Celebrate Adopt a Dog Month with $100 (or less!) adoption fees on our Lonely Hearts Club dogs and 10% off dog merchandise in our Adoption Center!

Review Guidelines

Before you start planning your event, please review our Independent Fundraiser Guidelines.

Independent Fundraiser Guidelines

Brainstorm Ideas

What type of fundraiser works best for you and your group? How much time can you commit to planning? What materials will you need? Do you have a budget and funds to cover expenses? Will you need to recruit volunteers? What are your goals?

Need inspiration? Check out this list of some fundraisers that have been hosted in the past:

  • Round up at the Register
  • Donate a Portion of Sales
  • Benefit Concert
  • Percentage Night
  • Silent Auction
  • Car Show
  • 50/50 Raffle
  • Sports Tournament
  • Birthday Fundraiser
  • Lemonade Stand
  • Car or Dog Wash
  • Art Fair/Craft Show
  • Chili Cook-Off
  • 5K Run/Walk
  • Happy Hour Event
  • Food Cart Night
  • Ice Cream Social Benefit
  • Bake Sale
  • Bike/Motorcycle Ride
  • Jeans Day
  • Wine & Paint Night
  • Business Anniversary/Open House
  • Employee Potluck
  • Tailgate Party
  • Ugly Sweater Party

Set a Goal

Keep in mind, monetary donations have the greatest impact at DCHS! We are always in need of monetary gifts to help us meet the individual needs of animals in our care. Because we never know what animals may come through our doors, monetary donations allow us the flexibility to meet these ever-changing needs. We encourage you to let us do the shopping! We have many partner organizations that help us get the best 'bang for our buck' by offering great discounts.

Set Your Date and Time

Choose when, where, and how you will host your event! Be sure to give yourself enough planning time to have your event be successful. Create a timeline to help with planning. Make sure to check and see if your date conflicts with other events in your area.

Create a Custom Online Donation Page

Click the link below to set up your own custom event webpage! You can add event details, photos, and information to your page to share with attendees. Participants can also donate online, directly to your fundraiser.

Set Up Your Webpage!

Loop DCHS In

Send us all the details about your event so DCHS can help advertise your fundraiser! Information and promo materials can be sent to events@giveshelter.org when you are ready to get started.

DCHS can help promote your event in several ways:

  • Adding your event to DCHS's website (www.giveshelter.org/events)
  • Hanging a physical flier in the Main Shelter
  • Minimum of one post to DCHS's Facebook page (@GiveShelter) with 46,000+ followers

    If possible, DCHS may also include your event in these additional marketing opportunities:

    • Inclusion in DCHS's monthly e-newsletter, sent to 30,000+ DCHS supporters the first week of each month
    • Mentioning your event once during our weekly radio segments (105.5 and 94.9)
    • Mentioning your event once during our televised news segments (Channel 3, Channel 15, or Channel 27)
    • Individual or inclusion in group event post on DCHS's Instagram page (@DCHSGiveShelter)

    Promote and Advertise

    How will you spread the word about your fundraiser? Word of mouth, community calendars, local media, flyers, social media, and public bulletin boards are all great options for advertising. Our Media Kit has everything you need (cute animal photos, logos, and more) to create social media posts and fliers.

    If you create a flier, make sure to share it with us so we can repost it! Please email any fliers as PDFs to events@giveshelter.org.

    Don't forget to include the event date, time, location, and admission information on your flier.

    DCHS Media Kit

    Wrapping It All Up!

    All of your hard work has paid off! If you have any fun photos, please share them with us. We would love to see them! Photos can be emailed to events@giveshelter.org.

    Please note that any photos sent to DCHS will potentially be shared to social media pages and used in promotional materials.

    Cash and checks (made out to Dane County Humane Society) can be delivered or mailed to:

    Dane County Humane Society

    Attn: Development

    5132 Voges Road

    Madison, WI 53718

    If you would like to participate in a check presentation at DCHS, please contact events@giveshelter.org to schedule a photo op. Check presentations are available Monday - Friday each week.

    FAQ's

    Can I Host a Raffle?

    Can I Host a Donation Drive?

    Can Someone From DCHS Come to My Event?

    Will DCHS Bring an Adoptable Dog to My Event?

    Can I Host an Off-Site Adoption Event?

    Thank you for your hard work to help DCHS!

    For additional assistance, please contact events@giveshelter.org or call (608) 838-0413 ext. 167.