March 2012 
runwalkride branding

Greetings!  

 

  

This year's Run Walk Ride 30 Study of the largest peer-to-peer fundraising programs contained at least three clear stories: 

 

One -- The industry continues to grow with 23 of the top 30 programs reporting increased gross revenue in 2011. Overall, the top 30 were up 2.46% to hit a collective total of nearly $1.7 billion (2.5x the growth rate in 2010) 

 

Two -- Getting participants to make major fundraising commitments remains challenging for some major programs in this weak economy.  Evidence: the biggest fundraising declines were experienced by the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.    (Note that LLS's Light The Night and Komen's Race for the Cure properties were both up -- evidence that consumers were reacted to the format, not the cause.) 

 

Three -- Most cycling events are prospering - even those requiring significant fundraising commitments.  Impressive revenue growth was experienced by Pelotonia (+67%), AIDS LifeCycle (+32%),  Tour de Cure (17%), Rodman Ride for Kids (11%), the Audi Best Buddies Challenge (8%) and the Pan-Mass Challenge (7%).

 

The top 30 will need to grow by 4.2% this year to exceed the industry's 2008 revenue high watermark of $1.77 billion.    Do you think we'll get there? Vote in our poll. 


 

David Hessekiel

President

Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council

 

PS -- The record number of attendees at this year's Run Walk Ride Fundraising Conference each received a CD full of data supplied by the 55 programs that participated in this year's study.    Learn how you can gain access to this valuable benchmarking information.  

 
"Empowering Volunteer Leaders to Succeed": Free Teleconference on 3/27
sponsored by Turnkey Promotions

March 27, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm EST

For many organizations, the key to producing ongoing, successful event fundraising programs is the proper cultivation and utilization of empowered volunteer leaders.

That being said, it's not uncommon for nonprofit professionals to fear that volunteer leaders will "get out of control" and make decisions that the professional staff would not agree.

In this one-hour teleconference, Tracy Hale at Turnkey Promotions will share insights and strategies to effectively engage volunteer leaders to produce highly authentic financially successful events.

Sign up today!

"Effective PR for Thon Fundraisers"
RWR Masters Teleconference on 3/29
Free to members 

March 29, 1:30 to 2:30 pm EST

Scoring press coverage is a great way to boost your thon's profile, energize participants, and drive the bottom line, but it's hard to get media to come and cover your run, walk or ride.

Don't give up! There are some easy to implement PR tactics that will make your event stand out in the eyes of the media, and move you to that next level.

In this teleconference, Jackson Wightman, who has generated millions of dollars in earned media for charities and charity events across North America, shares a variety of tips on scoring media coverage for your thons. From using video to service media needs, to employing social media to engage reporters, to activating constituents for coverage, you'll get all the tricks of the trade in this presentation.

$99 or FREE to members

 Click here for all the details.  Sign up today!

Recent Thon Fundraising Headlines
Congratulations to Our Winners RWR 10 Top

At this year's conference we proudly presented this year's Pacesetter and Cash, Sweat & Tears Awards:

Selected from more than 60 nominees, Sam Fox was named 2011's most inspiring volunteer participant for a 2,400 mile trek along the Pacific Coast Trail from Canada to Mexico that raised $170,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (no relation between these Foxes.)

Pacesetter Awards for outstanding work in thon fundraising went to:

Best Recruitment Brochure: Team To End AIDS (T2)

Best Integrated Online Marketing: Relay for Life, American Cancer Society

Best Print Creative: CROP Hunger Walk, Church World Service

Best T-Shirt: Team To End AIDS (T2)

Best Video Creative: Free to Breathe, National Lung Cancer Partnership
 
Go Ahead: Ask Volunteers to Fundraise Event 360 logo

In a passionate blog post, Event 360 Volunteer Programs Manager Katie Sisum says:

"You can (and you should) ask your volunteers to fundraise. Don't you want your most passionate people pounding the pavement for you? Don't you want the people who live and breathe your mission delivering it to new people everywhere they go?"

Read on for Katie's strategies to make that happen
runwalkride branding
In This Issue
Upcoming Teleconferences
Industry News
Award Winners
Ask Volunteers to Fundraise

  

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