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Fundraising FAQ

1. Where do the funds from the LIVESTRONG Challenge go?

Net proceeds from the LIVESTRONG Challenge directly benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF unites people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.

2. What happens if I register for the LIVESTRONG Challenge ride but do not reach the fundraising minimum?

In order to participate in the ride, each participant must raise a minimum of $250 in donations prior to the event. If you have not met your fundraising minimum prior to the event, you may make up the remaining balance through a personal donation to your fundraising account when you pick up your packet on event weekend.

3. What happens if I register for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, but am unable to participate?

We'll miss you on event! If you're unable to participate, you can rest easy knowing you have already made a significant impact in the cancer fight. Because registration fees and donations are non-refundable and non-transferable, we'll put the funds you've raised to work immediately to benefit the more than 10 million Americans affected by cancer.

4. Can I fundraise for the LAF separate from a LIVESTRONG Challenge?

Absolutely! Please visit www.LIVESTRONG.org/getinvolved for information about other fundraising initiatives.

5. What tools are available to help me with my fundraising?

We have tons of tools available to help you with your fundraising. We encourage all of our participants to take advantage of http://my.livestrong.org, a website that has fundraising event ideas, tips on getting people involved, sample press releases, LAF logos, as well as fundraising collateral including can wraps, postcards and more. We also have our mentor program that you may opt into. Your mentor will have a proven track record as a successful fundraiser and will be able to offer advice regarding the how-to's of fundraising. And if you're still looking for more help, feel free to contact the Challenge Team, we're here to help!

6. What if I want to fundraise but I don't want to participate in a LIVESTRONG Challenge? Will I still have access to these tools?

Grassroots fundraisers who are not participating in the Challenge will have access to numerous online tools, but the mentor program and all Challenge related tools accessed through my.livestrong are exclusively for Challenge participants.

7. Will reaching certain fundraising levels qualify participants to receive incentives?

Yes! There are various incentive levels for all LIVESTRONG Challenge Participants. Visit the Challenge Incentives Page for more information.

Please note:
Riders: Your $50 registration fee does not count towards any fundraising level - for ride entry on the day of the Challenge - you must raise $250 by event day.


8. What are the incentive levels for Ride for the Roses? 

For information on Ride for the Roses, please visit the Ride for the Roses FAQ section of the website.

9. Will LIVESTRONG Challenge participants and/or teams be eligible for fundraising awards?

Yes. At each LIVESTRONG Challenge the LAF will recognize outstanding fundraising efforts with special awards during the Saturday night Fundraising Appreciation Dinner:
Top fundraising individual (Champion Award)
Most individual donors (Messenger Award)
Top fundraising team (Team Champion Award)
Most team members (Team Messenger Award)

Award winners will be selected based upon the monies in their fundraising accounts on:
Seattle - Thursday, June 18, 9 a.m. CST
San Jose - Thursday, July 9, 9 a.m. CST
Philadelphia -Thursday, August 20, 9 a.m. CST
Austin - Thursday, October 22, 9 a.m. CST

All award winners will be notified via email by 3 p.m. CST the day of the deadline.

10. Do I have to claim awards received for my fundraising efforts on my tax return?

The IRS considers all prizes and awards associated with the LIVESTRONG Challenge as income. This income is calculated by taking the fair market value (FMV) of the awards you receive and subtracting any monies you personally donate to the LIVESTRONG Challenge. In keeping with IRS regulations, should the income be greater than $600, the LIVESTRONG Challenge will provide you with a Form 1099. Note that expenses you incur during your fundraising are tax deductible, however, they do not relate to the amount considered income.

11. Why is there a fundraising minimum?

The primary goal of the LIVESTRONG Challenge is to raise funds to support the millions of people across the globe affected by cancer. Through the dollars and awareness that we raise, we can inspire and empower individuals, and we can take aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent suffering and death due to cancer.

12. If someone is donating goods/services/space to me for my fundraising efforts, can they get some kind of tax receipt?

Unfortunately we cannot provide an in-kind gift receipt to someone who donates goods/services to a participant's fundraising efforts because the LIVESTRONG Challenge is not the direct recipient of the donated items.

We can provide to you a recognition letter of your LIVESTRONG Challenge participation which you can use in obtaining in-kind goods & services. Please email LIVESTRONGchallenge@laf.org for this documentation.

Some participants have found that a great way to acknowledge such gifts is to wear the company's name or logo on their shirt during the event. Others have mentioned the generosity of that person/company at their fundraising event or in a thank you letter to all of their supporters.

13. Can a walker/runner fundraise toward Ride for the Roses?

Absolutely! Not only can walkers and runners fundraise but they are also encouraged to do so. All participants have access to the same fundraising tools and support and we hope you'll use them.

14. Are the fundraising award levels for walkers/runners the same as the rider's levels?

Yes, fundraisings award levels are the same for all participants.

15. Why is there a $250 fundraising minimum for riders when runners/walkers don't have a minimum?

The ride portion of the LIVESTRONG Challenge ride was the signature fundraising event for the Lance Armstrong Foundation for nearly eight years. The Challenge is modeled after the Foundation's long-time fundraising ride so it made sense to maintain the fundraising element for cyclists. While there is no fundraising minimum for walkers and runners, we encourage all participants to raise funds to support the fight against cancer.

Net proceeds from the LIVESTRONG Challenge directly benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF unites people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.

16. Why is October 1st the fundraising deadline for the Ride for the Roses Weekend?


The deadline for Ride for the Roses Weekend is set four weeks prior so that we can tally final fundraising totals, order the appropriate amount of merchandise, and arrange for travel and accommodations for participants.