Fundraising Guidelines + Terms and Conditions
These fundraising guidelines + terms and conditions are designed to assist you in planning your fundraising event or activity. It is a requirement that you read, and abide by our terms and conditions, prior to commencing any fundraising.
Any fundraising activity you undertake will be conducted in your own name and is the sole responsibility of the fundraiser. At no time do you represent AQ. You are acting on your own behalf to raise funds that will be forwarded to AQ. You must abide by all relevant State and Federal charities legislation.
Autism Queensland (AQ) is one of Australia’s largest and longest serving providers of services for autistic people. Our highly skilled team deliver specialised, evidence-informed NDIS services and supports including specialist and diagnostic assessments, individual therapy, group therapy programs, early childhood programs, school advisory services, supported independent living, professional development and parent education, vocational and life skills programs for adults. We also operate an accredited, independent school with three campuses and centres in Sunnybank Hills, Brighton, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Cairns, Gold Coast as well as state and nation-wide services. AQ conducts and supports research and promotes evidence-informed practice to enhance the potential of autistic people to achieve valued life outcomes.
AQ is legally required to have all fundraising activities registered. Register your activity online - or if you need assistance contact fundraise@autismqld.com.au
These fundraising guidelines are designed to assist you in planning your fundraising event or activity. It is a requirement that you read, and abide by our guidelines, prior to commencing any fundraising.
Any person, organisation, or group wishing to fundraise for AQ is required to accept the following guidelines, in accordance with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading Fundraising Guidelines and register their event or fundraising activity with us.
Termination Policy
AQ may, in its sole and absolute discretion, terminate the authority to fundraise granted to the party involved, effective immediately, on written notice to the party.
What we can do to help
- Offer advice and expertise on event planning.
- Provide templates and other resources.
- Issue key messages and social media handles and hashtags.
- Provide certificates of appreciation.
- Provide online tax receipts (donations through your event page)
- Provide a non-tax deductable receipt for bulk funds.
- Provide individual tax deductable receipts for $2.00 and above if requested by the “Receipt Request Form”.
What we can’t do to help
- Provide on-site staff or volunteer support at your event.
- Extend our tax exemption to you.
- Provide insurance coverage.
- Solicit sponsorship revenue or goods for your fundraising activities.
- Provide publicity, newspaper, radio or TV coverage.
- Provide mailing lists of donors, staff, employees, volunteers or vendors.
- Approach AQ corporate partners for event sponsorship.
Financial Aspects of the Event/ Fundraising Activity
All fundraising events must be self-funded. AQ will not be held liable for any losses or expenses incurred by you in any circumstance.
It is a requirement that you keep accurate financial records of your event or fundraising activity. This means keeping accurate records of expenses, income sources, banking details and raffles on the fundraising record form provided.
The proceeds of the fundraising activity and fundraising record form should be forwarded to AQ within four weeks of the conclusion of the event/fundraising.
AQ cannot pay any expenses associated with your event/fundraising activity, nor can we be liable for any losses incurred if your event/ fundraising is cancelled for any reason or does not break even.
You, the fundraiser, must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the expenses do not exceed a fair and reasonable proportion (no more than 30% of total income) of the gross proceeds obtained from the event.
Receipting Donations
Individual tax-deductible receipts can be issued by AQ for people making monetary donations of $2.00 or more. If a donor would like a receipt, please complete a Receipt Request Form with the donor’s full name, donation amount, email address and postal address. The ‘Receipt Request Form’ will be linked in your fundraising event confirmation email.
Please note that AQ cannot provide tax-deductible receipts for sponsorship, ticket purchases, entry to an event, donations of good or services, raffle tickets and auction purchases. However, letters of acknowledgement can be provided for donations of goods.
COVID-19 and your event
It is a condition of approval that all fundraising activities comply with all State and Federal COVID-19 requirements which are current at the time including contact tracing alerts and related public health advice. Please check https://www.qld.gov.au/ for up-to-date requirements.
