Fundraise

Ways to Give
Fundraise

Have fun raising funds for a cause like ours!

Fundraising events—both yours and ours—fuel our mission and enable us to provide our dogs and services at absolutely no cost to our students and alumni. Whether you’re interested in fundraising through our annual Walkathon, hosting a local event, or setting up your own Facebook fundraiser, we appreciate your passion for Southeastern Guide Dogs. And never forget: every dollar you raise helps provide our dogs and services at no cost to the people who need them.

Girl smiles at camera while she holds a little white dog in purple walkathon bandana with cupcakes and dog treats to the right

Join us for our annual Walkathon.

Love creating and hosting fundraising events in your neighborhood, community, or business? We’d like to help. Every year during our Walkathon fundraising campaign, Southeastern Guide Dogs fans, friends, and family get together to raise money for our mission and have a great time at the same time. So what’s it going to be? A Walkathon in your city? Community dog wash? Pet-friendly bake sale? Neighborhood pet parade? Let your creativity go wild! When you sign up for our Walkathon, you’ll find it easy and convenient to invite friends and family to donate to your personal fundraiser.

People walking with their dogs at a park

Host your own event.

Your organization, company, school, or group can host a unique event with the proceeds benefiting Southeastern Guide Dogs. It’s a meaningful way for team building as you put the fun in fundraising while raising awareness and support for our mission. To partner with us, find out more here.

Learn More

Girl squats down next to dog while she gives a bath to dog in a bucket that says "Clean"

“I feel grateful for what I’ve been given. Now, I want to do my part because I can bring someone else happiness.”

— Kenneth E. Hughes with Guide Dog Buddy, graduate and fundraiser | Greenville, South Carolina

Fundraising Q&A

What is your mission and vision, exactly?

Our mission is to transform lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. Our vision is to be the best service dog school in the world, and we’re working hard to reach that goal.

Here’s our “About Us” in full:

Southeastern Guide Dogs transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. Our organization operates the most advanced training facilities of any service dog organization in the world. Our experts breed, raise, and train elite working dogs—including guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs—and provide life-changing services for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges such as vision loss or the loss of a parent in the military. Southeastern Guide Dogs has successfully created thousands of guide dog and service dog teams throughout the United States since our inception in 1982, and currently oversees the well-being of over 1,200 puppies and dogs.

All of our services—which include state-of-the-art research on canine health and development; selective breeding; expert dog training; comprehensive on-campus student instruction; and the most robust alumni support program in North America—are provided at no cost to our clients. Donations sustain our mission and give freedom and hope to people who need it most. Southeastern Guide Dogs has the distinction of being dually accredited by the two premier global accreditation bodies: the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

How are you able to provide all of your dogs and services at no cost? Isn’t it expensive?

It costs tens of thousands of dollars to breed, raise, train, place, and provide follow-up support services to our alumni.

Because of the generosity and kindness of individual donors, business partners, foundations, fundraisers, and volunteers, we can provide all of our dogs and services at no cost. We are extremely thankful for the entire Southeastern Guide Dogs family for this ongoing support.

How can I trust that my donations are going to a reputable cause?

Since 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs has been providing all of our dogs and services at no charge to the people who need them. We operate with the highest standards of financial accountability and have achieved stellar ratings by these outside organizations that evaluate nonprofits.

Our accreditations and endorsements from these premier organizations speak volumes.

GreatNonprofits – Top-Rated – Recognized by the only people’s choice award where volunteers, donors, and people served by nonprofits share stories of inspiration to earn this coveted award.
Charity Navigator – Four Stars – Achieving the highest possible rating based on financial health, accountability, and transparency. (Note that Southeastern Guide Dogs is the highest rated guide dog school of any listed in Charity Navigator.)
GuideStar – Platinum Seal of Transparency – Achieving a high level of transparency based on data and disclosure.
America’s Best Charities – Best in America Seal of Excellence – Awarded to charitable organizations that meet the highest standards of public accountability, program efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
International Guide Dog Federation – Accredited – Adhering to and exceeding world benchmarks of the highest quality standards.
Assistance Dogs International – Accredited – Adhering to and exceeding standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership.

To review our financial reports, click here.

Where do I sign up for your Walkathon?

Thanks for your interest! You can sign up for Walkathon at www.guidedogswalkathon.org.

Visit our Complete FAQ

I’m planning a fundraiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs. What resources do you have to help?

What a great idea—and thanks! Click here for more information about fundraising events and resources. After reviewing this information, if you still have questions please email fundraise@guidedogs.org.

Visit our Complete FAQ

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