Fundraising is one of DRAW's most important activities because it is DRAW's single source of income, the critical link that enables us to provide "Fast Help For Fast Friends". To plan, prepare and execute fundraisers requires many different talents. Whether you volunteer your time, skills, products, services or resources, every contribution is important because it enables DRAW to respond in a time of crisis. DRAW essentially serves as the connection point between a giving community and those who seek to recover in the aftermath of a drag racing incident. And nowhere will you find greater generosity and compassion than within the wonderful and caring community of drag racing.

Thanks to many spirited contributors and creative volunteers, DRAW is able to conduct a number of successful fundraisers every year. We've put the spotlight on DRAW's five major fundraisers for you here, followed by a short list of other revenue-producing activities.

We hope you enjoy reading about these special DRAW functions and encourage you to mark your calendar to attend one or more of these heartwarming events!

First Big DRAW Fundraiser of 2008
12th Annual Florida Golf Tournament

Next Big DRAW Fundraiser!
23rd Annual DRAW Auction

Third Big DRAW Fundraiser coming up in the Fall!
DRAW Live Auction

Ongoing Fundraiser!
DRAW Label Program

Details:  DRAW's Label Program has become increasingly popular over the years and is an excellent source of fundraising for DRAW.  Once a year, DRAW sends address labels to DRAW members, NHRA members and others along with a request for donation.  This important fundraising activity enables DRAW members and others to conveniently address their correspondence while promoting DRAW with every letter they send.

DRAW's Label Program has become a strong source of pride for those who receive and use these labels.  It is a small, yet visible reminder, of the underlying importance the racing community places on providing for those that find themselves in unexpected circumstances due to a drag racing incident.

How to Receive DRAW Labels:
When you become a DRAW member, NHRA member or IHRA member, Your name will automatically go on the list to receive DRAW labels. 

To join DRAW: 

• Complete the DRAW Membership Application in the Membership Section of our website; or
• Visit any of our DRAW Booths at national events, division races or special events. 

To become an NHRA member:

• Locate the NHRA Membership Application found in any issue of National DRAGSTER; or  
• Enroll online by visiting the NHRA website at www.nhra.com.  Click on NHRA Newsstand, then on National DRAGSTER; or
• Visit the National DRAGSTER Booth at NHRA national events.

To become an IHRA member:

• Locate the IHRA Membership Application found in any issue of Drag Review; or 
• Enroll online by visiting the IHRA website at www.ihra.com; or 
• Visit the IHRA Booth at IHRA national events.

Another Ongoing Fundraiser!
Ladder Sheets at NHRA National Events

Details: Thanks to the cooperation and courtesy of NHRA Race Control, DRAW is able to provide Ladder Sheets to all categories of racers at all NHRA national events.  These sheets are available at the DRAW Booth, located on Manufacturer's Midway on the Mechanix Wear Trailer. Sheets are available approximately 30 minutes after the completion of each qualifying session and elimination round.  DRAW asks for a $1 donation per sheet.

DRAW volunteer, Terry Noble, heads up our Ladder Sheet Program, keeping plenty of copies on hand and maintaining our occasionally finicky copy machine.  NHRA Race Control delivers an original set of ladder sheets to our DRAW Booth as soon as they are available, a service that allows DRAW to provide up-to-the-minute status to pros and sportsman alike.

To obtain NHRA ladder sheets throughout your racing weekend for a $1 donation per sheet, just visit us anytime at the DRAW Booth!

Other Sources of DRAW Revenue

In addition to our five major fundraisers, DRAW also receives revenue from the following:

• Retail sales of DRAW apparel and merchandise from our DRAW Booths
• Retail sales of DRAW jewelry from our DRAW Booths or website
• Membership Dues
• Raffles
• Donations
• Special fundraising events conducted by DRAW volunteers on a national, regional or local level
• Special fundraising events conducted by others in the community with a portion of the proceeds  earmarked as a special donation to DRAW

While DRAW is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a volunteer work force, our Board of Trustees nonetheless endeavors to follow management practices common to successful, profit-seeking companies.

To meet this challenge, particularly in the important area of fundraising, DRAW annually elects a Fundraising Chairperson to oversee all fundraising activities.  The role of Fundraising Chairperson is to review all fundraising ideas, proposals and requests on behalf of DRAW to ensure they are in keeping with our Articles of Trust.  The Chairperson also approves all advertising and other printed materials related to fundraisers to ensure proper wording.  Additionally, the Chairperson maintains records on those who donate to DRAW so proper recognition and thanks can be sent.  These records are also referenced when a fundraiser is proposed so contributors are not repeatedly approached during a season to make multiple donations to DRAW.

Fundraisers that fall under the management of DRAW's Fundraising Chairperson include auctions, tournaments and any other organized activity that will mention DRAW in their promotional advertising.  For companies involved in drag racing or those who have a tradition of annual fundraising for DRAW, a quick courtesy call to the Fundraising Chairperson is all that is needed.  DRAW Area Coordinators and Track Representatives should also notify the Fundraising Chairperson whenever an activity is being planned. 

Certain fundraising activities are exempt and do not need to be presented to the Fundraising Chairperson.  These include 50/50 raffles, "challenges" such as track announcers offering donations if a fan will perform some feat (throw the "Sport's Magic" ball to the top row of the grandstands and we'll give money to DRAW) and other types of spontaneous giving.

There are several types of fundraisers DRAW does not engage in.  DRAW's Articles of Trust prohibit DRAW from raising money for a specific person.  DRAW members, acting independently from their affiliation with DRAW, often participate in fundraising for an individual, but are encouraged to state up front their involvement is personal and not on behalf of DRAW.

DRAW respectfully requests that anyone wishing to conduct fundraising on behalf of DRAW notify our Fundraising Chairperson, Rosalee Noble, at 217-345-6537 or by e-mail at rnoble@consolidated.net.  This will enable DRAW to maintain the high standards we have set for fundraising activities and to operate within the parameters set forth in our Articles of Trust.  We thank all of our wonderful volunteers and supporters for their cooperation.