Do You Wonder How to Begin Fundraising?

Here are the Top 10 Ideas to get you on the road to raising money.  Remember every cyclist must raise a minimum of $250 to ride with us to Williamsburg.  There is no time like the present to get started!

Top 10 Fundraising Ideas 

1. Corporate Matching Gift - Find out if your employer has a matching gift program.  This means that they will match your donation to the Bike MS dollar for dollar.  You should complete the paperwork you receive from the company you work for and submit it to them.  They will verify your donation with the MS Society and then they’ll send us a check that will be added to your fundraising total.  Click here for a list of companies.
   
   Be sure to have every one of your donor/sponsors check to see if their employers have a matching gift program too!

2. Voicemail Message - Be sure that your cell phone voicemail, your answering machine at home and your work voicemail let people know that you are doing something special!  Let them know that you need their support.

3. Use the Internet - Post your fundraising efforts on your Twitter account, your blog and your Facebook page.  This year the MS Society is providing a special Facebook application that will allow people to click through to your Bike MS participant page and make a donation.  You’d be amazed at how many people you don’t even know, who might be willing to support you.

4. Update Your Participant Webpage - Be sure that you regularly update information on your Bike MS webpage.  Post fresh photos and new copy.  Also send emails from your webpage asking people to donate to you.  The emails will automatically include a link back to your webpage.  Statistics show that participants who regularly add new information raise about twice as much money as those who don’t.

5. Business Cards - Print up some inexpensive business cards (can easily be done at home on your computer).  Have all the pertinent information on the card…including your name, name of the event, a way to contact you, your team name (if you’re on a team) and your webpage address.  Maybe even include a photo of yourself from a previous ride.  Hand these out to everyone you meet.

6. Your Signature - Get in the habit of signing any personal correspondence with Bike MS: Ride Virginia, in addition to your name.  Add this to your email signature too.  We even have buttons that you can download to call attention to this information.  You’ll be surprised at how many people will ask you about this. 

7. Meet the Press - Does your company/employer distribute a newsletter?  Does your company/employer have interoffice email?  If so, take advantage of these!  It’s a perfect way to get the word out! 

8. Church Bulletin - Place an advertisement in your church bulletin, letting the congregation know what you are up to.

9. Fundraising Dinner at Your Local Favorite Restaurant - Ask your favorite local restaurant to offer a night that 10% of the dinner checks will be donated to you for your ride fundraising.  Here is a list of restaurants that have helped with this in the past:

·        Silver Diner

·        Home Team Grill

·        Max & Erma’s

·        Fuddruckers

·        Tom Leonard’s

·        Uno’s Pizza

·        Chevy’s

·        Whole Foods offers a fundraising wine tasting event

10. Send a Letter or Email Asking for Support to EVERYONE You Know - Keep them updated on your training and reminders on how they can support you in your efforts.  Don’t get discouraged.  Just ask…ask…ask…and ask again! Click Here to learn how to get the most from your PARTICIPANT CENTER.