2025 Nonprofit Charity of Choice Partnership Application

Elgin Sing-Along Messiah (ESM) is accepting applications for its Charity of Choice partnership for its 2025 performance, happening Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at 7 p.m., at a location TBA in Elgin, Illinois. Applications must be received by Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

HISTORY

Elgin Sing-Along Messiah (previously known as the Greater Elgin Sing-Along Messiah) debuted in 2022 as a free community event kicking off the holidays by celebrating, singing, and giving back to the community by selecting a charity partner. In 2022, that partner was Food For Greater Elgin and more than $3,500 was raised from Greater Elgin Sing-Along Handel’s Messiah attendees through advance online donations and good-will offerings at the event. In 2023, more than $5,000 was raised for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, and in 2024, more than $9,000 was raised for PADS of Elgin, Inc.

The Elgin Sing-Along Messiah committee selects a charity partner each year that provides human services for people in need in Elgin, Illinois.  

Note: There is no guarantee of the amount of funding provided, as donations depend upon proceeds from ticket sales, a free-will offering at the event, a donation table staffed by the charity at the event, and promotion for donations in advance through a designated donation page on the charity’s website that can track donations made in response to ESM promotions. The success of the fundraising relies in great part on the charity’s promotion of the event.

 

REQUIREMENTS

The charitable partner must:

    • Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing.
    • Have a mission and program(s) that provide human services for people in need in Elgin, Illinois.
    • Create a page on charitable partner’s website dedicated to information about the Elgin Sing-Along Messiah, including event information, link to donation website (a page specific to donations for this event, to be hosted by the charity), link to ESM website (elginsing-alongmessiah.org) for tickets and more information.
    • Create an online fundraising page specific to donations made from ESM ticket buyers and supporters. (Or otherwise be able to track donations originating from ESM promotions – including links redirected from the ESM website and social media, as well as the charitable partner’s own promotion of the event.)
    • Link to the Elgin Sing-Along Messiah website, elginsing-alongmessiah.org
    • Follow @GreaterElginSing-AlongMessiah on Facebook and @ElginSingAlongMessiah on Instagram
    • Provide a high-resolution logo and organization boilerplate to the ESM for use in promotional activities.
    • Provide spokesperson for interviews arranged by ESM to promote the event and the fundraising component.
    • Tracking of donations and reporting back on fundraising totals is required.
    • Provide monthly reports on funds received.
    • Provide a final report on total funds received no later than Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
    • Provide staff member(s) to:
      • Give a 2-minute speech about the organization at the ESM event on Dec. 4, 2025.
      • Staff a table to collect donations at the ESM event on Dec. 4, 2025.
    • Publicize the ESM event and partnership to the organization’s supporters via normal communication channels, including but not limited to social media, emails, mailings, website, staff, and external publications.
    • Report back by May 1, 2026, about how the funds were used and the benefit to the local community.
    • Publicize the fundraising results to the charity’s constituents.

 

The Elgin Sing-Along Messiah will promote the charity partner by:

    • Including and linking to on the Elgin Sing-Along Messiah website, elginsing-alongmessiah.org.
    • Including in press releases, social media, emails, and presentations.
    • Providing the charity a presence at the Elgin Sing-Along Messiah event, including a brief (two minutes) speaking opportunity and a table at the event to assist in collecting funds and raising awareness.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be received by Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

  • Complete application form online below or email the following information to ElginSingAlongMessiah@gmail.com:
  • Include name and address of organization
  • Name, title, phone number, and email address of person making the application
  • 501(c)(3) documentation
  • A one-to-two-page summary of your organization, including data on local impact (number of people served, etc.), and how the funds would be used.
  • Agree to the Requirements listed above.