Are electronic signatures valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on state law and specific clauses—real estate or certain affidavits may require notarization. Check state notary rules and local venue requirements before execution.

Do I need witness signatures?

Witness requirements vary by state and document type. For most event agreements witnesses are not required, but contracts involving third-party releases may ask for witnesses in some jurisdictions.

How do I update an executed agreement?

Use a written amendment signed by all original parties. For minor changes, consider a signed addendum; for material changes, prepare a formal amendment with clear effective date.

What if a signer lacks authority?

Agreements signed by unauthorized individuals risk being unenforceable. Obtain ratification from the proper authority or execute a new agreement with an authorized signer.

Can I revoke or cancel the agreement?

Cancellation rights depend on the agreement’s termination and cancellation clauses. Follow notice requirements and refund terms; unresolved disputes may require mediation or legal remedies.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Fundraising Event Agreement

Fundraising Event Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

FUNDRAISING EVENT AGREEMENT

Parties

Organizer Name:

Organizer Contact Information

Beneficiary Name:

Beneficiary Contact Information

Recitals

WHEREAS, Organizer is experienced in planning and conducting fundraising events and desires to host an event to raise funds for charity and community purposes; and

WHEREAS, Beneficiary is a recognized charitable or nonprofit entity that will receive proceeds, intende d to apply those proceeds toward its charitable purposes; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth their respective duties, compensation, allocation of proceeds and other terms governing the fundraising event.

Event Details

Event Name

Event Date: Event Location:

Scope of Work

The Organizer shall perform the services set forth below in connection with the Event. The Organizer will coordinate logistics, marketing, sponsor solicitation, ticketing, volunteer management, and post-event reconciliation in accordance with standard industry practice and applicable law.

Detailed Scope (describe services, deliverables, milestones)

Payment Terms and Allocation of Proceeds

Compensation to Organizer: The Beneficiary shall pay Organizer fees as set forth below. Unless otherwise specified, Organizer will invoice Beneficiary and payment is due as provided in this section.

Total Fee Payable to Organizer Payment Schedule / Deposits Allocation of Gross Proceeds

Late Payment: Any amount not paid by the due date shall accrue interest at the lesser of 1.5% per month or the maximum permitted by law, beginning on the first day following the due date until paid in full. Organizer reserves the right to suspend services if invoices remain unpaid 30 days after the invoice date.

Term; Termination

This Agreement commences on the Effective Date below and continues until completion of the Event and final accounting, unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Effective Date: Scheduled End Date:

Notice Period for Termination

Termination for Cause: Either party may terminate immediately upon written notice if the other party materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within the notice period set forth above. Termination shall not relieve either party of obligations incurred prior to termination, including payment and indemnity obligations.

Confidentiality

Each party shall maintain in confidence and shall not disclose to any third party any non-public information, financial data, donor lists, ticket purchaser information, or other proprietary information received from the other party in connection with the Event, except as required by law. Confidential information shall not include information that is or becomes generally available to the public through no breach of this Agreement.

Upon termination or request, each party shall return or destroy confidential materials supplied by the other party and certify in writing that such materials have been returned or destroyed.

Insurance, Permits and Compliance

Organizer shall procure and maintain general liability insurance and, if applicable, event cancellation insurance in amounts reasonably commensurate with the Event. Organizer shall obtain all required permits and licenses and shall comply with applicable local, state and federal laws. Beneficiary shall cooperate as reasonably necessary to obtain charitable solicitation approvals where required.

Records, Accounting and Audit

Organizer shall maintain accurate books and records related to receipts, expenses and distribution of funds for the Event. Within 60 days after the Event, Organizer shall deliver to Beneficiary a final accounting and remittance consistent with the Allocation of Gross Proceeds section. Beneficiary may request one audit or inspection of such records within 120 days after delivery of the final accounting; such inspection shall be at Beneficiary’s expense unless a material discrepancy is identified.

Indemnification

Each party (Indemnifying Party) shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party, its officers, directors, employees and agents (Indemnified Parties) from and against any third-party claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of the Indemnifying Party’s negligence, willful misconduct, breach of this Agreement, or failure to comply with applicable law in connection with the Event.

