Starting A Charity Ride-Info Needed Please

[TripleDigitRide]

My Father and Uncles are in the very beginning stages of setting up a charity (St. Judes Children Hospital and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) motorcycle ride, and I'm trying to help gather as much helpful information as possible.

The ride is set to take place in July of 2009. This trip will span roughly 8,000-10,000 miles, over a 21 day peroid. As of now, most of the riders will be leaving the Tulsa Oklahoma area, and the destination will be around the Anchorage/Fairbanks Alaska areas. The Denali National Park would be perfect.

Now, I really have no idea where to start. I'm trying to find anyone who's been involved with any type of charity event, in hopes of gaining as much helpful info as possible. Being a single father, the financial aspect isn't going to be easy to pull off. With that being said, I am really interested in information about finding people to sponsor me. Is there anything I need to know about this aspect? Yes, I must be able to afford the trip, but more importantly, I want to raise as much money for the two charities. When searching for sponsors, am I allowed to use some of the sponsored money for the expenses of the trip?

Again, this is in the very early stages, and I'm sure I have many more questions, but I can't think of them right now.

If you think you have any helpful information, please, don't hesitate to respond in this thread, or you're more than welcome to PM me.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, I have another question.

If/When I'm able to find sponsors who are willing to donate money, do I need to set up a bank account? I know I've heard of other situations where people are looking for other to donate money, and they'll open a bank account with a title like, "John Doe's Funeral Fund". Of course, that's just an example, but I'm sure you understand what I'm saying.

Edited May 12, 2008 by TripleDigitRide

[Guest Jason F.]

I do not know about legally but I think personally I would definitely setup a separate account if the charity does not provide a deposit point. Many will have an account for all donations and they are just credited to your name at the time of deposit. I would also personally say all donations should be just that and no travel expenses should come out of that.

I think you will stand a better chance of raising more money that way. People like to know that all their donation is going to the charity and some might back away if a percentage was going towards your expenses.

Again that is just my personal opinion about how I would think things should be run.

Side note ... I am building several things (hardware, brackets, mount points) for a fellow who is riding is bike and sidecar rig from Murfreesboro to Alaska and across Canada this summer before returning back down the eastern coast to Tennessee again in late summer. 14,000 miles in three months or so. He is a Cancer survivor and had a major heart attack in late 2007. Still going strong and making the trip.

[TripleDigitRide]

I would also personally say all donations should be just that and no travel expenses should come out of that.

I was kinda thinking the same thing. If this is the case, I'm probably gonna have to pass on the trip. They figure it will cost about $4,000-$5,000 for the 21 day trip. No way, as a single father, can I pull that off.

[Guest Jason F.]

Yeah the tire bill alone is enough to kill a trip like that. My friend is planning on 4 to 5 sets of tires. That adds up fast when you figure in mounting and balancing.

[Guest Brian@GunDepot]

4 or 5 sets of tires? Are you guys gonna knee drag the entire trip?

You know, even with a super sport bike you can put normal tires on them. I've been out of the loop since I quit racing, but I remember Bridgestone making a good mileage tire for the normal 180/55 120/70 size bracket (most will mount to a 190 rear rim too). I've ran as much as 7k miles on a set of road tires on an old F3 I used to have.

Ah... the memories... while I dont consider myself old, my HD is a lot more comfy to ride than my old race bikes. lol

[Guest Jason F.]

Side car and camping trailer on a fully loaded bike. Throw in bad roads, gravel roads, and the fact the bike uses only the center of the tire with the hack on. He will burn them up pretty quick.

Displacement has a fair bit to do with it too. It is simple to keep tires on my 600 for 4000 to 5000 hard miles. The 1200 eats em up in 3000 to 3500 with a similar riding style.

[TripleDigitRide]

For those who've been interested in the progress of our charity ride, here's a little update.

We've got most, if not all of the legal matters situated. My father has been in contact with St. Judes Children Hospital and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and they sent us some information regarding their guidelines for raising money on their behalf. The guidelines should be very easy to follow.

We are also proud to announce that Road Runner Motorcycle Touring & Travel will be doing a story about our great adventure. On top of that, 'Lamar' (billboard company) will be donating billboards for the cause. As of now, the billboards will be in the Tulsa Oklahoma area. Once we get more details, we will be talking with the Lamar office for the Nashville area as well.

So, things are staring to come together. We're still in the very beginning stages of the adventure, but we're hopeful we can pull it off.