The 13 "Best Practices" of
Bike MS Fundraising!

Create a personal fundraising page on our Web site.
Let it do the work for you by e-mailing friends and family, tracking your progress and sharing messages of hope. You can even set one up for your team. 

Establish a letter writing campaign!   
Write to everyone you know and ask them to support you. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope, which makes donating convenient. 

Make a strong personal pledge first!
Your friends, family and co-workers will be more apt to sponsor an event that you are committed to yourself. Does your company match your charitable gift?   Find a list of companies with matching gifts programs. If your company matches, and isn’t listed, please call us! 

Educate yourself and your sponsors about MS!  

Stress the importance of their donation, no matter how big or small.  

Start early and collect pledges up front!  

Get the word out!
Hang posters, send e-mails, leave voice mails, and distribute brochures.  Spread the word that you are walking to end the devastating effects of MS.  

Ask everyone!
Businesses you frequent, your employer, co-workers, friends, family, neighbors anyone who is willing to listen.  

Put your largest pledge on the top line of your pledge sheet!
Other potential sponsors may be encouraged to make equally generous contributions themselves.    

Fundraising Events!
Bake sales, car washes, 50/50 raffles, dress down days, and garage sales. Have a party and charge admission. Hold a team t-shirt design contest.  

Ask your spouse or other family members to help collect pledges too!   

Keep a pledge sheet at your desk, in your bag, or in your car!
You never know when you will find a potential sponsor.  

Make sure you thank your sponsors after the event!  

MORE GREAT IDEAS FROM OUR BEST FUNDRAISERS! 

Here are some fresh new fundraising ideas, straight from our top fundraisers themselves.  If you have any new successful fundraising tips, please  share them with us. 

Karaoke Lunch: Have an all-employee lunch where employees pass around a jar to entice company executives to sing in front of the entire group or match the pot to not sing. 

V.P. Auction: Auction off an executive's time to the highest bidder to do certain work related activities in 2 hour lots. The highest bidder can command the V.P.! 

Bike MS Party at Work: Invite all employees, even people you don't know well, to eat pizza and make a pitch to them based on the disease and commitment you are making. 

Have a Silent Auction: Collect different gift certificates, or any other merchandise and auction them off to the highest bidder. 

Hold a Car Wash: Have company executives wash cars for donations to the Bike MS event. 

Have a Piggy Bank: Place it in a strategic position with a poster explaining that all the contributions will go towards your fundraising efforts. 

Buy Bulk Candy: Sell it off at work! You'd be amazed how much as person might pay for a candy bar at 3 pm! Malley Bars  are a great idea.

Have a Garage Sale: All proceeds to aid in moving toward a world free of MS.

Pass the Boot: Ask your local fire department to pass the boot for you and collect money for your Bike MS  efforts! 

Barter Your Talents: Do this in return for a donation. Do you have a skill that you are good at and like to do (baby-sit, walk dogs, computer abilities, dance lessons, massages, cut & style hair, interior decoration, swim lessons, green thumb)? Be creative - this will unearth your hidden and LUCRATIVE talents! 

Sorority Sister/Fraternity Brother: Don't forget those old friends from college.  Log on to your sorority/fraternity chat page or classmates.com and ask them to support your fundraising efforts! 

Pancake Breakfast: Hold a breakfast for your friends, let them know any donations they may give will go towards the Bike MS event. 

Plan a Special Event: Organize a party or outing (poker party, golf outing, theme party, square dance, old movies party, etc.) and charge admission.  If possible, do this in conjunction with your church or another organization you're involved in.