Fundraising Support at Your Fingertips
Thank you for your participation in Bike MS: Carolinas Biketober Challenge 2009! With your help, we are able to provide vital programs for people with MS and help fund research for a cure, which will create a world free of MS! Each Bike MS participant is required to raise a minimum donation of $200, but the majority of riders go above and beyond that amount and you can too! In fact, in 2008 the cyclist fundraising average was $785!
Fight MS with one click of a mouse!
Online fundraising has become a very popular alternative and supplement to letter writing. It’s easy for you and your sponsors! Visit and log-in to learn how you can set-up your own personal web page, customize existing templates and tools, and send "sponsor me" emails. By utilizing your Participant Center and opening up your electronic address book, you will recognize quick and substantial gains in your fundraising total!
Letter Writing
By using letters to raise money, you can expand your donor base to people you may not see on a regular basis. It can also take some of the pressure off a direct face-to-face ask. Use these tips when writing your letter:
- Be compelling: Show your passion for our mission. Tell your story...why you ride.
- Provide a description of MS and/or your personal connection to the disease.
- State your fundraising goal.
- State where the money goes.
- If you have participated in the past, consider including pictures.
- Consider a suggested donation amount or donation levels, for example $50 or $100.
- Ask donors to make checks payable to the National MS Society and include your name and “Bike MS” in the memo line.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (your address, not ours).
Community Events
Many of our participants and teams like to host community events or mini fundraisers to raise money for MS. Teams have hosted golf tournaments, bowling tournaments, concerts, dinner parties, garage sales, bake sales, raffles....if you can dream it, our teams have done it! All it takes is a little creativity and the willingness to have a whole lot of fun!
Sell Sponsorships
Did you know that you can receive fundraising credit by selling an event sponsorship? That's right...if you have a connection with a potential corporate sponsor or know a company that may be interested in sponsoring Bike MS 2009, please contact Shannon Hinson. If you are instrumental in selling an event sponsorship, you will receive fundraising credit for the value of that sponsorship. Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000 to $35,000.