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Fundraising Overview
Impact of Donations
The money you raise at Bike MS funds groundbreaking research – like developing new disease-modifying therapies – that gets us closer to a cure. Your fundraising also supports Society programs and services that ensure people with MS have access to the resources they need to live their best lives. Learn more.
Fundraising Minimums
All rides have a fundraising minimum you must turn in by the day of the event in order to ride. But the more you raise, the bigger the impact, so we encourage you to aim high!
By reaching certain fundraising levels, you can be a Bike MS VIP. Check out the Awards and Incentives you can get for your fundraising efforts.
Tracking Donations
It may take up to 4 weeks to process donations during peak event times. If it's been less than 4 weeks since submitting your donations, please check your Fundraising Center later to see your fundraising total.
If more than 4 weeks have passed since you submitted your donations, or you have additional questions about your fundraising total, please contact Fundraising Support at 855-372-1331 or by email at FundraisingSupport@nmss.org.
For the fastest processing of your donations, please encourage your supporters to donate online, or mail your donations to your local office immediately upon receiving them.
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Deadlines
Deadline for Mailing Donations
All mailed donations will count toward your overall fundraising total. However, there may be a processing delay if your donations are mailed within 15 business days of the event date. If you have not yet met the event’s fundraising minimum, we suggest you hold donations and turn them in at the packet pick-up or check in. This will ensure there are no issues with participating in the event.
Once you meet your minimum, you can mail in additional donations at any time.
Didn’t Meet Your Fundraising Minimum by Event Day
If you have not turned in the minimum donation by the start of the event, the National MS Society will discuss payment options with you, including charging the balance on a credit card.
Prize Redemption Timeframe
Prize redemption instructions will be provided via email following the prize deadline. -
Checks & Receipts
Addressing a Check
Checks must be made out to the “National MS Society.”
If you receive a check payable to your team, write "National MS Society" above your team name. If it's made out to you, please endorse the check payable to the National MS Society. Please write your name, event, and year on the memo line of each check (e.g., "John Smith, Bike MS: Texas MS 150, 2021").
Electronically Deposit a Check Donation
Download the Bike MS Mobile app on your Android or iOS device and click on Enter Donations to upload a check.
When you receive a check donation, upload it to your fundraising account by using the Mobile Check Capture feature on the app. This is the quickest way for check donations to reflect in your fundraising account. Typically checks appear instantly after being uploaded! (Please note: Some checks may take up to 48 hours.)
Note: If using the check upload feature, there is no need to mail the physical checks.
Mailing Donations
Mail your donations (made out to National MS Society) with a completed Donation Tracking Form to the local Society office affiliated with your ride.
Please write your name, event, and year on the memo line of each check (e.g., "John Smith, Bike MS: Texas MS 150, 2021").
Donor Receipts
Everyone who makes an online donation will receive an e-mail confirmation receipt for tax purposes. Donors who give $250 or more will receive a thank you letter and receipt by mail.
For donations less than $250, the IRS will accept the following as proof of a charitable donation: a canceled check, bank or credit union statement, or a credit card statement.
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Matching Gifts
The Basics
A matching gift is a gift from a donor's employer that matches the donor's original gift, often dollar-for-dollar. You can significantly increase your fundraising by asking your donors to apply for matching gifts if their employer offers them.
How Matching Gifts Work
Donors must submit the appropriate information to their company regarding matching gifts for their donation. The company may reach out to us to confirm the donation was made and our staff will send confirmation to the donor's company.
Once we receive the matching gift check, we will credit the amount to your fundraising. Please remember, this process may take some time depending on how frequently companies pay out charitable donations. However, if we have received the matching gift paperwork by the fundraising deadline, we will include the pending donation in your fundraising total.
Steps to Submitting a Matching Gift
1) Search for Employer’s Matching Gift Program
To find out if your employer has a matching gift program, search below, ask your human resources staff, or visit your company's intranet.
2) Request a Matching Gift
Talk to your employer about their matching gift process. Generally, your human resources department is a great place to start.3) Send a Matching Gift Form
Refer to the instructions on the matching gift form. If you need to mail or email the form to us, please use the following information (please include the participant's name and event with your matching gift form):Email:
MatchingGifts@nmss.org
Mailing Address:
National MS Society
Attn: Matching Gifts
733 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017Our Tax ID# is 13-5661935.
Track Your Matching Gift
Check the "Progress" section of your Fundraising Center. It usually takes months before we receive matching gifts; however, even though they are not yet paid, you will receive credit for matching gifts for prize purposes.
