May 2010
runwalkride branding
It's Crowded, But New Events Keep Coming
 
Greetings!  
 
There are so many runs, walks and rides in New York's Central Park that there's effectively a moratorium on new events there, the city's parks commissioner recently told The New York Times.   The columnist's suggestion -- organize naps for the cure!
 
Although such nonevents exist, thon organizers continue to find new outlets for new events all across the country.  A few of those that have recently hit my radar screen:
 
The inaugural Preakness 5K on the Pimlico horse racing track attracted 590 runners to supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure on May 8.
 
Oprah's Live Your Best Life Walk on Manhattan's West Side on May 9 raised money for 10 charities.
 
The People's Coast Classic is a new six-day ride down the Oregon coast this September benefiting the Arthritis Foundation.
 
A pair of Echelon Gran Fondo rides in California and Oregon will support LiveStrong and local cancer centers.
 
Yes, there's a lot of competition for space, participants and donors in the thon world, but there is plenty of upside out there for on the ball program organizers.
 
One of the key success factors is understanding and tapping into what drives people to get involved.  In a terrific blog post, Event 360's Jeff Shuck identifies five participation drivers:
 
  1. Affinity to a third-party group (e.g., a corporate team)
  2. Affinity to activity (e.g. people who like to run marathons)
  3. Affinity to participants (e.g. someone walking with friends)
  4. Affinity to cause (e.g. a survivor signs up for a cancer walk)
  5. Affinity to organization (e.g., someone who dislikes running, but signs up anyway to support the organizing group)
 
Speaking to some of these affinities in your recruitment and retention efforts could make a big difference in your next program.
 
David Hessekiel
President
Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council
Janus Wants to Give Your Ironman Money
 
Ten years ago, the Janus Capital Group decided to harness the power of inspiration that emanates from the sport of Ironman to make a difference.  
Janus Charity Challenge 
It launched the Janus Charity Challenge, a program that encourages Ironman athletes to raise money for nonprofits of their choice.  Janus provides participants with fundraising resources and makes additional donations on their behalf to the top 50 fundraisers at each of the eight Ironman races it sponsors.
 
In 2009, Janus contributed over $300,000 to Ironman fundraisers, but didn't have enough participants in its program to give away the $400,000 it is willing to donate, according to VP of Sponsorships and Community Relations Casey Cortese.
 
That spells opportunity for organizations that can recruit Ironman athletes to fundraise on their behalf.   In 2009, participants in the Janus Charity Challenge raised $6.8 million for 218 nonprofits.   Top fundraiser Jim Yanoschik raised $1.56 million for Rotoplast International!
 
Click here to learn how to benefit from the Janus Charity Challenge.
 
 
10 Steps to Greening Your EventFit Planet: May 18 
 
Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important issue for athletic event planners as municipalities, sponsors and participants alike demand 'greener' events.

Join Bruce Rayner, founder and chief green officer of Athletes for a Fit Planet, in this teleconference as he presents a practical and cost-effective approach to greening your event. From recycling to carbon neutrality to greening your supply chain, Bruce will share insights and ideas for how you can create a long-term sustainability plan. 

Click to register
 
$99 or FREE to RWRFC members
 
Results of the DH Half Marathon Challenge
 
Last month, I challenged readers to recruit me to run a half marathon to benefit their organization before I turn 51 in February.
 
Thanks to the dozens of you who sent me emails of encouragement to "go for it" and who did a wonderful job of advocating for their charity.
 
And the winner is.....The Foundation Fighting Blindess.   I'll be running the Hamptons Half Marathon on October 2 as part of FFB's Race to Cure Blindness  program.
 
I've already got a coach: Michael Stone, the program's founder, a 10x Ironman competitor who is a USA triathlon certified trainer affected by a disease called cone-rod dystrophy.  
 
 
Stay tuned -- training and fundraising start in earnest this June.
 
 
Lights. Camera. Help. Film Festival 
 
If you are using video in your work, you'll want to check out The Lights. Camera. Help. Film Festival taking place in Austin this summer.
 
Led by David Neff -- a stand out presenter at this year's RWRFC conference -- this is the only first film festival devoted entirely to nonprofit and cause-driven film.
runwalkride branding
In This Issue
Janus Charity Challenge Funding
Greening Your Event
DH Marathon Challenge News
Lights. Camera. Help.
 
MISSED THE CONFERENCE?
 
Hear the keynotes and review the presentations
 
Click here to learn more
 

RWR Conference Logo
  
 
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.
 
 
WANT MORE CORPORATE PARTNERS?
 
 
CMF
 
June 2 & 3 in Chicago
Join Our Mailing List