Fundraising

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• PRE-RIDE GUIDE

With a special focus on improving the route between New York City and Philadelphia, proceeds from this ride will benefit the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance, which is developing a 3,000-mile multi-use trail from Maine to Florida. More than 1,000 miles (35 percent) of our route is on protected greenways, and our organization is working daily to complete the route as close to 2030 as possible. Our hope is that this event will continue to grow as an annual celebration of the East Coast Greenway that increases awareness of our route, celebrates the progress in the region and highlights the importance of protected trails and the additional resources needed to complete the East Coast Greenway. Events like this support our goals of equitable active transportation, health, sustainability and economic development.

In 2021, this event raised $300,000 in suport of the Greenway in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

How much does the ride cost? The registration fee for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride is $150 for standard registration and $250 for premium registration. Following registration, each rider will make a commitment to raise $600 (standard) or $1,200 (premium) in support of the East Coast Greenway Alliance prior to the May 2022 ride. Our team will offer tools and tips for successful fundraising following registration. Riders who register and begin fundraising early will be most successful.

Note: By signing up for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Ride, you are committing to fundraise either $600 or $1,200 for the East Coast Greenway Alliance. If you do not meet the minimum requirement for either standard or premium registration, your credit card will be charged the balance on May 10, 2022. Fifty (50) percent of your fundraising must be completed by March 27, 2022. 

Is there a timeline for my fundraising? Yes. All of your fundraising commitment must be completed by May 10, 2022, or your credit card will be charged the balance at that time. Fifty (50) percent of your fundraising must be completed by March 27, 2022. Please email Mary-Paige McLaurin with any fundraising questions or if you would like assistance with your fundraising. 

I don’t want to ask others to support my ride financially. Can I cover my entire fundraising commitment at the time of registration? Yes. You may make a donation to the East Coast Greenway Alliance via the registration platform at the time of sign up or before the event. 

Fundraising tips: it’s easier than you think: It's important to remember you are asking for the cause, not yourself. Studies have shown that people want to help, they just want to be asked. So let’s start asking!

Below you will find some steps we encourage you to do to make asking easier and more efficient. 

• Customize your page

  • Include a picture or video – people give more if they see a picture or video.

  • Add a personal message on why you are riding or what the Greenway means to you.

  • Set a goal!

  • Make a donation to your page. People want to see that you are supporting the event too.

  • Repost your message right from your fundraising page to Facebook or other social media channels.

• Ask!

  • Gather every contact in your personal network

  • Use the same personal message you put on your fundraising page.

  • Include your fundraising page’s URL.

  • Send to yourself and blind copy all your contacts. 

  • Ask your friends to post on their social media channels.

• Ask again!

  • If after a few weeks, they haven’t donated – Ask again!

  • Slightly tweak the message. Maybe talk about your training or change the picture/video.

• Say thank you!

  • Do thank your donors. When you thank them, you can ask them to share about the fundraiser on their social media networks. 

• Encourage your friends to join you on the ride – form a team! 

Fundraising Incentives: 

We’ve developed the following fundraising incentives available to all event participants who reach the designated dollar amounts:

Individual Fundraising Incentives:

• $1,000: NYC-to-PHL Ride socks

• $1,500: NYC-to-PHL Ride tech T-shirt

• $2,000: Hotel room in Princeton on Saturday, May 14. We have a limited number of rooms reserved. The first approximately 10 riders to reach the $2,000 level will receive a room at no cost. 

Team Fundraising Incentives (Note: teams must consist of two or more participants):

Largest Team, First place:

• NYC-to-PHL Ride jacket to team captain

• NYC-to-PHL Ride water bottle to all team members (max. 25)

Largest Team, Second place:

• NYC-to-PHL Ride jacket to team captain

• NYC-to-PHL Ride socks to all team members (max. 25)

Largest Team, Third place:

• NYC-to-PHL Ride jacket to team captain

• East Coast Greenway buff to all team members (max. 25)

Highest Fundraising Team, First place (by April 29)

• NYC-to-PHL Ride jacket to team captain

• NYC-to-PHL Ride water bottle to all team members (max. 25)

Highest Fundraising Team, Second place (by April 29)

• NYC-to-PHL Ride jacket to team captain

• NYC-to-PHL Ride socks to all team members (max. 25)

Highest Fundraising Team, Third place (by April 29)

• NYC-to-PHL Ride jacket to team captain

• East Coast Greenway buff to all team members (max. 25)

The top fundraising team and individual will be recognized during the ride weekend.

I have more questions. Who can I talk to? Email Mary-Paige McLaurin with any fundraising questions: marypaige@greenway.org.