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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to raise each year?

Guilds are encouraged to plan at least one fundraising project each year. It can be as simple as a garage sale or as ambitious as an auction.

Guilds are not required to raise a minimum dollar amount each year. However, more money raised represents more support for thousands of children in our community.

How many members do I need to have in my guild?

We ask that each guild start with four founding members — president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Once the guild is established, you are encouraged to hold a casual meeting to invite others to join your guild.

What do I need to do to form my guild?

Starting a guild is simple. You need to submit a New Guild Profile and membership dues for each of the first four founding members. Membership forms will be sent to you soon after you submit the New Guild Profile.

What should I name my guild?

People choose a variety of names for their guilds. Some are named after a patient treated at the hospital or after a city or a geographical region, and others have inspirational names.

The Guild Association discourages guilds from choosing names that may be copyrighted or inappropriate.

Do I need to form my own foundation or nonprofit?

One of the benefits of forming a guild is that guilds fall under the nonprofit umbrella of Children's Hospital Guild Association. This convenient structure helps community members avoid navigating complicated and costly processes inherent in creating a separate foundation or nonprofit organization.

Can I direct the money my guild raises to one specific area of the hospital?

Most guilds choose to support uncompensated care. Uncompensated care assists families in our region, even those with insurance, who cannot afford the full cost of their child's care. Last year, Children's Hospital distributed $65.4 million in uncompensated care.

On occasion, guilds choose to direct their contributions to an area of the hospital that treated someone they know. For example, a family whose child was treated for a brain tumor may choose to direct their resources to pediatric oncology.

How do I track the money raised?

New guilds are given a nonprofit tax identification number that can be used to open the guild's bank account. All funds raised are deposited to that account. After a fundraising event, guilds should submit a treasurer's report and their financial contribution to the Guild Association.

We have a variety of tools and resources available to assist guilds with tracking their finances.

How much time do I need to commit? How often do we have to meet?

The amount of time you commit is up to you and your guild. Some guilds meet monthly; others meet consistently leading up to a major event, then take a break after the post-event follow up.

What do I need to do first?

Follow our step-by-step instructions that help you start your own guild.