Frequently Asked
Questions

What is a Do What You Want fundraiser?

Do What You Want – or DWYW for short – is a DIY fundraising program for volunteers who want to support the mission, outside of head-shaving events. There are four unique categories for volunteers to get creative with: Athletics, Celebration, Sales and Give-Back and Other.

Not sure where your idea fits? Drop us a line at DWYWHelp@StBaldricks.org and we can help find the perfect DWYW idea for you!

Why did St. Baldrick’s start the Do What You Want program?

Because volunteers asked and St. Baldrick’s listened! Participants requested a program, outside of head-shaving, to empower them to help conquer kids' cancer any way they’d like! Sounds like this is for you? Keep reading to learn more.

What kind of activities can I do for Do What You Want?

It begins with the idea – dream up a creative fundraiser as unique as you are! Want to swim a 500-meter relay? Do it. Think you can beat your friends in a hula hoop contest? We think you can, too! Whether organizing a fun run, contributing your birthday, or planning a bake sale, the sky is the limit for creating a DWYW fundraiser. Need inspiration? Check out these Fundraising Ideas.

Can I really do anything I want? Even juggle knives?

While the idea of DWYW is for volunteers to be able to truly do whatever fundraiser they want, St. Baldrick’s does not condone dangerous activities; we don’t want to see our volunteers get injured in any way. Unless you are a professional, juggling knives might be a little too close to the danger zone, and will probably not be allowed. If you’re unsure about whether your idea will be approved, feel free to check out the Fine Print. or ask us.

What about livestreaming? I want to do a fundraising charity stream for St.Baldrick’s; how do I start?

You’re in luck! You now have the option to livestream with Tiltify, complete with resources to help your stream be successful! Visit the St. Baldrick’s Tiltify page where you'll find both the toolkit and donate button.

The funds raised through this platform will go to the St. Baldrick’s general fund, but through the Tiltify site you will have the ability to track donations and engage with your donors in a whole new way!

What is the benefit of starting a Do What You Want fundraiser?

DWYW’s are ideal for individuals who want to turn their passion or hobby into a fundraiser while focusing on the mission. However, another advantage of starting a DWYW is that it’s perfect for groups hosting one large activity or a business wanting to include a charitable aspect. It not only fosters a greater sense of community but can be used to highlight a specialty product or new menu item. Donations can be turned in as a collective, rather than an individual participation.

How do I raise money with a Do What You Want fundraiser?

DWYW fundraisers have a customizable webpage, so you can collect donations before, during, and after your fundraiser. Share your motivation and upload photos. You’ll also be able to monitor all donations that come in and thank your donors via the tools available in your Member’s Area.

What happens to the money I raise?

The money raised through DWYW funds lifesaving childhood cancer research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $354 million to support lifesaving research, making the St. Baldrick’s Foundation the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the International Scholar grants train researchers working in developing countries. You can learn more about our grants by visiting our Grants page, and some of the results of those grants here.

How do I turn in cash/check donations?

You can make checks payable to “St. Baldrick’s Foundation” and be sure to write your fundraiser ID# in the memo line so it can be allocated to your personal fundraiser page. Then, mail your check to the address below:

St. Baldrick's Foundation
Attn: CI Team
1333 South Mayflower Avenue, Suite 400
Monrovia, CA 91016 USA

If you have cash, please do not mail it in! Instead, please follow the process outlined on “How to Submit Cash" found in the Resource Lounge.

How long does it take for cash/check donations to show up on my fundraiser page?

If you follow the process for submitting cash donations as detailed above, your cash donations will appear on your fundraiser page immediately! Pretty cool, huh? As for donations made by check, they’ll be posted on the website approximately two weeks after we receive them in the mail. We appreciate your patience. If you know you’ve sent in your proceeds and too much time has passed, please call 888.899.BALD (2253).

I started a fundraiser on Facebook. Why aren’t those donations on my Do What You Want fundraiser page?

If you created a Facebook Fundraiser directly on the Facebook site, donations received will go to the St. Baldrick’s general donation fund. If you would like donations to count towards your fundraising goal, please visit your St. Baldrick’s dashboard and create a Facebook Fundraiser from there. If you need help getting your St. Baldrick’s Facebook Fundraiser set up, check out this Facebook fundraising guide or reach out to Fundraising@StBaldricks.org. If you have questions about your donations, please email DonationQuestions@StBaldricks.org.

Where can I find resources to plan my Do What You Want?

Once you’ve signed up for a DWYW Fundraiser, you will have access to our Resource Lounge, which lives in the member’s area of our website. There are several tools available to you to help maximize your efforts! Or reach out to your coach to find out more.

Are any supplies provided from St. Baldrick’s for my Do What You Want?

Yes! We offer promotional supplies to support your fundraising efforts. If you are new to the program, ask your coach for a copy of our collateral catalog, which are available to you at no cost.

What's the difference between a Fundraising Participant and a Do What You Want organizer?

If you’re looking to join an existing event as an individual who isn’t shaving, you may want to sign up as a “Fundraising Participant”. However, if you’re interested at collectively raising funds as a group, the DWYW is the way to go. As a DWYW organizer you’ll have one link that can be sent out on behalf of your non head-shaving activity whether you are a duo, large group, or even an entire company!

What if I want to cut and donate my hair?

Then a Do What You Want fundraiser is perfect for you! Although our Shavees need to register as a shavee, the DWYW platform is great for those who want to cut and donate their hair because they're not technically shaving. Please keep in mind, however, that St. Baldrick’s does not accept hair donations! Check out our blog post on How to Donate Your Hair or email us at DWYWHelp@StBaldricks.org.

Is the Do What You Want program for those who are shaving without an event?

Not quite! If you’re shaving at an event, or shaving on your own, you will need a different type of page, not a Do What You Want Fundraiser. DWYW’s are for anything and almost everything other than head-shaving. We know it might be a little confusing at first. To help, here’s a brief rundown of the three main types of involvement that we have at St. Baldrick’s:

• Head Shaving Events - Our most popular type of involvement; many people shave or volunteer at these events.
• Do What You Want Fundraisers - DIY approach to fundraising for anyone who doesn’t want to shave or volunteer at an event. People have gaming tournaments, donate their birthdays, and run marathons, just to name a few ideas!
• Virtual Shavees - For people who’d like to shave by naming their own date, time and place.

Can I have a Do What You Want fundraiser and still participate in a head-shaving event?

Of course, and many of our volunteers do just that! Please keep in mind that if you choose to have both a DWYW and participate in an event, you will need a separate page for each. If you’re part of a team for the head-shaving event, you can connect your DWYW to the Team Page. That way, any funds you’ve raised with your DWYW can be included in the Team’s total and ultimately the total for the head-shaving event that you’re participating in. If you need some help setting up your pages or connecting your DWYW to a Team page, drop us a line at DWYWHelp@StBaldricks.org.