Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for becoming an approved Jimmy FundRaiser?

Please fill out the inquiry form and tell us a little more about the fundraiser you are planning. A Jimmy Fund representative will reach out to you within two business days to begin the process of registering your Jimmy FundRaiser. Approval can take up to three weeks and we recommend letting us know about your fundraiser three months in advance of the fundraiser. Once you are approved, you will receive an approval letter and be assigned a point of contact at the Jimmy Fund.

What kind of support can I expect from the Jimmy Fund?

We are happy to support your fundraising efforts! Your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison can set you up with an online fundraising page, offer you fundraising tips and tricks, and help you become the best possible ambassador to Dana-Farber you can be.

I know I want to host a fundraiser, but I don’t know what kind. Can you help?

While we rely on our Jimmy FundRaisers to plan and design their own fundraisers, you can check out our Fun Ways to Fundraise guide, the Jimmy Fund website, or our Jimmy FundRaiser Kudoboard for inspiration.

Can I use your logo when promoting my fundraiser?

After your fundraiser is approved by the Jimmy Fund, you will be given permission to use our name and logo. Your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison will send you an electronic copy of the logo after you receive your approval letter. All materials that include the Dana-Farber or Jimmy Fund logo(s) should be sent to your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison for approval.

Can the Jimmy Fund promote my fundraiser for me?

We love to hear the amazing and inspiring stories from all of our Jimmy FundRaiser leads. Please reach out to your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison to find out how to get your fundraiser posted on our JimmyFund.org events page. You can also ask your liaison to connect you with a media relations expert at the Jimmy Fund, who can help provide ideas on how you can promote your fundraiser within your own network and community.

Can the Jimmy Fund provide me with a list of corporate partners, sponsors, or celebrities to solicit?

No, the Jimmy Fund is unable to provide this. We suggest reaching out to your local businesses and personal networks for support.

Will Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber staff attend my fundraiser?

While we cannot guarantee staff attendance, let us know if you would like a staff person at your fundraiser and we will accommodate if we are able. While we would love to be able to attend every single fundraiser, we have limited staff and fundraiser attendance is subject to staff availability.

Can I restrict my fundraising proceeds to a certain disease area?

Absolutely! We will work with you to direct your funds to an area that is of most meaning to you. Please note that you will need to be clear at the start of your fundraising efforts where the proceeds will be going, so please let us know early in the process if you plan to restrict your funds.

Not sure where to direct your funds to? That’s okay! Unrestricted funds are critical and allow Dana-Farber to utilize them at the team’s discretion to support vital research and treatment trails that may otherwise go unfunded.

Is there a minimum to fundraise?

No! The Jimmy Fund was built on grassroots fundraising—every penny adds up to make a difference and we appreciate any and all support.

How do I pay for my fundraiser expenses?

We understand that fundraisers have expenses. To pay for your fundraiser expenses, you can use cash collected at the fundraiser, use checks made out in your name, or ask for in-kind support and receive the expenses as donated items. We ask that expenses come to less than 50% of the fundraising total. For example, if you plan to spend $5,000 to host your fundraiser, your fundraising goal should be at least $10,000. Any checks made out to your name to pay for expenses will not be eligible for a tax receipt.

What is an online fundraising page?

A fundraising page is a dedicated online webpage that helps you collect proceeds through credit card transactions that go directly to Dana-Farber. Your page allows you to make a direct appeal to potential donors, who can then easily give to your fundraising efforts. All donors who give to a Dana-Farber fundraising page will receive a tax receipt directly to the email address that they provide.

There are two types of pages. Which type of page should I create?

You can either start a Jimmy FundRaiser page or a Giving Page. Choose the example that most closely matches your fundraising initiative:

Choose a Jimmy FundRaiser if you plan to host a fundraiser such as a road race, lemonade stand, bake sale, gala, or another type of fundraiser.

Choose a Giving Page if you wish to fundraise to honor a loved one, acknowledge a caregiver, collect funds for a naming opportunity such as “Name a Gene,” or mark a special life milestone (wedding, cancer-free anniversary, birthday, etc.).

I want to start a Jimmy FundRaiser. Where do I begin?

The first step is to determine your fundraiser type. Share your information via the Jimmy FundRaiser contact form and we will reach out to assist you.

Once your Jimmy FundRaiser is approved, a staff member will be in touch to help you get started and create your fundraising page.

I want to start a Giving Page. Where do I begin?

The first step is to determine what (or whom) you would like your Giving Page to honor. Follow the prompts to create your personalized page. If you have additional questions or need assistance in creating your page, please contact Hannah McCoy at 617-632-6247 or Giving_Pages@dfci.harvard.edu.

Are there any administrative fees to setting up a Jimmy FundRaiser or Giving Page?

There are NO administrative fees or overhead to set up your fundraising page. These pages are managed internally, and all proceeds go directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

How will others see my Jimmy FundRaiser or Giving Page?

When making your page, you will create a unique URL which you can share with your friends and family. You can share by email, social media, and even include the URL on invites. Donors can also search for your page on the “Make a Gift” page.

Can my Jimmy FundRaiser or Giving Page support a certain area of research at Dana-Farber?

