Join us August 16th 2025 for the 39th Annual MS Ride. A unique two day ride to help end this terrible disease.

River Road Run MS donations to date: $2,404,059

For some people, raising funds for any event can be an intimidating thing. Some dread the thought of approaching others for money - regardless of the cause. Well, it doesn't have to be that way, so we would like to help you learn how to lower your anxiety while raising money!

1) Create a list of all names and addresses of friends, relatives, co-workers, Christmas card list, people you do business with, such as the person that just replaced your carpet or a similar business. We use a loose leaf notebook with tabs. Do NOT leave anyone off of the list, let them decide if they would like to help you raise money. You may make someone unhappy if they find out they were left out and other relatives got a letter. They cannot say ‘YES’, unless you ask them for a donation (see Name & Address page below) Add to this list all year long. If someone does not send a donation in about 3 years, then remove their name from the list for a few years. After 3-4 years off the list, you may want to add them back on the list for your pledge letter, maybe their decision to donate has changed.

How to Raise Money for the MS River Road Run

3) Purchase a large box of envelopes. Print and send pledge letters in April or May, so that you have several months to promote the MS RRR (see Pledge Letter below).
Suggestions: Check with your local printer, to see if they will give a discount or free printing. Owatonna InstyPrints has provided us with many years of free printing. Print enough letters for mailing to everyone on your list, as well as many more to hand out to other people, especially the people that ask you for donations for their fund raising program. Attend Cycle meetings or a group get together and hand out letters. Buy postage stamps and keep the receipt for tax purposes. Unfortunately US Postal will not donate stamps. Maybe your work place will allow you to use their postage machine if they have a machine.

2) Create a pledge letter, designed around how you have an involvement with MS or why you are raising money for MS. It does not require you to have a friend or relative to have MS. Be creative and write your own story.