Ride for AIDS Chicago » fundraising

Ride for AIDS is a fundraiser, supporting the mission of providing peer-led HIV support, information, and If you’re intimidated by the $1,000 pledge requirement, remember that the thousands of people doing similar rides over the last 5 to 10 years have probably felt the same-and succeeded in meeting their pledge goals. Many, in fact, end up raising hundreds of dollars above their requirement.

Keep in mind that in the first year of the ride, 14 riders raised over $20,000, and most of their individual pledges were $100 or less.

100% of those pledges were returned to the beneficiary.

Keep in mind that unlike other rides of this kind, Ride for AIDS Chicago is committed to returning 100% of your pledges to the beneficiaries. We are able to do this by keeping costs down. Your registration fee along with corporate sponsorship dollars cover the expenses of doing the ride.

Although training for the Ride may seem scary enough, raising your pledges may have your knees really knocking. We put this guide together to walk you through the fundraising process and give you some ideas about fundraising.

Start Now

It takes time and dedication to meet your pledge goals. The sooner you begin raising your pledges, the sooner you are finished. Get your first pledge today.

Make a Plan and Think Big!

After reading through this guide, decide what strategies will work best for you. Then set a target date by which you’ll have met your pledge goal. In strategizing, think big. Think about someone who could match all of your pledges. Try to get out of a $ 15-per-donor mentality. Think about people you know who can make a substantial pledge to you, and think about a strategy for asking them to do something significant.

Then Strategize

Create a calendar of things that need to be accomplished, such as the following:

Make a list of everyone you know. As a part of that process, think about how much you could ask them to give, remembering that some are capable of much larger gifts than others. Remember, think big.
Draft and mail your first fundraising letter.
Follow up with phone calls.
Schedule a house party.
Consider setting smaller goals within your larger plan, for example: During the first two weeks of March, ask 20 people for pledges.

Pledge Letters and House Parties

Traditionally pledge letters and house parties are successful tools for helping your meet your fundraising goal. We’ve outlined both of these ideas in detail-see the links to the left.

In addition to pledge letters and house parties, think about the following…

Fundraising in Your Office

Workplaces are great venues for ride fundraising. Check out these strategies:

Be Visible
Put up a chart showing your progress as you train and raise pledges. You won’t have to initiate conversations about the ride-your co-workers will ask first. Display a map of the route and sell portions - $50 an inch.
Spread the Word
Don’t limit yourself to the department where you work. Let home offices, district offices and sister offices know what you’re doing. You can do this through e-mail, inter- department memos, faxes, etc., with permission. Make your missives enjoyable or funny with in-house humor. Hold a contest to see which department can raise the most pledges.
Ask Your Company to Sponsor You
Share the ride with your boss and your human resources director. They may decide match your commitment with a corporate donation. Suggest creating a jersey with the company logo.
Double Your Pledges
Many corporations offer matching funds for contributions made by employees. Contact your human resources director who may have paperwork that needs completing.

Other Fundraising Tips

Expand your circle of donors. Create a fundraising committee. Ask friends or relatives to circulate letters and raise money on your behalf. Or if appropriate, ask someone for a list of friends who may be responsive if you contacted them personally.
Ask local community groups such as churches and professional organizations if you can make a brief presentation and pass out pledge forms at their next meeting. Many groups have newsletters in which you can print an announcement.
Don’t forget about the potential of the Internet and e-mail.
Have a garage or bake sale. Perhaps friends will donate some items. Also, put out a basket for donations.
In lieu of a gift on your birthday or other occasion, ask your friends and family to make a pledge to the ride.
Be Creative
- Make Ride for AIDS Chicago pins and sell them.
- Rent a movie theater and sell tickets to your favorite James Bond movie.
- Create a commemorative calendar featuring photos of you on your bike and sell them.

Thanking Your Sponsors

Thank them. After they pledge, follow up with thank you notes, pictures of your training rides, and your progress in training or raising money, etc. Be sure to invite them to the camp in Lake Geneva or the closing dinner at Chicago. Ask sponsors to sign your ride T-shirt, send monthly progress newsletters. Let them know that their contribution-whatever the amount-is sincerely appreciated.

Financial Responsibility and Accountability

As is stated on the pledge forms, the registration forms, the ride packet and throughout this web site, the Ride for AIDS Chicago is committed to returning 100% of pledges to the beneficiaries. We did it with the first two years of the ride, so we have a pretty good track record. It’s important that you let your donors know this too.