GENERAL DONATION QUESTIONS
What credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Do you accept debit cards?
Yes. Debit cards are processed in similar manner to a credit card, but the money comes straight out of your checking account. You will NOT receive a separate bill, and the donation will appear on your monthly checking account statement.
Can I use an EFT? Or E-check?
Yes, using the PayPal program. Be sure to have your bank account information available, then go to the home page and click on the orange DONATE NOW button. Follow the steps given to complete your donation.
Where can I make a cash donation in person?
During regular business hours, you can drop off a check at your nearest Iowa Telecom office or Vantus Bank location.
Can I make a pledge for a specific amount and then mail you a check?
Yes. Please call toll free 1-888-557-3628 Monday – Friday between 8 am and 5 pm to let us know the amount that you would like to pledge. We will mail you a separate letter confirming your pledge along with instructions on where you can mail your check. Or, you can make a donation in person at your nearest Iowa Telecom office or Vantus Bank location.
Where can I mail a check?
You can mail a check (made payable to Iowa Speedway Foundation Race2Recovery Fund) to Race2Recovery Fund, c/o Vantus Bank, P.O. Box 687, Newton, IA 50208.
Who do I make my check out to?
Iowa Speedway Foundation Race2Recovery Fund
How will the charge appear on my credit card?
IOWASPEEDWA
When will the charge appear on my credit card?
The charge should appear within 48 hours, depending on your credit card company's processing operation.
Is my donation tax deductible?
You should consult your tax advisor or tax guidelines. The Iowa Speedway Foundation, a tax-exempt organization, manages gifts to the Race2Recovery fund and personal donations may be tax deductible. However, personal income tax returns differ, therefore donors should check their personal tax guidelines to determine if their donation is tax-deductible.
How do I prove I donated (for tax purposes)?
All gifts over $250 will automatically receive a receipt. Otherwise, receipts are available upon request. Please allow up to 6 weeks for receipt to arrive.
Can I get a receipt?
Yes. Any gift given can receive a receipt upon request. Please allow up to 6 weeks for receipt to arrive.
Is there a minimum I can give?
No. Every dollar counts, and gets us closer to our goal of raising $1,000,000 by September 20, 2008.
Is there a maximum I can give?
No.
Can I give more than one time?
Yes.
Can I make an online donation?
Yes. Go to the Home Page and click on the orange DONATE NOW button.
Can I send clothing instead? Food? Water?
Unfortunately, we are not accepting non-monetary donations through Race2Recovery. Please contact the Iowa Red Cross to inquire about in-kind donations.
Are you giving anything in return for donations?
No. We are directing all funds received toward relief efforts, rather than incentives.
ABOUT RACE2RECOVERY…WHAT IS IT?
What is Race2Recovery?
Race2Recovery is a non-profit tax-exempt foundation that is raising money for flood, tornado, and other disaster victims in Iowa until September 20, 2008.
Why is this a part of the Iowa Speedway Foundation?
The Iowa Speedway is one of several Iowa-based businesses that are spearheading the Race2Recovery efforts, and the Iowa Speedway Foundation is already established. Therefore, in order to expedite the fundraising efforts, a separate fund was established that could be managed by the existing foundation.
What was the purpose of the Radiothon on July 21, 2008?
With the big Indy Racing League (IRL) event during that weekend, it was a great opportunity to raise awareness of our fundraising efforts to thousands of race fans. Now is a time when everyone in the state needs to come together to help out our friends and neighbors, so we extended our coverage over the radio to inform listeners from across the state of our effrots. We believe that Race2Recovery will inspire additional funding for disaster victims.
How long are you answering the phones?
The toll free number, 1-888-557-3268 will be answered Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm until September 20th, 2008.
I already gave to the Red Cross / United Way. How is this different?
Race2Recovery funds are focused on working through local organizations and foundations to provide direct aid to flood and tornado victims. While we have the same goals as the Red Cross -- to help flood victims -- our efforts are only intended to last for the next 3 months and are an attempt by local businesses to raise ADDITIONAL awareness of the need for relief funds.
How much money are you trying to raise?
$1 million before September 20, 2008.
When does your fundraising end?
September 20, 2008
Are Parkersburg and other tornado sites eligible for funding?
Yes. Any local or county organization or foundation located in a county deemed a disaster area due to any weather events in Iowa this spring are potentially eligible for assistance. Organizations can request assistance online at www.Race2Recovery.com by clicking on the APPLY FOR ASSITANCE orange button.
