Fundraising Ideas for Walk MS!

1. Jewelry or Make-up Party – Have a fun girls' night in! Contact companies like Stella & Dot Jewelry or Mary Kay make-up and hold your own party. A portion of the proceeds can be donated right to your team!

2. Corporate Matching Gift – Ask your company to match the amount of pledges you receive from your fellow coworkers. Find out more on our matching gifts webpage.

3. Your Friend's Matching Gift – Ask a friend to see if they can investigate getting their company to match pledges. Forward your friend our matching gift information.

4. Corporate Sponsorship – Identify major companies in the area and contact them directly. Share this contact with your event director and successful sponsorships will be added to your team total!

5. Garage Sale – Do you really need all that extra stuff taking up space in your garage, attic and/or basement? Gather it up, put it in the front yard and sell! All the money raised can go toward your fundraising goal!

6. Bake Sale – Become Julia Child or Mrs. Fields and host a bake sale during lunch at your office, at a community event or even in conjunction with your garage sale!

7. Change Box – Place an empty jar in a visible spot, perhaps near your door and dresser. At the end of every day, empty your pockets and fill the jar with your extra change. These coins really add up! For additional success, place on in your office or on your desk and encourage coworkers to follow your lead!

8. Wear Orange! – March is MS Awareness Month, and MS Awareness Week is March 3-9, 2014. Every day that you wear something orange, ask someone to donate.

9. Office Fundraising Challenge – Speak with everyone in your office and get them to challenge each other to raise the highest amount. Give the winner a prize like movie passes or a gift certificate to lunch or dinner.

10. Candy Jar – Set up a jar of candy at work, and ask anyone who wants a piece to donate to you or your team.

11. Golf Outing – Hold a golf outing at a local golf course. Ask individual golfers, twosomes, threesomes, and foursomes to make a donation in order to participate.

12. Use Social Media – Post a message on your Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In profile, FourSquare, or your blog. You will be amazed at how many people you don't even know who will be willing to help you.

13. Raffle – Everyone that contributes is entered into a raffle to win a prize, such as tickets to a game or the movies. Extra points if the item is donated to you!

14. Ask your local waiters and waitresses to donate a portion of one day's tips to your cause.

15. Ask your local bartender to donate a portion of one day's tips to your efforts. Be sure to place a sign out for the patrons letting them know of their contribution. If the patrons see the sign, they may be willing to dig a little deeper into their pockets.

16. Ask your local restaurants or community hotspots to place a money jar at the front of the house or in another high-traffic area.

17. Dine-out Event - Host a fundraising event at a local restaurant. Many restaurants are willing to get involved in nonprofit causes!

18. Dance-A-Thon – Put on your dancing shoes and have a Dance-A-Thon! Ask for donations for every hour that you stay dancing. Get your friends, family, and local schools involved. Have theme hours, and give a prize to whoever raises the most money!

19. Skate-A-Thon – Strap on some roller-skates and head to your local skating rink. Pledge to skate a certain amount of laps or time and ask people to donate for each lap or hour.

20. 5K Run/Walk – Organize a run or walk a local school or park. Ask for pledges per mile or a one-time donation and donate the money to your Walk Team.

21. Movie Ticket Donation – Ask your local movie theater to donate several movie tickets. Sell them and put the money toward your pledges.

22. Movie Night – Pick up a new release (or even an old classic), make some popcorn, make some drinks and host a movie night with your friends and family! Be sure to have plenty of pledge forms out. Or, go the extra mile and organize a Movie Night in your town. Promote the event and look into hosting it at a local community center. Charge for admission and popcorn and keep out a donation jar!

23. Ask a local theater to donate tickets to a performancem such as a musical or play, and auction them off. The auction proceeds go directly to your fundraising goal!

24. Birthday Gift Pledge – Instead of presents, ask for pledges! Encourage friends and family to donate to your cause for your birthday (or any other occasion!).

25. Creative Friends – Find a local artist or ask a creative friend if they would donate a piece of art or jewelry that you could auction off. Or, work with them to promote their products and have them donate a portion of their proceeds to your goal!

26. House Warming Party – Are you moving anytime soon? If so, ask your friends to make a pledge instead of purchasing a gift for your new place.

27. Eye-Catching Letters – Use brightly colored paper (perhaps orange?) for your donation letters, pledge forms or sponsor/donation requests. Help your request stand out and get noticed! Go one step further and use colored envelopes too! The bright colors will stnad out among bills and junk mail.

28. Email Signature – This is something so easy and effective! Add a short sentence at the bottom of your email signature, letting people know you're participating in Walk MS. Include an email link to your personal or team fundraising page.

29. Business Cards – Print up some inexpensive business cards (you can even do it on your own computer!). Include the event information on your card or your fundraising goal. Be sure to have your contact information, the event name and your address on the cards as well. Distribute to everyone you meet!

30. Travel Agency – Do you always make your travel plans through the same agency? Ask them to donate a travel voucher. You can auction it off at one of your parties!