Jimmy FundRaisers can support a specific research area if determined when your fundraising page is initially set-up with your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison. Giving Pages are able to support a certain area of research by submitting a request to the Giving Pages program. Please feel free to contact Hannah McCoy at 617-632-6247 or Giving_Pages@dfci.harvard.edu.

How do I log in to my Participant Center?

Choose "Login" in the navigation. Enter your username and password, which was emailed to you at the time of approval for your Jimmy FundRaiser or generated during registration for a Giving Page.

How do I edit my fundraising page?

Log in to your Participant Center and click the “Edit Page” tab in the top toolbar. Use the “edit” buttons to modify your photo, headline, or personal story. Make sure to save your work in each section.

I forgot my password; how can I reset it?

Click “Forget username or password” on the "Login” screen of the website, or call your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison so we can email you a link to reset your password. If you do not know who your fundraising liaison is, please contact the Jimmy FundRaiser team at 617-632-3190 or JimmyFundEvents@dfci.harvard.edu, or Hannah McCoy at 617-632-6247 or Giving_Pages@dfci.harvard.edu for Giving Pages.

Cancellation/Date Change/Event Name Change for Jimmy FundRaisers

If you need to cancel, change your fundraiser date, or change the name of your Jimmy FundRaiser, notify your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison. If you do not know who your fundraising liaison is, please call 617-632-3190.

How do I see my list of Donors?

Log in to your Participant Center and scroll down to the “My Donors” section. You will see a list of your donors, including the date of the gift, amount, and any personal notes that donor has chosen to write.

Two quick tips:

1. Use the up and down arrows to re-sort your donor list, as necessary.
2. Use the prompts next to each gift to track which donors you have thanked.

How can I access additional donor information, such as contact information?

Log in to your Participant Center and scroll down to the “My Donors” section. Click on the "Download" link to download and access full donor information, including mailing address, email address and recognition information.

How can donors give to my fundraising page?

Send donors to your personalized page, where they can read your story and make a gift via credit card to support your fundraising. If a donor prefers to pay by check, they can make it payable to "Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.” Collected contributions can be mailed to you, the Jimmy FundRaiser lead. Do not deposit checks into a personal or company account; they should be mailed:

The Jimmy Fund
C/O My Fundraising Page
10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor
Brookline, MA 02445-7226

NOTE: Remember to include the name of the Fundraising Page you would like to support in the check’s memo line.

Will I receive a tax receipt for my gift?

All gifts made online to a My Fundraising Page will receive an email confirmation which will include tax information. For any tax receipt-related questions, email our Donor Services team at askCS@dfci.harvard.edu or call 617- 632-2903.

I just made a gift online but did not receive my email confirmation. Can this be re-sent to me?

Yes. Please email our Donor Services team at askCS@dfci.harvard.edu or call 617-632-2903 to request an acknowledgement.

I received a cash gift from a donor who would like a tax credit. What do I do?

Please convert each cash gift into a separate money order and send it in to your Jimmy FundRaiser liaison with the donor’s name and address. This will ensure that the donor is credited and receives a tax letter.

I just made a gift. What will appear on my bank statement?

Your online transaction will appear on your credit card statement as: DANAFARBERJIMMYFND. If the transaction is pending, you may see PENDINGBB appear, which is normal. Should you have any questions regarding what appears on your statement, please email our Donor Services team at askCS@dfci.harvard.edu. We can also be reached by phone at 800-525-4669 or 617-632-2903.

What is the relationship between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & the Jimmy Fund?

The Jimmy Fund solely supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer research and patient care to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of Jimmy FundRaisers. Learn more about the Jimmy Fund. Learn more about Dana-Farber.

What if I need to make a change to the gift I just made?

Please email our My Fundraising Page team at Giving_Pages@dfci.harvard.edu or call 617-632-6099.

I want to make a gift via check. Where do I send it?

Please make checks payable to "Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.” Contributions can be mailed to the fundraising page manager or:

The Jimmy Fund
C/O My Fundraising Page
10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor
Brookline, MA 02445-7226

NOTE: Remember to include the name of the Fundraising Page or Jimmy FundRaiser you would like to support in the check’s memo line.

Can I update the way my gift information appears on the page after it has been submitted for my Giving Page?

Please contact Hannah McCoy at 617-632-6247 or Giving_Pages@dfci.harvard.edu.

What is a matching gift? How do I submit a matching gift?

Many companies offer matching gift programs to recognize their employees who support charitable organizations. Your Human Resources department will have information about how to have a gift matched or you can search for your company to see if they provide matching gifts to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.

I have a question about giving from my Donor Advised Fund using DAF Direct. Who do I contact?

Follow the instructions after clicking to give via DAF Direct. You may email our Donor Services team at askCS@dfci.harvard.edu or call 617-632-2903 if you have any further questions. Our team may direct you to speak with your DAF.

Is the My Jimmy Fund Fundraising Page website secure?

Yes. All information submitted online is subject to the Jimmy Fund Privacy Policy. Please read the Jimmy Fund Privacy Policy before submitting any personal information.

How do I opt out of communications?

If you wish to opt out of receiving fundraising mailings from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, please call 800-525-4669 or click here. If you wish to opt out of email communications, you may also click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any Jimmy Fund email.

What is Dana-Farber’s Tax ID?

Our Tax ID # is 04-2263040.