America By Bicycle - Fully Supported Bicycle Tours. --bicycle bike touring cross-country adventure dream cycling--

Fundraising Option Information/Guidelines

America by Bicycle is a fully supported long distance bicycle touring company. We were founded by cyclists to host first class tours for cyclists. We feature an option that allows participants to raise money and awareness for their favorite charity. Over the years, we have helped cyclists raise over $5,000,000 for a variety of worthwhile causes.

Our tours range from one to seven weeks and accommodate all levels of cyclists. We currently host 28 annual events!

America by Bicycle rides are special events and America by Bicycle riders are special people. Each year 10-12% of all participants raise money for a favorite charity.

Here�s how the program works:
  1. Register for an America by Bicycle Ride. (Example, Cross Country Challenge).
  2. Choose a charity to support. Your choice!
  3. Set a fund raising goal ($11,500-$17,500, ex. Cross Country Challenge).
  4. Meet with the Charity, Make an agreement (Example, I raise $13,000, and you pay my tour costs of $5,750, out of the money I raise).
  5. Raise Money, distribute to charity.
  6. Meet fund raising goal, charity pays your expenses / tour costs.
  7. Ride your bike cross-country.
Let me review this process in greater detail:

Start by registering to participate on an America by Bicycle tour. (Example, Cross Country Challenge). Next chose a charity to support. It must be an official charitable organization, 501 C3 as designated by the I.R.S. Develop a plan to include a fund raising goal, for a cross-country ride you should raise $11,500 - $17,500+ (at least double to triple the tour cost).

Once you�ve decided on the charity you wish to support, make an appointment to speak with the President, Director or Chief of Fund Raising. Explain to them: Who you are? What you are planning to do? (Ride your bike cross country and raise money and awareness for them [charity].) Most importantly, tell them WHY you are doing this! (Your connection with the charity, if any.) Mention your fund raising goal, (Cross Country Challenge, $11,500 - $17,500 and the cost of the tour, $5,750), and how you plan to achieve this goal. Then, what you expect from them (charity) if you achieve the goal? (The charity pays your expenses / tour fee from the money you raise. They keep the rest of the money).

Get some feed back from them. Are they interested in working with you? Nine times out of ten the charitable organization will be just as excited as you about the ride and the prospect of receiving money from your fund raising. They should also be willing to help with the campaign, anything from using their copier, getting media exposure to helping with postage costs on a major mailing. Occasionally a charity might be interested but not motivated to assist you. They are happy to take the money but are not willing to assist you, or pay your expenses. Think twice about this type of charity. You want an organization that is willing to help you.

Begin your campaign and start raising money. Collect the money and distribute it to the charity at intervals you deem appropriate, weekly, monthly, etc.

As the ride date nears, 60 days prior to the start, America by Bicycle requires a fee to pay for the rider�s participation (tour fee). If you have met your fund raising goal, the charity pays America by Bicycle your participation fee. In this way if you meet the fund raising goal, your charity will receive more than 60-80% of the total amount raised. If you reach higher and collect more than your fund raising goal, your charity keeps all the money in excess of the tour fee. America by Bicycle then takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Sounds exciting, doesn�t it! All our rides are memorable adventures and a terrific way for you
and your charity to gain national exposure and promotion as well as raise some funds.

America By Bicycle - Fully Supported Bicycle Tours. --bicycle bike touring cross-country adventure dream cycling--
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America By Bicycle - Fully Supported Bicycle Tours. --bicycle bike touring cross-country adventure dream cycling--

Copyright © 1997 - 2006 America by Bicycle.
All rights reserved.
All trademarks are owned by the respective company or
America by Bicycle
P.O. Box 805
Atkinson, NH 03811-0805
(603)382-1662,    (888)797-7057
FAX (603)382-1697,    E-Mail:America by Bicycle Info

Last Updated: Thursday, 26-Jan-2006 16:19:53 EST


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