FAQ

You have questions, we have answers:

 

Donations

How do I deposit checks?

If you are a donor please send the donation to your rider. They will follow the instructions below.

How to Make a Deposit

You will receive a set of deposit labels with 2 addresses.  

  • PMC lockbox (for deposits of checks only)
  • PMC office (for deposits of checks with special requests)

Click to request more deposit labels or to download deposit instructions.   Deposits should be of checks only.  The PMC cannot accept cash. 

Deposits of Checks Only
Pan-Mass Challenge accepts checks payable to PMC, Jimmy Fund, DFCI or any combination of the three. Checks made out to you must be endorsed by you, and signed over to the PMC. Mail them to the PMC lockbox:
              Your Name Your ID# (12345-6) 
              Pan-Mass Challenge 
              PO Box 415590 
              Boston, MA 02241-5590

Deposits of Checks with Special Requests:

  • Matching gift forms with check or credit card receipt (include your PMC ID)
  • Checks to be split among several riders
  • Foreign checks (minimum of $200 after $40 bank processing charge per check)  Encourage to foreign donors to donate online.
  • Tribute checks - in honor & in memory donations requesting a tribute letter

Send these checks directly to the PMC office using this label:
            Your Name Your ID# (12345-6) 
            Pan-Mass Challenge 
            77 4th Ave 
            Needham, MA 02494

What is a Donor Advised Fund, and how does it work?

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

A donor advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving program that allows you to combine the most favorable tax benefits with the flexibility to support your favorite causes. If you have a donor advised fund, DAF Direct enables you to recommend grants to the Pan-Mass Challenge directly from your DAF (as long as your DAF’s sponsoring organization is participating).

How does it work?

  1. Establish your DAF by making an irrevocable, tax deductible donation to a public charity that sponsors a DAF program.
  2. Advise the investment allocation of the donated assets (any investment growth is tax free).
  3. Recommend grants to the charities you support, with the option of being recognized or remaining anonymous.

For more details please see our Donate from a Donor Advised fund page

How do I get a receipt for tax purposes?

All donations made online will be acknowledged with an emailed tax receipt.  Donations made by check that are $250 or more, will receive a tax acknowledgement via USPS.  Tax receipts will be provided upon request for any donations less than $250.

Transportation

Can I fly out of Provincetown?



We are thrilled to announce that, in partnership with Cape Air, we are offering 4 non-stop chartered flights from P-town to New York on Sunday, August 4th.

The one-way airfare is $600 (carry-on bag only) and includes transportation from either Provincetown finish to the airport and shipping of your bike to your home.

  • 1:30 pm Provincetown to White Plains, NY 2 flights - 9 seats each
  • 4:00 pm Provincetown to LaGuardia, NY 2 flights - 9 seats each

To book your flight, select the appropriate return transportation option upon registration. Your credit card will be charged the non-refundable $600 fee at that time. If your desired flight sells out, please contact us to be put on the waitlist. While booked flights are non-refundable, they are transferable through July 25, 2013.

Thanks to our friends at Cape Air for making this possible.

Fundraising

How does a company matching gift work?

Ask your sponsors to contact their HR department to see if they match PMC donations.  The employee will need to follow their company's process.   Most companies have an online matching system while others use paper forms.  The match will be credited to your fundraising as soon as we confirm that the underlying donation has been made.  The matching form should be sent in with the donation (if made by check) or receipt from online donation.  Donations that include matches should be sent to the PMC office:
                                                  77 4th Avenue
                                                  Needham, MA  02494

What are some good fundraising tips?

Click here for Fundraising Tools and Tips.

Are there fundraising requirements?

Yes, click to see the fundraising minimums for each route. 

What is the Heavy Hitter level?

For the 2013 PMC, the Heavy Hitter level is $6,700+.  For more information about Heavy Hitters, click here.

What is a Virtual Rider?

A Virtual Rider is someone who fundraises for the PMC but does not ride in the actual event. For more information about Virtual Riders, click here.

Routes and Fundraising Minimums

Can I cancel my ride?

