DIY Fundraising FAQ

Why Is This Activity DIY and Not a NAMI Event?

NAMI officially hosts a few signature events throughout the year, such as NAMIWalks. DIY events are intended to give you support and resources to host your own independent effort. You may create an event that fits your personality, community and capacity. When you are promoting or speaking about your event, you may title it “[Event], benefiting NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness” to let people know that your event supports us.

May I Use NAMI’s Logo and Information?

You may not use NAMI’s official logo to promote your own event. However, NAMI provides DIY Badges and graphics and guidance for giving your event that NAMI look. Here are some guidelines for using the DIY Badge and you can download the badges here. 

DIY Badge Tips

use contrasting colors Don't stretch, squish or crop the badges

don't add other logos use the right sizes

Downloads

Download the DIY Badges

 

Is There Certain Language I Should Use When I Talk About Mental Illness?

Do not define anyone by a diagnosis or condition. Instead, use person first language. It is important for us to fight to reduce stigma and maintain a positive, supportive tone. For more tips on how to write about NAMI, please see NAMI’s Identity Guide.

Will NAMI Pay for Any Part of Our Event?

NAMI does not reimburse individuals for any expenses related to your DIY event. NAMI is not financially responsible for any staging or other event expenses.

When Do Funds from a DIY Event Need to Be Given to NAMI?

Please mail the proceeds from your event to NAMI within 30 days of the event to the following address:

NAMI
PO Box 49104
Baltimore, MD 21297

Checks should be made out to NAMI. You may also donate with a credit card by visiting nami.org/donate or by calling 888-999-NAMI (6264).

Are Donations Tax-Deductible?

Yes. Funds donated to NAMI are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. NAMI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Be careful when securing your donations to make sure that the credit for that donation is correctly identified. For example, a payment will be deductible for income tax purposes to the individual or organization who wrote the check. If donations are made to an independent organization that then pays NAMI, then only the independent organization qualifies as the donor. Also, when checks are made to NAMI, they may not be used later for any DIY event expenses, and NAMI will not pay back funds for this purpose.

Will NAMI Help Publicize My Event?

NAMI is unable to publicize your DIY events, but we do provide graphics, tools and resources to help you promote your event in your own way.

What Information Should I Include About NAMI?

Here is some information to let people who are unfamiliar with NAMI know who we are:

About NAMI

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Website: www.nami.org
NAMI HelpLine: www.nami.org/helpline or 800-950-NAMI (6264)
Twitter: @NAMICommunicate
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nami