Successful Fundraising Ideas for Groups and Clubs

Walkathon Fundraiser Idea

How to put on a successful walkathon fundraiser

The great thing about hosting a walk-a-thon fundraiser is that just about anyone can participate. If you’re not familiar with walkathons, they’re a type of fundraising event where participants gather donations or pledges from sponsors (friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, and local businesses) to support a particular cause or organization, and then walk a predetermined distance or route on a designated day. Donations can be based on the number of miles walked, a flat donation, or another agreed-upon metric. Participants may form teams or walk individually, depending on how you structure the event. Walkathons are also great for promoting physical activity and getting community involvement!

If you plan on hosting a walkathon fundraiser, you’re likely going to need access to many volunteers. Typical walkathons usually go a distance of 5 miles or less. The less stringent, the more likely you are to get a larger group of participants. Try and hold your walkathon in an appealing area that people would enjoy walking in such as a local park, on city streets, or even as a virtual event where participants walk independently and track their progress using fitness apps or wearable devices. In some cases you may need a permit from the city. You will also need to provide a water station and possibly have a medical professional at the event. As with any outdoor event, you’ll need to make plans for the possibility of rain. It would also make for a better event if you planned some additional activities pre or post walk such as live music, food vendors, or raffle prizes, to enhance the participant experience and attract more supporters. A themed event will make it even more exciting. Be sure to solicit corporate sponsorships. Doing so will help you reach your fundraising goal much faster.

Corporate Sponsorship and Matching Gifts

Reach out to local businesses, corporations, and philanthropic organizations to secure sponsorships.
Offer opportunities for corporate sponsors to have their logos displayed on event materials or mentioned in promotional materials.
Encourage companies with matching gift programs to match the donations made by their employees or customers.

Incentives and Challenges

Offer incentives and rewards for participants who raise a certain amount of money, such as branded merchandise, gift cards, or exclusive event experiences.
Organize fundraising challenges with prizes for the individuals or teams that raise the most money within a specific timeframe.

Steps for planning a successful walkathon event

Put together a planning committee to help you organize the event.
Decide on the date, time, and location for the walk-a-thon. Be sure to consider factors like weather and accessibility.
Obtain any necessary permits (or permissions) for the event location.
Consider whether the event will be held in-person, virtual, or a hybrid model.
Estimate the expenses involved, such as permit fees, marketing materials, refreshments, and any rented equipment you may need such as tents and tables.
Build a team of volunteers to help with various aspects of the event, such as registration, route marshaling, first aid, and cleanup.
Create promotional materials such as flyers, posters, and social media graphics.
Use social media platforms, email newsletters, local newspapers, local radio stations, and community bulletin boards to spread the word about the event.
Set up an online registration platform where participants can sign up for the walk-a-thon, create fundraising pages, and gather sponsors using a sponsor pledge-form.
Consider providing incentives for participants to raise funds, such as prizes for reaching certain fundraising milestones.
Choose a safe and scenic route for the walk-a-thon. Consider factors like distance, terrain, and accessibility for all participants.
Mark the route with signage or have volunteers available to guide participants.

Day-of Logistics

Set up registration/check-in tables and provide participants with event materials like t-shirts, bibs, and maps if needed.
Have a designated area for warm-up exercises and stretching before the walk.
Arrange for water stations along the route and have medical personnel or first aid kits available.
Coordinate with local authorities or security personnel to ensure the safety of participants.

Post-Event Activities

Celebrate the success of the walk-a-thon with post-event activities such as awards ceremonies, live music, or refreshments.
Thank participants, sponsors, and volunteers for their support.
Follow up with participants and donors to collect sponsorship funds.