Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How should checks be made out?
A: Please make checks payable to Susan G. Komen. Checks can be uploaded for immediate credit using the Komen app, which is the fastest method. Mailed checks must include a completed Check Submission Form and mailed to:

Susan G. Komen
Dept.#41829
PO Box 801889
Dallas, TX 75380

Mailed checks can take up to eight weeks to post to your fundraiser.

Q: How do I know if Komen has received mailed donations?
A: Komen sends gift acknowledgements/tax receipts to the name/address as it appears on the donation check or money order. Donors should receive these acknowledgements through the mail four to six weeks after the check has been deposited. We highly recommend using the Komen app to deposit checks to prevent such long wait times.

Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Contributions to Susan G. Komen may be fully tax deductible permissible by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your gift.

Q: Will I receive a tax receipt for my donation?
A: Komen issues receipts for any donation of $10 or more received by check through the mail. Please do not send cash. If your donation is in cash form, you will not get a tax receipt. Receipts should arrive by mail approximately four to six weeks from the date it was deposited. To ensure you receive a tax receipt, please donate with a credit or debit card or write a check to “Susan G. Komen.” If you make an online donation using a credit or debit card, you’ll receive an immediate acknowledgement.

Q: How do I update my online fundraising thermometer to reflect current donations?
A: Donations made by credit or debit card through your fundraising page are automatically reflected on your thermometer. Using the Komen app’s mobile check deposit feature will also update your thermometer immediately. Mailed donations will be added once they are received and processed, which can take up to 8 weeks.

Q: I am collecting donations at an onsite DIY Fundraising event. Should I notify Komen?
A: Yes! If there is an onsite DIY Fundraiser or Komen fundraising event where a number of donors will share an Internet connection (Wi-Fi), Komen must have the IP number at least 2 weeks prior to the event for whitelisting. This is because our system has a fraud setting that blocks multiple gifts from one connection unless we enable the whitelist. Additionally, we will need the date and start/end time of the event. Please email the information and any questions to fundraise@komen.org.

Q: Can Susan G. Komen® donate any wristbands or giveaways for my fundraising event?
A: While we are not able to donate wristbands or giveaways for fundraising events, we do have two online resources where you can find similar items and support Komen at the same time.

• Shop Komen branded apparel, gifts, giveaways and more that give back to Komen 100% at ShopKomen.com.
• Shop products and services that benefit Komen at Komen.org/livepink.

Q: Should I register my fundraiser as an individual or as a team?
A: Susan G. Komen provides many ways to fundraise here at komen.org/fundraise: On Your Own, With a Group or Company, In Memory Of, and Sports and Schools. Each of these provides an option to register as an INDIVIDUAL fundraiser where you can have a single page where all donations toward your fundraiser are collected.

If you would like to have a TEAM where many individual participants can register to fundraise individually toward the same team goal, visit our With A Group and With Your Company pages. These options give you both a collective team fundraising page and individual pages for each registered participant. All pages can be personalized separately with descriptions, photos and unique URLs.

Q: I created a fundraiser in the past. Do I need to register again?
A:  All fundraisers except In Memory Of are kept open from the start date until the end of our fiscal year (March 31). Memorial fundraisers are kept open for two years. Given that, you will need to register for a new fundraiser every year. We update our resources and technology annually and want to make sure you have the latest and greatest. Additionally, to be eligible for fundraising rewards, you must register a new event each year.

Q: What if I didn’t receive any information after I registered my fundraiser?
A: Sometimes our emails can get caught in your spam filter. If you did not receive an email from us within three hours of submitting your registration, please check your spam filter (or if you have a Gmail address the Promotions tab of your inbox). If you find an email from us there, please whitelist our email address (fundraise@komen.org) so that you will receive other informational emails straight to your inbox.

Q: What are the guidelines for fundraisers that include door prizes, raffles drawings and/or sweepstakes?
A: Federal and state laws prohibit and/or restrict certain gaming activities such as door prizes, raffles, drawings, etc. These laws vary from state to state and in different jurisdictions. Before conducting such activities as a form of fundraiser, please consult with a local attorney and tax professional to ensure compliance. Please be advised that for these reasons, Komen cannot provide legal or tax advice to individual fundraisers, nor can Komen be listed as the host for events.

Q: Can I fundraise for Komen to earn an entry or “bib” for an exclusive marathon?
A: Many charities have access to entries or “bibs” for marathons where supporters can fundraise for the charity in exchange for a bib. To inquire about a bib entry, please email gopink@komen.org and include the information for the event in which you are interested.

Q: How will I know if I have qualified for a fundraising incentive?
A:Once you’ve raised $100, you’ll receive an email from komenincentives@genumark.com inviting you to set up your account. You can view the new Komen Fundraising Incentive Program details and incentives here.

