How do you start to organize a fundraiser?

Question

Does the recipient of the money have to pay income taxes on the amount collected at the end of the year? Also, we plan to sell tickets in NY and Florida...would that make a difference?

So apparently I need more info here.....my sister in law was in a horrific car accident and now has to go on cobra insurance and has been in the ICU for the last 2 weeks and will be there for quite some time. She is from NY as all of her family and my family and friends. She does however live in florida and have many friends and coworkers who would want to participate as well......i dont really care how the fundraiser is done, i just need to get this girl some money. She has lost her leg and will not be working for quite some time.....

Answer 1

This site has information on every possible fundraising idea:

http://www.fundraiserhelp.com

They don't sell anything, but they really have great advice on how to make more money with any type of fundraising event, product sale, raffle, yard sale, car wash, donation request, or fundraiser.

Best ways to raise lots of money fast are to do a big raffle or host a large fundraising event. You can also combine the two and raise substantail amounts of money.

Good choices would be the Golf Balls From Above raffle. That can easily raise $50k if you get enough people to help sell the raffle chances. Combine the drop itself with a big fundraising party with live music, good food, silent auction items, etc.

Follow these tips on selling raffle tickets:

http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/selling-raffle-tickets.htm

Get lots of publicity:

http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/fundraising-publicity.htm

Check with State of Florida Dept of revenue website about state taxes or look at http://www.fundraisetaxlaw.org website.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Would depend on what the fundraiser is for and what it consists of. Generally the money would be considered as gifts so wouldn't be taxable.

If you're talking about holding a multi-state raffle, there might be a number of laws that regulate what you're doing, gambling laws among others. (If you're selling tickets in NY and FL, doesn't sound like you're just holding a spaghetti dinner.)