Fundraising Guide for Eagle Scout Service Projects Guide Table of Contents Overview...Page 1 How to Apply Online Page 2 Required Documentation...Page 4 Writing the Web Story..Page 5 Forms...Page 6 Page 1
Overview Welcome! We are excited to join you on your journey to become an Eagle Scout! Red Basket is a nonprofit fundraising website that helps individuals fundraise for personal emergencies and community improvement projects. We provide a free platform that you can use to raise money for your Eagle Scout project. Your fundraising page will be published on our website, RedBasket.org, and you will receive a personalized URL for your campaign page that you can share with your community. You have up to 45 days to fundraise, and the funds raised will be sent to you at the close of your project. Because Red Basket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations to campaigns on Red Basket are tax deductible, and 100% of the funds will be issued to you as a grant. After you spend money on your Eagle Scout project, you will need to send receipts to Red Basket showing how you used the funds. We also would love if it you kept supporters informed by posting project updates on your fundraising page during and after your fundraiser. Donors will receive an email every time you post an update. To get started, you ll need to submit an application online. Once you do that, a Red Basket staff member will be in touch with your next steps. After your application is approved, an account manager will work with you throughout the duration of your fundraising campaign, and will be your main point of contact. Have questions? Email us at EagleScoutProjects@RedBasket.org or call 877-969-7378 to talk to a member of the Red Basket team! We look forward to hearing from you soon! The Red Basket Team Page 2 Page 1
How to Apply Online 1. First, you will need to create a Red Basket account. Visit RedBasket.org/signup to complete the process. 2. Once you ve created and confirmed your account, you re ready to start the application process. 3. Click the Start Now button on the home page to complete the Fundraiser Application. 4. In the My Personal Info section, you can disregard the age disclaimer as your parents will sign the permission form in this packet. 5. The Fund Recipient should remain as Myself as funds will be disbursed to you once the fundraiser has been completed. 6. You will need choose the Campaign Category of Trusted Partner, and then select National Eagle Scout Association from the secondary drop down menu. Page 3 Page 2
7. You will then fill out the Campaign Questionnaire section to give the Red Basket team an idea of what your project will entail. 8. Next, you ll need to set your Fundraising Goal, campaign length, and how soon you would like to publish. Keep in mind, it typically takes 3 to 5 business days to publish a project once your packet has been submitted. 9. There is an optional Volunteers section where you can organize a group to help with your service project. 10. To Help Us Create Your Campaign Webpage, you will need to upload a photo that can be used on your campaign page. You may also upload a video, or include your Facebook or Twitter handles. Once all steps are completed, you re ready to click Submit! Don t worry if you re not ready to submit though. You can always click Save for Later. Your application Draft can be found by clicking My Account at the top right of the page, and then clicking on My Campaigns in your Account Dashboard. Page 4 Page 3
Required Documentation We will need the following information to get started on your Red Basket campaign. Red Basket Permission Form: This form shows us that you have permission to fundraise on RedBasket.org. It needs to be signed by your parent or guardian. Please also have them create their own account on Red Basket. Trusted Partner Designation Form: This form needs to be signed by you and your parent or guardian (fundraiser) and your unit leader (trusted partner). Eagle Scout Service Project Plan and Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application Digital Photo: This will be uploaded with your application. Use the guidelines in this packet to help you take a good photo. Media Release: Anyone who appears in your photo will need to sign our media release. Voided Check: We use the voided check to send the funds to your back account after your fundraiser has ended. If you or your parent or guardian do not have access to a bank account, please let us know. Red Basket Web Story: This is where you write the story that will be featured on our website! We ve included some instructions, as well as some tips and tricks to help you write this piece. Please submit this as a Microsoft Word document so we can edit it to fit the Red Basket voice. Once completed, all Required Documentation can be emailed to EagleScoutProjects@RedBasket.org or faxed to 866-328-4152. Page 5 Page 4
Writing the Web Story Your Red Basket web story tells supporters why your project is important. Please follow these guidelines when writing your story: Keep it to 300-500 Words Use Third Person o Say Greg will use the money to not I will use the money to Include quotes in your narrative and use them to tell your story. Mention your sources if you do research o According to the New York Times, parks are important for these reasons Include a Call to Action at the end to ask your audience to donate o An example would be: Let s join together and build this part! Make sure your web story covers these points: What is the history of the project and how was this project decided? Why is this project important? Who will this project help? Who will benefit from the project? How much money do you need to raise? What will you spend the money on? When will the project happen? Have writer s block? Read through some of our other community projects to get an idea of how the narrative should flow. You can find these by clicking on Donate, and then searching by Community Improvement. Page 6 Page 5
