RAGBRAI COMMUNITY FUND
RAGBRAI is only possible because of the towns across Iowa that open their doors and businesses and send volunteers to serve the ride. This fund was created to say thank you to the cities and towns across Iowa that make RAGBRAI possible.
INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING
Are you riding for a cause? Through our partnership with GoFundMe you can start an individual fundraising page for the non-profit of your choice and start raising money!
ECONOMIC IMPACT
RAGBRAI provides a shot in the arm to communities across the state the host or serve as a destination for the annual ride. In 2022, RAGBRAI generated a reported $25MM in economic impact for the communities that hosted.
RAGBRAI Community Merchandise Collaboration with Bozz Prints
We are proud to launch, in collaboration with our eight overnight towns and Bozz Prints, the RAGBRAI Community Merchandise Line with proceeds going to the RAGBRAI Community Fund. Each community worked with the local Iowa artist to create a custom print that embodies their community. The prints will be available in t-shirt, sticker and various prints. You can purchase the prints exclusively through Bozz’s website from April 15 – July 19, 2024. The towns will determine how to allocate the funds raised in their community. Funds will ensure that RAGBRAI leaves an impact with our communities long after we ride through.
About Bozz
Bozz Prints is a creative powerhouse founded by John Bosley (Bozz) in Des Moines, IA back in 2015. Specializing in prints, posters, and shirts, John grew Bozz Prints from it’s humble beginnings in his basement, to a full blown brick and mortar shop in West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction. Inspired by a love of travel, architecture, and the scenery that surrounds us, John is all about making timeless designs to honor the places and landmarks we all know and love.
Everything is 100% designed and illustrated by our small design team in our West Des Moines-based shop. All of the art prints are designed, printed, cut, and sleeved in house. We screen-print our shirts and apparel locally in Des Moines, Iowa and we source the rest of our products as locally as we can.
RAGBRAI cyclists are some of the most community-driven and passionate people. Now, with the power of GoFundMe paired with the kindness of this community, it is easy to use your ride as a way to raise money for a cause you care about.
Why Fundraise?
1. Raise more for a cause or charity you love than you could donate alone
2. Giving back helps cycling 500 miles feel even more meaningful.
3. Riders who fundraise $500 or more receive special swag to celebrate your impact
How to create your individual fundraising page
1. Choose a cause or charity
Before you get started creating your fundraiser, decide what cause or charity you’d like to raise funds for. Pick something that is close to your heart or use the examples below as inspiration.
2. Create your fundraiser
Click the ‘Start a GoFundMe’ link above to get started. Follow the easy prompts to add your basic information, including your location, name, category, goal amount, and who you are fundraising for.
Tip: Not sure what to choose for a fundraising goal? Try $1,200!
3. Add your personal touch
Why did you select this cause or charity? What does this mean to you? Why did you decide to join RAGBRAI? Do you have a great photo of you and your bike? Don’t be afraid to get creative with your fundraiser photo or description.
4. Rally your community
Friends? Family? Neighbors? Coworkers? Now you have another reason to talk about the impressive mileage you’re riding – it’s for a great cause. Make sure to share your fundraiser far and wide via social media, texts, emails, or any other methods you can reach your networks.
Riding with a team or fundraising together?
You can add team members to your fundraiser once it’s created!
Resources for Getting Started
Find inspiration from these RAGBRAI Riders
Meet Tim
An Iowa native who grew up with the RAGBRAI tradition, Tim has 4 sons at home and dreams of riding RAGBRAI as a family someday. Tim is also a proud former National Park Service employee, working in 3 national parks throughout his career and visiting over 30. For the second year in a row, he is fundraising to support the National Park Foundation.
Meet Rachaelle
In Rachaelle’s own words, “I feel like the Dream Team has definitely made me feel better about myself as a person, therefore allowing me to have a much more positive outlook on people and situations around me. I believe in myself a lot more than I used to and I’m learning that through confidence and trust in myself, as well as hard work, I can do whatever I put my mind to in that moment. It’s helped a lot when I’m having a difficult time in life.”