Publicity and Use of Names

Neither party shall use the other party’s name, logo, trademarks or trade names in advertising or publicity materials without prior written consent, except that Organizer may acknowledge Beneficiary as the designated beneficiary in Event promotional materials. All such acknowledgments shall be accurate and not misleading.

Taxes and Reporting

Each party is responsible for its own tax reporting and payment obligations arising from the Event. To the extent any taxes, withholding or assessments are imposed on sums payable under this Agreement, the party required to withhold or pay shall do so and shall provide documentation of such payments to the other party.

Governing Law; Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to conflicts of law principles. The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes through negotiation; if unresolved within 30 days, disputes will be submitted to binding arbitration in the governing state in accordance with the rules of the selected arbitration forum.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Agreement, including any attachments or schedules executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements. No amendment or waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Assignment: Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except to a successor in interest in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all assets.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.

Acknowledgement

The individuals signing below represent and warrant that they are duly authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the parties they represent.

Organizer:

By:

Date:

Beneficiary:

By:

Date:

What a Fundraising Event Agreement Covers

A Fundraising Event Agreement is a written contract that sets the terms for organizing, hosting, and operating a fundraising event. It defines roles and responsibilities for the event organizer, venue owner, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers, and addresses logistics such as date, location, payment terms, insurance, cancellation, permits, and liability allocation. The agreement also covers ticketing, refunds, intellectual property rights for event materials, use of donor data, and compliance with charitable solicitation rules to help reduce legal and operational risk for all parties.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Fundraising Events

A written Fundraising Event Agreement protects organizers, sponsors, and venues by defining expectations, payment schedules, and risk allocation to prevent disputes and financial surprises.

Who Typically Completes a Fundraising Event Agreement

Typical parties who prepare or sign these agreements include nonprofit executive directors, event managers, venue operators, corporate sponsors, and contracted vendors.

Nonprofit organizers and event committees that set objectives, budgets, and fundraising targets for the event.
Venue managers or owners who provide space, facilities, and on-site services under defined terms.
Corporate sponsors or donors who commit financial support, in-kind contributions, or marketing benefits.

Each signer should have authority to bind their organization and understand obligations such as insurance, permits, and reporting responsibilities.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Fundraising Event Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and finalize the agreement efficiently.

01

Draft: Collect event details and draft the agreement.
02

Review: Have legal and finance review key clauses.
03

Approve: Get authorized signatories to approve terms.
04

Execute: Complete signatures and distribute executed copies.

Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Configure a repeatable workflow so agreements are routed, authenticated, and stored consistently.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Define sequential or parallel routing
Authentication	Use email plus optional SMS code
Conditional Fields	Show sponsor clauses only if sponsorship selected
Retention Location	Save signed copies to secure cloud storage

Routing and Submission Paths

Understand the common destinations and document recipients after execution.

Organizer Copy: Retain signed original for records
Venue Copy: Provide executed agreement to venue manager
Sponsor Copy: Send signed agreement to sponsors for files
Accounting: Route invoices and signed terms to finance

Digital Signing and Platform Considerations

Choose an eSignature platform that supports secure authentication, audit trails, and retention.

Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA
Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, and signer actions
Storage: Encrypted cloud repository

Confirm the platform meets legal and organizational requirements such as ESIGN/UETA compliance and any industry-specific standards before use.

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track

Track these time-sensitive items to avoid permit issues, insurance lapses, and reporting delays.

Deposit Due Date:

Date deposit must be paid to secure venue

Permit Filing Deadline:

Local permit submission deadline before event

Insurance Effective Date:

Policy must be effective by this date

Sponsor Payment Deadline:

Date sponsors must deliver committed funds

Tax Reporting:

Donor acknowledgment and Form 1099 rules apply post-event

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague payment schedules that omit deposit percentage and final balance due dates, causing collection disputes and cashflow gaps.
Failing to secure required permits or insurance certificates before the event, resulting in venue cancellations or liability exposure.
Not clarifying refund and cancellation policies for ticket buyers, which creates donor complaints and regulatory scrutiny.
Using imprecise party names or failing to verify signer authority, which can invalidate indemnities or payment obligations.