You may cancel your ride, however, riders registered for any ride begining on Saturday, are committed upon registration to meet the fundraising minimum of their respective route whether or not they ride in the PMC ride. Riders registered for any one-day Sunday rides may cancel by July 15th without further financial obligation. After July 15th, all riders registered for any route become committed riders and will be personally responsible for their fundraising minimum regardless of physical participation.  The fundraising deadline is October 1st, 2013. You may review the policy here.

What are the different route options?

Click this image for a full size view

How difficult are these routes?

The two-day rides from Sturbridge

Sturbridge to Provincetown: 192 miles*
Sturbridge to Wellesley: 180 miles

These are serious endurance events. The first 45 miles out of Sturbridge are hilly, though not mountainous, but require extra effort that will tire you gradually over the course of the day. The hills between Sturbridge and Franklin are more formidable than those in southeastern Massachusetts or on Cape Cod.  Novice riders may want to consider a “triple” (three gears in front) or a “granny gear” in the back of their chain ring. If you have trained adequately, re-fuelling and rest will enable you to comfortably complete Sunday’s ride to either Provincetown or Wellesley.  The day-two legs of these routes vary in distance by 10 miles but are similar in difficulty.

*The PMC provides two finish lines in Provincetown: The Provincetown Inn and the Family Finish.  As the PMC has grown, space mandates that the Inn admit riders and volunteers working their shifts only.  The Family Finish affords riders the opportunity to invite guests to join them for the cookout festivities.  The Family Finish offers all the amenities of the Inn (except beer), and entertainment for kids, as well as a shorter walk (1/3 mile) to the ferry pier.

The two-day rides from Wellesley:

Wellesley to Provincetown: 163 miles*
Wellesley to Wellesley: 153 miles

While the mileage is formidable, these routes are much less difficult than the rides that start in Sturbridge, due to the flat roads from Wellesley to Bourne.

The one-day ride from Sturbridge

Sturbridge to Bourne: 111 miles (same description as two-day rides from Sturbridge)

The one-day rides from Wellesley

Wellesley to Bourne (Saturday): 84 miles (same description as two-day rides from Wellesley)
Wellesley to Wellesley (Sunday): 47 miles

Wellesley to Sharon (Sunday): 26 miles

Wellesley to Wellesley (Sunday) is a 47-mile ride that is relatively easy.  The route meets up with those riders returning from Bourne in Patriot Place halfway through the ride.

Wellesley to Patriot Place Sunday One-Way a 26-mile ride that is relatively easy. The route finishes up at Patriot Place in Foxboro, where riders can meet up with family or take a bus back to the Wellesley start.

 

Lodging

I'm starting in Wellesley. Where do I stay Friday night?

Babson College in Wellesley: All riders are responsible for finding their own lodging on Friday night.  Click here for lodging options.  All are encouraged to register on Friday and ride to campus on bikes Saturday morning. The start will begin at 7:00 a.m. and if you plan to arrive via car, plan to encounter traffic. Those coming by car should arrive no later than 6:00 a.m.

I'm starting in Sturbridge. Where do I stay Friday night?

Sturbridge: All are encouraged to register on Friday and spend the night in the Sturbridge area. All riders are responsible for finding their own lodging on Friday night.  Click here list of Sturbridge area hotels. The PMC provides shuttle service between the hotels listed on this website and the Sturbridge Host Hotel, which serves as the site for Friday night’s opening ceremonies and the Saturday morning start which will be at 5:30 a.m.

 

I'm staying on campus at MMA. How do I select a room?

Two-day riders can secure their on-site lodging when they register. The selection method depends on the registration period and the availability of beds. 

ALUMNI REGISTRATION PERIOD 

During the Alumni Registration period beds are saved for last year’s returning riders. If you rode the previous year you may keep your room preference but you will have to wait until Open Registration to select a specific room and roommate. 

OPEN REGISTRATION PERIOD 

1. Find a roommate among registered riders who chose to stay in a room. If you are a different gender from your roommate they must be staying in a non-gender specific room and there must be a bed available. Your MyPMC now indicates your room and roommates (roommates for large berths on the ship are not listed). Contact the PMC if you have any questions about a roommate selection.