My sister and I are doing the ride for the first time together and I don't think either of us are going to make the amount to even ride! I'm still close to $1400 short and she's $1300 short. We tried alot of things but doesn't seem to be working, we don't have a big enough network of friends to donate.
Any suggestions? I'm actually thinking that I'm not going to be pariticpating in the ride afterall :(
We've done a number of things, not all succesful. Fortunately, I work at a big organization and have had success with bake sales and raffles. We even did a brownie bake off - got a few people to bake their own recipes, sold sample plates and had a vote for the best brownie.
Outside of work we've had garage sales. Ask friends and neighbours if they have any items they want to donate.
Some Canadian Tires, Walmarts and other stores have a sausage stand that you can run for a day - our church youth group has done that.
Similarily, tag days outside liquor stores are another common tactic.
We were lucky last year and a rep for a home-based sales donated a percentage of sales from a product party we had last year - and from parties that she got as a result from our party.
If you belong to a church, ask if you can put up a poster or notice in their weekly bulleting or on their website.
I printed some business card size slips with my ride info that I can hand to people so they have a reminder when they're at home.
Do you know any store owners? Perhaps one would let you put a donation box beside the till.
Most of all stick with it - I have found that people who intend to donate often leave it to the last minute.
AngelFox, I went through the same panic last year, and I made it at the end. This year I hit a print shop and went all out. People, just my own two cents, seem to respond well to printed material put together well. I'm only at $270 now and I believe I'll make it. All of SilverFox's ideas are good, you can't go wrong with a warm weather BBQ or the like. Good luck, see you in June.
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Riding for my brother who had a bone marrow transplant at PMH in June and is STILL sick in Sunnybrook. Get better Jerry! Riding as a cancer survivor of coming on 20 years myself!
G'day AngelFox. My team will be running a 50/50 draw amongst three or four offices in our building. We ran one for a colleague last year just in our little office of 12 people and raised $200 in 2 hours.
We have printed a flyer advertising our 50/50 and will give it to the offices a week in advance. I will buy a roll of tickets from a dollar store and we will sell them one for $2, three for $5 and fifteen for $10. If you keep the draw low key and amongst friend, workmates and family you really don't need a licence.
Also, ask a local pub if they will donate 50% of a bar tab for the night if you can get 20 or more people along. I have done this in Calgary before and it works quite well.
fundraising wise, don't hesitate to use the social media tools available to you such as FaceBook. I was $30 short of reaching my $2,500 about a month ago. I posted up a note saying, "who would like to be the person to push me over my fundraising mark?" , in under 12 hours i raised $300 from dozens of people giving me small amounts.
You could try M&M's. They have BBQ tents every weekend in the spring summer where they supply the food. You work the tent of course, but reep the benefits as the money that is raised goes to your cause. Also places like Pizza Delight have special nights where 1/2 their sales for the night goes to certain causes. You could check and see if either place would help you out!
I have found that if you have something to sell, people are more apt to help out as they are getting something in return. I've been selling necklaces. But you could sell cookies shaped like the cancer riboon, or have a bake sale.
Put up a stand at a craft show or a mall with a donation jar, and info regarding the ride! I noticed one at a community dinner for Shroves Tuesday. (It was for seeing eye dogs - and people were donating)! I missed the boat on that one! LOL
I've recieved alot of donations from the facebook app and I also started a blog about my journey to the ride to conquer cancer and got some donations through that as well. This is my first time riding and I know how I would feel if I couldn't go through with it. Keep your chin up! You'll get there! Don't doubt yourself - and most of all don't give up!
There are some great fundraising suggestions already made but I'd add that a garage sale is another good way to pull in some cash.
Also, don't discount people who haven't replied to your request yet. Send out follow-ups. Many of my donors (this is my third year) wait until the last minute and need several reminders.
Hi there is still time don't panic! Have you done any big ticket fundraising? What I mean is events, or stuff where you expect to raise a lot of money in one night? sure it takes some planning but usually pays off!
My fundraising party is this Saturday. I found a local pub who would let me have the "party room" upstairs for free (I guaranteed they would make money from the bar and food sales). Then I canvassed all my friends (lots of creative people) for donations for my silent auction table. I have stuff like photographic prints, gift baskets, gift cards, tickets, etc. And even some cheaper stuff like DVD's and computer stuff. All price points from small to big.
Then in lieu of cover chare at the door, or even advanced tickets, (most of my friends have donated already) I am having no cover, free to attend, but I will be selling raffle tickets at the door 2 tickets for 5 bucks, and 5 tickets for 10 bucks. We will raffle off a set of tickets, and maybe 50/50 of the money from the tickets, as long as we make a few hundread.
I expect to make at least 500 dollars, probably more though for one night work.
have you made an group page on social media? This makes canvassing your friends really easy. Instead of sending out individual emails you can add them all to the group and message the entire group at once.
Another Idea I will probably do when it gets warmer in may is set my bike up on a trainer in front of highpark, (i live across the street) and ask for donations, and then give people a free bottle of water or pop for 1-2 dollar donation. It is illegal to sell things without a vendor license, but I think this way I will be good.
Get creative you have a few months, plenty of time!
I'm going to echo the others in saying "Don't panic." I've been riding since the first year, managing to raise $4000 or more each time. I say I'm looking to raise $1000 for each of my daughters, in the hopes they won't have to fight a battle with cancer.
Be relentless with your e-mails. The people you first contacted might think they've missed the boat. I'm always surprised when friends ask me in May "How did your ride go?"
Let everyone know your progress, and your worry. And connect that to your personal story. Press them to think of the people in their lives who have been lost or who have survived cancer. Then, when you get a rush of donations, send a note out to everyone highlighting how hopeful that makes you.
More specific ideas: my wife (a teacher) did a coin drive at her school to support me. Pub nights. I'm doing a hockey pool, which not only raises money but gives me an excuse to send out e-mails with a tag that directs people to my personal page.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm $484 away from my goal now and I'm still abit nervous about not making the $2500. It's hard for me since I don't know alot of people but I got relentless with the emailing and the sales of things I sold going towards it.
I may have to find something else to do to raise the rest of the amount! Still trying to make it. My sister has made the goal and is just waiting for me - her tentmate to get there!
Spring is a FANTASTIC time to have a garage sale. Just sayin'. With less than $500 to go, even going door-to-door might help. The Ride people can provide you with handouts to take with you.
Looking forward to seeing you and sis pedalling away!
Thanks MysteryBee. The ideas on here really helped me out with the frustrations, I managed to do some of them and they were great ideas. I'm only $234 off now thanks to wonderful friends spreading the word. Looks like I'm going to make it after all!
