Home > Join the Ride > Adult Programs > Cycle Link Program Fundraising Ideas

Getting Started

Fundraising for a Two Wheel View program is a great way to create community buy-in for your trip, as well as a way to make your dream of international bike travel become a reality.

Most people fundraise some if not all of the program fee which helps sponsor young people for future trips.

Participants on the Program fundraise through various sources. You will find information in this document to help make your fundraising experience both fun and effective. Please feel free to contact us at any time with questions about your fundraising adventure!

Step 1 - Make a list of everyone you know.

You might be surprised at the number of friends and family, acquaintances and colleagues who are willing to support your fundraising efforts.

Step 2 - Choose and implement more than one method of fundraising.

We always encourage participants to write fundraising letters to their personal contacts; it's also a good idea to find alternative options for raising funds. Ask community businesses, churches, or college clubs to sponsor you. Maybe give a presentation to a service club (i.e. Rotary, Jaycees, Lions, etc.). Even hosting social events like car washes, garage sales or raffles can raise enough funds to sponsor, at least partially, your trip abroad.

Step 3 - Set a timeline and go for it!

It is important to plan well in advance. Start with your fundraising goal and work backward. Leave yourself plenty of time so your fundraising experience can be a successful and enjoyable one.

Fundraising Strategies

1. Writing a Fundraising Letter

Successful fundraising letters are concise. Make sure to convey a sense of urgency, explain how the reader's donation will make an impact, and ask for a specific, individualized dollar amount. Professional contacts, for example, probably can contribute a greater amount than those who are still students or work in the nonprofit sector. And don't be afraid to ask your more established contacts for $100, $200 or even $500!

Mention that you will host a small open house before your departure to recognize the generosity of your donors and thank them for their contributions publicly. Offer to present a slide show or lecture upon your return. Using creative fundraising strategies like these helps to secure funding from contacts at religious organizations, civic groups, alumni associations and educational institutions.

Also make sure to explain that money donated to Two Wheel View and earmarked for your Trip is tax deductible. Your supporters are making a "restricted donation" and will receive a receipt from Two Wheel View for their contributions. If you choose to cancel or postpone from your Trip program, any donations already received from contributors are non-refundable. (See section: Cancellation Policy)

Always remember to follow up! You should be on the phone with the small businesses, civic and religious groups, and friends and relatives you have contacted to let them know you really do need their support. One follow-up call can make the difference between someone writing a check immediately or pushing your letter to the back burner indefinitely.

A letter-writing campaign is one of the simplest and most effective fundraising methods you can employ. Send letters to friends and family, employers and co-workers, clubs you belong to, churches or temples, local banks, foundations and charitable organizations in your area. The Rotary, Lions and Elks Clubs; Junior League; Junior Chamber; and The United Way are some larger charitable organizations that may be interested in donating to this cause, as well.

Again, don't forget to mention that all donations to Two Wheel View are tax deductible. All donors will receive a receipt for tax-reporting purposes from Two Wheel View.

2. Find Funds from Your School

One major source of funding is your own school. Many school clubs are allocated a certain amount of funding through a student activities committee; see if your club is eligible. Also, many academic departments have discretionary funds for projects and programs. If your trip can be integrated into an academic or service-learning course, there may be funds that can be used for your program.

3. Attract Local Businesses as Sponsors

Local businesses are far more likely to make a contribution than large corporations. The key is identifying a link between you, or someone close to you, and the owner of the business. You may want to approach the business with a letter first, enclosing all relevant information, and then follow up with a phone call. Promise to write them a thank you letter from the country in which you will be visiting, then let them know you will make some sort of picture-filled display to display in the business upon your return home. In this way, you not only are thanking the business owner for his/her generosity, but also are providing him/her with free publicity!

4. Collaborate with Service Clubs and Churches

Service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimists; fraternal organizations such as Elk and Moose Clubs; and religious groups such as churches and temples are excellent sources for fundraising. Follow the "who do I know?" principle: is someone you know a member or the friend of a member?

