Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: Running a Marathon for Charity. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
This topic is so fitting for this week considering yesterday was the Boston Marathon and this week is National Volunteer Week! While I have never done any type of fundraising for a marathon, I have contributed to many friends that have run marathons for various charities. Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned through donating to their causes.
Double your donation
Does your company offer a matching gifts program? Luckily my company does and I utilize it every year, especially when it comes to donating to charities for races. Every company is different, but my job will match donations of at least $50. For example, one of my friends was running the Chicago Marathon last year for Ronald McDonald House Charities. I donated $50, applied for a matching gift, and the extra $50 was also donated to her fundraising page for a grand total of $100. It’s a win-win because the charity gets extra money and it helps the runner meet their fundraising goal faster.
Kickin’ it old school – send an email
This is more of a traditional way to fundraise, but it still works! I’m not a fan of the blanket emails that you can send to multiple people at a time. I think a more personalized message, directly to you friend/family/co-worker, goes a long way. Taking the time to add that personal touch will probably result in a donation.
Host a giveaway
I’ve seen this done a few times and I always think it’s a great idea. Host a giveaway on your blog or Instagram page. Participants can get extra entries for donating to your fundraising page. Even at $5 per extra entry, if enough people take advantage of this, it can be an easy way to get more donations for your race. I love this idea because it’s a pretty simple concept and it can be done more than once, depending on what items you have to give away.
Run for someone every mile
26.2 miles is a loooonnng time. One cool way to make the time go by faster is by dedicating a mile to someone. Family and friends can donate (you set the amount) and select what mile they want. Before the race you do a social media post outlining while mile is dedicated to which person. It’s also a cool way to feel like you’re running with others, even though you are running solo.
Join the Link-Up!
Topic for next week – FREE topic!
Even though I already had an entry, I ran my first marathon for a charity, thinking it would give me extra incentive! I hate asking people for money, so that was definitely a challenge. But overall, it was a good experience. I got a lot of support from the charity organization. I’m seeing a lot more runners doing this now to get an entry into very popular races.
I love that you received so much support from the charity organization. When I ran Chicago a few years ago, I noticed that Ronald McDonald House Charities had an awesome tent set up for their runners – it seemed really well organized!
I’m all about giving back by supporting charities in this manner. I’ve fundraiser for the American Lung Association for the past 10 years, via the Fight for Air Climb. The double-donation your employer offers is a great incentive!
I love that you have fundraised for the American Lung Association for 10 years – that’s so amazing!
I love that your Employer doubles donations over $50 – what a brilliant initiative! I’d love to do that last one you’ve listed of running a mile for someone. Thinking about all the people you’re running for would definitely help to get over those tough moments!
It’s one of the best perks my job offer in my opinion, and I know so many people that take advantage of it
I have never gotten a charity entry but I have raised money for a charity. Susan Komen 5k. And it was hard.
I do donate to many and yesterday I donated a watch and sunglasses for a 5k giveaway.
I also sign up for races that support an important charity. I have one on May 1 and June 11.
I always say I would much rather donate that fundraise. I know that fundraising is beneficial but it’s very hard.
I love these ideas- hosting a giveaway is brilliant, and dedicating each mile to a different person is also really nice. I’m uncomfortable asking people for money (even though it’s for a good cause) but these methods would make it easier! Great post.
I am also uncomfortable asking for money, so I normally start with asking family first. It warms me up for when I have to ask friends lol.
Running for someone every mile is such a great idea!
How does that work – do you tell the 26 people that you are running for that you are raising money for them in a running project? And do you then just hand them the cash? Or is it dedicated to a specific expenditure – let’s say, a single mother needs her car servicing so the donated money is spent on that?
In any case, I really like this idea and might use that one day. It’s also very motivating to keep running in a marathon!
.
The way I’ve seen it done in the past is that the person fundraising will do a social media post and say they are dedicating a mile to each person. People comment saying what mile they want and how much they are donating.
I like that your job matches your donation. That’s really cool! I’ve never done a charity entry but I think the giveaway is a neat way to raise money!
It’s one perk my job offers that I absolutely love, and I know so many people that take advantage of it!
I love all of these ideas! I have not raised money for a race but I have donated to many of my friends’ campaigns. Perhaps I will try it myself someday
If you ever decide to fundraise for a race, you can count me in for a donation 🙂
Great ideas! I used to manage a charity team for a non-profit organization and I can tell you the employer match money can really add up quickly! I have not fundraised for an organization myself, but have been thinking about it – it really is such a great way to give back!
I love to hear that the employer matched money is vital – that makes me so happy! It’s one perk that my job offers that I think is so important.
These are all great tips! I’ve only used email but know friends that have hosted giveaways. I try to donate to as many as I can because I know it isn’t easy to fundraise.
The giveaways seem to be super popular now and I’m always amazed at the cool products runners are able to giveaway!
I had my NYC Marathon bib, but I decided to sponsor myself per mile trained in support of Joyful Heart. Had some friends support me but much less pressure than raising $2,500 or more.
I like the giveaway idea – and definitely the email. Social media is easier but you never know if it will show in someone’s feed or not
What an awesome idea and I love that you were able to donate so much to Joyful Heart – its such an amazing organization.