With our support you will not only raise an incredible amount of money for cancer research, but also be completely ready to cycle the most meaningful journey of your life. In its first year only, The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer is surpassing all other cycling events to become one of Canada’s most successful cycling fundraiser. What an accomplishment! Over $5.7 million dollars was raised by participants. Cyclists are required to raise a minimum of $2,500 in donations. We know that sounds challenging. However, most of you are going to be surprised at how quickly the donations add up once you put your heart, creativity, and commitment into the effort. The key is getting started if you haven't already. More funds raised means more support for critical cancer fighting efforts at the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital.

Donation Deadline - Make sure your mailed donations are postmarked by June 15, 2012 in order to be credited to your total fundraising amount before the event. But you can keep fundraising online the last minute! You will also be able to hand in last minute donations on Day One, before the Opening Ceremonies. Don’t forget that each donation must have a completed donation form. Visit the TOOLS section of our Website to download a donation form.

Set Your Goals High - The minimum fundraising requirement is $2,500. This does not have to be the ceiling for your personal goal as the average participant raises much more than that. Think of fundraising as a personal challenge but also as a part of the adventure. What will your fundraising goal be? Double the minimum? Triple? The good news is that there are many different ways to fundraise. And remember, you are not asking people to fund a new car or an exotic vacation. You are asking for money to help provide critical cancer research.

Create Your List of Potential Donors - Write down the names of all of the people in your life. Family, friends, neighbours, co-workers. Include your doctor, auto mechanic, relatives, everyone you talk to... Don’t leave anyone out. Next to each name on your list, write the method by which you will contact this person for a donation (face-to-face meeting, email from your Personal Page, a fundraising letter, or a fundraising party).

Email from Your Personal Page - Sending an email from your Personal Page is the easiest and most effective way to fundraise. Send a fundraising letter as an email to the people who are comfortable with computers. This is a great way to network because you can ask your donors to forward your email donation request to everyone they know.

Expanding Your Giving Circle - Word of mouth is a great way to increase your fundraising. Give your friends and family extra donation forms to pass out and ask them to talk to people about the event and your participation in it. You’ll reach people you never even knew before.

Cash Donations - Have you been given a cash donation? You can process this 2 ways. Either fill out a printed donation form and attach a personal cheque with the donation amount, or make a donation online using your credit card equal to the cash donation you received. The donor will receive a tax receipt via email or mail, according to whatever information you give in the form.

If you haven’t received a response from someone you’ve asked for a donation, be sure to follow up. Make a phone call or send a quick note to make sure that they haven’t forgotten your request. A good way to keep people involved in your adventure is to send an update newsletter or email. Keep your donors and potential donors informed of your fundraising and training progress. After the event, you may want to send out a newsletter or email with some photos, and an additional thank you for your donors’ support.

There are sample thank you letters in your Participant Centre.

Remind your sponsors to check with their Human Resources Department at work to see if their company has a matching gifts program. This is a great way to double your sponsor's contribution while helping their company gain visibility as a result of their charitable efforts.

Ask your company to support you. Talk to your boss or human resources director. Once you get the boss on board your co-workers will follow. Ask your company for a large corporate contribution or to match everything you raise. Will they sponsor a fundraising event? Will they publicize your Ride in the company newsletter? If there are four other Riders from work will they sponsor a corporate team?

Put up a chart of your training and fundraising progress. Put up a map of the route and auction off kilometres. Make a poster with a picture of you on your bike and attach pledge forms to it and post it on your door. Be creative.

Use email or inter-office memos (get permission). Ask if you can make a presentation during a staff meeting.

Sharing your story with the media is a great way to bolster your fundraising campaign and raise awareness about the cause in your community. By participating in The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, you’re making a bold statement that your community will want to know about.