January 2010
runwalkride branding
Are There Too Many Thon Fundraisers?
 
Greetings!  
 
It's one of the questions reporters most frequently ask me:  Is our field choking traffic -- and the public's ability to give -- with 5Ks, walks and rides? 
 
The Arizona Republic tallied 29 new races in its state last year in a terrific piece on the topic.
 
Answering that question is made more difficult by the impact the lousy economy has had on program results.   I'd venture that much more of the fundraising downturn is due to consumers' diminished giving capacity than event saturation.
 
In any case, smarter program management is the key to succeeding in a crowded field.   The Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk program, for example, was up over 20% in gross revenue in 2009 thanks to increased online and offline marketing, according to Group Vice President Rick Bell.
 
Some programs need to make a fundamental cultural shift to transform themselves from awareness events to fundraising events.   Click here for an excellent white paper from Event 360 on making that critical change. 
 
Some of the best minds in our field will be at our annual conference with strategies and tactics that will help you break out from the pack.  Hope you'll join us!  
 
David Hessekiel
President
Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council
 
Speaking of New Events, Did You Hear
 
 
The LA Marathon unveiled an expanded charity program  that will involve 60 nonprofit groups.
 
dow live earth run for water
 
The Dow Live Earth Run for Water
is encouraging people around the world to run 6 kilometers, the average distance women and children walk to collect water. 
Do Incentives Work? Study Seeks Answer carrot incentive
 
Spending money on a fundraising incentive program, but not sure if it's working?   If so, you may want to take part in a study on just that question.
 
Turnkey Promotions has teamed up with Professor Victoria Shaffer to recruit 20 nonprofit organizations to participate in a study to determine what types of incentives best motivate event fundraisers.
 
What's in a Name?
 
I hear about dozens of local events each month, most with rather pedestrian titles.   But recently the monikers of two programs jumped out at me:Dismal Swamp Stomp
 
The Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon in Chesapeake, Virginia supports Chesapeake Cares and Our House Families. 
 
The Tour de Cookie raises money for adaptive sports programs for children in the Tucson area.  Ten bake sale stands are spread along the course.
 
Do you know of any unusually named thon fundraising programs out there?   Please send them my way by replying to this email.
runwalkride branding
In This Issue
Speaking of New Events
Do Incentives Work?
What's in a Name?
 
REGISTRATION OPEN
FOR  CONFERENCE
MARCH 3 & 4 IN DALLAS
 

RWR Conference Logo
  
NEW offerings include:
 
 
Conference sessions on fundraising incentive design, cost control, using online video +++
 
 
 
ARE YOU A MEMBER?
 
  for free teleclasses and recordings, online promotion of your group or company, a copy of the RWR Thirty CD and more.
 
Join Our Mailing List