Fundraising Ideas

A step-by-step guide to becoming a fundraising rockstar.

Fundraising is an opportunity to share your passion and purpose as we move together toward a better future for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis. We want to ensure your fundraising journey is a success! Please reach out with any questions or comments. Contact us at FundraisingSupport@nmss.org.

Go to your Fundraising Center and follow these 4 steps to get started.

Step 1: Personalize Your Fundraising Page

Research shows that fundraisers who personalize their fundraising page raise 5X more than those who do not. So, this is the perfect place to start. Every dollar raised helps to lift up those living with MS.

Set a goal and aim high!
Make a self-donation to show you are ALL IN.
Update your profile picture and banner image.
Tell your story and share your reason for fundraising.

Extra Credit!

See if your employer will match your gift.
Set fundraising milestones.
Create donor incentives.
Download the DonorDrive app.

Step 2: Raise Awareness

Now that you’ve kicked-off your fundraising, there are subtle ways to raise awareness right away. Encourage your donors to support you by showing you are fundraising for a cause you believe in.

Create a custom email signature and link to your fundraising page.
Update your social media profiles and cover images with links to your fundraising page.
Create a custom QR code in the DonorDrive app
Launch a Facebook Fundraiser.

Extra Credit!

Ask a local retailer or restaurant if you can put a change/donation jar at the register.

Step 3: Fundraise Like a Pro

The number 1 reason people don’t give to a fundraiser is because they aren’t asked. Fundraising is all about building connections and helping those connections understand the impact their gift will make – no matter the amount. The more you ask for donations, the easier it is. Here are some simple ways to get started.

Share your fundraising goal on social media.
Email your friends, family and colleagues and ask for support.
Ask in-person whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Call a friend to chat about your fundraising goal.
Take a traditional ‘snail mail’ approach by writing a letter.
Text a personal message and link to your fundraising page (on your phone, click ”text” at the bottom of your personal page!).
Genuinely thank your donors.

Extra Credit!

Sell tickets for a game night, movie night or lawn games competition.
Host an endurance contest like a dance-a-thon or see who can watch the most episodes of a TV show in a row! Donors can pledge money for every hour.
Pick another creative idea!

Step 4: Celebrate Your Fundraising Success

The National MS Society unites the MS community to raise funds and make a difference for everyone living with MS. Every dollar works to achieve our mission. Celebrating and sharing your success may inspire others to get involved.

Share fundraising milestones you’ve met.
Fulfill incentives that have been offered to your donors.
Many companies offer matching gifts so make sure your donors know!

Extra Credit!

Become familiar with our fundraising clubs and how you can qualify.
Earn as many fundraising badges as you can!