Donation Guide

The money you raise with your DIY fundraiser fuels groundbreaking research that gets us closer to a cure. Your fundraising also supports Society programs and services that ensure people with MS have access to the resources they need to live their best lives right now. Learn more.

There is no fundraising minimum for DIY Fundraising MS nor is there a fee to register your event – but that only means the sky is the limit! The more you raise, the bigger the impact, so we encourage you to aim high.

While we are here to support you and your event in any way we can, we are unable to help with funding your event. This includes reimbursement for any fundraising expenses or being responsible for any debts incurred. 

We recommend that you speak with a financial advisor to determine how to move forward. Third parties are prohibited from opening bank accounts with the National MS Society’s EIN number. In the past, other third parties who have planned DIY events have elected to form their own 501(C)(3) organization or open a new bank account to be used exclusively for the event. However, you should work with your financial advisor to determine the best option for you.

Tracking Donations

The fastest way to process donations is through the check deposit feature on the DonorDrive app or by encouraging your supporters to donate online. If you choose to mail a physical check, please read the Mailing Donations section on this page for details.

Please note: It may take up to 5 weeks to process mailed donations during peak event times. If more than 5 weeks have passed since you submitted your donations, or you have additional questions about your fundraising total, please contact Fundraising Support. 

Addressing a Check

Checks must be made out to the “National MS Society”. If you receive a check payable to your team, write "National MS Society" above your team name. If it's made out to you, please endorse the check payable to the National MS Society. Please write your name, event and event year on the memo line of every check you turn in (e.g., "Craig Edward, Bake Sale 2025") – whether through the app or mail. 

Electronically Deposit a Check Donation

Download the DonorDrive app on your Android or iOS device. When you receive a check donation, upload it to your Fundraising Center. To access the feature in the app, tap on “Deposit a Check”. 

Typically, your fundraising total will quickly update after uploading the check however, some checks may take up to 3 business days. This is the quickest way for check donations to reflect in your fundraising account. After you upload the check, there is no need to mail the physical check. 

Mailing Donations

Pro tip: The fastest, most convenient way to process a donation is to upload the check in the DonorDrive app (and there’s no need to mail it!). 

If you choose to mail your check rather than upload it, please send your event donations to your local office PO Box. Find your local office address here. 

Checks should be made out to the National MS Society and include your name, event, and year on the memo line of each check (e.g., "John Martinez, Bake Sale 2025"). If possible, please include a completed Donation Tracking form when sending your donations. 

Please contact Fundraising Support at 855-372-1331 if you need assistance. 

The Basics

A matching gift is a gift from a donor's employer that matches the donor's original gift, often dollar-for-dollar. You can significantly increase your fundraising by asking your donors to apply for matching gifts if their employer offers them.

How Matching Gifts Work

Donors must submit the appropriate information to their company regarding matching gifts for their donation. The company may reach out to us to confirm the donation was made and our staff will send confirmation to the donor's company.

Once we receive the matching gift check, we will credit the amount to your fundraising. Please remember, this process may take some time depending on how frequently companies pay out charitable donations. However, if we have received the matching gift paperwork by the fundraising deadline, we will include the pending donation in your fundraising total.

Steps to Submitting a Matching Gift

1) Search for Employer’s Matching Gift Program
To find out if your employer has a matching gift program, search below, ask your human resources staff, or visit your company's intranet.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by

2) Request a Matching Gift 
Talk to your employer about their matching gift process. Generally, your human resources department is a great place to start.

3) Send a Matching Gift Form
Refer to the instructions on the matching gift form. If you need to mail or email the form to us, please use the following information (please include the participant's name and event with your matching gift form):

Email:
MatchingGifts@nmss.org

Mailing Address:
National MS Society
Attn: Matching Gifts
733 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017

Our Tax ID# is 13-5661935.

Track Your Matching Gift

Check the "Progress" section of your Fundraising Center. It usually takes months before we receive matching gifts; however, even though they are not yet paid, you will receive credit for matching gifts for prize purposes.

Everyone who makes an online donation will receive an e-mail confirmation receipt for tax purposes. Donors who give $250 or more will receive a thank you letter and receipt by mail.

For donations less than $250, the IRS will accept the following as proof of a charitable donation: a canceled check, bank or credit union statement, or a credit card statement.

Note: If you are deducting expenses before sending net proceeds to the Society, you should not state or imply to your donors that any funds given to you are tax-deductible, and you should not use the word “donation” because it implies that they are tax deductible.