Hustle for Success: Organize a Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser

If you’re planning an in-person fundraiser with a finish line, choose a walkathon date and location convenient to your target audience. Consider the weather, availability of facilities, and course safety. You should also ensure the route is accessible for all. 

For virtual run-a-thons, you will need to determine its parameters. How much time will walk-a-thon participants have to reach their goals? For example, you may ask runners to complete a certain number of miles per week for a month.

Registration

Set up a straightforward registration process using online fundraising platforms to handle sign-ups, waivers, and donations. To boost early participation, offer team registrations and incentives for reaching fundraising milestones.

Safety first

If you’re conducting an in-person fundraiser, ensure participants’ safety by having medical personnel on standby, clearly marking the route, and providing hydration stations.

Build a team

Assemble a dedicated team of volunteers to assist with various aspects of the event, including marketing and logistics. Clearly define their roles and responsibilities.

Attract sponsors

Reach out to local businesses and organizations for sponsorships. Offer visibility in exchange for financial support or in-kind donations, such as snacks or prizes.

Promote widely

Use social media, your email list, and your website to connect with your audience and promote your event. Remember, it’s essential to reach out beyond the online world and make personal connections. Consider printing flyers and postcards with QR codes that lead to your run-a-thon fundraising site, making it easier for individuals to donate and register. It’s also valuable to inform local newspapers and radio stations about your fundraiser. Lastly, engage with local running or outdoor groups to help you spread the word.

Wear coordinated colors 

Encourage all event participants, whether they are joining virtually or in person, to wear coordinated colors during the run-a-thon. Whether it’s matching t-shirts, headbands, or accessories, a unified look will create a strong visual impact. When people see a large group of runners (or even a small group) all wearing the same color, it will reinforce a sense of community and commitment to the cause.

Personal stories

Invite participants to share personal anecdotes and experiences that connect to the cause on the individual fundraising pages. These genuine and emotional stories have the power to connect with potential supporters and inspire them to get involved. Additionally, consider showcasing these impactful narratives on your nonprofit’s social media platforms and email blasts to reach a wider audience.

Highlight fundraising milestones

When someone reaches a specific donation goal, celebrate their achievement! Share their progress on social media and express gratitude for their hard work. By acknowledging their dedication, you are demonstrating how important they are. This will also motivate others to become new donors or participate in future fundraising efforts.

Utilizing an online fundraising platform with peer-to-peer functionality can simplify the process of creating personal fundraising pages for participants. They can then readily share these pages across their social networks to gather pledges.  For organizers, a fundraising platform like Eventgroove can be highly beneficial as well. It enables you to create an event page, run a virtual walkathon, accept online donations, and assists in tracking progress and collecting donor data. At the same time, its built-in marketing tools facilitate promoting your walkathon event.

After all your participants cross the finish line, there’s a few last things to do before wrapping up!

Thank participants and sponsors

Send personalized thank-you notes to participants, donors, and sponsors, acknowledging their contribution and sharing the impact of their support.

Post-event testimonials

Ask participants about their experience and the impact they feel they have made. Share these testimonials on your website or create short video clips. Authentic feedback from actual participants adds credibility and will inspire others to participate the next time around!

Share results and impact

Consider publishing a comprehensive post-event report highlighting the total funds raised, participant numbers, and the significant impact of the event on the cause. This report can also help build momentum for your next event.

Gather feedback

Solicit participant, volunteer, and sponsor feedback to identify what worked well and what could be improved. The information will be invaluable when planning future events.