FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I host a One Dollar Difference event?
To host your own event, go to the “Start an Event” button and complete the form. You will be guided through the registration process. Once your transaction is complete, you will receive a confirmation email receipt.
Is there a registration fee for setting up an event?
No. If you choose to host a One Dollar Difference event, there is no required registration fee. However, you do have the opportunity to make a donation to your event during the registration process.
What does the One Dollar Difference program allow me to do?
The One Dollar Difference website is so unique because it allows individuals to not only register for the event, but also to collect donations from their friends and family using their very own "Fundraising Center." When you are logged in to your Fundraising Center, you can customize your Team and Personal fundraising pages; send emails to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to ask for their support and/or participation; and work toward a fundraising goal -- all to benefit The ALS Association.
How do I know if my information is secure?
One Dollar Difference is housed on Convio's Luminate Online, a cutting-edge fundraising application that has made every effort to protect your information and never stores donors' credit card or bank account information. We use industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet.
How do my friends and family make a donation to my event?
On the home page of the website, friends and family can locate your event by clicking on the "Find an Event" button. By typing in the name of the event, they will be directed to your event's Team page where they may make a donation. You may also invite friends and family to make an online contribution to your event by using the "Email" tab in your Fundraising Center. There you will find suggested messages that you can use to help you get started. Each email contains a the link that directs donors to your fundraising page.
How does The ALS Association utilize contributions?
Funds raised through One Dollar Difference support cutting-edge research; enable our nationwide public policy initiatives; and provide local programs and services for people living with ALS and their families.
To learn more about how The ALS Association uses the donations it receives, please visit our website at http://www.alsa.org/about-us/annual-report.html or call us at for more information.
How can I see who has donated to my event?
First, log in to your event Fundraising Center. You can then view your Donor list and the amounts that have been donated by looking at your donation history under the "Progress" tab in the top navigation.
How do I edit my fundraising web page?
To customize the content of your fundraising page, simply log in to your Fundraising Center and select "Personal Page" from the top navigation. There, you will be able to customize your event page URL; upload a personal story and your motivation for participating in One Dollar Difference; and include photos or video to drive the message home.
Who acknowledges my contributors?
Every online donation will receive an automated email acknowledgment that can be used for tax purposes. It is also a good idea to send your own personal thank-you to anyone who responds to your request for support. Share photos or updates on your progress to make contributors feel part of your efforts. When you log on to your One Dollar Difference Fundraising Center, you will be able to see a list of donors who have contributed to your efforts in the "Progress" section.
Where do I send my donations?
Checks should be made payable to The ALS Association. All offline donations should be turned in to your local Chapter.
What if a check is made out to me, not to The ALS Association?
If a supporter makes the check payable to you, simply endorse the check with your signature and "Payable to The ALS Association," or the name of your local chapter.
What should I do with cash donations?
It's never safe to mail cash. Have cash donors transfer the cash into a cashier's check or personal check.
What is a matching gift, and how can it help my fundraising efforts?
Many companies offer employees a matching gift benefit that doubles (or in some cases, triples) your gift. By participating in these programs, you and your supporters can significantly increase the impact of their donation.
Search our website to see if your employer has a matching gift program or contact your human resources or finance department. Fill out the proper forms, and then send your paperwork with donations to your local chapter, noting your event name and One Dollar Difference. Remind your donors that their companies may have matching gift programs too.
Can I be reimbursed for my fundraising expenses?
The ALS Association cannot reimburse you for your fundraising expenses. To keep your expenses down, consider asking local businesses for in-kind donations in exchange for advertising on your fliers, brochures, letters, t-shirts and other event materials.
Can I use the ALS Association logo on my fundraising materials?
The One Dollar Difference logo was specifically designed to brand events like yours. This brand enables event hosts to communicate the mission of the One Dollar Difference campaign and combine it with their own unique passion. Because it is a separate entity, participants and hosts of One Dollar Difference events may not use the logo of The ALS Association.
I'm going to run/walk a 5k/marathon in my hometown and it is not affiliated with The ALS Association. Can I still fundraise on behalf of the Dollar Difference?
Yes! One Dollar Difference is perfect if you want to fundraise while you participate in another event, like an endurance event. We have had riders, runners, and walkers fundraise to support The ALS Association while they train and compete.
