Bake sales, car washes, and raffles are all great fundraisers, but you need something bigger to draw a crowd and generate excitement. Hosting a race could be a great way to get the whole community involved and raise a bundle of cash.

You can use a race where people walk, run, bicycle, relay, or any combination of them all to fundraise for a charity, school or community group, local or national issue--the options are endless. Planning and preparation take a lot of time and effort, so give yourself a few months of lead time to plan and get the word out.

• Get help - Talk to others who have planned fundraisers or races. Non-profits and other organizations willing to share their experience could set you in the right direction.
• Make a plan - Gather support and create a planning committee to spread out the responsibilities. Cover all the basics such as deciding and reserving the specific day and time for the event, where to recruit sponsors, participants and volunteers, and the cost of putting on the event.
• Location, location, location - It all starts with a great spot. Try your local recreation centers, high school tracks, or places around town to find the right fit. You may have to get permission from the city to host an event if it is run on sidewalks, public parks, or any other public area. Have a date in mind to be able to discuss and confirm when the location can be used.

Now you have a cause to support and somewhere to host your relay--get everyone involved! Participants are essential, but so are pledges and sponsors to make your event a success.

• Recruit participants - Hit the pavement, the buttons on your cell phone, and the keys on your keyboard. Pass out pledge sheets, so people can start fundraising once they've signed up to participate.
• Solicit sponsors - Sponsorship is a great way to get participants, prizes and donations. Local businesses might jump at the opportunity for publicity, and small sponsorship fees or donations can add up quickly.
• Get covered - Check with your partners, sponsors or your location host about liability to keep your event protected. You may want participants to sign a waiver.

• Day-of necessities - You're going to need several tables and a team of volunteers to manage everything from check-in tables to water and light snacks for participants (great items to have donated by sponsors). You will also want to set up tables for sponsor displays.
• Keep it safe - Make sure the area of your race is clearly marked or roped off clearly for participants or the public. Also, have areas that are easy to access for going in and out of the route for bathroom stops or switching off teammates if you do a relay. It's also a good idea to notify the local hospital about the event. You may want an ambulance on-site in case of emergency.
• Draw a crowd - Consider additional day-of activities like onsite bake sales and family attractions, such as a moonwalk or other inflatable attractions, to supplement your efforts.

Check out these sites:

• Relay for Life
• One university's Student Involvement Guide
• Event Safety Planning

 

Sources:

nps.gov; aafrc.org; oregonstate.edu/studentinvolvement; esplanning.co.uk; runtheplanet.com