Jericho Road Ride - Fundraising Packet

Last year's top fundraisers followed this step by step approach to successful fundraising. The checklist below includes sample letters you can use to customize your appeal.

Rider Fundraising Appeal Checklist

1. Create your mailing list using the Excel Fundraising List

• Suggestion: Use your Christmas or Holiday card list for all the people you know.
• Rationale: The main reason people do not give is that they are not asked!

2. Customize the Sample Fundraising Letter

• Suggestion: Personalize your appeal based on why you think JRP is a good organization (even if it is just to have fun on the bike ride).
• Rationale: Personal appeals more effectively connect with possible donors.

3. Mail your fundraising letter at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance

• Suggestion: This time frame is ideal. Don't wait until the last minute. But don't send it too early either (people will stuff it away somewhere and forget it).
• Rationale: This time period will make people respond with little delay if they intend to support your effort.

4. Use the your Excel Fundraising List to track donations and responses

• Suggestion: This helps you keep track of who has and has not pledged.
• Rationale: You will need this to send out personal thank you letter.

5. Customize and Send a Thank You Letter

• Suggestion: A thank you always makes people feel great! As a rider, you do NOT have any obligation to send a letter for tax purposes. The Jericho Road Project is responsible to send an acknowledgement letter for any donation of $200 or more and will do so.
• Rationale: A personal thank you makes people more willing to donate again next year and is really your first appeal for ongoing support!