The most important part of fundraising is well . . . asking. Below are some sample letters to help you contruct you own ask.

Ask Letter

Dear [insert name],

I have joined the Dirt Bowl, a benefit mountain bike ride in Marin to benefit participants in the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and the NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League. On February 7th.

I have agreed to raise [insert goal] to support the advocacy efforts of MCBC and the NorCal League, to ensure that kids have safe roads and great trails!

[Insert two to three sentences about your experiences with the MCBC/the NorCal League and/or cycling in general, why you are personally participating in the Dirt Bowl.]

I hope you are able to support my ride by making a tax-deductible donation of [insert amount]. If so, please go to my personal fundraising page [insert URL], to make a secure online donation. You can also send checks payable to MCBC, Dirt Bowl Pledge, P.O. Box 1115, Fairfax, CA 94978. If you would like to join me for the ride, or if you want to learn more about the League, go to their website at www.dirtbowl.net. If you want more information about my participation in the Dirt Bowl, please contact me at: [insert email] or [insert phone number].

I hope you will join me in this effort to make a difference in young people’s lives!

Thank you,

[Your name, contact email, phone]

Thank You Letter

[date]

Dear [first name],

I am writing to thank you for supporting not only me, but the hundreds of kids who share my passion for cycling. As you know, I rode for a purpose – to raise money for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and the NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, which are both dedicated to providing kids the best possible cycling opportunities.

Thanks to your pledge, along with others that will come in from all of the supporters of the First Annual Dirt Bowl, a benefit mountain bike ride, MCBC and the NorCal League will be able to further their efforts to ensure that kids have safe roads and great trails.

The power of connecting with young riders is inspiring and motivating. Thank you again for helping to make this happen for me, and for your investment in the kids and their futures.

Gratefully,

[your name]