DISBURSE FUNDS … APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE QUESTIONS
Who is the money going to go to?
Local / county organizations and foundations across the state that are at disaster sites providing direct relief to residents. These organizations will be in a county declared a disaster by Governor Culver's office, and will have the flexibility to disburse funds that will help individual disaster victims.
How can I sign up to get some of the money?
These funds are not guaranteed and will be disbursed through local organizations and foundations as long as there are available monies. For individual relief, please contact your local organizations to make your request. You may also want to suggest that the organizations in your area go to our website at www.Race2Recovery.com and apply for Race2Recovery funds by completing the online application.
How much of my donation actually will go to the flood & tornado victims?
Aside from some small processing costs -- for example, the fee charged by credit card companies to process transactions – all the funds collected will go directly to aid for victims in Iowa.
Can you guarantee all the money will reach the victims?
Race2Recovery depends entirely on volunteer efforts from the employees of the businesses involved. The relatively small amount of costs related to implementing Race2Recovery are also donated by the businesses. The funds we are raising are going directly to local community organizations and county foundations that have already and continue to provide aid to disaster victims.
Will you publish a list of who gets the money?
Yes. Race2Recovery has specific guidelines and tracking methods that it must follow with respect to both collecting and disbursing funds. This is a legal obligation and will be reported. Funds will begin to be disbursed after September 20, 2008.
Who decides who gets the money?
The Iowa Speedway Foundation is managing the fund. A Race2Recovery advisory board will work directly with county foundations and local organizations to distribute funds to those in need. Funds will begin to be disbursed after the fundraising efforts conclude on September 20, 2008.
How do you decide who gets the money?
The Race2Recovery Advisory Board will be working closely with a variety of local and county organizations, such as churches, fire departments, county organizations/foundations, local food banks, American Legion chapters and other local entities. Through these organizations, the funds raised will go toward direct aid for disaster victims. After September 20, 2008, the Advisory Board will process local requests for assistance as requested and as funds allow.
How do you decide how much money to give to each organization?
Funding will be determined based on known need and applications from local organizations and foundations from counties deemed a disaster area.
When will the money be disbursed?
Funds will begin to be disbursed after our fundraising efforts conclude September 20, 2008.
How can I get personal aid in recovery?
For personal aid, flood victims should contact FEMA and their local organizations for relief.
Can I make a request for funding from Race2Recovery as soon as funds become available?
Individual applications for funding are being managed through local organizations and county foundations. Contact those agencies first for additional assistance. Local agencies and organizations can go to www.Race2Recovery.com in order to apply for aid directly from Race2Recovery. Funds will begin to be disbursed after the fundraising efforts conclude on September 20, 2008.
Will assistance only go to the poor?
Race2Recovery will work through local organizations that prioritize those victims demonstrating the most need. The funds will not be distributed directly to individuals.
LEGAL-TYPE / FOUNDATION QUESTIONS
Can we track your fundraising progress anywhere?
Yes. We will keep track of our fundraising efforts and report on it.
How do I know my money goes directly to the victims and the Iowa Speedway isn't keeping any?
Legally, the Iowa Speedway cannot keep any of the funds nor would we want to. Our reporting standards are such that we are required by law to closely track all donations and distribute funds to appropriate recipients.
Who is covering the administration costs of the foundation / fundraising efforts?
A majority of the administration costs are being donated by the participating businesses. However, a small portion of credit card donations does go toward transaction fees charged by the credit card companies.
WWW.RACE2RECOVER.COM WEBSITE QUESTIONS
Is your website secure?
Yes. The website interface has been set up by professional web developers and is a secure way to donate. However, if you would prefer to give your credit information over the phone, or to send a check by mail, you may do that as well.
How do you protect my credit card information?
All credit cards are processed through a secure and encrypted site.
What is PayPal?
PayPal is an electronic alternative to transfer money through the Internet. It is a system where anyone with an email address can securely send and receive online payments using credit card or bank account secure service. It is safe and easy to use.
I don't have a PayPal account. Can I still make a donation?
Yes. You have an option to choose Credit/Debit or a PayPal account using our website. You do NOT have to set up (or even use an existing) PayPal account to make a donation.
CELEBRITY QUESTIONS
Is Rusty Wallace part of the Race 2 Recovery?
Rusty Wallace is very supportive of the fundraising campaign, and we have his full backing. He allowed the effort to utilize the number "2" and will do whatever takes to help increase awareness and raise money for Iowans.