question: What if I have a question that isn't answered above?
Answer: Contact the Young Associates Board at YAB@childrensmemorial.org.