Q: I want to raise money for Susan G. Komen, but I don’t want to create an online fundraiser. Is there a way to fundraise offline?
A: Yes! Thank you for wanting to make an impact! You can hold your fundraiser and collect cash and checks and then send everything in using our DIY Check Submission Form. Note that you must convert any cash into a check. Do not mail cash. If you decide you’d like to convert to an online fundraiser, we can help you with that. Here are a few benefits of doing your fundraiser online:

• Donors have the option of making online donations using their credit or debit card. You can print posters with an easy-to-scan QR code which takes donors directly to your online fundraising page (automatically set up in the Komen app).
• You can earn fundraising recognition items once you raise at least $100.
• The easiest way to deposit checks is to download the Komen app and use Mobile Check Deposit to have them post to your fundraising page in minutes. You can also collect checks from donors and submit them by mail. Please note, mailed checks can take up to eight weeks to be posted to your fundraiser.

Q: What are the guidelines for fundraisers that include door prizes, raffles drawings and/or sweepstakes?
A: Federal and state laws prohibit and/or restrict certain gaming activities such as door prizes, raffles, drawings, etc. These laws vary from state to state and in different jurisdictions. Before conducting such activities as a form of fundraiser, please consult with a local attorney and tax professional to ensure compliance. Please be advised that for these reasons, Komen cannot provide legal or tax advice to individual fundraisers, nor can Komen be listed as the host for events.

Q: Can I fundraise for Komen to earn an entry or “bib” for an exclusive marathon?
A: Many charities have access to entries or “bibs” for marathons where supporters can fundraise for the charity in exchange for a bib. To inquire about a bib entry, please email gopink@komen.org and include the information for the event in which you are interested.

Q: How will I know if I have qualified for a fundraising incentive?
A:Once you’ve raised $100, you’ll receive an email from komenincentives@genumark.com inviting you to set up your account. You can view the new Komen Fundraising Incentive Program details and incentives here.

Q: I want to raise money for Susan G. Komen, but I don’t want to create an online fundraiser. Is there a way to fundraise offline?
A: Yes! Thank you for wanting to make an impact! You can hold your fundraiser and collect cash and checks and then send everything in using our DIY Check Submission Form. Note that you must convert any cash into a check. Do not mail cash. If you decide you’d like to convert to an online fundraiser, we can help you with that. Here are a few benefits of doing your fundraiser online:

• Donors have the option of making online donations using their credit or debit card. You can print posters with an easy-to-scan QR code which takes donors directly to your online fundraising page (automatically set up in the Komen app).
• You can earn fundraising recognition items once you raise at least $100.
• The easiest way to deposit checks is to download the Komen app and use Mobile Check Deposit to have them post to your fundraising page in minutes. You can also collect checks from donors and submit them by mail. Please note, mailed checks can take up to eight weeks to be posted to your fundraiser.

Q: I think I chose the wrong type of fundraiser. Can you help me change it?
A: Perhaps you accidentally chose Individual when you meant to choose Group. That’s ok! We can help. Email fundraise@komen.org for assistance. If possible, please include the following in your email:

• Your name and the email you used to register.
• A quick 2-3 sentence summary of what fundraiser type you chose and what fundraiser type you wanted to create.

Q: What should I do if received an error message when I tried to register my fundraiser?
A:  Unfortunately, error messages can happen. If you receive an error message that prevents you from continuing to register your event, email fundraise@komen.org for assistance. If possible, please include the following in your email:

• A screenshot of the error message you received.
• Your name and the email you used to register (and constituent ID if you know it).
• A quick 2-3 sentence summary of what you were trying to do when you received the error message.

Q: How do I change my contact information once I’ve registered?
A: To change your contact information, event date or any other information, please send an e-mail to fundraise@komen.org.

Q: Is Susan G. Komen a nonprofit organization?
A: Susan G. Komen is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Q: How will the funds raised through my fundraiser be used?
A: Komen is extremely proud of the financial stewardship we offer for the donations our supporters give. We are accredited by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Donations help support breast cancer research initiatives, treatment, education and community health programs.

Q: Can I use the Susan G. Komen® logo on my event materials?
A:  DIY Fundraisers are welcome to use our special Komen Fundraising logos. DIY Fundraisers’ usage of Komen logos are strictly limited to the Fundraiser logos and DIY Fundraisers cannot use the original Susan G. Komen logo or the Running Ribbon on event materials other than those provided to you by Komen, if any. Additionally, DIY Fundraisers cannot sell items with Komen Fundraising logos on them or alter the Komen Fundraising logos in any way. Komen Fundraising logos must be displayed without any other logo or brand name appearing on the same items or materials. Co-branding is strictly prohibited. For more information, please email us at fundraise@komen.org.