The Dean Team Automotive Challenge Walk MS is all about thinking big…bigger and better than anything you have ever done before. It will vitally change you because of your commitment to raise at least $1,500. We believe that you will be able to raise more than your goal. We hope you’ll strive for closer to $6,000 to qualify for our Mission Possible Club, which is raising $1 for every person with MS in our Chapter.
Fundraising Tools
To help our participants in their fundraising efforts, several tools are available and offered freely:
My Participant Center - allows all registrants to set up personal pages online, send e-mails to family and friends, and track fundraising progress. All participants are strongly encouraged to log on to their Participant Center and use the tools available.
Online Fundraising - When donors donate online, they receive a donation receipt and you receive notification that a donation has been made on your behalf. An online donation is automatically reflected on your personal page allowing accurate and easy tracking.
Fundraising Kit - after registering, all participants will receive a fundraising kit in the mail. This kit includes sample letters, contribution cards, a sponsor pledge form and a number of other items. The Fundraising Kit page on this website includes links to download the various forms found in the fundraising kit. All participants are welcome to download these forms as needed.
101 Fundraising Ideas - 101 fun, fantasic ideas to help with raising money.
Participant Fundraisers - many participants use events to help spur their fundraising. Participants wishing to publicize their events may do so on this page.
Five steps for successful fundraising:
- Start your fundraising now! Successful fundraising is intentional, planned and intelligently executed.
- Determine your goal. Challenge Walk MS is about thinking big. The higher the goal you set, the more money you will raise. Set a date to achieve your goal.
- Develop a plan. Start a calendar, and take your pledge goal and break it down into smaller goals. Then schedule due dates on your calendar. The minimum donation of $1,500 must be paid in full by Friday, May 29, 2009 in order to participate in Challenge Walk MS.
- Follow through. This is a critical step in fulfilling your goal. Following through is the KEY! After you send out a letter, call the recipients to make sure they received your letter and to see if you can count on their support. After someone makes a pledge, send a thank you note. Give your donors updates on your fundraising and training progress. In addition, invite them to celebrate with you at the finish line on Sunday, June 6, 2010.
- Inspire others to share your commitment. You’re accepting the challenge on behalf of the 400,000 people with MS in the United States. You are not asking for the contribution for yourself, you are asking on behalf of the National MS Society and the more than 6,000 individuals in the Gateway Area Chapter living with MS.