FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How can we be sure that the charities are legitimately 501(c)(3) organizations?
It is each presenting member's responsibility to confirm in advance of putting their name in the basket for the drawing, that the charity they wish to present meets our guidelines and is a qualified 501(c)(3). In addition, any charity that is chosen to present must be registered and in compliance with the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Under Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with the Attorney General's office. Any charity which is in the process of registering or is not registered will not be able to present at our quarterly meetings. We ask all presenters to access in advance of putting a name in the basket the following website http://www.ag.state.il.us/charities/index.html for an online database of registered charities for DeKalb County. If there is a question as to the status of an organization, members must contact us by email at least one week in advance of the meeting and we will help them confirm the non-profit status prior to the meeting.
2. Can a charity be considered more than once each year?
A charity that is chosen by the group to receive funds will not be eligible to be considered again in the same calendar year.
3. Can a charity be considered that is outside of DeKalb/Sycamore?
Yes. Our group specifically is for the DeKalb/Sycamore AREA. A member can propose any qualified group that falls within the Greater DeKalb/Sycamore area. The appropriateness of the proposed charity will be determined by the group vote.
4. How can I get a charity on the docket for consideration if there is a time-sensitive nature to its need for funds?
There is no process to advance a charity for consideration outside of the normal lottery system.
5. Can religious charities be considered?
Yes, as long as they are an approved 501(c)(3) charity.
6. What if more than one person wants to nominate the same charity?
When the lottery is conducted and three names are chosen, it is possible for more than one of the chosen names to want to present the same charity. The individuals can decide who will present and another name is drawn so that three different charities are presented at each meeting.
7. Can I bring someone from the charity to help me with my presentation if I am chosen?
Yes. Members have the option of giving the presentation themselves or they can invite the executive director, director, or a staff member of their choice to make the five minute presentation on their behalf.
8. Can I make my contribution with a credit card?
No. There is currently no mechanism in place to process credit cards. Cash or checks are acceptable forms of payment. Checks are made payable directly to the chosen charity. Cash donations will receive a receipt from the charity once the money has been received.
9. How will I receive a receipt/acknowledgement for my donation?
Your check will be written directly to the chosen charity. You will receive a thank-you letter from the charity. Your cancelled check serves as your receipt.
10. Will my contact information be shared?
No. Your contact information will not be shared with anyone, and the chosen charity understands that they cannot use your information for future solicitation. They also agree not to share your contact information.
11. How will I be notified of the winning charity if I am unable to attend a meeting?
You will receive an e-mail from [email protected] following each meeting. It will give you instructions as to who to make your check out to and where to send it. We ask that checks be sent within two weeks of the meeting so that we can present the checks to the chosen charity in a timely manner. We will present all checks at one time.
12. How are the checks presented to the winning charity?
The presenter of the winning charity should be prepared to be a part of the process for presenting the checks. Our goal is to present all of the checks together to the chosen charity within two weeks of our meeting.
13. Are there any hidden costs of joining this group?
The Elk's Club charges us a flat fee for each use of their facility and our members are asked to contribute what they can toward this ongoing expense. There are no food/beverage costs for the meeting. Attendees can come early and share a meal with friends beforehand and bring a beverage into the meeting.
14. If I am unable to continue my participation with this group, what are the consequences?
None. We would appreciate if you would notify us if you can no longer participate, but there are no consequences. We operate on the “Honor System,” so we hope that members have joined in good faith, but we understand that circumstances sometimes change.
1. How can we be sure that the charities are legitimately 501(c)(3) organizations?
It is each presenting member's responsibility to confirm in advance of putting their name in the basket for the drawing, that the charity they wish to present meets our guidelines and is a qualified 501(c)(3). In addition, any charity that is chosen to present must be registered and in compliance with the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Under Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with the Attorney General's office. Any charity which is in the process of registering or is not registered will not be able to present at our quarterly meetings. We ask all presenters to access in advance of putting a name in the basket the following website http://www.ag.state.il.us/charities/index.html for an online database of registered charities for DeKalb County. If there is a question as to the status of an organization, members must contact us by email at least one week in advance of the meeting and we will help them confirm the non-profit status prior to the meeting.
2. Can a charity be considered more than once each year?
A charity that is chosen by the group to receive funds will not be eligible to be considered again in the same calendar year.
3. Can a charity be considered that is outside of DeKalb/Sycamore?
Yes. Our group specifically is for the DeKalb/Sycamore AREA. A member can propose any qualified group that falls within the Greater DeKalb/Sycamore area. The appropriateness of the proposed charity will be determined by the group vote.
4. How can I get a charity on the docket for consideration if there is a time-sensitive nature to its need for funds?
There is no process to advance a charity for consideration outside of the normal lottery system.
5. Can religious charities be considered?
Yes, as long as they are an approved 501(c)(3) charity.
6. What if more than one person wants to nominate the same charity?
When the lottery is conducted and three names are chosen, it is possible for more than one of the chosen names to want to present the same charity. The individuals can decide who will present and another name is drawn so that three different charities are presented at each meeting.
7. Can I bring someone from the charity to help me with my presentation if I am chosen?
Yes. Members have the option of giving the presentation themselves or they can invite the executive director, director, or a staff member of their choice to make the five minute presentation on their behalf.
8. Can I make my contribution with a credit card?
No. There is currently no mechanism in place to process credit cards. Cash or checks are acceptable forms of payment. Checks are made payable directly to the chosen charity. Cash donations will receive a receipt from the charity once the money has been received.
9. How will I receive a receipt/acknowledgement for my donation?
Your check will be written directly to the chosen charity. You will receive a thank-you letter from the charity. Your cancelled check serves as your receipt.
10. Will my contact information be shared?
No. Your contact information will not be shared with anyone, and the chosen charity understands that they cannot use your information for future solicitation. They also agree not to share your contact information.
11. How will I be notified of the winning charity if I am unable to attend a meeting?
You will receive an e-mail from [email protected] following each meeting. It will give you instructions as to who to make your check out to and where to send it. We ask that checks be sent within two weeks of the meeting so that we can present the checks to the chosen charity in a timely manner. We will present all checks at one time.
12. How are the checks presented to the winning charity?
The presenter of the winning charity should be prepared to be a part of the process for presenting the checks. Our goal is to present all of the checks together to the chosen charity within two weeks of our meeting.
13. Are there any hidden costs of joining this group?
The Elk's Club charges us a flat fee for each use of their facility and our members are asked to contribute what they can toward this ongoing expense. There are no food/beverage costs for the meeting. Attendees can come early and share a meal with friends beforehand and bring a beverage into the meeting.
14. If I am unable to continue my participation with this group, what are the consequences?
None. We would appreciate if you would notify us if you can no longer participate, but there are no consequences. We operate on the “Honor System,” so we hope that members have joined in good faith, but we understand that circumstances sometimes change.