Fundraising FAQ
What exactly is PETA, and why should I raise money for you?
With more than 2 million members and supporters, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the fashion industry, and in the entertainment industry. We also work to prevent a variety of other abuses, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds, and other "pests" and cruelty toward backyard dogs. PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue efforts, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns. You can find out more about PETA on our Web site PETA.org.
Although PETA does work in all these areas, all funds raised by the 2010 PETA Pack team will go directly to our Investigations & Rescue Fund. That means your money can provide a sturdy doghouse to a neglected backyard dog who has no shelter, help rescue an animal from a cruelty situation, support our undercover investigators who are working to expose cruel conditions behind closed doors, and much more!
But let us put it another way for runners and potential runners: You'll be training and sweating and fundraising and laughing and cheering for the group that is the world's most powerful voice for animals: PETA.
Most people don't think about animals very much. That means they don't think about the animal suffering and pain that their lifestyle choices support. PETA is changing that. We make people think about animals, and that leads to their caring about animals. Caring about animals inspires people to change their buying habits so that they no longer support abuse. These are the most powerful changes that we can make!
Nearly 84 percent of PETA's expenses go directly to our programs that fight animal exploitation. We spend just under 12 percent on fundraising and administration expenses. By the standards of all charitable rating agencies, those are excellent marks.
So when you raise money for PETA, you directly help make the world a better place for animals. Dogs left outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions and animals trapped on factory farms, on fur farms, and in laboratories and circuses can't call 911 for help. But with your support, PETA can step in and help animals in need.
I love animals and want to help, but how am I going to raise $1,000?!
We'll be there with you for the entire 12 weeks, giving you tips to help you meet the minimum. Here are a few ideas to set your mind at rest:
- If you're reading this on a computer, then you can raise the money! E-mail everyone you know and ask them to sponsor you. Your friends, colleagues, and family members want to see you succeed. They may not be willing to speak out for animals (yet!), but we'll bet they want to support you. If you get 40 people to donate $25 each, you've met your goal! It's that easy!
- If you love to cook, throw a party mid-training. Give your guests an awesome vegan buffet … and charge them a $25 donation to attend!
- Do you have a favorite aunt or uncle who loves animals? Write them a sweet old-fashioned letter about your efforts and why you’re in training. You won't simply have raised money for animals, you'll have given them an important way to feel involved, help animals, and support someone they love.
How exactly does the fundraising work?
Each member of the PETA Pack needs to register. Once you register, you'll set up your own individual fundraising Web page. Send that page to everyone you know. Your sponsors should go to your page to donate online. Their gift goes to PETA, but we will carefully track it so that you get the credit.
People can give checks or cash as well. Mail them to Jaci Kassmeier, PETA Foundation, 528 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94610. Please do not hold the checks until the race, though, because that makes it difficult to properly track the donations.
When your supporters make donations to sponsor you in the race, they'll be given the option to become a PETA member and receive our highly acclaimed free quarterly magazine, Animal Times, along with a discount for PETA merchandise. Of course, if your supporters want to make this a one-time donation and not become PETA members, they'll have that option as well.
When is my fundraising minimum due?
All PETA Pack participants should have their funds raised by March 28, 2010. We'll be encouraging you to raise the funds earlier, though, so that you can focus on yourself during the last couple weeks of training! The fundraising Web site will stay up through March 31, 2010, so that we can accept any late gifts that your sponsors may want to make to help animals. However, the totals on race day will determine the top fundraisers and the prizes.
What do the top fundraisers win?
Click here to see the list of wonderful prizes!
So what do I have to pay for?
Thirteen weeks of professional training is our gift to you to make sure that you have fun and meet your goals. We're providing the goodie bag, T-shirt, and water bottle.
You will have to pay for any travel and accommodations that you may need in order to run the race itself in Oakland on March 28, 2010. You will also need to register and pay to enter the race, which is open to anyone and requires an entry fee of roughly $50. (The actual cost for the event depends on how early you register.) You can do so by clicking here.
What else do I have to do in order to run?
In order to run, you must register on your own to get an official race number, and that's a must-have! The race is called the Oakland Marathon. It's very important to register early in order to stay motivated and also because the event can sell out. So please register as soon as possible.
Where do my fundraising dollars go?
Your sponsors will donate online or through the mail, but the money goes directly to PETA to help animals. All race donations are tax-deductible as long as they are made online or the check is made payable to PETA. Checks that are made payable to you and not to PETA are not tax-deductible.
I can't ask people for money. I'm too shy! What can I do?
We're here to help. We know you can do it! For an immediate dose of inspiration, watch this:
Animals depend on us for help. They cannot speak for themselves. We know you love animals and want to stop their suffering. You're not asking for yourself. You're asking for the animals.
On top of that, you're giving a gift to the people you ask. By asking them to support your training efforts and PETA's vital work, they'll know that you've included them in something meaningful. They'll get to hear about your training, find out how it's going, and listen to you talk about your feelings of achievement and happiness … and they'll feel a part of this effort too.
It's good to ask for help. Animals are counting on us, and our friends and families want to be involved in our challenges and achievements.
We'll talk about this more during the training. You won't be left alone to handle this important part!