Fundraising
How do I gather my pledges?
Once you've set up your personal Pedelfest page, you can share the link with your family and friends. Anyone can make a pledge to you directly from this page anytime. There are also pledge sheets available in a PDF format for you to print out.
How do I start fundraising?
- Invite your family and friends to pledge.
- Ask your employer if they have a matching gift program.
Raise $1,000 in nine days.
It’s very helpful to set a fundraising goal and break target amounts into smaller more manageable increments. To get you started, here is a simple yet eye-opening strategy for raising $1,000 in just nine days.
- Day 1: Start by sponsoring yourself for $50.00
- Day 2: Ask two family members to sponsor you for $50.00
- Day 3: Ask 10 friends to each contribute $20.00
- Day 4: Ask five co-workers to each contribute $20.00
- Day 5: Ask five neighbors to each contribute $20.00
- Day 6: Ask 10 people from your place of worship to each donate $10.00
- Day7: Ask your boss for a company contribution of $50.00 (or find out if your company will match what you raise).
- Day 8: Ask five businesses with which your company works to sponsor you for $40.00
- Day 9: Ask four businesses you frequent (for example your barber/hair stylist, dry cleaner, veterinarian, restaurants, etc.) to contribute $25.00
- Day 10: Share your success with a friend.
Have Any Great Fundraising Ideas?
PedalFest is more than just a bike tour—it is a bike tour with a mission. Money raised through PedalFest is allocated towards helping the children of Heartspring become the very best that they can be. Here are some tips and tricks of the trade to help you reach your goals:
- Be Optimistic
Excitement is contagious. It is important for potential sponsors to feel how enthusiastic you are about their sponsorship. - Be Committed
When you raise funds for Heartspring, you are directly helping children with special needs from all across the nation. Make the first pledge yourself. When your friends and family members see that you are committed, they will see how serious you are. - Ask Everyone and Anyone
Ask family and friends first. Once you have tackled “the easy ones,” branching out is as simple as your asking clients, co-workers, clubs, anyone and everyone for pledges. Change your answering machine message to mention your participation in PedalFest. In lieu of a gift on your birthday or other occasion, ask family and friends to make a pledge to Heartspring on your behalf. Following up is a critical aspect of fundraising. Call all potential donors today. - Ask for a Specific Amount
Tell sponsors what your average pledge is and ask them to beat it. - Ask for Donations on Pay Day
Timing is very important--it is just as important as who you ask. - Make a List of Places You or Your Business Spend Money
Great places to solicit pledges are at the doctor’s office, dry cleaners, dentists, mechanics, and your favorite restaurants. At work, ask your coffee and paper vendors, delivery services, copier technician, and everyone who wants to maintain that friendly “business relationship.” - Send Letters and Emails
Send an announcement of your plan to ride in PedalFest to friends, business associates, church members, family and old acquaintances. Don’t forget company, organization and school newsletters. Ask for their support in writing. Create a web site and encourage friends and family to visit it for updates. - Double Your Pledges
Contact your Human Resource Department to find out if your company has a corporate matching gift program. If they do, secure and complete a form to turn in with your pledges. This is an easy way to double your total. Encourage your sponsors to ask their companies for matching gift forms too. - Are You A Member of a Civic Organization?
Ask to be placed on the agenda at the next meeting and ask the group to sponsor you. Or ask your national office of your fraternity or sorority. - Save Your Spare Change Everyday
You will be surprised how quickly this spare change adds up and makes a terrific pledge to yourself. - Stay Motivated
Keep in mind that pledges can help you earn fabulous prizes for going above and beyond. More importantly, you’ll feel good knowing that you made a difference in the life of a child with special needs. - Learn As Much As You Can About Heartspring
Visit Heartspring.org to find out more about Heartspring and the services we provide. For more information, contact us at (316) 634-8761.
When Do I Turn In My Pledges?
Pledges collected online using your personal fundraising page are automatically collected when someone makes a pledge towards you or your team.
Pledges collected in-person can be turned in the day of the ride. Turn in your pledges and collection envelope, completed in its entirety, the morning of the ride or at the Early Bird Packet Pick-Up on Friday, August 28 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the Heartspring Conference Center.