The best course of action is to contact as many clubs in your area as possible and ask to give a presentation to them. Many clubs have breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings; ask to speak for 15 - 20 minutes during these meetings to present your request and explain what you will be doing.

This is your chance to sell the program. Remember, you are not asking for money for a vacation. You are asking for a donation to participate in a life changing experience that you can share with your community. Also, let the organization know that you are willing to come back and show them slides or a video of your program experience when you return.

After your presentation, write a follow-up letter to thank them for letting you speak and reiterate your request for financial support. Be specific about how much you are requesting and how it will be used, and be sure you are realistic about the amount you request. A total of $200 - $400 is probably reasonable.

5. Throw a Successful Fund Raising Event

• Sales - One of the traditional ways to raise money is through bake sales, candy sales, garage sales.
• Raffles - This works best for groups raising funds. Here again, use the "who do I know?" principle. Often groups can get donated items or gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants, which they then can use as raffle prizes at a larger event (dances, etc.). If there are no large items to raffle off, groups can chip in to purchase a big-ticket item like a bike. As long as the proceeds are well over the purchase price, there's nothing wrong with this plan of action!
• Parties, Dances, Music, Etc! - Gatherings like this can range from formal affairs to simple pizza parties. Remember your "who do I know?" principle: do you have a friend in a band? Do you know the owner of a bar or restaurant? Some simple ideas include having a band play at a club where you can collect a cover charge or a percentage of the sales. Or perhaps you can create a deal with a restaurant to offer an all-you-can-eat buffet from which the profits are shared. Get creative!

6. Attract the Media

One of the best ways to promote awareness about your upcoming adventure and raise funds for it is through the local media. In fact, this is how Two Wheel View has attained most of its popularity, having had numerous articles published about our programs in major newspapers and magazines across the country. Check the News and Events link for information you can circulate to publications with which you may be affiliated or familiar - such as your hometown newspaper, the paper from the town where you presently reside, alumni magazines, church bulletins, etc. Having a short piece published anywhere can go a long way in your quest for funds.

We hope this resource is useful to you. Although we've provided a few suggestions, it is important to remember why you are raising the money and what is going to be most effective for you personally. Be persistent. You might get a lot of rejections and become discouraged at times, but there also will be a lot of people who will support and encourage you. And keep in mind that the staff, board and volunteers of Two Wheel View are more than willing to assist you with any part of this process.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN!

You also may want to check out the following web sites for further information: http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html http://www.fund-raising.com/ideabank3.html http://www.studyab

The Donation Process

It is essential that you understand how the donation process works before you start your fundraising efforts. In order to ensure that donations be earmarked for your participation, please take a moment to consider the following:

There are different requirements for different forms of payments.

1. Checks: All donations should be made out to "Two Wheel View" with your name written on the "For/Memo" line. Make sure you send us the complete mailing address of the donor.
2. Credit Card Donations (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) can be made online via the "Donate" link or by calling Two Wheel View. Credit card charges will be earmarked for your participation. A receipt of the charge will be sent directly to the cardholder.
3. Cash: Two Wheel View will NOT accept cash donations.

Keep a log of all donations received.

Donation Pledge Form in Adobe PDF format 

As you begin to receive donations, it is important to keep a running tally of all monies raised.

It is a good idea to send in donations to the Two Wheel View office periodically so we can credit your account and send donors their tax receipts.

Send checks to: Two Wheel View

Program Fee Deadlines

Your program fee will be due 45 days before the scheduled trip date. You may continue fundraising until the start date of the trip. As you begin to receive donations, it is important to keep a running tally of all monies raised. If your donations exceed the total program fee you may choose to be refunded up to the amount you paid personally.

Note: If for any reason you cancel or postpone your program, donations WILL NOT be refunded to the donor. In the event of a postponement, you may use the donation money earmarked for your participation for another program (within 18 months of the postponement). If you decide to cancel, all donations will be transferred to our Program Fund.