Fund Raising Information
When cyclists register for the Aspen/Snowmass Ride for the Cure®, they are signing up for a fundraising mission first and a bike event second. We expect that each rider will take this commitment seriously, and overachieve if possible.
Ride cyclists may be elite athletes or they may be survivors recovering from treatments. Regardless, everyone who participates in the Ride for the Cure®, will go to the starting line with an emotional commitment to helping others and being a part of something larger than themselves. In return, riders can expect to be inspired, to meet new people and become a part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure extended family.
Ride for the Cure® participants ride because they can, and do so to help others who can’t.
Since 1981, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. Working through a network of U.S. and international Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, Komen is fighting to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
The Komen Foundation is extremely prudent with the dollars you raise. Last year, administrative expenses were kept at less than 10%. Mission-related activities, including grants and programs related to breast cancer research (22%), education (36%), screening (11%) and treatment (6%), accounted for more than 74 percent of total spending, or $96 million nationally. (The remaining 25% were dollars spent for fundraising—16%, and administration—9%.) Eighty-two cents of every dollar raised is available to fund mission programs and services.
Notable Ride Fundraiser, Spencer Heydt
My name is Spencer Heydt and I have been living in Aspen for three years. I have always been an avid athlete but I didn’t get into road biking until I moved out here from Boston. The scenery of the mountains during the summer is unrivaled by anything else and I soon came to realize the best way to view and appreciate that beauty during the summer is on a bike; there is nothing more stunning and gratifying than biking up to the Maroon Bells.
As an avid biker and a passionate supporter of the Susan G. Komen cause, I was excited to participate in The Ride For The Cure. I was a rider in both the 2008 and 2009 Ride’s but my fundraising efforts flourished in 2009 and I was honored to become the top fundraiser for the 2009 Ride. I was not expecting to receive such a worthy honor but I am so thrilled I was able to raise that money for such an admirable cause!
And so how did I do it??? When you are passionate about something, people can sense that feeling. The people who sponsored me, sensed my enthusiasm for the cause and for road biking and wanted to support that innate passion. Also, instead of asking for donations, I engaged in casual conversations about the ride, training, etc and by the end of the conversation they asked, “How can I sponsor you?” And lastly, never forget...any donation amount counts!!!!
Here are some fundraising tips from some of our highest fund-raisers over the years:
- Susan P
- Catherine C
- Meredith B
—raised $11,574
First, the Ride fundraising website is fantastic… a very powerful tool. I loved working with it.
Here is what I did:
I edited my personal page… with my own wording and by inserting a personal photo into the website (very easy to do). I replaced the Komen wording with my own SHORT note about my personal experience. The difference is that I wrote the note from my email program so that I could easily access my email address book. I copied and inserted my personal Komen website page into my email letter so that it came up automatically when the recipient read the letter. This way they didn’t have to go to the website and navigate around. This made a HUGE difference.
I then sent it to about fifty friends easily—without having to copy all their addresses into the website’s send function. This was the only email I sent, other than the obviously important (I hope it’s obvious) “Thank you for your generous support” after they each pledged (the website was great at tracking this and let’s you send a form letter or edit the letter and personalize it—which I recommend).
Lastly, I wrote a group email to all pledges after the race to let them know how it went, how much money was raised etc.