31. Doctor/Therapist/Veterinarian/Insurance Agent – Ask him/her to write a check for you instead of the other way around!

32. Dentist – Hopefully you won't have to pull teeth to get him/her to help you out a little!

33. Chiropractor – They've cracked your back. Now ask them to crack open their checkbook and make a pledge!

34. Yoga Instructor – You've bent over backwards for them, now it's their turn to do the same for you!

35. Radio Station – Call your favorite radio station and ask them to make an announcement on the air. They may even interview you! Pledges can be sent directly to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society office.

36. Gym – Ask your gym to place a pledge jar at the front desk! Leave a stack of pledge forms or event brochures at the counter as well.

37. Spinning Class – Have a stack of pledge forms with you, and ask your spinning instructor to make an announcement in class. Who knows? You may even be able to get a team together! Or ask your spin instructor to hold a special 90-minute spin class, which people would have to donate to for a saved seat!

38. Hair Salon – Ask your barber or hairdresser to donate a portion of every haircut they complete over the weekend. Or, inquire if the salon would hold a Cut-a-thon, where proceeds would go directly to your team!

39. Fundraise through Facebook - Link your fundraising efforts with your Facebook page using our Boundless Fundraising app. This is a great way to keep your followers and social media audience aware of your fundraising progress!

40. Mow-a-Thon – Get your kids involved in this weekend activity. Offer to mow your neighbor's lawn for donations to your team.

41. The Neighborhood – Write to all your neighbors on your block or in your building. Attach a letter (make it colorful!)) stating why you are participating and ask them to make a donation. Or stick a flyer in their mailboxes explainng why you're raising money and ask them to support you!

42. Free Rent – Ask your landlord to donate one-month's rent to the cause!

43. Good Karma Tipping Jar – Ask local businesses to put a pledge jar near the register or on their front counter. Tape a picture (of yourself, your team or your inspiration) to the jar and a short explanation of why you are raising money.

44. Errand Boy/Girl – Offer to be your friends' and/or coworkers' personal assistant for a day (or maybe for just a few hours) in exchange for a large donation. Make it count - try for $250 or more.

45. Garden Tour – Check with a local historical society to see if they would sponsor a garden tour of one of several homes in your area. Promote the event in local newspapers.

46. Meet the Press – Does your company distribute a newsletter? Does your company have interoffice e-mail? Take advantage of these...it's a perfect way to get the word out!

47. Babysitting – Offer up your services and let your friends have a nice, quiet night out of the house!

48. Pet Sit – Are your neighbors going away and they don't want to leave their pet(s) at the kennel? Offer up your services, charge them what they would have paid at the kennel, and donate it to your pledge total!

49. House Sit – Are your friends going out of town for a while? Maybe they need a warm body to stay at their place while they are away.

50. Neighborhood Chores – Are you a Mr. or Ms. Fix-It? A lot of your neighbors would probably rather pay you than someone else. Place signs around your neighborhood or place in mailboxes advertising your services (i.e. watering gardens, cleaning roof gutters, sweeping the driveway, fixing an easy plumbing problem, painting a room, etc.).

51. Karaoke Night – Who cares if you can't carry a tune? Organize a karaoke night either at your home or a bar. Or, simply spend your Friday night at a karaoke bar and sing for pledges!

52. Talented Friends – Do you have a little piano bar in your neighborhood and a talented piano-playing friend? Ask the owner to let you bring some friends in one night for a cocktail and piano night. Host a fundraising event for your team and charge anyone who attends.

53. ebay.com – Gather up goods from you and your friends and auction it off on eBay.

54. Company Vacation Days – Ask your boss or human resource director to swap one of your vacation days for a day's pay to be donated to your Walk MS fundraising!

55. Sell Bikes – We supply the pin-ups and you sell them! Reach out to local businesses or even your own office. Sell the bikes for $1 and put that toward your pledge total.

56. In Memory Of – If you're riding in memory of someone, include a picture of you with your loved one in your pledge letter, on posters, etc.

57. Pledges for Miles – Ask people to pledge an amount for each mile of the Bike MS ride. For example, ride 170 miles at $1 per mile and you'll receive $170.

58. Pet Birthday Party – Host a pet birthday party! A fun event for you, your friends and your pets, you can easily turn this into a fundraiser. Instead of presents for your pup, ask attendees to donate and support you.

59. Television Show Party – Host a television screening party! Make some small bites, provide drinks and send out invitations for your friends to watch the big game, awards party or season finale at your place. Of course, charge them at the door and put the money toward your pledges.

60. Game Night – Get out those board games and start playing! Break into teams and let the fun begin. Get creative and have people bet on games or pay when they lose. Either way, let all the money from the night go to your Walk MS team!

61. Casino Night – Call your card-playing friends and invite them over for poker night!

62. Bowling Night – Plan a fun night of bowling at your local lanes. Ask the owner to waive the cost of bowling, and you can collect the money and turn it into pledges.

