At Janus, we invest in the markets with the goal of strong financial returns. We also invest in communities with the goal of better lives. Through the Janus Charity Challenge, Janus encourages and enables triathletes who inspire us to raise money for charities that inspire them. Together, we have raised $51 million since the program’s inception in 2001. Thousands of people, hundreds of charities, a world of difference.
Being different can make a difference.
The three things that distinguish the Janus Charity Challenge from other fundraising platforms and help make it so successful are:
- Choice. An athlete can raise money for any 501(c)(3) charity he or she chooses. With no limited, pre-determined charity list, participants are able to connect their race efforts to a cause that’s personally meaningful to them.
- Flexibility. There are no fundraising minimums to participate in the Janus Charity Challenge program. Every fundraising effort is valued, no matter how large or how small, as each dollar makes a difference to those in need.
- Rewards. Janus offers a challenge to athletes by providing an extensive charity prize purse distributed to the charities of the top fundraisers in the following amounts:
Janus Charity Challenge Races
Athletes participating in the following 2012 races, in any distance (sprint, Olympic or relay) can compete in the Janus Charity Challenge: Life Time Minneapolis Triathlon, Life Time Chicago Triathlon, Herbalife Los Angeles Triathlon and Toyota U.S. Open in Dallas, TX. Race entries are not provided through this program.
Exclusive Race Gear
But don’t think there’s nothing in it for you. Along your fundraising journey, you'll find special incentives and awards to recognize your efforts and keep you motivated.
- Raise $100, and get a Headsweats Race Hat
- Raise $1,000, and receive a performance tee
- Raise $5,000 and get an exclusive Janus Charity Challenge Tri Tank made by Champion Systems
Top Fundraiser Awards
To multiply YOUR fundraising efforts, Janus will make financial donations to the charities of the top fundraisers at each race in the following amounts:
1st place fundraiser: $8,000
2nd place: $5,000
3rd place: $2,000
Next 20 fundraisers: $500
Next 20 fundraisers: $250*
*Athletes must raise a minimum of $250 to qualify for a financial award
A unique way to make your friends & families a part of your race
Triathlon is an individual sport. But through the Janus Charity Challenge family members, friends and colleagues can participate in their athletes’ triathlon journey. By bringing together as many people as possible to support their fundraising efforts, athletes can focus on the race while still making progress with their fundraising.
There are two ways an athlete can raise money for the Janus Charity Challenge:
1.) Online. After registering online through our fundraising system, athletes set up a Personal Fundraising Website that will allow them to accept credit card donations online.
2.) Old School. Athletes who prefer the “old-school” way of gathering donations -- by cash or check —are welcome to do so. However, the donations must be tracked and recorded through their Fundraising website to qualify for the program.
The fundraising finish line for each race is the close of the expo the day before the race. Preliminary awards will be announced at each race Awards Ceremony. A final announcement of fundraising awards will be made following Janus’ nonprofit verification process.
Requirements for Janus Charity Challenge Athletes
Complete race registration. Participating athletes must be registered for and race in one of the following Life Time Triathlons in 2012: Life Time Minneapolis Triathlon, Life Time Chicago Triathlon, Herbalife Los Angeles Triathlon and Toyota US Open in Dallas, TX. Race entries are not provided through this program. Athletes entered in any distance race, including relay participants, may join the Janus Charity Challenge program.
Confirm 501(c)(3) designation. The charity must hold tax-exempt non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code at the time of registration for the JCC. A copy of the charity’s tax exemption letter must be faxed (303-336-4630) or emailed (januscharitychallenge@janus.com) to the JCC organizers prior to registering for the JCC. Please include the athlete's name and race when sending this documentation.
Verify no strings attached. The athlete may not be employed by the charity for which funds are being raised.
Fundraise the right way. An athlete may begin fundraising only AFTER they have an official entry into one of the participating LTF races. Funds may be raised through pledges, fundraising events (pre-existing fundraising events cannot be used for the purposes of the JCC) or personal donations. Athletes may use the assistance of other people in collecting/raising funds for their charity; however, all funds must be collected expressly for the Janus Charity Challenge.
Set up Blackbaud site. Be sure to create a fundraising website that is personal and compelling. Utilize pictures and specific stories to create a connection between potential donors and your efforts.
Manage your account. Once registration is complete, athletes can return to their site to manage their fundraising, update personal and charity information, run fundraising reports and track their fundraising success through the Participant Headquarters (found under the Fundraising Tools Tab)
Collect and track donations. Janus does not collect any money for the Janus Charity Challenge. All checks must be made out to the charity. The athlete is responsible for sending offline donations (cash, checks or credit card donations made directly to your charity) to his/her charity within two weeks following the race. All donations made offline (cash and checks) must be tracked using the athlete’s Blackbaud Participant Headquarters, our official athlete donation tracking system.
Additional Information
• Blackbaud will withhold $1.76 per transaction for processing plus 2.59% in credit card processing fees from all donations made online. Online donations, less the Blackbaud transaction and processing fees, are considered tax deductible contributions.
• Donations made online via credit card (less administrative fees) will be sent directly to the charities within two to three weeks following each race. Only those donations that have been raised and collected midnight the day before the athlete’s race will be considered for the purposes of identifying the top fundraisers in the Janus Charity Challenge.
• Approximately three weeks following the race, a Janus representative will verify receipt of all contributions directly with each charity. If a charity does not respond to our request for verification by the deadline, they will become ineligible to receive a Janus donation.
• If the amount actually received by the charity is lower than the amount listed on your Blackbaud Participant Headquarters site, this could alter the standing of the top fundraisers and affect the level of additional funds that your charity is eligible to receive.
• The athlete is responsible for providing correct and UPDATED contact information for the charity. This can be done through your Blackbaud Participant Headquarters site.
• The series top fundraisers will be announced at the Dallas race, via email and on the Janus Charity Challenge website.
• If your charity has questions about their involvement and responsibilities with the program, please direct them to the Charity Info and Guidelines tab on the Janus Charity Challenge website.
If you have questions about the Janus Charity Challenge, please contact januscharitychallenge@janus.com.
Please consider the charges, risks, expenses and investment objectives carefully before investing. Please see a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this and other information. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.
Janus Distributors LLC (01/12)
