Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need approval for my event?  You will not need approval if your event:

• Involves only your friends and family
• Does not require media coverage
• Will not require any Home promotional materials
• Or is planned to generate less than a $500 donation to The Home

Even though your event may not require approval, we'd still love to hear more about it. Please take a moment to submit our simple Event Survey.

When is approval required?  Event planners will need approval if the event:

• Is open to the general public
• Will be pitched to any media outlets
• Will be utilizing The Home’s promotional materials
• Or is planned to generate more than $500

Please submit the Third Party Event Form in order to have your event approved by The Home.

How long will it take to gain approval for my event from The Home?  Typically, The Home will be able to provide you with approval for your event in 3-5 business days.  

Can The Home provide me with advice on best ways to run an event?  Yes.  We feel that many of the best practices are included on our website.  After reading through the provided packet of information (see Event Planning Guide) please feel free to contact us at events@thehome.org with questions pertaining to your event.  You will receive a response to your email in 3-5 business days.  We have many years of experience running events of all shapes/sizes and will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  

Can The Home help me create a budget that will help me keep my expenses down? Yes.  Please look through the Sample Budget provided.  Many of the items listed may not be needed for your event, but the sample should get you to think of all potential costs.  If you have questions or are looking for suggestions after reviewing the budget please email events@thehome.org and someone will get back to you with an answer in 3-5 business days. Additionally, here are some expense saving tips:

• Email instead of sending paper invitations
• Purchase event collateral and cleaning products from a local dollar store
• Try wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club or BJ’s
• Ask your friends to bring some food and beverages

Can The Home provide me with a Sales Tax Exempt Purchaser Information Document?  The Home cannot provide outside sources with our Sales Tax Exempt Purchaser Information Document.

Can The Home reimburse me for any expenses?  The Home cannot reimburse any expenses for 3^rd party events.  If you are not able to donate the value of your event expenses, we suggest all event planners open a non-interest bearing account at a local bank and label the account the name of your fundraiser.  You will have check-writing abilities and you can write a check to yourself to reimburse for expenses and a check directed to The Home with your donation. 

How should I handle donations? If you are not able to donate the value of your event expenses see previous question.  Otherwise please have all checks written to The Home for Little Wanderers.

Where should donations be mailed?

The Home for Little Wanderers
Attn: Development Office, 3rd Party Events
271 Huntington Avenue, 2^nd Floor
Boston, MA 02115

Can The Home send a thank you letter to my guests?  The Home will send a thank you letter for every check/donation submitted directly to The Home.  If you plan to write one check after your event we will only send a thank you letter acknowledging that one check.  We suggest you send a thank you letter to all of your participants (link to the sample thank you letter).

Can The Home provide me with a letter of authorization and validation to assist in fundraising?   Upon approval of your event, The Home will provide you with a letter of authorization and validation to assist in your fundraising efforts.

If I plan to hold a raffle, auction, or gaming activity at my event, can The Home provide me with a permit?  The Home does not have the ability to grant a permit for a raffle, auction, or gaming activity.  Please visit http://www.mass.gov/ for details on rules for these kinds of events and for attaining a permit. Approval of a permit often takes up to 30-days.

Will I need a police detail at my event? Certain events will require a police detail. Please visit http://www.mass.gov/ to find more information.

Will The Home provide me with event insurance?  The Home is not able to provide an outside constituent with event insurance.

Please also see How We Can Help for a list of ways The Home is able to help with your event, as well as things we are not able to contribute.

Still have questions?
Please contact Jamille Benson, Special Events Manager, at jbenson@thehome.org or 617-927-0682.