Frequently Asked Questions
Dear Three Notch Century participant,
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Three Notch Century to benefit Northeast Passage! The following information will help you to plan and execute your fundraising. Northeast Passage is here to support you every step of the way. Please let us know if we can help you write letters, set up your online page, or send you Northeast Passage related info (brochures, photos, etc). We want to help you succeed!
Good luck and thank you for your support!
1) How much money do I have to raise?
2) How do I set up an online page?
3) Where does my money go?
4) Do you need volunteers for these events?
5) Do volunteers have to fundraise?
6) Are there prizes?
7) Who should I ask for donations?
8) What should I say in my e-mails and letters?
9) How can donations be made?
10) Can we fundraise as a team?
11) What’s with the cross country skiing chicken?
1) How much
money do I have to raise?
The minimum cost for each participant varies based on the days they
will be riding. This fee covers all food, lodging, signature event
item and support. Riders can choose to fundraise for the entry fee
or pay it out of pocket. The entry fee is required to be paid upon
registration. Participants are encouraged to raise additional funds
to support Northeast Passage’s adaptive sports programs. The
highest individual fundraiser will be awarded a significant prize.
2) How do I set up an online page?
Participants can fundraise online through First Giving. Online donations are an easy way for sponsors to support you and for you to keep track of money coming in. Past participants have raised well over $700, using First Giving alone. Start your online fundraising today!
- Log onto http://www.firstgiving.com/nepassage
- Click on the “Get Started” Button
- Choose the event in which you plan to participate, then slick the “Select” button
- Enter your e-mail address, click “New to Site”, the click “Continue”
- Enter information requested, click “Continue”
- Create your fundraising page. Enter information requested and your personal message. When finished, click “Continue”
- Review your page. If satisfied, click “I am happy with my changes”. If not, click “I want to change something”
- Congratulations you have finished building your online page!
- Now you can either copy and paste your link into an e-mail to send to all your potential sponsors or e-mail them through the link provided.
- SEND AN E-MAIL TO AS MANY CONTACTS AS POSSIBLE
- Return to your site and add in the money you raise offline to build momentum for online donations. People love to be a part of a winning team,
- Maximize your earnings by using First Giving’s resources.
3) Where does my money go?
Northeast Passage is a program of the University of New Hampshire.
The administrative costs for Northeast Passage are covered by the
University, with the majority of the financial support coming from
the College of Health and Human Services. All outside donations directly
support the participants of Northeast Passage’s adaptive sports
programs. All donations made to Northeast Passage ensure that
the organization can continue to run quality, affordable programs.
4) Do you
need volunteers for these events?
Volunteer positions are limited for the three day option. However,
Northeast Passage does utilize volunteers for the one day option.
Volunteers are needed to help set up, for registration, aid station
support and we can always use bike mechanics, medical personnel, photographers,
etc. This is the perfect excuse to spend time in beautiful northern
New Hampshire and to help a great cause. Volunteers must register
with Northeast Passage.
Thank you in advance for your help!
5) Do volunteers have to fundraise?
Volunteers are not required to fundraise. They are, however, welcome to do so and are eligible for the same prizes as participants.
6) Are there prizes?
Yes, there are prizes for the Three Notch Century. Categories will
vary.
7) Who should I ask for donations?
Brainstorm circles of people you can approach: Family, friends, co-workers, businesses you support, church groups, club affiliations, neighbors, people who have asked you to sponsor them…Think about the places you visit everyday – the grocery store, the local restaurant, the gym, your dentist or doctor, etc.
Check with your employer to see if they have a matching program. Challenging them to match all donations made by your co-workers. If they say yes, be sure your co-workers know that their dollars are being matched.
Recruit friends or family that have different circles to reach out to their contacts for you. Or better yet, ask them to come play with you at the event!
8) What should I say in my e-mails and letters?
See below for a sample fundraising letter/e-mail.
- Make it personal – we all love to get personal letters, so make your letter personal. Let them know what else is going on in your life other than this event, then slide into what the event is about and why you are personally involved.
- Use humor – everybody loves a chuckle, so use humor where appropriate. Start your letter with something like, “Have you heard that (your name) has gone off the deep end again?? She is thinking about skiing from dawn to dusk…:
- Short and sweet – Try to keep the letter to one page. If it is too long, you will lose the reader’s interest.
- Ask – Very important! What separates this letter from normal letters is that you are asking them to act. Don’t just tell them why you are doing this. Be sure they know you need their support.
- Be prepared to send a reminder. A lot of people will get your e-mail or letter and say, “What a neat idea. Sure, I’ll help out,” and then set the letter down, only to forget about it. The best way to send a reminder is to give training updates. Let them know that fundraising is going well, but you still have a bit further to go.
- Give them your First Giving Web site!
9) How can donations be made?
Donations can be made by:
- Check – Made out to Northeast Passage. It can be sent directly to Northeast Passage with your name in the memo line (4 Library Way, Durham, NH 03824) or donors can send the check to you and you can turn it in at registration, the day of the event.
- Credit Card – Donate online through First Giving or donors can call in their card to Northeast Passage (603/862-0070) and we can run it through over the phone.
- Cash – Any cash donations should be documented and turned in on the first day of the event.
All donations to Northeast Passage are tax deductible. Receipts will be sent to all donors who give by check, credit card or cash, as long as the complete address is available to NEP. A receipt for cash donations under $25 will not be provided.
10) Can we fundraise as a “team”?
Yes! One of the best ways to collect donations is to fundraise as a team or group and spark a little competition! The Northeast Passage staff fundraises as a team every year and competition seems to be the best way to get people to donate – come up with a gimmick (who can get the most donations in their name). Make it fun and get everyone you know involved. Be creative! There are prizes available for the most money raised by a team.
11) What’s with the cross country skiing chicken?
 |
We have learned that the best way to raise money is to come up with a gimmick – In 2006, we had one participant promise to cross country ski in a chicken suit if his co-workers helped him raise the money for one of our events. He raised over $1,000 in 5 days. It can be done! Don’t feel like skiing in a chicken suit? Build a team and create a competition. One of our Three Notch participants was having trouble getting people to follow through with their donations. During the ride, she sent out updates to her whole address book. She wrote a little about the ride, her progress, the challenge and she sent updated photos. By the time the ride was over, she had passed her goal of $1,000. |
Asking for money can be a difficult task. Participants should keep in mind that the money they are asking for is not for themselves. Rather, the money is for an organization that has been important to you personally, to a friend or family member, and that this is for a cause that you believe in. It can be done! Be creative!
Northeast Passage is here to help you! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance, ideas or materials.
