FUNDRAISING

We have several fundraising tools available to help you in raising funds to participate in the Black Woods Blizzard Tour.
Remember you can earn an incentive prize if you raise more than $4,000! 

• We have a 1-page tool to help you review all our tools in one spot
• Incentives are now available
  
• Our top 5 fundraiser prizes are listed below: 

Notes about donations:

• If incoming money is from a fundraising event, snowblakes or collection boxes, please complete an FUNDRAISING EVENT FORM to help us process the funds accurately. We track our fundraising tools and if one is not performing well, we want to know.
• All cash donations are fully tax-deductible.
• Credit card donations are accepted via Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
• Each participant assumes responsibility for donation collection. 
• Never Surrender Inc will send a thank you acknowledgment/tax receipt to each donor as long as there is a full name and current mailing address. Use donation forms to accompany cash donations so that tax receipts can be mailed to the donors. 
• For supporters who donate online, an immediate thank you is sent via email.

FAQ's

Why would I want to change my fundraising goal after I have communicated to potential donors my established goal? 

Many of our riders find that they can surpass their original goal that they set for themselves. If you’ve already reached your goal and are still requesting donations, some donors may be less likely to donate. By raising your goal, it shows that you’re dedicated to the cause and want to go above and beyond. This will also help motivate your donors. 

What should my fundraising goal be?

Your minimal goal is $2,300, with a one-time incentive for first and second year participants who need to raise $1,800. There are incentive prizes for raising more than the minimum. Our incentives will be posted soon. Be sure to change your fundraising goal on your website to match the goal you set! Help us reach our $2 million goal by raising as much as you can!

I don't want to write my own fundraising email. Is there a sample one I can use?

You bet! We try to make this process as easy as possible for our participants. While it’s best to create your own personal message, we understand that not everyone has time to do so. Therefore, we have created templates that you can use to send to potential donors, with places for you to plug in a few personal details such as your name and fundraising goal. You just have to edit a few things—like your goal and your name and why you participate. Use one of our easy-to-use letter templates for your needs.

LETTERS AND EMAILS

When asking for donations, remember these tips:

1. Explain WHY you are asking for financial support. 
2. Let the potential donor(s) know HOW the funds are used. The more information you know, the more likely you can secure the donation. 
3. ASK the potential donor(s) if their employer participates in matching gifts. This is an easy way to double a contribution! Check out how easy this is!

Options for Asking for Support

1. For those of you who like traditional methods, there is nothing wrong with pulling out some paper and writing a note to ask for a contribution. We have several pre-written letters that may work for you or may help you get started on your own letter. Use one of our 8 easy-to-use letter templates. You will have to personalize some parts of the letter(s) when you get them (these parts are in red). Some riders have found success by providing a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
2. Ask for support in person! Nothing is better than a conversation letting people know how why you choose to ride.
3. If you are savvy with email, you could send an email and include a link to your fundraising site. Use a template from #1 as a guide to get you started!
   
4. Try posting a link to your fundraising page from Facebook. It's very easy--check it out in your Participant Center! 

Participant Center Guide

1. Follow this step-by-step participant center guide to set up your personal website
2. Send emails and watch the donations fly in!
3. To view past donor lists, use this handy guide

FACEBOOK

Log into your participant center for easy-to-use Facebook Fundraising instructions!

MATCHING GIFTS

Check out our Matching Gifts page!

RAFFLE

See our dedicated page on raffles!

FIND AN EVENT

Looking for an event for you or your fundraising team? Look around your community – there are a lot of festivals, fairs and other events probably happening in your own backyard. Consider doing bake sales, garage sales, bocce ball tournament or more at these events. Make sure you check with the event organizers in order to receive permission and discuss any pertinent details.Here are links to the sites listing community events by state:

To find an event in Minnesota: CLICK HERE

To find an event in North Dakota: CLICK HERE

To find an event in South Dakota: CLICK HERE

To find an event in Wisconsin: CLICK HERE

SNOWFLAKES

This program is designed for convenience stores, restaurants and other retail locations where the purchase decision needs to be quick.

This program is best run when the rider has an excellent working relationship with the business. Ideally service employees would ask guests if they’d like to purchase a snowflake for ALS. They explain the program when asked. It is critical the rider stays actively involved with the businesses and collect funds on a regular basis.

To assist with the sale of the snowflakes, we have a small poster available. We also have information to share with retailers on how they can help. Contact Sandy to learn how to reach out to potential supporters. Please fill out this Event & Fundraising Form when submitting funds.

Let us know if the snowflake program might work for you!  Contact Sandy at sandy@neversurrenderinc.org or 218-302-1331.

COLLECTION BOXES

Utilize collection boxes to raise funds in the fight against ALS. All funds raised will count toward your fundraising goal. The collection boxes work great in high traffic retail locations such as:

• Convenience stores
• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Liquor stores
• Truck stops
• Bowling alleys
• Coffee shops

If you already have a collection box and the information on it is old or dated, download a new insert. Large collection box or small collection box.  Please fill out this Event & Fundraising Form when submitting funds.

Call or email Sandy to get started. sandy@neversurrenderinc.org or 218-302-1331.

A TO Z FUNDRAISING IDEAS

To get your creative thoughts moving, you can review our A to Z fundraising ideas sheet.