Media and Marketing
Once you have registered your event online, you have permission to use AQ’s “Proudly Supporting AQ” logo. If you would like to use the official AQ logo on any of your promotional materials, you must obtain prior permission from AQ and written authority to use the AQ logo will be issued. All materials and collateral printed must use the “Proudly Supporting AQ” logo. Any content containing the official AQ logo, must be be approved by AQ prior to printing and distribution.
Your fundraising activity cannot be advertised as an AQ event. However, it can be referred to as an event “supporting AQ.” You, the Fundraiser, can use the tag line “proudly supporting” on promotional materials. For example, “this event is proudly supporting AQ” or “funds raised will be donated to AQ.” Any AQ key messages or logos sent to you from your AQ representative cannot be altered in any way without the permission of AQ.
Social Media
Integrating social media into your fundraising is key to a successful outreach.
- Set clear goals.
- Tell compelling stories.
- Be consistent with your posting.
- Always link back to your online event page.
- Communicate and engage with your following.
- Tag us @autismqld so we can share your efforts with our following too!
Media and Public Relations
Contacting your local media outlets is a wonderful way to spread the word about your fundraiser. To make sure that your messaging is aligned with AQ’s mission and values, ensure you contact AQ prior to contacting any major media outlets. Please also be aware that while being a valued fundraiser, you are not able to represent or speak on behalf of AQ, other than to discuss your support and fundraising activity.
A draft copy of any media releases must be forwarded to AQ for approval before printing. A media release template can be forwarded to you by your AQ representative. If you have any queries regarding publicity, please contact our Marketing department marketing@autismqld.com.au
AQ cannot generate any PR for your fundraising activity.
AQ Representative
A representative from AQ may be arranged to attend your event depending on availability and the location of your event. At least four weeks’ notice is required. If you would like to make a formal cheque presentation to AQ, we would be happy to discuss this with you. A novelty AQ branded cheque can be provided subject to availability.
Raffle Guidelines, Permits and Collections
Some fundraising activities require permits, where the total prize pool is over a certain amount. For guidelines about raffles conducted in Queensland see https://www.business.qld.gov.au. There are three types of raffles.
- Category 1- A raffle where the maximum ticket sales available is less than $2,000.
- Category 2- A raffle where the maximum ticket sales are less than $50,000 but more than$2,000.
- Category 3- A raffle where the maximum ticket sales are more than $50,000. These raffles require a Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming permit. If your Category 3 raffle extends into additional states outside Queensland you will need to contact each state’s Department of Liquor and Gaming to register for the relevant permits and permission.
Permits
Permits are required by the Council for outdoor events. Please contact your local Council representative if you wish to hold an outdoor event.
If your event or fundraising activity involves the sale of alcohol, please be aware of government regulations. Advice should be sought from the Department of Tourism and Racing Liquor Licensing Division. Information on the regulations can be found at https://www.business.qld.gov.au.
Collections
AQ requires that there be no door-to-door appeal, street collections or telephone solicitation of any kind to the public in connection with your fundraising activity.
Public Liability
All aspects of financial and public liability and public safety are the responsibility of the event organiser. As AQ is not the event organiser it does not cover any public liability on your behalf. Please ensure that any space or venue used for your fundraising activities has the required public liability insurance.
Cause Related Marketing Policy (CRM)
Cause Related Marketing is when a company or group markets a product, image or service and build a relationship or partnership with AQ for mutual benefit. Usually, this involves the company donating a fixed amount of percentage of the unit sale price to AQ. For example, $1.00 from every chocolate bar sold is considered a CRM related activity.
- It is the responsibility of the fundraiser to administer these products or services.
- AQ reserves the right to refuse any offer of a cause related marketing opportunity. Please call to discuss your CRM proposal with the AQ representative to ascertain if it is suitable for both parties.
AQ Brand
You, the fundraiser, are not to conduct activities that could bring AQ’s reputation into disrepute in any way. This also includes on social media platforms.
If AQ concludes that your activities are not in line with the AQ brand an AQ representative may terminate your fundraising permission.
Thank you!
Thanks to your support, our therapists and educators can continue to develop evidence-informed services and supports for autistic people of all ages, equipping them for a life of participation, opportunity and choice.
