Donation Guide
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Fundraising Overview
Impact of Donations
The money you raise at Climb to the Top MS funds 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.
Fundraising Goals
There is a fundraising minimum (required in order to participate) for Climb to the Top MS — but that doesn’t mean you should stop there! The more you raise, the bigger the impact, so we encourage you to aim high — climbers typically raise an average of $530. Check out our Clubs and Benefits to see what you can earn for your fundraising efforts.
Tracking Donations
It may take up to 4 weeks to process donations during peak event times. If it has been less than 4 weeks since submitting your donation, log back into your Fundraising Center at a later date to check your fundraising total.
If more than 4 weeks have passed since you submitted your donations, or you have additional questions about your fundraising total, please contact Fundraising Support at 855-372-1331 or by email at FundraisingSupport@nmss.org.
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Deadlines
Qualify for Prizes
To learn more about deadlines for qualifying for fundraising clubs and benefits, visit the Clubs and Benefits page.
Prize Redemption Timeframe
Prize redemption instructions will be provided via mail or email following the prize deadline. Please watch for details. If you’d like to donate the value of your prize back to the Society, you will join our superstar Mission First Club!
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Checks and Receipts
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 be sure to write your name, event, and event year on the memo line of every check you turn in (e.g., "Jane Smith, Climb to the Top MS 2024").
Mailing Donations
Mail your donations (made out to National MS Society) with a completed Donation Tracking form to:
ATTN: National MS Society
PO Box 54879
Los Angeles, CA 90054Donor Receipts
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.
Electronically Deposit a Check Donation
Download the new DonorDrive app on your Android and iOS device. When you receive a check donation, upload it to your Fundraising Center by using the Check Deposit feature on the app and tap “Deposit Check”. After you upload the check, there is no need to mail the physical copy.
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Matching Gifts Overview
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
- Search for Employer’s Matching Gift Program
To find out if your employer has a matching gift program, search for your employer below, ask your human resources staff, or visit your company's intranet.
- Request a Matching Gift
Talk to your employer about their matching gift process. Generally, your human resources department is a great place to start. - Send a Matching Gift Form
Refer to the instructions on the matching gift form from your employer. 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, you will still receive credit for matching gifts for prize purposes – just make sure the gift shows as “pending” in your fundraising totals.
If the gift is not yet showing as "pending" on your fundraising totals, please save the confirmation provided by the company when you submitted the matching gift request and email MatchingGifts@nmss.org.
- Search for Employer’s Matching Gift Program
