Fundraising Tips & Tools

The National MS Society knows you want to do something about MS now. By joining our movement, you are biking to create a world free of MS. We have developed powerful fundraising tools to download. You can edit any of the letters to personalize them. If you have questions or need help, call 1-800-344-4867 (press 2), and ask for a member of the development department.

Bike MS Fundraising Ideas: Check out this list of great ideas to be a successful fundraiser. 

Pledge Form: Use this pledge form to track your donors and send ‘thank you’ notes. Feel free to make copies. This form is for your use. You do not need to turn it in at Bike MS.  

Thank You Receipts: These handy receipts can be downloaded and given to any of your donors who contribute $250 or less. All donations are tax deductible. Your donor’s cleared check or credit card transaction also serves as a receipt. Donors giving $250 or more will automatically receive an acknowledgement letter from the National MS Society by the end of 2013. If you prefer, we will send you pre-printed donation receipts. Contact us at nyrevents@nmss.org, or 1-800-344-4867 (press 2). 

Goals: Simply setting a fundraising goal for yourself or your team is an effective fundraising technique that is often overlooked. Any time you are asking for donations – in person, email, letters or phone calls – let people know your goal. The closer you are to your goal, the more willing people will be to donate. If you meet your goal, ratchet it up and shoot for the stars. Our staff can help you determine a target goal that is right for you. Contact us at nyrevents@nmss.org.

“Support Me” Letters: Reaching out with a personal note or letter is one of the best ways to fundraise. Many of the National MS Society’s Top Fundraisers secure their donations through letter writing campaigns. “Support Me” letters can be sent to family, friends, coworkers, businesses you frequent, old college buddies, community leaders – the list is endless. Letters are the most efficient way of spreading your message with a personal touch.

Need help crafting a “Support Me” letter? Use one of our sample letters and create your own by adding a personal touch about why you are joining Walk MS. Do you have a personal connection to MS? State that in your letter. Include a photo, too! Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to make donating easy.

Below are several samples to get you started. Use one of our letters, mix and match them, or just check them out for inspiration.

Download sample fundraising letters here.  

Don't know who to send them to? Download our list of ideas.

Fundraising Rules of Thumb: Ask, Ask, Ask! Don’t be afraid to ask anyone and everyone you encounter to help fight MS. Remember, you are walking to create a world free of MS. Asking boldly helps move us closer to that goal. Don’t forget to ask these people: your banker, hairdresser, favorite restaurant, heating/AC company, nail tech, grocer, lawn/snow removal service, landlord, dry cleaner, or any business that you frequent.

To Be Successful:

1.  Always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easy for your sponsors to reply.

2.  In your email, insert the web link that goes directly to your personal fundraising page.  

3.  Personalize your appeal by using familiar details about yourself, your history with the event, and why you are participating in Walk MS.

4.  Mention details about multiple sclerosis and connect your sponsors to our mission.

5.  Follow up with a phone call or e-mail to those who have not responded.

6.  Always send a thank you note when you receive a contribution. After the event, include details about it, and maybe even a photo. Your donors will be curious to know everything went, and many dollars you raised. 

Ensuring Your Donors Contribute Year After Year:

Click here to learn more about the “Top 4 Reasons Donors Stop Giving”

Kick Off Your Fundraising with the “9 Day Plan”:

Sell Something: Many people find it easier to fundraise when they are selling something. Here are a bunch of ideas for you:

Pin-up Sales   

Sell these great Bike MS pin-ups for donations. Contact nyrevents@nmss.org and ask to have a stack mailed to you. Please indicate where you would like them mailed and how many you want. We provide these for free, so sell, sell, sell!

eBay Auctions

Many team captains across the county find using eBay’s fundraising tools successful.

            Click here for a guide to using ebay to fundraise

National MS Society Orange Bracelets

Order National MS Society orange rubber bracelets to sell for donations or give to donors to thank them for their contribution. You can order them online, in sizes large and small, at the Society Store.

Uno Chicago Grill

Uno is proud to support the local communities it serves through its Dough Raisers program. Host a lunch, dinner, or both, at your local Uno and earn up to 20% of sales generated from guests who eat at Uno to support the cause.

How it Works:

Total Meal Cost (for example) = $20.00
Number of Meals = 3
Total Day’s Profit = $12.00

Go to your local Uno and request to participate in the Dough Raisers program. You will meet with the general manager to set a date for your fundraiser and get donation tickets. Make copies of the tickets and distribute them. To receive the fundraising credit, folks must present the ticket to Uno when they go to eat there on the date of the fundraiser.

Yankee Candle Fundraising

Sell Yankee Candle products from a special collection catalog and receive up to 40% of the sales towards your fundraising.

• This fundraising campaign is available August 1 through October 31. 
• Sales may be conducted for 2-4 weeks, with two weeks being the norm. 
• No minimum order is required. 
• The brochures and sales materials are sent to you free of charge. 
• Orders are sent to Yankee Candle in a postage-paid envelope that is provided to you. 
• Each seller’s order is packaged individually. 
• Orders will be shipped approximately 4-6 weeks from the date they are received at Yankee Candle. Freight and handling fees may apply. Orders must be prepaid prior to shipment.

If you are interested in this opportunity, call Yankee Candle at 800-351-1533, or visit http://www.YankeeFundraising.com/.

Coldstone Creamery

Coldstone Creamery wants to help you with fundraising. Set a specific date and time with your local Coldstone Creamery and a percentage of the sales during that time goes to your fundraising.

Meet with the manager of your Coldstone Creamery, complete the necessary forms, and then discuss and decide on the specific details. The manager will give you a flyer to distribute to your supporters. Promote Walk MS and raise money for the National MS Society while eating delicious ice cream!

Fundraising Events

Have a group of friends or teammates help you plan an event like a BBQ, car wash or garage sale to raise funds for your team.

         Click here to download “101 Fundraising Ideas”

***These fundraising events are designed to be put on by you and/or your Bike MS team. The Society can only provide limited support to teams and individuals planning and implementing fundraising events. Here is a list of items/support the Society cannot provide to teams/individuals having a fundraising event to raise money for Bike MS.   

• Insurance certificates
• Securing a host/event location
• Tax ID number
• Help with solicitation of prizes, auction items, door prizes, etc.
• Sponsorship leads
• Confirmed volunteers