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Are you Wooing Next Generation Supporters?
Greetings!
Studies show that children exposed to charitable giving are 80% more likely to become donors themselves, according to a recent blog post by Event 360's Carol Olmstead.
For that and other reasons, more thon fundraisers are building child-friendly elements into their programs.
"Kids for the Cure" is the name given to a variety of programs created by Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliates to engage youngsters, Affiliate Race Manager Nicole Barron explained.
 In some cases, affiliates sell sponsorships and produce full-fledged kids races (such as the Komen Southeast Wisconsin Race for the Cure supported by Kohl's.) More often, affiliates offer carnival-like activities in the sponsor expo area. Whatever the case, Komen always requires parental supervision. "This is not childcare," Barron emphasized. Komen does not view this as a big source of revenue, but as a way of improving the event experience. The National Brain Tumor Society sees kid-friendly programming as an important way to fulfill its mission of supporting the family and caregivers of brain tumor patients, said Sharon Shelbourne Ogbor, the society's director of development events. 
That's why the 1st Annual Silicon Valley Brain Tumor Ride on September 19th had a kids area with a "bouncy house" and other activities. "We want to take care of the whole support team," Ogbor said.
For the massive Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, engaging kids has developed into a significant revenue opportunity. This year, 5,200 youngsters in 35 rides are expected to raise a record $800,000 to be donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, according to PMC Founder Billy Starr. The idea for the PMC Kids Rides grew out of grassroots programs started by and for kids too young to participate in the weekend ride. In 2005, PMC made the youth program official with the goals of engaging youth in philanthropy, instilling the value of working for the benefit of others, and promoting athletic fitness and physical activity.
Designed for kids three to 15, the rides vary from obstacle courses for toddlers on tricycles to treks of five, 10, or even 26 miles. New this year is the PMC Kids Heavy Hitters program which honors children who raise $250 or more.
In addition, PMC offers kids 13 to 17 the opportunity to participate in the PMC weekend's shortest (47 mile) ride if they raise $500 (vs. $1,000 for adults).
PMC Founder Billy Starr sees these youth-oriented program as his organization's "farm team." "Some day these kids will take their parents' places in the PMC," he said.
Smaller groups can also raise incremental revenue through kids progams. A "Rosebuds" team of 27 children that participated in a fun run before this year's ING Georgia Marathon raised $11,000 for cystic fibrosis charities, according to Miles for Cystic Fibrosis Director Sue Stein. That's particularly impressive when you consider that the next day 194 adult marathon runners raised $68,000.
David Hessekiel
President
Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council
PS -- WE'VE CHANGED THE DATE: To avoid conflicts with school vacations, the 5th Annual Run Walk Ride Fundraising conference will take place in Atlanta on March 1 & 2, 2011. Details coming this fall. |
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NEW: Dolphins Cycling Challenge
This November, south Florida will be home to the first annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge (DCC), a two-day, 170-mile charity cycling event to benefit Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami.
 On the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, cyclists will bike 30 to 170 miles. The DCC will include options for riders of varied experience levels including a DCC "Kids Ride" for children. In a unique incentive program, all riders that commit to ride more than 70 miles will receive two tickets to the Miami Dolphins game versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, December 5th. |
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Run Walk Ride Teleconferences
Don't miss these terrific fall teleconferences:
November 16:
A Road Map for Using Social Media led by Jeff Risley of Barkley
$99 each or FREE to RWRFC members.
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NYC Marathon Sets $26.2 Million Goal
The organizers of the ING New York City Marathon are shaking up the endurance fundraising world by teaming up with Crowdrise to dramatically increase the number of participants who raise funds for charity. As reported in The New York Times, last month thousands of marathon entrants received an email from Mary Wittenberg, head of New York Road Runners, imploring them to use Crowdrise to raise money for a charity as part of their marathon experience.
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DH Half Marathon Challenge
To give thanks for the good health and (corrected) eyesight I enjoy at age 50, I am running the Hampton Half Marathon on October 2 to benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Please visit and make a small contribution while you're there! |
for free teleclasses and recordings, online promotion of your group or company, a copy of the RWR Thirty CD and more. 2011 Conference March 1 & 2 Atlanta Details in October. |
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