Climate Ride Fundraising Tips:

Your fundraising page:

  • A photo of you
  • Why are you doing the Climate Ride? Tell your story from the heart.
  • Why are you raising funds for the East Bay Bicycle Coalition? Here are some examples (but use your own words – the more it comes from your heart the more people will respond):

“The East Bay Bicycle Coalition works for safe, convenient and enjoyable bicycling for all people in the East Bay. They are committed to improving access to biking, walking and transit for all residents of the East Bay, with particular attention to those communities and areas that have been historically underserved. EBBC has done a lot for bike advocacy in the East Bay.”

“My organization, the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, is a beneficiary of this ride so over 60% of the funds that I raise will go directly to fund our work transforming the East Bay into a place that is full of people biking for their everyday trips, in safety and joy.”

Ask and you shall receive:

  • Make a list of your friends and contacts.
  • Identify how much you think each person will give.
  • Approach your highest potential donors first with a personal ask (in person, by phone, or a personalized email directly from your email account). Make a connection with their interests and values. Let them know you are asking them first to kick you off with at least 10% of your total goal.
  • Group your other potential donors and use the email tool in the Climate Ride donor drive site to ask groups of contacts for the same amount – for instance group all your potential $100 donors together and send them all an ask for $100.
  • Ask and then ask again. It will take a few reminders for some folks to respond. Just because they didn’t respond right away doesn’t mean they don’t want to give. They just read your email and thought to themselves, “I’ll do this later….”

Fundraising principals:

  • Ask each person for a specific amount of money.
  • Appeal to your potential donors interests and values.
  • Ask according to each donor’s capacity to give.
  • You are not asking them for money – you are giving your friends and contacts a chance to make a difference and be part of something they care about.
  • Ask everyone – your chiropractor, your dogwalker, your co-workers, your school friends. You never know who will be touched by your commitment to this event. You know more people than you know.
  • Social media is good to spread the word but doesn’t take the place of direct asks. The best use of social media is when you are very close to your goal – it can help you get that last 10%. Social media is also great at helping your donors feel a part of your ride – post your photos and stories along the way.
  • Thank your donors!! Email thanks right away are great. A thank you postcard from the ride – also awesome. No such thing as too much thanks.