A fundraising event or campaign is a great way to support the wide variety of resources that our libraries offer your community. Fundraisers can include everything from lemonade stands, car washes, contests and social media campaigns to gala events and parties. Proceeds from established events may also be donated.
If you are interested in hosting your own fundraiser event for Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries Association, please contact us at cmldevelopment@wccls.org or (503) 644-0043 x121 with your ideas or questions and please read and complete a CMBCLA Third Party Fundraising Campaign Guidelines and Application.
About Fundraising
What is a third-party fundraiser?
A third-party fundraiser is an event or campaign conducted by an individual, business, group or organization with proceeds to benefit Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries.
Who can conduct a fundraiser on behalf of Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries Association?
Individuals, businesses, groups and organizations can host an independent fundraising event or campaign to support Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries. Anyone in the community can hold an event to support the libraries’ areas of greatest need or a specific program of your choice. Fundraisers must complete a Third Party Fundraiser Application and receive approval before using CMBCL’s name and/or logo.
Where will my donation go?
There are many departments, programs and services at Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries that your donation can support. Funds received are directed to the greatest area of need. If you have a passion for a specific program, we will work with you to ensure your donation goes directly to that program. We welcome your ideas and questions.
How will CMBCLA help me?
We want your fundraising activity to be successful and we will do the following to assist you:
- Meet with you to discuss your needs and goals for your event/campaign
- Provide any requested information, brochures, and/or promotional materials (as needed.)
- Provide a letter of authorization to validate the authenticity of the event & its organizers.
- Provide tax receipts to donors who make checks payable to CMBCLA.
Fundraising Events and Ideas
“Donate” Your Birthday
For Adults – Let your friends and family know that you’re forgoing the gifts this year and would prefer they make a Tribute Donation to Cedar Mill and Bethany Libraries in your honor. The libraries will use the funds to purchase new items and place bookplates in each reading “In Honor of (your name.)” Share our Tribute Gift page with everyone who wants to celebrate you on your birthday. Learn more here.
For Kids – When children donate their birthday to the libraries, they learn the importance of selflessness and social responsibility.
School Fundraiser
Kids love to help! Have fun with your children or students while teaching them about the meaning of philanthropy with anything from a Donation Drive to a Read-a-Thon. Make sure to obtain school approval. We’d love to hear about your school fundraiser ideas and stories.
Business Fundraiser or Event
Are you a local independent business owner, restaurant or retail owner who is looking to align with a great cause? Whether it is a percentage of proceeds for a week or simply collecting change, you can make a difference while you work.
Book Club or Party
Form a Book Club or throw a book discussion party. Learn about checking out Book Club Kits for free here.
Fundraise on Social Media
Hold a Sale
- Hold a garage sale: ask friends and neighbors to clean out their basement or garage for a good cause. Recycle your stuff and support library services in your community at the same time!
- Sell items and donate the proceeds on the Nextdoor neighborhood app. Learn more.
- Sell Krispy Kreme donuts or hold a bake sale.
- Make items to sell on Etsy.
Host a Game or Auction
Host a Trivia Night: Invite fellow library lovers to match wits for a good cause. Charge admission or accept donations. This website provides a trivia night wizard to help in generating questions and formatting the event.
Hold an Auction: Invite friends and family to bid on your well-loved items or talents like chores or dog sitting.
After Your Fundraiser
Send In Your Donation/Proceeds
- Checks should be made payable to Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries Association.
- Mail your check to Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries Association, 1080 NW Saltzman RdPortland, OR 97229, ATTN: Development or drop your donations off at Cedar Mill or Bethany Libraries.
- Be sure to include a short note explaining your fundraiser.
Once we receive your donation, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to you for tax purposes.
Send Us Photos!
If you would like the libraries to share your photos to encourage others to fundraise, e-mail the best photos from your event to: cmldevelopment@wccls.org.
Logo Use
As stated in the guidelines, use of CMBCLA logo is allowed for up to 30 days after your event. Remove logos from any materials after this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you plan to use CMBCL’s name and/or logo and solicit donations from the public during your fundraiser, then yes. If you are soliciting family and friends on social media or during a private event, then no.
Proposals will be approved within 10 business days of receipt.
No, anyone can host a fundraiser for CMBCLA with our approval. Staff can provide an authorization letter confirming the organizer’s intent to raise funds for CMBCLA.
We are happy to provide guidance for your event, but we do not have the staff to handle the organizational and administrative tasks associated with third-party events. We do our best to attend events supporting CMBCLA, but we cannot guarantee attendance of staff, physicians or volunteers at your event.
Once your fundraiser is approved, we will provide you with CMBCLA’s logo for your marketing materials. We must review designs featuring our name and logo before they are printed or distributed. This includes the use of the CMBCLA logo on your website or your company’s website.
Because CMBCLA is the beneficiary and has no direct involvement with running the fundraiser, we cannot provide insurance for third-party events. The event organizer is responsible for obtaining insurance for the event.
The organization and execution of the event is the responsibility of the event organizer. The event organizer must obtain any necessary permits or licenses.
Because CMBCLA is not hosting your event, it is considered a third-party event. For this reason, you will not be able to use CMBCLA’s IRS 501(c)(3) charitable classification, federal tax ID number, or tax-exempt certificate.
CMBCLA cannot issue charitable tax receipts for donors or sponsors who make payments directly to you. If your donor wants a receipt, please be sure their check is made payable to Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries Association and leave the check in its original form before submitting it to CMBCLA.
Please note that there are complex regulations around the distribution of charitable tax receipts. This includes donations of money, in-kind items and services. Issuing an inappropriate receipt can put our charitable tax status in jeopardy so please do not promise any kind of receipt. For more information about charitable tax receipts please contact us at cmldevelopment@wccls.org or 503-644-0043.
We recognize that some coordinators need funds to run an event and pay expenses. However, CMBCLA cannot fund or financially support community fundraisers. Coordinators are responsible for covering all expenses and cannot be reimbursed by CMBCLA. For these reasons, as you start to collect money you may want to keep some funds on hand to help pay your expenses. This amount should not exceed 30% of your gross revenue. In your planning process, make sure to develop a budget reflecting the type of event you are having and the many costs related to the event. After the fundraiser is complete, please send all checks to Cedar Mill and Bethany Community Libraries Association to 1080 NW Saltzman Rd, Portland, OR 97229.
Yes, we can arrange for a check presentation to be held at one of the libraries. Please use the contact information below to schedule a time.
