Blog

1. Make A List

Put together a list of friends and family who you see as potential donors. You can get creative here and brainstorm in a lot of directions such as neighbors, workout buddies, club members, co-workers, etc! Think big on your first list because it never hurts to ask - the more people you reach out to, the more donations you will receive. It may seem silly to write everyone down, including close family members, but it will help you keep track overall and follow up throughout your fundraising season.

2. Reach Out

Now that your list is set, reach out to these people and share your story. The best option is to reach out how you usually communicate with this person - is it via email, in-person, text, Instagram DM, etc.? Maybe even a hand-written letter is best! However you are most comfortable, share the link to your fundraising page and let them know how hard you are working!

3. Set an Initial Fundraising Goal…Then Raise It

Set a goal for your fundraising that you find reasonable and also proud of. Having something to aim for will keep you motivated and remind you during long runs what it is all for. When you hit your goal, raise it! Not only will this help keep you motivated, but it will keep your donors motivated to help you achieve the goal you have set. You’re raising money for a cause you care about, so it is worth pushing yourself to raise more than you ever could have imagined.

4. Never Forget Your Why

You’re running for a reason, and we know it is something special. Sit down and write this out. It will be a great motivator to re-read your WHY and give your fundraising motivation a little boost. This will be something that can inspire you during training and fundraising so put it somewhere that you can look often.

5. Share on Social

As you train for your event, share how it is going on social media. Did you hit a PR? Did you run your farthest distance? Your hard work will inspire your followers and will drive donations as they continue to see how much it means to you.

6. Talk to Strangers

Your charity means so much to you, and as you share your story, you will in return hear from others about how much that charity means to them as well, even if you never knew it. There are people out there who feel as passionately as you, so the more you share, the more you will learn. Hearing how a charity has helped or touch someone’s life will further drive your passion and allow you to develop a stronger connection to your WHY.

A lot of people will also thank you for your dedication. You are running for a cause that not only touches your heart but has touched the hearts of thousands. So be proud of your fundraising efforts.

7. Be Raw

Your passion will shine when you are real. Tell your story and don’t hold back. It might be hard to be vulnerable, but this will inspire those around you to take action, whether it is to donate to your cause or to sign up and Run For A Reason themselves.

8. Team Up

There is nothing like the camaraderie of doing an athletic event with family, friends and co-workers. If you have close friends as passionate about your charity as you, team up and train together! You can talk about the difficulties and triumphs you face when training and fundraising but also support each other’s efforts. This will make race day extra special!

9. Thank Your Donors

It’s a simple thing to do, but it’s also one of the most powerful. There is nothing better than receiving a hand-written note about how you helped someone. Make sure to say thank you to everyone who supported your fundraising efforts and let them know how much it meant to you.

And of course... 10. Have fun!