Raising Money for Charity Through Cycling: How I Turned 962 Miles into $20,000

Last Updated: December 2025

Map of Texas showing a central charity cycling route from Texhoma through Lubbock, San Angelo, Kerrville, Three Rivers, Kingsville, and Raymondsville to South Padre Island

Raising Money for Charity Through Cycling: How I Turned 962 Miles into $20,000

Quick Take

Raising money through cycling isn’t about catchy phrases or fancy events. It’s about a clear challenge, a simple donation page, consistent daily updates, and getting the story in front of the right people. I rode 962 miles across Texas in 12 days and raised $20,000 for a small local nonprofit—because we treated it like a real campaign, not a casual ride.

Most articles about charity cycling feel like they were written by someone who’s never actually raised money. They say things like “ride for a cause” and “make a difference,” then stop right there—no real plan, no real tactics, no proof.

This post is different because I’ve done it. I raised $20,000 for a small local nonprofit dedicated to employing intellectually disabled young people through a food truck program. These individuals would never be able to hold a job without an organization like this stepping in. This wasn’t charity for charity’s sake—this was dignity, independence, and purpose.

The Challenge: Border-to-Border Across Texas

I decided I would ride my bicycle from Texhoma, Texas (the northern border of Texas) down to South Padre Island. Total distance: 962 miles.

Distance: 962 miles
Duration: 12 days
Total raised: $20,000
Raised before the ride: ~$10,000
Raised during the ride: ~$10,000
Key detail: I paid all expenses—meals, hotels, everything—so 100% of donations went to the nonprofit.

That last part matters. When people know their donation isn’t being eaten up by travel costs, trust goes up and giving becomes easier.

What Actually Raised the Money (It Wasn’t the Miles)

Here’s the truth: the ride didn’t raise the money by itself. The story raised the money. The ride simply gave the story a strong backbone—a beginning, a middle, and an end that people could follow.

Before the Ride: Building Momentum (About $10,000)

Before I ever clipped in, I treated this like a real campaign:

I contacted local TV news stations. Two of them did stories before the ride started.
I used the nonprofit’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Those platforms already had supporters, so we used them.
I created a GiveButter donation page. People could donate instantly without hassle.
I posted consistently. Not just “I’m riding,” but why I was riding and who it would help.

That groundwork raised roughly $10,000 before the first day of the ride.

During the Ride: Daily Updates + Local Press (Another $10,000)

During the ride, we kept the story moving every single day:

One station ran a story after my first day and shared our social pages for donations.
We posted daily updates on Facebook and Instagram—short, simple, consistent.
A couple of cities I rode through ran their own stories, which brought fresh eyes (and fresh donors).

Over the 12-day ride, we raised about another $10,000.

The Unexpected Boost: Texas Tech Stepped In

Here’s the part I didn’t plan—but it made a huge difference.

Texas Tech University is here in Lubbock. A marketing professor saw the story and contacted me to ask if she could use it as a real-world project for her class.

That collaboration turned into the best kind of win-win: the students got real experience, and we got badly needed help.

The class helped by taking over and running the nonprofit’s social media.
They created a more organized posting rhythm and kept messaging consistent.
The most valuable help came during the ride: one student took over the daily updates and contacted press in cities I rode through—while I focused on riding, recovering, and getting to the next stop.

That’s when the story really traveled. And when the story travels, the donations follow.

If You Want to Raise Money Through Cycling, Steal This Blueprint

You don’t need to ride 962 miles. But you do need a plan that’s bigger than “I hope people donate.”

Choose a cause people can instantly understand. Be specific about who you’re helping and why it matters.
Create a clear challenge. Distance, days, route, or a simple “start-to-finish” goal people can follow.
Make donating frictionless. One donation link. No confusion. Pin it everywhere.
Get early visibility. Local TV, local papers, community Facebook groups, alumni groups—anything that fits your story.
Post daily during the event. Consistency beats perfection. A photo + a short update + the donation link is enough.
Ask for help. A university marketing class can be gold. So can a friend who’s good at writing updates.
Protect donor trust. If you can, cover your own costs so donors know their money goes straight to the mission.

Why I’m Glad I Did It

I’m not saying this was easy. Twelve days of riding is a grind. But the hard part wasn’t the cycling—it was staying consistent with the story.

And that’s the real takeaway: raising money through cycling is not about cute slogans. It’s about commitment, clarity, and communication.

If you’ve got a cause you believe in, a bike, and a willingness to show up daily—this can work. Not “someday.” Not “maybe.” It can work.

If You’re Planning a Fundraiser

Here’s the simplest move you can make: write your challenge in one sentence, make one donation link, and post daily. People don’t need a perfect campaign—they need a real story they can believe in.

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