2005 TE Board charity rides

[Trek420]

AKRoadie "will be doing the MS150 again this year in September. Last year I raised $800+ for this event and this year hope to make $1000."

great job AK, keep us posted.

[massbikebabe]

please tell me your fund raising secrets as hubby, myself, and bouncin baby boy would LOVE to do the MS ride...I usually just take it out of my own pocket but this year have given all funds to oldest college fund

karen

[Trek420]

what I've learned is this:
* put it out there, let everyone know you're doing this thing, there are posters on every floor of my office building, a footer at the end of my e-mails at home and work, at work if I'm away from work it on my out of office assistant, if they give you a t-shirt for the event...wear it, often, launder it then wear it again. regardless of the cause you are fundraising for you will be surprised how many are effected by it.
* house parties rock. I have never done one but they are the best way to go. most folks I know who've done one have met their pledge goal right there. have a party, invite plenty of folks, feed and entertain them exceptionaly well (it's tax deductable I think) and invite them to sponsor you.
* form a team, that can aid you in doing a group fundraising effort or event
* thank your sponsors! thank them when they donate, thank them after the event, send real thank you cards, keep them updated on your training, find a way to take them along for the ride. I've done a monthly or maybe every 6 weeks or so newsletter with updates on training. especially if you will ever do an event again. thank them!
* follow up, that's the one thing I did differently this year. last year I sent out letters and lots of people replied they would sponsor me, but some never did. This year I had an A & B version. One went to folks who had expressed they would sponsor me, the only difference is it ended in a link to the pledge site. While I hate to be a nudge it made a difference, I made my pledge goal and not at the last second like last year.
anyone else?

[massbikebabe]

thanks trek;

the home party sounds like a great idea and my lawyer/accountant little bro tells me that it is indeed tax deductible.

karen

[Trek420]

yep, when I was doing my taxes this year i read that entertainment to fund raise for a non profit is tax deductable....I considered a house party...but I'd have to clean my house.

[loni0908k]

Trek 420

[that's fabulous! where and when is that?]

It's this weekend! I am soo excited. It's a 3 day event (50 miles per day),we ride in upper Illinois and lower Wisconsin. We even get to stay at the Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva (right off the lake), and there are tennis courts, swimming pools, and whirlpools to relax in after the rides! It's my first organized group ride (so I'm a tad bit nervous), I'll let you know how it goes!

[Trek420]

loni0908k "It's my first organized group ride (so I'm a tad bit nervous), I'll let you know how it goes!"

you're going to have a great time, we want the ride report!