More ways than you might think — and our riders are proof.
Planning a Climate Ride trip comes with a question we hear a lot: “How does the funding work?” The short answer: however works best for you.
Some riders fundraise from their networks and find it one of the most energizing parts of the experience. Others choose to self-pay — covering their fundraising minimum themselves because they want the impact without the ask. Many do a mix: a personal contribution to get momentum, then a few outreach emails to friends who’d genuinely want to be part of it. There’s no wrong approach.
What matters is that every dollar — however it gets there — goes directly to the organizations doing the hardest work on climate, clean energy, active transportation, and sustainability. If you can take a trip with a for-profit company, or you can take a trip with us and know your money is funding something real. A lot of people find that’s an easy choice.
Here’s a look at how riders fund their trips, and a few tools you might not know you have.
Real People, Real Results
Christine: $19,000 – RAISED FROM 75 DONORS
Christine built her campaign donor by donor — 75 of them — showing what a personal, heartfelt ask can do. She reached people across her entire life, not just close friends, and each one felt like a genuine part of her mission.
Team San Francisco: $29,000+ – 30 PARTICIPANTS, GREEN FONDO
Team SF came together in a big way for the Green Fondo — 30 riders strong. They didn’t stop at online asks either: the team bartended at a local brewery fundraiser event, and every dollar raised went straight toward their goal. Community building and climate action in one night.
Aleasha & Kat: Annual Event – EARTH DAY GRAVEL GRINDER, MN
Aleasha and Kat turned their love of local riding into something bigger. Each year around Earth Day, they host a Gravel Grinder ride in Minnesota — a community event that’s become a beloved tradition and a reliable way to fund their annual Climate Ride adventures.
Ways to Fund Your Trip
There’s no single path. Here are the most common ways Climate Riders cover their fundraising minimum:
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Your personal fundraising page is your home base. Share your story, explain why this cause matters to you, and invite your network to be part of it. Emails, social posts, and direct messages — it all adds up, especially when you start early.
Self-pledging/Pay in Full
Many riders choose to self-pledge — covering part or all of their fundraising minimum themselves. Think about it this way: you could book a tour with a for-profit company and have a great trip. Or you can ride with us, pay similarly, and know that your money is funding something remarkable. That’s a choice a lot of people are proud to make.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
If you or your donors have a Donor-Advised Fund through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, BNY Mellon, or similar, those funds can be directed to support your participation. It’s a tax-efficient way to give — and a growing number of our participants use DAFs to cover part or all of their rides.
Corporate matching gifts
Many employers will match charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar. Check with your HR department — it’s the easiest way to double a donation without asking anyone for another cent. Same goes for your donors: always ask if their company matches!
Community events & creative fundraising
Like Team SF’s brewery night or Aleasha and Kat’s Gravel Grinder, some of the most memorable fundraisers are the ones you create. Bake sales, local rides, raffle nights, bartending gigs — the Climate Ride team can even send you merch to raffle off if you plan ahead. Do you have a birthday coming up? Birthday fundraisers are big success!
A note on missing donations: If you’re waiting on a contribution — whether it’s a DAF grant, a corporate match, or a check that seems to be taking its time — please let us know. Donations can sometimes arrive without clear attribution, and we want to make sure every dollar gets credited to your page. Don’t wait until a deadline is looming. We’re watching for these and happy to help connect the dots.
You’re Not Asking for Yourself
The most important mindset shift for first-time fundraisers: you’re not asking people for a favor. You’re offering them a chance to do something meaningful. Your donors get to be part of funding organizations that are protecting wild places, building bike infrastructure, advancing clean energy policy, and so much more. Most people in your life are looking for exactly that opportunity. You’re just the one brave enough to ask.
And if you’re ever unsure where to start — or you’ve hit a wall and need a fresh strategy — our team is here. Reach out at any point. We’ve helped hundreds of riders through every stage of fundraising, and we genuinely love this part of the work. Ready to dig into the details? Visit our full fundraising guide at climateride.org/fundraising for top tips, email templates, and everything you need to get started.
Questions about funding your trip?
We’re here to help with individualized fundraising strategies, feedback on your ask, and creative ideas to get you to your goal.