63. Used-Book Sale – Everyone has books that have been sitting on shelves, collecting dust. Ask your friends, family and neighbors to donate their books and set up a weekend book sale in your front yard! Put up some signs to let people know the money will be going to a good cause; hopefully, shoppers will be enticed to pay more for your old paperback!

64. Local Stores – Ask a local store manager what the hot-selling item is these days and then ask if he or she would be willing to donate a percent of the sales from that particular item to you.

65. Curse Jar – Place a curse jar in your office and whenever someone says a bad word they toss a dollar in the jar. All that sailor language will surely add up!

66. Dress Down Day – Ask your company to allow an official Walk MS Dress Down Day. For the privilege of dressing down, employees pledge $10 or $20 toward their company Walk MS team!

67. Company Grants – Find out if your company offers grants to employees who volunteer their time for charitable causes. If so, you can volunteer your time at the National MS Society office and get paid grant money (pledges) for the work. You may need a letter from us stating that you'll be volunteering in the office and we'd be happy to make that happen.

68. Church Bulletin – Place an advertisement in your church bulletin/newsletter letting the congregation know what you're up to. Or better yet, invite them to join you at the Walk!

69. Is there a teacher in the house? Get your students to help you raise funds! Host a small-change campaign, and encourage your students to bring in their spare change to donate to make a difference. Have special incentives available for those who donate. And, keep them involved in your fundraising and team efforts!

70. Other Parents – If your kids play in the soccer leagues or on any other sports teams, distribute your pledge forms to the other parents at the events.

71. Ride Along – Ask your potential donor to join you on a ride. He or she may be more willing to donate once they fully understand what you are committed to doing.

72. Remind Them – If you didn't receive an answer the first time you asked, ask again! Your potential donor may need a little coaxing.

73. Inspirational Bookmarks – Create them and sell them to your friends and family.

74. Universities and Colleges – Contact your local schools and ask if you can put an advertisement in their school newspaper asking for donations. Some of the organizations may even invite you to make a short presentation.

75. Registration Table – Host a registration day at your company! Encourage your fellow co-workers to join you at Walk MS and form a team. If someone isn't interested in participating, ask them to donate to your team instead! Contact the chapter if you need Society or event information for your table.

76. Computer Screen Savers – Create a Walk MS screen saver on your own computer that others will see when you’re away from your desk.

77. Mechanics – You've given them lots of money to work on your car. Now it's time for them to give a little back!

78. Rock On! – If you know any musicians, ask them to perform a benefit concert. Tell people that their admission ticket is a check made out to the National MS Society.

79. Tell Your Story – The more you talk about your upcoming adventure, the more people will share in that excitement and want to pledge you.

80. Children's Party – Throw on that Barney outfit and get out there! The kids will be having funs as their parents are writing you pledge checks.

81. Wine and Cheese Party –  Host a party at a local restaurant and ask the owner to donate the wine and cheese. Or, inquire at local liquor stores if they will donate wines to your event and host at your home!

82. Temporary Tattoos – Swap a temporary tattoo for a pledge.

83. Local Publicity – If you subscribe to a local newspaper, they may be willing to sponsor you or promote your involvement in their paper!

84. Fraternities and Sororities – Contact the National Chapter of your fraternity or sorority and ask them to make a donation to your Walk MS team!

85. Alumni Organizations – Call your own college or university and ask them to place an ad in the alumni newsletter asking for donations.

86. Ask for the Right Amount – Take a good look at who you're asking for donations and make sure you ask for the right amount. Don't ask for $10 if you know someone could pledge $100.

87. Beneficiaries – Get to know them well. You'll be asked where the money is going and it will be very impressive to a potential donor if you're able to speak eloquently about it.

88. Make Your Own Contribution – Lead the way by making your pledge first.

89. Pong Tournament – Host a pong tournament! Charge twosomes to participate, award the winners a trophy and put the funds raised to your fundraising efforts.

90. Pizza Party – Ask your local pizzeria to donate pizzas and charge your coworkers $2 a slice.

91. Clubs and Organizations – Send a solicitation letter to your local Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Women's Club, Junior League, etc. They support individuals in their communities.

92. Shop at Wal-Mart – Some Wal-Marts have a Sunshine Fund to support individuals in the community.

93. Rib Off! – Host a rib competition! Challenge the cooks in your life to make the best ribs they can, charge people to taste, and let everyone vote on the best!

94. Ask someone you don't know for money!

95. Hot Off the Press! - Contact newspaper, community websites or other media outlets to get an article. Make sure that you put in information about how people can contribute. And have a photo ready to go!

96. Local Politicians – You supported them; don't you think they should support you?

97. Send a letter or e-mail to everyone you know asking for support!

98. Try Fundraising Companies – Purchase flower bulbs and sell them to friends and family so you receive a portion of the profits. Or try selling candy, wrapping paper, nuts and calendars. Companies offer these fundraising packs year round.

99. Start NOW – The earlier you begin fundraising, the better off you'll be. You'll be able to go way beyond your pledge minimum and then you can focus on your training.

100. Ask as many times as you can; then ask again!