I’m a runner, and I like to do races. I’ve run most of the Jacksonville races, so, when a new one comes along, it peaks my interest. It’s always fun to try something new.

In 2009, the MS Mud Run was the race. It’s a 10K run with obstacles and lots and lots of mud. You walk through it, you crawl through it, and you slide into it. It’s fabulous!

The only drawback is I had to raise $100. These kind of charity fund-raisers had always bugged me in the past because I didn’t want to ask people for money, and I sure didn’t want to pay the whole $100 by myself.

So, I modified an idea I heard on a pledge drive from NPR’s podcast of This American Life. I love this podcast, and the host, Ira Glass, does a great pitch to raise money for his podcast. It’s great because he starts out by asking for $1. Who doesn’t have $1? Then, he says, If you pledge $5, you’ll cover four of your lazy friends. Great humor.

So, here’s the e-mail I sent out:

Hey There,

I’m doing something cool and good at the same time. I’m running through six miles of mud to support MS.

Can you spare $2 to support me and MS?

I know it’s a terrible time to be hitting people up for money, but I’m not asking for much. Just $2. MS is a tough disease, and every dollar we raise will help bring it to its knees.

So, why $2? Well, I’ve got a lot of friends like you, so, if everyone gives a smidge, we can raise a bunch. So, will you be a mensch* and donate $2?

Added Bonus: If you donate $5, you’ll be a total sweetheart, and I’ll buy you a beer the next time I see you.

Super Bonus: Donate $10 or more I’ll buy you a beer , AND I’ll write your name on my back as an “Official Sponsor” for all the fellow competitors to read as they eat my dust (or mud – as the case may be).

That’s it. Thank you for your support!

Please use this link:
http://www.active.com/donate/mudrunjax/CareyHepler

You will receive email confirmation of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. I thank you in advance for your support, and really appreciate your generosity!!

Thanks again!

Carey

*(Mensch (Yiddish: means “a person of integrity and honor”). It’s a good thing.

I sent this e-mail to about 230 people whose e-mail addresses I had through work or through LinkedIn.

Here are the results. About 80 people donated, I raised $1,500, and I was the Top Individual fundraiser. 80 people responding meant that I had about a 35% response rate, and most people donated $10 or more. In the first day, I sent out the e-mail, I raised $400. I was blown away the efficiency and by people’s generosity. Raising money was so much easier than I imagined.

Conclusions
I did not delete anyone from the list because I thought it might be inappropriate to send to them, or I thought he/she may not want to donate. I left that decision to each person to decide.

People whom I barely knew contributed. Some people have an affinity for giving to charities. It will be more than your best friends that will help you.

People with ties to MS through a friend or a relative with the disease were especially generous. I didn’t know who these people were ahead of time.

The idea of starting with a $2 level made giving accessible to everyone. I doubt anyone felt like they couldn’t afford it. The tier system made it compelling and more fun to contribute more.

My Jewish friends loved it that I used the term, ‘mensch’ in my letter. An unintended happy consequence.

Finally, this was wayyy easier than I thought it would be. You can do it to.