Puppy Raising Club Fundraising
Fundamental Support
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) provides each puppy raiser with a list of supplies that can be requested as needed with each puppy being raised. Equipment and Supplies includes basic supplies such as leashes, collars, toys, grooming supplies, and other items that can be included in the puppy packet when the puppy is delivered. It also includes larger items such as crates, x-pens, a potty tray, and other items that can be delivered directly to puppy raisers upon request. GDB provides veterinary care supplies and expenses. Coverage for dog food can be requested and will be provided as funds are available.
See the Fundamental Support page for more information.
Club Fundraising
Volunteering with GDB by raising a puppy may come with expenses that are not covered by GDB. One way to offset the cost is for puppy clubs to engage in club fundraising. Additional expenses are incurred by puppy raisers in the course of their volunteerism for purchases such as additional toys, dog beds, travel, and club activities.
Puppy raising clubs may incur expenses for club activities, volunteer recognition, community recognition, office supplies, food, and other expenses. See the Guidelines section for examples of appropriate and inappropriate use of club funds. Leaders may incur more substantial expenses through personal financial support for the clubs that they manage. Some puppy raising clubs support their operations and the puppy raising efforts of their raisers with donations from their members and from businesses and individuals in their communities.
As volunteers, GDB puppy raisers are provided certain protections under the Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997. The primary element of this act stipulates that volunteers who act within the realm of their identified duties and without deliberate malice or willful neglect cannot be held liable for their actions (with the exception of operating a motor vehicle). In order to ensure that GDB volunteers receive the full benefits of the protections of this legislation, GDB is responsible to clearly define volunteer responsibilities in all functions, including fundraising.
GDB clubs not fundraising under the umbrella of 4-H or FFA must ensure proper legal protections by utilizing the GDB infrastructure to fundraise. Without utilizing GDB’s non-profit status, tax identification number, accounting, and receipting, volunteers may be incurring personal tax and other liabilities.
GDB leaders, puppy raisers, and other club members operate as volunteers for GDB, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Club volunteers may not form a puppy club as a separate 501(c)(3) or other such entity. The decision by a puppy raising club to fundraise is entirely voluntary. Clubs are not required to engage in fundraising.
In order to support the fundraising activities of clubs, GDB maintains an account for club funds and sends statements to verify club fund activity. GDB has developed fundraising and related accounting procedures for puppy raising clubs to protect the organization, the clubs, and volunteers. These policies are vital, and staff and volunteers are expected to comply with their intent. GDB will consider suspension of fundraising by clubs or leaders who continue to disregard these policies. GDB puppy clubs may not maintain a local banking account. All funds in excess of the $400 petty cash limit must be deposited into a restricted account at GDB.
In fundraising, as in all activities, GDB staff and volunteers will maintain high ethical standards and perform in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. All participating clubs, volunteers, and GDB staff agree to follow the guidelines and procedures in this document, other applicable GDB guidelines, and the instructions of supervising GDB staff or volunteers.
All puppy raising volunteers and clubs that collect or hold money utilizing GDB resources (e.g., name, image, puppies, events, volunteers) are required to use the Club Fundraising program when doing so. This system protects the organization, clubs, and volunteers as individuals.
Examples of Appropriate Use of Club Funds
- Puppy raising costs, including dog food and equipment (i.e., YES space, crates, etc.)
- Support for club activities including office supplies, rental of meeting rooms, and expenses incurred during socialization outings
- Dog transportation, including transportation of career change dogs back to puppy raisers for adoption or placement
- Puppy raiser travel to GDB events including graduation ceremonies
- Recognition for puppy raising volunteers
- Publicity for club activities and/or recruitment
- Transfer of club funds for sponsoring harnesses, breeder packages, or K9 Buddy packages for graduating teams
Examples of Inappropriate Use of Funds
- Personal use
- Loans of any nature
- Scholarships
- Items not directly related to puppy raising, GDB, or club functions
- Donations to other nonprofits, with the exception of payment for rental of club activity spaces or other club needs
- Expenses for career change dogs or pets (with the exception of the initial transportation of a career change dog to the puppy raiser for adoption or placement)
If a puppy club leader has any questions about club fundraising procedures, or is unsure of whether an expense is appropriate, they should consult with the Puppy Raising Administrative Manager prior to approving or submitting the expense. All reimbursement requests for club funds must be submitted with original receipts within 90 days of the expenditure.
GDB’s volunteers are required to meet all pertinent legal and practical expectations in the course of their business, including fundraising. This includes but is not limited to accounting, receipt, reporting, and payment of local and state sales taxes. Donors must be informed that their funds are restricted to the puppy club and not going to general GDB funds. If funds are not sent with a "Deposit Form,” or are not accompanied by a note from the donor stating that the funds can be restricted to the puppy club, in most cases they cannot be moved to the club account.
All fundraising by GDB clubs must be under the approval and protocols of GDB. GDB has the authority to suspend or rescind the fundraising privileges of a club or a volunteer.
Funds are deposited into an account restricted for the use of the club that raised the funds. Funds raised by volunteers acting in GDB’s name are GDB property. As GDB volunteers raise the funds, all equipment and supplies purchased with funds raised in GDB’s name are GDB property. Clubs may be dissolved only by the decision of GDB. All club assets are the property of GDB. Any funds or materials in club possession must be returned to GDB.
Any resolution of a dispute regarding the expenditure, distribution, or accounting of funds will be made at the sole determination of GDB.
Clubs are required to route all donations and expenditures through GDB’s accounting system thereby meeting the requirements set forth by the IRS. The official recognition of donations will be sent directly from GDB; this is what donors will use for tax purposes.
Puppy raising clubs are required to complete a Puppy Club Account Application available in the leader section of the online Puppy Raiser Community. Once approved the club must adhere to all guidelines.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raising Guidebook, all rights reserved. Please see our Terms of Use Guidelines to utilize the contents within.