Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

What is the difference between registration types?

Celebrations: Are you celebrating a birthday, wedding day, anniversary, bat mitzvah, bar mitzvah, graduation, life milestone or any other special occasion? In lieu of gifts or flowers, choose this registration type to raise funds and give kids hope.

DIY Fundraiser: Are you hosting an event, virtual fundraiser, online fundraising campaign, BBQ, charity hike, athletic challenge, block party, movie night or golf outing? The DIY Fundraiser registration type is a great way to accept online donations for any of these fundraising routes. Don’t see a registration type that suits you best? This would also be the top option for you since it’s DIY.

Kids Helping Kids: Are you a student, school or youth from the community looking to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital? Kids Helping Kids is the best registration type for youth philanthropists! Think along the lines of a dance-a-thon, lemonade stand, popsicle stand, bake sale, coin wars or an athletic challenge and create an online fundraising page. The ideas are endless!

Honor and Memorial: Create a page in honor or memorial of a loved one and make a difference for the patients and families of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Fundraising

Where does my money go?

All donations to this site support Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Can I support a specific area of the hospital?

Yes. When registering for a personal fundraising page, you can select an area of the hospital for your page to support from the drop-down menu or use the write-in option. If you are joining a team, double check with your team captain on what to select from the drop-down menu when you register so that you’re supporting the same area. On your personal fundraising page, we highly recommend mentioning the specific area of the hospital you’re supporting so your donors are aware.

What is the fundraising minimum?

There is no minimum fundraising requirement, every gift matters. You can set a fundraising goal during your registration process and adjust it at any time.

What online fundraising tools are available?

Each participant can create a personal fundraising page on our event website. We have provided free online tools to help you share your personal story to inspire others to give on your behalf. Check out our Digital Fundraising Toolkit.

How can my supporters make a donation?

  • Send them the link to your personal or team fundraising page
  • They can search for your name or team name
  • If they prefer to write a check, it can be made out to Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation

A donation form must be included with each check so the donor receives credit for the donation. Donation forms with contribution may be mailed to:
Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation
Attn: Help Kids Everywhere
PO Box 16810
Columbus, OH 43216-6810

What should I do when I receive checks from donors?

  1. Make sure the checks are made out to Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation
  2. Log your checks onto your fundraising page by entering your Participant Center and clicking on Enter Offline Donations (Please keep copies of checks for your records.)
  3. Fill out a donation form.
  4. Write your name on the MEMO line of each check
  5. Send checks, along with a donation form to:

    Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation
    Attn: Help Kids Everywhere
    PO Box 16810
    Columbus, OH 43216-6810

If you receive cash, please keep the cash and submit a check for the same amount. Once Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation has received the checks, we will add the donations to your fundraising page within 10 business days of receipt.

Why isn’t my money showing up on my fundraising page?

If it has been 10 business days since you mailed your checks and you still do not see the funds credited to your fundraising totals, please contact Kenna Scaife, Associate Director of Affinity Groups and Community Partnerships, via email at Kenna.Scaife@NationwideChildrens.org or phone at (614) 355-5452. For verification, we will need the fundraiser's full name, check number and amount.

Are donations made on my behalf tax deductible?

Yes, all donations in which goods or services are not received are 100% tax deductible. Registration fees for the event are not tax deductible.

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation serves to further the mission of Nationwide Children's Hospital while meeting donor philanthropic goals. Nationwide Children's Hospital is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 31-1036370)

Will Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation acknowledge my contributors?

The Foundation will send a gift receipt and acknowledgement letter to anyone who makes a donation on behalf of a participant.

How can I find out if my company offers a matching gift?

First, check to see if your company has a matching gift program for health organizations. The website, MatchingGifts.com can be helpful in determining which companies match donations. Complete a matching gift form (available from your company's Human Resources department) and send it in with your donation.

How can I check my personal fundraising totals or that of my team?

You track your fundraising efforts via the Participant Center. 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 added toward your fundraising goal. Donations made by check or money order will be processed and counted toward your total within 10 business days after it is received by Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation.

What is the deadline to turn in donations?

Please mail in any donations you receive within 30 days of receiving them.

I’d like to hold a fundraising event. How can I get started??

If you would like to hold a community fundraising event benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital, there are a few initial steps. The first step is to review our Plan an Event. After reviewing, if you are ready to move forward, please complete the Special Event Application online and submit it. The application will be sent to our Special Events team. Once they receive the application, they will contact you with the next steps.

What can Nationwide Children’s provide to help me with my fundraising and/or event?

  • Consultation on fundraisers and events
  • Approved use of our hospital name and logo, when appropriate
  • Digital Fundraising Toolkit
  • Your own personalized fundraising page
  • Resources for fundraiser organizers to educate their donors on the impact of their gift
  • Letter of authorization to validate the authenticity of the fundraiser
  • Tax ID or Employee Identification Number (EIN) for donation purposes
  • Celebratory check presentations, when feasible

What are items Nationwide Children’s cannot provide?

  • Our sales tax exemption number
  • Raffle license
  • Insurance or liability coverage
  • Mailing list of donors and/or vendors
  • Nationwide Children’s stationery
  • Funding or reimbursement of your expenses
  • Celebrities, professional athletes or team mascots for your fundraiser
  • Publicity (newspaper, radio, television, etc.)
  • Guaranteed attendance of physicians or hospital staff
  • Guaranteed staff participation at your committee or planning meetings
  • Guaranteed volunteer support at your fundraiser
  • Guaranteed interactions with patients at the hospital or attendance at events
  • Solicit businesses or vendors for support

Event Details

Who can I contact for more information?

Please contact Kenna Scaife, Associate Director of Affinity Groups and Community Partnerships, via email at Kenna.Scaife@nationwidechildrens.org or phone at (614) 355-5452.

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