Fundraising 101The Empire State Ride is more than just the ride of your life. The money you raise will support groundbreaking cancer research that will one day find a cure for cancer. We’re committed to helping you reach your fundraising goals, and we’ve compiled our most effective tips and tools for you to use in your efforts.

Personal Fundraising PageWhen you register for the Empire State

Ride, you’re automatically given an online fundraising headquarters and personal fundraising webpage. Through your HQ

you can add a picture or video, upload your contacts, set your fundraising goal, use our templates to send emails and social media posts, or create your own emails and posts!

Get SocialMore and more donors are giving

through social media, and Facebook is still the king. Ninety percent of all social media donations come from Facebook. Twitter and LinkedIn are great at getting donations after your initial request, and when the event is coming up. Use your

fundraising headquarters to post links to your personal page, or create your own

personalized posts asking for donations.

THE BASiCS

Tell Your Story with Compelling Content

Storytelling is a great way to engage your networks and encourage them to donate. Whether your ride is a personal challenge or you’ve been affected by cancer in some way, share your reasons for riding on your

fundraising page and in your donation requests. Be sure to include photos and

video. Those you ask will be more inclined to give when they know this ride means

something important to you.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PERSONALIZED

PAGES GENERATE

20 PERCENT MORE DONATIONS ON AVERAGE THAN THOSE

WITH GENERIC COPY*.

Email Still RulesEmail is still the most effective way

to fundraise. More donations are made via email than any other channel. So email everyone in your address book,

even those you don’t expect to give. You’ll be surprised who donates to your ride.

* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

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Diversify Your PortfolioMore channels drive more donations.

Make sure you’re asking across many different platforms (email,

Facebook, LinkedIn, standard mail, face-to-face, etc.) and multiple

times through each one.

Go MobileDownload our mobile app at

EMPIrESTATERidE.COM to easily post and share from your

phone. You can even text the link to your fundraising page directly

to your contacts.

kEEp aT IT

Follow UpBe persistent and ask multiple times to engage

prospective donors. While it may seem to you like you’re pestering them, life is hectic and most donors appreciate the reminder.

Remember, these are your friends, family and loved ones. They want to support you!

ALMOSTHALF

OF DONORS DON’T DONATE AFTER THEY’VE BEEN ASKED ONCE.

Don’t Just Ask, Show...…And tell. Donors want to know how their

money is being used and about the progress being made as a result of their donation.

Familiarize yourself with the research being done so you can tell donors why their support is so important. Use the fundraising tools at EMPIrESTATERidE.COM to show people how their donation will be used in the

fight against cancer.

DONATIONS VIA MOBLIE DEVICES HAVE INCREASED

278 PERCENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH

TWO-THIRDSCOMING FROM SMARTPHONES*.

Thank YouSay Thank You

Make sure you acknowledge the people who donate to your ride. Send them a personal note, or update your progress and say thank

you on social media while tagging them in your post.

Be PreparedPotential donors are everywhere.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL YOUR STORY

AND ASK. Keep Empire State Ride business cards

with you to hand out to potential donors.

* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

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WE’VE COVERED THE BASICS…

…AND YOU’RE PROBABLY WELL ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL.

nOW, TaKE iT TO THE nEXT LEVEL WITH THEsE Fundraising TIPs:

PERSONALIZE YOUR ASK BY TELLING YOUR STORY

ASK MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGH MULTIPLE CHANNELS

SHOW DONORS HOW THEIR MONEY IS BEING USED

SAY THANK YOU

So send out same day reminders via email and social media. Urgency drives action, so give your donors a deadline

and ask them to donate TODAY!

Donations in Lieu of GiftsDo you have a wedding, birthday

or anniversary coming up? What about the holidays?

Ask your friends & family to donate to your ride instead of buying you a gift.

TakE IT TO THE nExT lEvEl

85 PERCENT OF DONATIONS COME ON THE SAME DAY

DONORS FIRST VISIT YOUR PAGE*

Same-Day ServiceDonate to Yourself

Each week, set aside a certain amount of money to go

toward your final goal. You’ll be surprised how much will

accumulate if you’re consistent.

* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

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Throw a Fundraising PartyEveryone loves parties. Throw one — like an International Night — with

themed food and drinks. Take a minute to talk about your ride, then pass a hat or leave a jar by the door to encourage

your guests to donate.

