The Revolution is a great ride for all ability levels and everyone enjoys a fun day of cycling and celebration, with gourmet food, a pampering massage, live music and good company in the gorgeous Sonoma wine country. However, the purpose of the REVOLUTION event and all of this fun is to raise funds to support athletes with disabilities and to help BORP further its mission in fostering the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports and recreation. The Revolution is BORP’’s most important fundraising event of the year and provides the fuel for our growing programs.

All riders must raise a minimum of $350 in order to participate in the event. The non-refundable rider registration fee will count towards the minimum along with all donations turned in. The minimum fundraising requirement for youth ages 8-18 participating with an adult family member is $150. There is no minimum requirement for children under 8.

All riders are required to guarantee the minimum pledge amount with a check or credit card in order to participate. The credit card will not be charged unless the rider does not submit the minimum fundraising amount in donations by the deadline. After the deadline, the credit card will be charged the amount necessary to bring the rider’s total to the minimum requirement.

In addition to supporting athletes with disabilities and the work of Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program, you can also win great prizes for your fundraising efforts.

Team captains can earn prizes for recruiting new riders. Contact us today to find out how!

The TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM wins an EXCLUSIVE CUSTOM BIKE TOUR with Black Sheep Adventures!

The best fundraising tip is simply to be optimistic and excited. People will respond to your passion and energy. With enthusiasm and a careful plan, raising $350 or more can be easy. A simple plan will make it easier to acquire pledges. Here are some steps to help you begin:

Take a deep breath, and realize that meeting your fundraising goal is easier than you probably imagine. In the end, the Revolution is not about the money. The Revolution is about supporting athletes with disabilities, so they can live empowered, healthy, productive, independent lives. Share THAT with people, and the vast majority of the time, they will answer your request for support with a resounding, “Yes.”

Start asking today, and you’ll raise more money. It’s that simple. Begin making contact with everyone you know as soon as you register—via letter, e-mail, telephone, and in person—whatever suits you. Some of your contacts may need to hear about your commitment to the Revolution two or three times before it sinks in that you are serious and want their support.

Learn about BORP’s programs, and about the population we serve. Make sure you can share the mission statement and some key facts about BORP. Your donors will likely want to know what good their donation will do. The more knowledgeable you are, the easier it will be to meet your fundraising goals.

You aren’t asking for money so that some kid can play basketball. You are making it possible for people--who too often sit at home—to get out there into the wilderness, to experience competition, and to live richer, more meaningful lives. Raising money for a great cause is something to be proud of! Your pride and excitement for BORP and The Revolution will be contagious, and will make it virtually impossible for potential sponsors to say no.

Make an exhaustive list of everyone you know. Include everyone: family, friends, co-workers, schoolmates, local businesses, club members, politicians, hairdressers, gardeners, neighbors, your doctors, your dentist, and so on. Make it a goal to tell everyone on the list about your ride, and ask each person, company, or organization to support you. Remember, if you don’t ask, you are saying “no” for them. Often companies can match pledges, offer days off or other perks in exchange for donations. They can help to recruit new riders for the event. Local clubs or church groups can be a huge help.

Each of us has a favorite communication style. Some people prefer face-to-face conversations, while others prefer the phone, letters or e-mail. Start with whatever works best for you. But keep in mind that the less personal your initial contact is, the more important the follow-up becomes. Your contacts may have every intention of making a donation, but simply set the paper aside or let the email get lost in the inbox. Sending out a training update is a fantastic way of reminding those friends and family that their support is still wanted and needed.

Are you planning any sort of group gathering as part of your fundraising? Would you like some help sharing BORP’s stories of success with your potential supporters? If so, contact us immediately, and we will do our best to find a representative of BORP who can come speak to your group.

BORP will provide your donors with written proof of our all contributions. For donations of $50 and more, a thank you letter that can be used for tax records, will be sent directly by BORP to the donor.

Practice your “ask” before you start fundraising. You will be far more effective if you are straightforward. Never apologize about asking for money! Instead, follow a simple formula: tell people WHAT you are doing, and WHY you are doing it. Tell them your fundraising goal, and ask for a specific amount of money. Then stop, and wait for their answer. Resist the urge to continue talking. Statements such as, “I understand if you can’t….” and “I know it’s a lot of money, so….” are more likely to lead to smaller donations. If someone can’t donate what you have asked for, they will tell you.

Don’t forget to send a letter of thanks to each of your sponsors. Send everyone who makes a contribution a simple note of thanks. Think about also sending a photo of you at The Revolution, and/or a training update. The more you can include your supporters in your Revolution experience, the more they will feel a part of the BORP community, and the better they are likely to feel about their role in the organization. It’s nearly impossible to say “thank you” too many times.

Our goal is to ensure that every person who donates receives appreciation and a record of their donation for tax purposes. For donations of $50 or more, a thank you letter that can be used for tax records, will be sent directly by BORP to the donor.

BORP has fostered education & employment since 1975. We view recreation as a path to greater achievement. When compared with all disabled Americans, graduates of our youth program are five times as likely to get a college degree and four times as likely to be employed.