Colorado Gives Day FAQs
1. I already donate to my Spellbinders Licensed Local Storyteller Organization (LLSO). Why should I also donate to Spellbinders® National through Colorado Gives?
● Thank you for donating to your local storyteller organization! Each LLSO has their own operating costs, and every donation helps them in achieving their goals of bringing the gift of story to their own communities.
● Spellbinders® National is separate from the LLSOs. We are the common thread that maintains the valuable Spellbinders® training materials, website, and helps coordinate the annual meeting. We also have ongoing operating costs, which is why we value donations from the storytelling community.
● Colorado Gives Day is the only organized fundraising that Spellbinders® National does. Of course, donations to National are always welcome, but we won’t solicit donations outside of CO Gives Day (which runs from November 1st – December 8th.)
2. I thought that Spellbinders® National was made up of all volunteers. Why do they need to fundraise?
● You are correct that Spellbinders® National, also known as Spellbinders® Council of Trustees, is made up of all volunteers who not only donate their time, but also support Spellbinders® financially in whatever amount they are comfortable giving. There are currently eleven council members, all of whom are also storytellers from different LLSOs throughout Colorado.
● If you would like to support Spellbinders® National with your gift of service, we would welcome additional Trustees or team members.
● Spellbinders® National does have things it has to pay for. Although our operating costs are minimal, we still have ongoing fees like website hosting, office supplies, technology costs, and other miscellaneous things that come up. In addition, Spellbinders National pays for a significant portion of the cost of the annual meeting. Spellbinders® National has also secured a group insurance plan which covers our volunteer storytellers.
● All funds from donations or other sources are used for:
1. Operating Expenses:
● Technology expenses, including website hosting, domain registration, Zoom account, hardware/software upgrades, etc.
2. Annual Meeting Expenses:
● Spellbinders members indicate overwhelmingly that they like to meet in person, rather than electronically, at the annual meeting. Therefore, in order to encourage as much participation as possible, Spellbinders® National charges only a nominal fee for attendees and picks up the rest of the costs. These costs include Keynote speaker/Entertainment, the venue, food, stipends paid to Spellbinders LLSO members presenting at breakout sessions or assisting with technology.
3. Insurance Coverage for all Colorado local groups.
3. My LLSO already pays a Licensing fee to Spellbinders® National. Isn’t that enough to cover these expenses?
● We wish it were enough to cover all expenses for the year, but unfortunately it covers only a small portion of the expenses. The council has kept the licensing fee steady at $250.00 annually for each of the local groups.
4. Is it safe to donate to Spellbinders® National through the Colorado Gives website?
● The ColoradoGives.org website makes it very easy to donate to Spellbinders, or many other non-profit organizations based in Colorado, on their secure website www.coloradogives.org.
5. How do I get to the Spellbinders® donation page on the Colorado Gives website so that I can show my support for the work that the council does?
● When you click on the link to DONATE from the homepage on the www.Spellbinders.org website, you will be automatically taken to the Spellbinders® page on the ColoradoGives.org website.
OR
● You could go directly to www.ColoradoGives.org, then do a search for Spellbinders.
6. Can’t I just write a check to Spellbinders® National and send it via “snail mail?”
● Of course! We would love that! If you mail a check, there is no fee other than the cost of a postage stamp. With Colorado Gives, they do charge a small fee for the convenience of processing donations to nonprofit organizations. If you want to ensure that 100 percent of your donation goes to Spellbinders®, then this is the best route to take!
Mail to:
Spellbinders National
P. O. Box 461681
Aurora, CO 80046-1681