Solicit Local BusinessesIs there a restaurant or bar that you andyour friends frequent? Ask the owner ormanager if they’ll sponsor your ride or

donate a portion of one day’s proceeds, or place a donation jar in a high traffic area.

Send UpdatesUpdate people on your progress. Post a picture of yourself training

for the ride and ask your friends to donate and spread the word to their

networks.

fundRaIsIng TIps

BONUS: YOUR EMPLOYER OR A LOCAL BUSINESS CAN

SPONSOR YOUR ENTIRE RIDE

AND RECEIVE SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS. NOT SURE HOW TO ASK?

WE’LL HELP YOU MAKE THE PITCH!

Send a Personal LetterNever underestimate the power

of the postal service. People love getting mail! Write a personal letter

to potential donors explaining why you are riding and ask

them to support you. You can download a sample letter from

EMPIrESTATERidE.COM. Don’t forget to include a

personal note!

50/50 RaffleSports not your thing? Organize a 50/50 raffle

between your friends, family and neighbors. Split the amount you

raise between the winner of the raffle and your fundraising total.

Use Your Email SignatureAt the bottom of your email signature

add a link to your fundraising page encouraging people to donate.

ORGANIZE

FOOTBALL SQUARES OR

BASKETBALL BRACKETS

AT THE OFFICE AND PUT ALL THE PROCEEDS TOWARD YOUR RIDE.

Sports Pools

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Voicemail MessagePersonalize the voice message

on your home, work and cell phones asking people to

donate to your ride.

Ask at Tax TimeTAX SEASON IS A GREAT

TIME TO ASK FOR DONATIONS. JUST REMIND PEOPLE THATTHEIR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Happy Hour PartyWho doesn’t love a good happy hour? Why not throw a happy hour for your

co-workers, friends and family where all the money raised go towards your goal!

Be a TV & Radio StarCall your local radio & TV

stations and ask them to make an announcement about your

ride. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even put you on air and tell your

story!

ExtracurricularsDo you or your kids play a team sport or participate in a group activity? Ask

teammates and fellow parents to support your ride!

Poster/Display at WorkPrint out a poster at

EMPIrESTATERidE.COM or make your own sign and leave it at your desk or at the front of

your office along with a jar telling people about your ride and asking

them to contribute.

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fundRaIsIng TIps

Organize a Garage SaleDo some spring cleaning and hold

a garage sale. Ask your neighbors if they’ll contribute items and put all the

proceeds towards your goal!

eBayGET RID OF OLD CLOTHES,

TOYS, FURNITURE AND GADGETS BY

SELLING THEM ON EBAY AND DONATING

THE MONEY

TO YOUR RIDE.

Ride in Honor of a Loved OneGive your ride extra meaning by riding

for a loved one who is currently fighting or may have lost their battle to cancer.

Make sure to share their story in your outreach efforts.

Enlist Your Loved OnesYou probably already asked your friends and family.

But did you ask them to ask THEIR friends and family to donate? Double your reach by asking them to spread word of your ride through their networks.

Donation JarsRemember that donation jar you put at the front of your office? Do the same

thing at your gym, coffee shop, local bar or any business that you frequent.

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fundRaIsIng TIps

Dress DownOrganize a dress down or themed dress

day at your office and ask co-workers for a donation to your

ride in order to participate.

Church BulletinAsk your place of worship

to mention your ride in their bulletin.

Member OrganizationsARE YOU A MEMBER OR ALUMNI OF A CLUB OR TRADE ORGANIZATION? ASK YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO SUPPORT YOU AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT

YOUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

Use Your TalentsAre you a good baker?

Maybe you’re a skilled painter? Perhaps you’re an amateur handyman. Hold a bake sale, an art show or offer to do

small repairs around a friend’s house to get you closer to your goal!

Local Bike ShopChances are you’re familiar with your local bike shop. Ask them to support your ride,

donate a portion of sales proceeds or place a donation bucket near their register.

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fundRaIsIng TIps

LOOking FOr MOrE Fundraising idEaS? HaVE A SuCCEsSfUl TIP Of YOUR OWn THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? We’re here to support our riders and help them reach their goals! Contact us any time at EMPIRESTATERIDE@ROSWELLPARK.ORG or by calling 716-845-3179.

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Who says cycling is a low-impact sport?

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