Fundraising is easy if you keep it simple and start with the basics.
1. Set a goal. (Set your goal to $1,000 to be a MVP in 2010)
2. Learn everything you need to know about fundraising in our Participant Guide.
3. Set up your online fundraising at your Participant Center.
4. Ask everyone you know to support your efforts by making a donation to the National MS Society.
Additional Climb to the Top Fundraising Ideas:
>Tribute donations: Encourage your donors to make donations “in honor of,” “in support of,” or “in memory of” someone they know who has been affected by multiple sclerosis. This is a great way to let them feel very much a part of your experience. Suggest a donation amount for them to sign a shirt or sticker that you will wear at the Climb, or print their names on a twist of orange ribbon that you will pin to your shirt.
>Voicemail: Change your voicemail and answering machine messages to announce the fact that you are climbing to help create a world free of MS. This will be news to some and a reminder for all!
>Gym: Ask your gym if you, or they, can teach an aerobics, yoga or spinning class as a benefit.
>Errand runner: Offer to be a friend’s errand runner or personal assistant for the day, in exchange for a substantial donation.
>Lunch room: Put up a display in the lunchroom at work (a sign with a picture and a note about what you are doing); be sure to include a jar for donations and information how to make an online donation.
>Signing your Correspondence: Get in the habit of signing your correspondence or e-mails with your name followed by Climb to the Top participant. Add a link to your fundraising Web page to your e-mail signature.
>Rock on! If you know any musicians ask them to perform a benefit concert. Tell people that their admission ticket is a check made out to Climb to the Top NYC - SNY.
>The “extra Change in My Pocket” Box: Create these little boxes for your friends and family. At the end of the day they can drop their spare change in the box. Make one for yourself too!