Top 10 Fund-Raising Tips

Fund raising for CycleFest or SPINNING NATION is easy with all of the resources you have available! There are so many ways to reach out to your potential donors—decide which one works best for you. Our downloadable Fund Raising Guide is filled with information and tools to help get you started and help you reach your goals. Every sponsor you sign up brings us one step closer to finding a cure for diabetes. Whatever methods you use, remember the R2R motto: "Making a difference in the lives of Wounded Heroes."

Use these tips and suggestions to help launch your fund-raising campaign:

Online Fund Raising:

This is one of the easiest ways to do your fund raising—we've already created a personal page for you! Login to your Tour Center to personalize your own personal and/or team page that prospective donors can view. Upload your e-mail list and send out your customized letters inviting potential sponsors to make an online credit card contribution. Your friends, family and co-workers can learn about why you are participating and make a secure donation in just a few clicks. A recent study of 625 nonprofits showed that participants raised an average of $327 online versus an average of only $55 offline. Our Step-by-Step Online Fund Raising Guide provides easy to follow instructions that will have you up and running in no time.

Face-to Face:

Ask potential donors for a few minutes of their time so that you can talk without interruptions. Use the information available in your fund-raising guide, or online, to inform them about how contributions raised through CycleFest will be used and why your personal participation is important to you. Remember, you are not asking for the contribution for yourself, but for all the wounded heroes that need support every day.

Telephone:

Be considerate and choose a good time to call. Before you pick up the phone, think about how you want to describe CycleFest and why you are participating. Always end the call by saying thank you, regardless of the outcome.

Letter Writing:

Personalize your letter with details about yourself your reasons for riding. Remember your audience when crafting your letter—tailor it to fit friends, family, business owners, colleagues, etc.

Matching Gifts:

Find out whether your company has a matching gift program. If so, your fund-raising efforts could easily be doubled. Always remember to ask your sponsors whether their companies will match their donations as well.

Collection Envelope:

Always carry your sponsor form wherever you go. You never know when you will run into a potential contributor!

Donor Amounts:

Let your sponsors decide how much they wish to give in support of such an important cause. But don't limit yourself or them by asking for a smaller amount than they had in mind.

Businesses You Patronize:

Ask the places you frequent for a donation—such as your hair stylist, dry cleaner, doctor, gym, coffee shop, favorite restaurant, etc.

R2R CycleFest T-shirt:

Promote your efforts for the cause by wearing your favorite CycleFest T-shirt or jersey.

Acknowledgements:

Always send a thank you note when you receive a contribution.