Fundraising for Ascend Justice
When our supporters take the lead and host their own fundraisers, the impact is powerful. To date, they’ve raised over $6,700 to support survivors and fuel our work at Ascend Justice—and you can be a part of that too. Whether you have a big idea or just want to do something informal, we’re here to help bring it to life. Reach out and let’s make it happen together.
Ascend Justice is fueled by financial contributions that allow us to provide life-changing legal services and advocacy for survivors and families. However, we also regularly need basic supplies to support our clients directly. Hosting a supply drive or donating in-kind items is another meaningful way to give. You can find a list of our most-needed items here.
All contributions should be donated to Ascend Justice within 90 days from the conclusion of your fundraiser.
Please see below for all donation methods:
Online: Donations can be made online by directing donors to your personal online fundraising page (if applicable). Please work out details with our Director of Development, Joy Wright (jwright@ascendjustice.org), to ensure you are set up for success.
Mail: Checks and money orders can be made payable to “Ascend Justice” and mailed to the below mailing address. Please include a Donation Form or a brief note that includes your fundraiser name so we can process donations accordingly.
Ascend Justice
Attn: Development
177 N State St Ste 500
Chicago, IL 60601
Drop-off: We strongly advise against mailing cash donations. We instead suggest getting a money order to mail in or turning in cash or in-kind donations by scheduling a drop-off with our Director of Development, Joy Wright.
Yes, donations in which goods and services are not received are 100% tax deductible. Donors will be acknowledged by Ascend Justice with a tax receipt when adhering to the below donation methods:
Online Donations: Donors that make a donation through your personal online fundraising page will receive a tax receipt following their donation.
Check Donations: Donors will receive a tax receipt letter in the mail to the mailing address that is listed on the check unless otherwise noted on an accompanying Donation Form.
Please Note: Ascend Justice is only able to issue a tax receipt to the person/organization that issues a check. If you are collecting multiple cash donations and wish to turn in one cumulative check, the only person eligible for the tax receipt is the check issuer. The check must be made payable directly to Ascend Justice to receive a tax receipt.
Cash/Money Order Donations: Donor will receive a tax receipt letter when the cash/money order donation is accompanied by a completed Donation Form, which can be downloaded and printed here. Please include the completed donation form with the cash/money order when turning in donations.
Social media assets, sample email messages and more will be available soon.
You may choose to use a third-party online donation site, but we strongly advise that you work with our Director of Development, Christyn Schnell to create a personal fundraising page so we can better support you.
If you do choose to use a third-party site, please be mindful of the following:
- Third-party sites often take out fees from donations.
- Third-party sites may have charity deposit requirements that make it difficult or impossible for Ascend Justice to receive the proceeds at the conclusion of your fundraiser.
- Ascend Justice cannot guarantee that the money we receive from third-party sites will be earmarked to your fundraiser.
- Third-party online donation sites may not issue tax receipts to your donors while direct donations are tax receipted in full.
Contact our Director of Development, Joy Wright (jwright@ascendjustice.org), and she will work with you to create a dedicated event webpage that will only accept event donations. Any event management, such as capturing of RSVPs, is the sole responsibility of the community fundraisers outside of the personal online fundraising page.
Fundraising Event Logistics
Event costs should be deducted from the funds prior to sending the donations to Ascend Justice. We strongly advise that you strive to maintain fundraising costs at 20% or less of the total income of your event. Event expenses incurred are the responsibility of the organizer of the event. Ascend Justice is unable to reimburse the organizer for the purchase of goods and services.
The organization and execution of the event is the responsibility of its event organizer. The event organizer must obtain any necessary permits or licenses.
Ascend Justice cannot provide insurance for third-party events. The event organizer is responsible for obtaining insurance for the event.
Because of the limited number of staff, we are generally unable to attend and plan third-party events. We are happy to provide guidance, but we do not have the staff to handle the organizational and administrative tasks associated with third-party events.
Due to the work that we carry out at Ascend Justice, we are unable to host third-party events at either of our offices.
Other
Approved community fundraisers are allowed to use the Ascend Justice logo and name in association with your efforts. Before you use the logo or name, we require that you run all materials past our Director of Development, Joy Wright (jwright@ascendjustice.org), for prior approval.
To adhere to our branding guidelines, please note: always refer to our organization by its full name “Ascend Justice.” Please do not shorten or abbreviate.
Email Director of Development, Joy Wright, or call 312.971.5932, ext. 233.