texred, You'd be surprised. The Hill Country Ride's pledge minimum is relatively low compared to several charity cycling events. Even in todays economy this can be done. Charity's and non profits have a hard time making ends meet so
thank you all TE runners/cyclists/tri'ers for helping all good causes.
Somewhere here on TE there are tons of tips for fundraising.
Alternatively if you're making this a goal ride
next year I bet you'd be welcome to join a training ride or two or three or crew this year (crew's harder than riding) and do the goal ride next year.