Run Walk Ride Success -- Insure your event isn't lost in the crowd

August 2010

Are there too many thon fundraising events?

Greetings!

It's the question reporters love to ask: "Are nonprofits running too many thon fundraising events?"

In short my answer is:  "No, but..."

"NO" means that millions of people continue to raise billions of dollars each year by participating in thousands of runs, walks, rides, triathlons, swims, climbs and other events.

"BUT" means that the proliferation of events could become a problem if organizers become complacent.

Existing programs need to be on continual improvement plans.   They must invest in new tools and strategies to stimulate fundraising and keep their event's fresh and meaningful.    You've got trouble brewing if, year over year, you are not engaging a higher percentage of your participants in raising money and attracting more repeat participants.

New entrants, on the other hand, must be creative in developing programs that will stand out in the marketplace.   (See a few interesting examples below.)

Need some guidance to make sure your program doesn't get lost in the crowd?   Why not check out our library of audioclass recordings, our upcoming teleconferences and the advisors in our online marketplace?

David Hessekiel

President

Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council

dh@runwalkride.com

PS -- SAVE THE DATE: The 5th Annual Run Walk Ride Fundraising conference will take place in Atlanta on February 22 & 23, 2011. Details coming this fall.

Consider These Creative Concepts

Looking for some inspiration to spice up your program?   Here are two innovations to consider:

Now you can add performing crazy dares to the list of activities that can be tapped to raise money for your cause.

Mydunktank.com enables individuals to fundraise by asking contacts to vote for the dare they should undertake.  (Each dollar contributed counts as one vote.)

Since the company's June launch, "the Cooke Sisters," have raised the most using Mydunktank.com.   They collected $2,913 for The Spina Bifida Resource Network on a dare to wear their hair in cornrows for two weeks.

Currently all the fundraising on the site is being driven by individuals, but the company will soon announce its first deal with a nonprofit organization, according to co-founder Blake Jennelle.   "Our future is tied to partnering with organizations instead of a lot of one-offs."

Sarcoma Step & Fetch -- This tiny grassroots program up in Trenton, Canada was built around a great idea for integrating a nonprofit's mission and involving local sponsors.

Walkers were told to pick up Sarcoma fact cards outside participating shops in downtown Trenton.   At the finish line, walkers turned in their signed cards to be eligible for a prize drawing.