Fundraising Tips for the 2024 Fall Fundo

Thanks for supporting Old Spokes Home by riding in the 2024 Fall Fundo, our largest annual fundraising event. We are raising $55,000 to support our nonprofit programming and mission.

We ask participants to meaningfully move us towards our goal in two ways: 

  • By making additional donations of their own, and
  • By motivating their friends, family, and/or colleagues to contribute.

Peer-to-peer fundraising is powerful, and can quickly multiply the impact of your contributions. Asking for money — even to support your local nonprofit bike shop — can feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. Making an ask can be easy, natural, and painless.

  • Customize your fundraiser page. Let your supporters know that they’re supporting you.

  • Share on social media. You can share the link to your fundraising page in a Facebook post or an Instagram story, or add the link to your bio.

  • Share why you are riding in the Fall Fundo, and how Old Spokes Home's work reflects your values.

  • Re-share regularly. A weekly repost will be seen by more viewers and gain traction every time it is shared.

  • Ask in-person. In-person requests are super effective, and don’t have to be uncomfortable.

  • Ask small. We’re not expecting high-rolling donors — in fact, a patchwork of small-dollar donors is even stronger than a few big contributions. Start by asking for $5, $10, or $20. 

  • Be prepared for “no.” Not everyone will want to contribute, and that’s OK. Accepting a “no” answer with kindness and understanding will diffuse any tension, and may help leave the door open for your prospect to change their mind later.

  • Leverage your gift. Ask your employer if they offer donation-matching.

Here are some figures to help you talk about Old Spokes Home’s work in 2023:

  • We gave away over 250 kids’ bikes to local youth.
  • We sold over 195 subsidized bikes to Everybody Bikes participants.
  • By welcoming local kids into our Community Workshop for weekly Youth Shop sessions, we made bikes, skills, and knowledge more accessible to youth.
  • Through workshop and clinic sessions, we helped riders of diverse abilities and backgrounds learn more about how to be empowered and self-sufficient riders.
  • We saved 500 bikes from the landfill by refurbishing and selling them.

Old Spokes Home creates access to bikes and the opportunities they provide for our whole community. We transform communities and improve lives through bike access.