Project ID Code: Parent Permission Form Red Basket, Inc. (RedBasket.org) is a nonprofit fundraising website dedicated to helping individuals raise money for personal emergencies and community improvement projects in a fee free environment. would like to use Red Basket to fundraise for their Eagle Scout Service Project. In order for your child to use Red Basket s services, Red Basket requires your authorization and acknowledgement. I represent, acknowledge, understand, and agree to the following: 1. I am not a minor and that I am a U.S. Citizen. 2. I authorize to use RedBasket.org to fundraise for their Eagle Scout Service Project. 3. I acknowledge, understand, and agree that: I. All information I or my child discloses to Red Basket, Inc. to facilitate the application for financial assistance is truthful, current, complete, and accurate; and II. The information disclosed to Red Basket to facilitate our application for financial assistance will be published on the RedBasket.org website; and III. Any grant issued by Red Basket for my child s Eagle Scout Service IV. Project will be issued in my name; and Under no circumstances is Red Basket liable for any damages that result from the use of RedBasket.org to facilitate my request for financial assistance; and V. I will use all funding and aid received through Red Basket solely for the fulfillment of the published request and will submit receipts showing how we spent the funds within one year and one day of disbursement; and VI. I am help to the Terms and Conditions that are published on RedBasket.org. Parent or Guardian Signature Date Parent or Guardian Printed Name Page 7
Trusted Partner Designation National Eagle Scout Association Red Basket, Inc. (RedBasket.org) is a nonprofit fundraising website dedicated to helping individuals raise money for personal emergencies and community improvement projects in a fee free environment. (Unit Leader), along with the National Eagle Scout Association a Red Basket Trusted Partner, has recommended you (Fundraiser) as a candidate to receive financial assistance through Red Basket based on your situation and alignment with Red Basket s purpose. In order to receive assistance, Red Basket requires authorization and acknowledgement from both you and the Trusted Partner. Fundraiser Authorization, Acknowledgement, and Agreement As a candidate who requests to receive financial assistance through Red Basket, I represent, acknowledge, understand, and agree to the following: 1. I am not a minor and that I am a U.S. Citizen. 2. I authorize the Trusted Partner to act on my behalf to facilitate my application for financial assistance through Red Basket. This authorization includes, but is not limited to, disclosing any and all information regarding my situation (request), my image, name, voice, or likeness for Red Basket s use. 3. I acknowledge, understand, and agree that: I. All information I disclose to the Trusted Partner and to Red Basket, Inc. to facilitate my application for financial assistance is truthful, current, complete, and accurate; and II. The information disclosed to Red Basket to facilitate my application for financial assistance will be published on the RedBasket.org website; and III. Under no circumstances is Red Basket liable for any damage that result from the designation of a Trusted Partner to act on my behalf of from any use of RedBasket.org to facilitate my request for financial assistance; and IV. I will use all funding and aid received through Red Basket solely for the fulfillment of the published request; and V. I am held to the Terms and Conditions that are published on RedBasket.org. Fundraiser Signature Date Fundraiser Printed Name See Reverse Side for Trusted Partner Acknowledgement and Agreement Page 8
Trusted Partner Acknowledge and Agreement The Red Basket Trusted Partner acknowledges, understands, and agrees that: 1. The Trusted Partner has been authorized to act on behalf of the Fundraiser to facilitate the Fundraiser s application for financial assistance through Red Basket; and 2. All information disclosed to Red Basket to facilitate the Fundraiser s application for financial assistance is truthful, current, complete, and accurate, and that the Fundraiser is in a situation of financial need or is coordinating a community improvement project, either of which is consistent with the requirements and criteria published on RedBasket.org; and 3. Under no circumstances is Red Basket liable for any damages that result from the designation of Trusted Partner to act on the Fundraiser s behalf or from any use of RedBasket.org or facilitate the Fundraiser s request for financial assistance; and 4. That Trusted Partner is held to the Terms and Conditions that are published on RedBasket.org and to the Trusted Partner Agreement. Unit Leader Signature Date Unit Leader Printed Name Page 9
Media Release I hereby irrevocably grant to Red Basket, Inc. (Red Basket) the right to use, publish, or distribute my image, name, voice, and/or likeness, in whole or in part, for the purposes of promotion, education, or marketing use by Red Basket. I waive the right to inspect, approve, or be compensated for the use to which it may be applied. I release Red Basket for myself, my heirs, and executors, from all claims, demands, or liabilities that may arise regarding the use of my image, name, voice, and/or likeness. I represent that I am not a minor, have read and understand the foregoing statement, and am competent to execute this agreement. Signature Date Printed Name If individual is a minor: Parent or Guardian Signature Date Parent or Guardian Printed Name Page 10
Digital Photo Guidelines Photography is an important part of telling the story of a project. Compelling photography can help donors connect with the person or group in need. Use Isaac s photo below as a guide when taking your campaign photo. When taking your photo, remember the three S s Size The minimum size is 675 x 380 pixels, or between a 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 photo. Selfies do not typically work for Red Basket size limitations. Subject The subject of the photo can be you (like our example), or a photo of where your Eagle Scout Service Project will take place. Surroundings The surroundings of the photo should create texture, but not distract from the subject. Keep the surroundings clear of clutter. Picture Perfect Tips Use the highest resolution camera you can, whether it s your phone, a point-and-shoot camera, or DSLR. Avoid having light behind the subject. Too much backlighting can cause faces in the photo to be obscured. Have someone take the photo for you! Selfies do not work for Red Basket size limitations. Page 11