Potential Penalties and Legal Risks

1099 Filing Exposure: IRC §6721; $60–$330 per form

I-9 Violations: 8 CFR §274a.2; $281–$2,789 per violation

Insurance Lapse: Venue denies access; liability gaps

Unauthorized Fundraising: State solicitation fines and injunctions

Breach of Contract: Damages and specific performance risk

Data Privacy: HIPAA/CCPA exposure for mishandled donor data

Essential Clauses in a Professional Agreement

Include these clauses to manage responsibilities, finances, and legal risk for the event and its stakeholders.

Scope

Define the event purpose, schedule, services provided, capacities, and any deliverables so expectations are clear and enforceable.

Payments

Specify deposit amounts, payment milestones, refund rules, late fees, and who pays transaction charges or chargeback costs.

Insurance

Require general liability and additional insured endorsements, specify limits, and state required certificate holder language and delivery date.

Indemnity

Allocate responsibility for third-party claims, specify indemnitor obligations, and identify any limitations on liability or consequential damages.

Cancellation

List cancellation rights, force majeure conditions, notice periods, and refund or rescheduling mechanics to reduce disputes.

Data Use

Authorize permitted uses of attendee and donor data, require compliance with privacy laws, and state retention or destruction rules.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Compare common plan starting prices and select feature differences relevant to executing Fundraising Event Agreements; signNow is listed first per table conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Available (Business Premium)	Available	Available	Available	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Real-World Examples of Agreement Use

Two short examples show how organizations use a Fundraising Event Agreement to manage logistics and risk.

Optica Ventures LLC — Brian Fitzgibbons

Optica used a standard event agreement to centralize vendor responsibilities and payment terms, reducing approval cycles.

The agreement clarified insurance and indemnity.
As a result, venue access and vendor coordination were completed on schedule, lowering last-minute cancellations and administrative work for staff.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

A property manager used the agreement to define venue rules and guest capacities for a charity gala.

The document required certificates of insurance from caterers.
This prevented liability gaps, ensured compliance with local codes, and simplified post-event reconciliation for both parties.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Agreements

Use these best practices to reduce errors, accelerate approvals, and make enforcement straightforward.

Standardize Templates

Keep a master template with approved clauses for payments, insurance, and indemnity. Standardization reduces review time and legal costs while ensuring consistent protection.

Confirm Signer Authority

Verify that signatories have the authority to bind their organizations. Request an officer's signature or a board resolution where necessary to avoid enforceability issues.

Use Clear Schedules

Attach schedules for equipment, setup times, and vendor contacts. Detailed schedules reduce ambiguity about responsibilities and make dispute resolution more straightforward.

Preserve Audit Trails

Store executed agreements with full audit trails and certificate-of-completion records to support enforceability and provide evidence in case of regulatory or donor inquiries.

Who Signs and What Authority They Hold

Executive Director

Typically signs on behalf of the nonprofit; has authority over fundraising contracts, budgets, and donor acknowledgments. Responsible for ensuring compliance with charitable solicitation rules and fiscal oversight.

Sponsor Representative

Signs for corporate sponsors or donors to confirm payment terms, branding rights, and deliverables. Must have authorization to commit funds and approve publicity or use of trademarks.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about enforceability, notarization, eSignature use, and document changes for Fundraising Event Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on state law and specific clauses—real estate or certain affidavits may require notarization. Check state notary rules and local venue requirements before execution.
Do I need witness signatures?
Witness requirements vary by state and document type. For most event agreements witnesses are not required, but contracts involving third-party releases may ask for witnesses in some jurisdictions.
How do I update an executed agreement?
Use a written amendment signed by all original parties. For minor changes, consider a signed addendum; for material changes, prepare a formal amendment with clear effective date.
What if a signer lacks authority?
Agreements signed by unauthorized individuals risk being unenforceable. Obtain ratification from the proper authority or execute a new agreement with an authorized signer.
Can I revoke or cancel the agreement?
Cancellation rights depend on the agreement’s termination and cancellation clauses. Follow notice requirements and refund terms; unresolved disputes may require mediation or legal remedies.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now