The three keys to successful fundraisers are effective campaign design; effective campaign communication; effective campaign implementation.
Develop a Theme
- Set Your Goal: Defining what you are working towards helps fundraisers feel like they are really making a difference and enhances the team dynamic among your supporters.
- Design your Theme: Incorporate Give Running’s mission, your campaign goals, and your team’s personality to create a fun and memorable experience! Please note that your event should be inclusive of all participants.
- Put a Twist on the Classic Fundraiser Race: These runs can take many forms:
- 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 meter costume relay races
- Team challenge runs with entertaining obstacles along the course
- Neighborhood 5K road race
- Era-specific “Sock-Hop” Dance-A-Thon
- Collect pledges for miles run, laps swum, goals scored, or other sport-specific targets throughout your competitive season
- Group Run-A-Thon: Participants ask for pledges for every minute/lap/mile they run
- Color Run: Your theme doesn’t need to be elaborate — just add some color! The Great Green Run, for example, makes for great pictures and a bit of entertainment, especially when everyone is dressed in shades of green. You can build out the theme by having color-related prizes or encouraging participants to run in costume.
- Turkey Trot: While Turkey Trots are run across the country each November in honor of Thanksgiving, you can hold one any time of the year! Often a local farm or grocery store will donate turkeys or other good food you can use as raffle or race prizes or to donate to families in need. You may also consider collecting non-perishable food items as, or along with, entry fees to donate to a local food pantry. You can even include a special arts and crafts portion to the event where kids make “hand turkeys” you display at your school/community center after the race.
- Any event you dream up that brings people together for activities promoting teamwork, fitness, and fun!
- Relate Your Theme to a Timely Issue:
- January: National Mentoring Month, International Quality of Life Month, and National Poverty in America Awareness Month
- February: Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month and Give Kids A Smile Day
- March: The Great March of March
- April: National Youth Sports Safety Month, Physical Wellness Month, and April Fools Run
- May: Cinco de Mayo Mile
- June: Summertime Run
- July: National Make a Difference to Children Month
- August: National Win With Civility Month and What Will Be Your Legacy Month
- September: Self-Improvement Month
- October: Positive Attitude Month, International Day of the Girl, and Halloween Pumpkin Run
- November: Turkey Trot and November Night Race
- December: Reindeer Run and Snowflake Shuffle
- Don’t Worry about Finding the “Perfect” Idea: Start with sentence or two expressing your purpose for launching the fundraising campaign, and focus on creating an emotional appeal. You can always tweak the theme later.
Inspire people to get involved
- Incentives: Ask local business or contacts to donate prizes to be used for a raffle or as race awards. Keep your audience in mind so that your prizes fit participants’ interests and will spur them to act.
- Include Tiered Levels of Support:
- $20 donation to receive recognition as a “Friend of Give Running”
- $50 donation to help Give Running buy a pair of shoes and socks for a child
- $200 donation to fully sponsors a young runner for one of our Pyramid Running Camps, including nutritious snacks
- Early-Bird Discount: Encourage people to join your event early with a lower rate for those who sign up at least three weeks before the event. This will also provide you with a rough head count to assist with planning event details.
Decide on and confirm event location.
Simple Donation Ideas
- Make a Habit of Paying Forward: Any goods you purchase on Amazon.com after using our Amazon Affiliate Link will pay forward a portion of the proceeds to Give Running. You can also choose “Give Running, Inc.” as your charity of choice for Amazon Smile.