—raised $6,285
Last year, I followed the advice on the website. I wrote a letter (you gave us a model that I personalized) that I distributed (by hand or email) to all my clients and friends. I'm a Pilates instructor at the Aspen Club, July and August are my busiest months and I have a fantastic clientele...Here is a copy of the letter:
Dear Clients and Friends, On September 11th, 2004, I will be participating in the Aspen Ride for the Cure. I have never attempted biking 100 miles nor imagined that I would do it on a very hilly itinerary around Aspen. The importance of this event made me get involved. I am in training for riding these very special 100 miles and committed to raise the maximum $ amount possible to fight this horrible disease. Thank you for supporting me and the 2004 Aspen Ride for the Cure. All proceeds raised from the Race go toward efforts to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the net funds raised by the Aspen Affiliate stay in the local service area to help fund educational outreach for early detection, low-cost breast screening ( mammogram ) programs, and treatment projects for underserved women. The other 25% of net proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Breast cancer Foundation Award and Research Grant Program to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. The Aspen Affiliate’s Federal Tax ID number under section 501(c) 3 is 84-1160739. A copy of this donation form and your cancelled check act as proof of donation for tax purposes. Please make all checks payable to “Aspen Ride for the Cure “. You can also make a donation online at www.aspenrideforcure100.com. Click on “registration“ then “support a rider “. Again, thank you. Together, we truly do save lives. |
—raised $3,790
I think that the easiest way to fundraise for an event like the Ride is to personalize a letter or email. Compose the letter/email with the following in mind:
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Why are you riding? |
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Who are you riding for? Give an example or tell a story; for example: “I ride for my mother who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 42.” |
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Set an actual goal—and it should be a high goal |
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Ask for help— just flat out say in the letter, “I need your help in meeting my goal.” |
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Set a date that they should mail the check in or make the donation by. |
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It also helps to include a self addressed stamped envelope in a letter that you mail out—that way the people you are asking have the way to send it right back—and they will! |
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Encourage people to write a thank you note to their contributors—it helps to get people to donate again. |
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Ask anyone you see—they don’t have to be a close friend or family. I used to carry letters with me and give them to people I ran into. |
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Talk about it all the time! |
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Start early! |
Copy paste the following text into an email message to potential supporters.
Dear Friend,
I have just registered to ride in the 4th Aspen/Snowmass Ride for the Cure®, on September 8, 2007 to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The purpose of the ride is to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer. I am riding because I can, for those who can’t.
I am committed to raise a minimum of $1,500 while I train for this 100 mile course. I am hoping that you will help me achieve my goal.
We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. One in eight women will face this disease in their lifetime. The Aspen/Snowmass Ride for the Cure® is a way for the healthy to fight for those with breast cancer, and for all of us to invest in the future cure.
In this Valley, there are two especially vulnerable populations that are falling between the cracks: working individuals, who cannot afford health insurance, yet are not indigent, and the increasing numbers of undocumented citizens often employed within a service and construction industry economy.
While we search for a cure, our only protection is early detection through educational programs, annual breast exams and mammography. The Komen Aspen is the only source of funding for free mammograms, last year spending almost $200,000 in its efforts. Yet there are still a large percentage of women who we cannot serve. We need to do more. Every $100 raised can purchase a mammogram.
I believe that this ride will be very successful as the result of the positive energy that forms and grows when people come together to work as a unified force toward a common goal.
Thank you for considering this request. You can support my ride by clicking here. Type in my name to donate. I thank you for your generosity and support.
Love,
Copy paste the following text into an email message to potential supporters including a link to your personal web page.
Dear Friend,
Cancer—the word that no one wants to hear. No matter what form it takes, it is feared and can be deadly.
On September 8, 2007, I will participate in the 4th Annual Aspen/Snowmass Ride for the Cure®. It is my way of being involved in the fight against breast cancer. Having lost a very dear friend to breast cancer, and having watched others close to me fight to survive it, I will ride 100 miles to pay tribute to their courage.
If you are so inclined, I hope you will find it in your heart to make a contribution to this wonderful cause and by doing so sponsor me in this endeavor. I have committed to raise $1,500 for this cause. By going directly to this website, you can make your contribution without any hassle. Thank you all for being in my life and supporting a cause I believe in.
You can support my ride by clicking here. Type in my name to donate. I thank you for your generosity and support.
Love,
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When you ask someone to donate to a charity, you are giving them an opportunity to do something good for others, and, in turn, to feel good about themselves. |
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Start early—as soon as you register—and have fun with this. |
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Write a personal letter. Tell people why you have made this commitment and how they can help. Using e-mail can be effective and efficient if the note you write is personal. Be certain to tell folks where to send their pledges. |
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Set a personal fundraising goal. Suggest a dollar amount or put down options: $25, $50, $100… |
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Acknowledge each sponsor with a personal note of thanks. Tell them something memorable about the ride. This will certainly be remembered if you ask for their support next year. |
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Make Giving Easy—if you send a letter, enclose a self addressed, stamped, return envelope. Enclose a credit card pledge form. |
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Feel comfortable widening your personal mailing list. Create a database. Include friends, old neighbors, former classmates, friends of the family, members of clubs, committees, fraternities, etc. |
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Breast Facts
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