Beneficiaries & Fundraising

Pedaling for a cause
El Tour Beneficiaries Give Many Reasons to Ride in the 31st  El Tour de Tucson Beneficiary Program supports more than 20 nonprofit organizations.  The program has continued to expand and grow with a current roster of 22 agency partners.  Any 501 (c) (3) nonprofit agency may apply to the program.  Programs include the main event, family fun ride and indoor El Tour.  If you would like to become a beneficiary of El Tour please contact:  Ila Stadie at development@permeterbicycling.com

2013 El Tour Beneficiaries
If you would like to ride for one of our beneficiaries please click on the link below to see their fundraising program.

Tu Nidito Children & Family Services (leading beneficiary)
American Parkinson Disease Association
Ben’s Bells Project 
Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation
Diamond Children’s Medical Center
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lions Clubs International - Cycle for Sight
myTeam Triumph
Project L.I.F.E.
Rotary International Polio Plus 
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Southern Arizona
 Team Lizzie Bell
The Haven
Uphill Into The Wind
Water for People

Protecting animals, eradicating disease, offering emotional support, deepening environmental awareness and distributing clean water are some of the goals of The 31st El Tour de Tucson Presented by Casino Del Sol Resort through its beneficiary program.  This year, more than 8,500 riders will pedal to raise money for 20 non-profit organizations (see box), including Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, El Tour’s leading beneficiary.

“We established the beneficiary program in 1996 with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” Ila Stadie, Perimeter Bicycling’s Development Director said. “Our aim was to introduce El Tour to a new audience while allowing other non-profit agencies (in addition to Tu Nidito) to use El Tour as a fundraising event.  In that first year, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society raised over $675,000 in contributions.”

Since that time, the program has continued to expand and grow to its current roster of 25 agency partners.  In 2009, an additional 639 cyclists raised almost $1.5 million as a result of El Tour’s beneficiary program. This was in addition to the 7,600 riders who raised more than $300,000 for Tu Nidito Children and Family Services.

El Tour’s beneficiary program begins early in the spring with general informational meetings.  Ila works with the beneficiaries in the months leading up to El Tour, helping the groups develop their own programs so they can meet their individual participation and fundraising goals.  “We work year round educating the groups about El Tour. The beneficiaries are responsible for working with their committees to make sure their riders understand their program and encourage them to meet fundraising goals.  Many of the non-profit agencies have on-line registration, as well as the ability to build your own fundraising page.

Any 501 (c) 3 non-profit agency may apply to the program, which is available for the main event, Indoor El Tour and El Tour Fun Ride. “We look for non-profits with patrons who are interested in cycling and are committed to the organization’s cause,” Ila said. “Potential beneficiaries will need resources (staff and/or volunteers) to fully commit to our program which is a year-round endeavor.”

Agencies with a national presence, such as Team In Training or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, have even more potential, Ila said. “They are able to promote El Tour as an annual fundraising event and bring cyclists from all over the country to Tucson.”

In addition to supporting El Tour and the beneficiary organization, out-of-state cyclists support Tucson’s economy by spending money locally on hotels, restaurants, and incidentals. El Tour’s overall economic impact on ride week alone is estimated at $16 to $20 Million.

The teamwork of the Perimeter Bicycling and the beneficiaries makes El Tour a success, as well as creating a fun-packed ride day for the non-profits’ participants.  Depending on the organization, in addition to taking care of all entrance forms and fees, beneficiaries may offer their riders training, team jerseys, El Tour T-shirts, and social events before and after the ride.

With the help of the non-profit agency partners, the staff at Perimeter Bicycling, and individual riders, El Tour will continue to grow and make a difference.

Are you raising funds for the PRIMARY BENEFICIARY for any of our events?  Use this form to help you keep track of your contributors:  CONTRIBUTION FORM