• • There is no limit to the amount of money a non-profit can raise during Connect to a Cause. The number of donors is also not limited.
  • A minimum of 25% of the organization’s fundraising proceeds from Connect to a Cause will remain in each organization’s agency endowment fund. The remaining donations will be given directly to the organization to support their mission.
  • Proceeds will be available to organizations around October 1. More details about how and where you will receive your check will be shared at a later date. Connect to a Cause is a community-wide day of giving created to support our local non-profit agencies in Lorain County. All donations will be processed by the Community Foundation of Lorain County and then disbursed to participating organizations following the day of giving. The more you promote your participation, the more donations you will receive.

Now is the time to create a promotional calendar for your organization! You are encouraged to share your participation with with supporters, donors, volunteers, employees, and Board Members.

• Our Connect to a Cause marketing toolkit will be available this summer. The toolkit includes various digital marketing pieces for you to use on your website, social media, in newsletters or in other creative ways. You are welcome to create unique and creative ways that tie into your organization’s mission to share your message. 
• If you have questions, please contact Colleen Walts at cwalts@peoplewhocare.org or 440.984.7390.

Three optional information sessions will be held for participants – July 15, August 11 (new participant session), and September 9. 

There is no fee associated with participating in Connect to a Cause for the organization.  However, any donation made via credit card will incur processing fees of 2.9% plus $0.30.  We have implemented an option for donors to cover a portion of the credit card fee at a flat rate of 3%.

Credit card fees of 2.9% plus $0.30 incurred for each credit card donation will be netted against the match dollar amount. We have implemented an option for donors to cover a portion of the credit card fee at a flat rate of 3% which will be added to the gross gift amount.

Example #1:
Donor chooses not to cover credit card fees
Gift Amount: $100.00
Match Amount: (Add) $4.00*
Credit Card Fee: (Subtract) $3.20
Net Amount to Organization: $100.80

Example #2:
Donor chooses to cover a portion of the credit card fees of 3%
Gift Amount: $100.00
Match Amount: (Add) $4.00*
Credit Card Fee covered by donor: (Add) $3.09
Credit Card Fee: (Subtract) $3.29
Net amount to the organization: $103.80

*Match amounts are estimated in these examples and will be based upon the total amount of funds raised.

The easiest way for your donor to make a donation will be through the Community Foundation website at peoplewhocare.org by using a debit or credit card.

• Checks and cash are also acceptable forms of payment.  
• Checks and/or cash must be postmarked by Thursday, September 17th or delivered in-person to the Foundation office by 8:00 PM on September 17th. 
• A donation form will be included in the toolkit and it must accompany all check and cash donations in order for it to be applied to their Connect to a Cause total (one form per donation).
• While recurring donations are encouraged, only donations received on the Connect to a Cause day count towards the total. 
• The minimum donation amount is $5.

The Community Foundation will acknowledge all contributions. Automatic thank you emails will go out to all donors who donate via credit card at peoplewhocare.org.

Following Connect to a Cause, a list of donors will be sent to each organization, however, donors who wish to remain anonymous will remain anonymous.