Fundraising Ideas
Your fundraising fuels cutting-edge research and delivers critical services to help the MS community live their best lives. DIY fundraisers are some of the most determined people in our movement – because you don’t wait for a world free of MS, you make it happen. The sky’s the limit with your fundraising, let’s get started!
MuSic 4 MS – the mission of MuSic 4 MS is “Moving forward through the Power of Music.” In 2020 they hosted a virtual conference and raised $17,500!
5 Ways to Get Started
1. Set a goal and aim high.
2. Personalize your Fundraising Center by sharing your story of why you are doing your DIY fundraiser. Download our app so you can check your donations and share your story on the go. iPhone | Android
3. Make a self-donation to kickstart your fundraising and show others that you’re leading the way.
4. Use the power of social media to share your story, videos and photos, and launch a Facebook Fundraiser.
5. Get creative! Below you’ll find a list of activities to get you started. Here are a few ideas to help get you started:
Crawl 4 The Cure is a weekend of off-road trail riding that began in 2005. To date, the event has raised more than $1,200,000.
Social Media and Email
- Facebook Fundraising
Link your fundraising page to Facebook. Learn how with our tips and tools. - Fundraising Link in Emails
Remember to include your fundraising link on all outgoing emails and texts. Also, re-record your voicemail to include a mention about your DIY fundraiser and a request to contact you about donating. - Share, Share, Share
Ask friends to share your posts on social media and forward your emails. We have images and videos to help you as well! - Generate a QR Code
Transform the URL from your fundraising page to a QR code! When donors scan the QR code, they'll donate directly to you through any payment option – including credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and more. Leave your QR code on tip jars, flyers and anywhere you can think of (even social media!). Create a QR code here.
Driving Fore! MS Golf Tournament – the 2020 event raised nearly $50K in Minnesota.
Activities
- Offer Donor Incentives
For example, for each $50 donation, post a goofy video of you dancing in honor of the donor; for each $20 donation send your donor a handmade thank you card; or, for each $10 donation create a doodle and send it to your donor. Customize these with your talents! - Dinner Party or Wine Tasting
Invite people for a dinner or wine tasting party once they donate. Everyone can share their favorite dish or wine and explain why it’s their favorite. - Garage Sale
Have a garage sale to do some spring cleaning. You can host this sale in person, online, or email and text pictures of items for sale. Get others to join your sale, too! - Extra change box
Keep a jar nearby to put all your extra coins in – it adds up! Or put it on your desk (or a communal space if allowed) at work. - Lip Sync Battle
Encourage team members to record videos of themselves singing and then submit the videos to you. You then set a time to showcase all the submissions and let donors vote on their favorite with their donation dollars. The person with the most donations wins! Variations of this event include a pet photo or kid photo contest. - No-bake Bake Sale
Host a no-bake, bake sale. Have people donate what they would spend on making baked goods for a sale. Instead of baking, they donate to you. - Activity Night
Host an activity night. Encourage donors to contribute a set amount to participate. For example: - Bingo - Cooking Class - Trivia - Exercise/Yoga class - Dance party - Concert - Game night - Matching Gifts
Many companies offer matching gifts, which double – or even triple – donations with virtually no extra effort on your end. Find out how.
Team Dooley organized a Halloween-themed walk with friends and family and raised $4,500.
Around Your House and Neighborhood
- Grocery Pick-up or Delivery
Offer to deliver or pick up groceries in exchange for donations to your fundraising page. - IOUs
Offer “IOUs” for future things such as dinners, errands or general chores in exchange for a donation. - In-Home Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of everyday objects you and your friends might find at home (e.g. a pink highlighter, wrapping paper, an old teddy bear, etc.). If someone doesn't have an item on your list, they can make a donation to bypass the item and move on to the next. Whoever gets through the list fastest gets a prize. - Favorite Things
Create lists of your favorite things like books, movies, crafts, school worksheets for kids, distraction techniques and share them for a donation. - Note for Your Neighbors
Put a note in your neighbors’ mailbox letting them know you are participating. Ask them to make a donation.
