Walk-a-thons help to raise funds and spread the word about your organization.
Make your walk-a-thon an enjoyable and profitable fundraiser for your group or charity. Walk-a-thons are inexpensive to plan, but they do require a lot of organization and volunteers. Corporate sponsors can help defray the costs of printing and advertising. Plan your event well, empower the volunteer walkers with the tools necessary to solicit sponsors and your walk-a-thon will flourish.
Instructions
1. Form a walk-a-thon committee from the community or appoint a committee from the membership of the charity that will host the event. Designate a chairperson who will be primarily responsible for delegating duties and responsibilities for the planning and arrangements. Select a date for the walk-a-thon at least nine months in advance, plan the route and then begin recruiting walkers.
2. Contact your local city government to obtain all necessary permits and insurance as required by local ordinances. Design a logo and create a slogan to promote the event. Set fundraising goals to help you determine how many participants and sponsors must be recruited to meet the walk-a-thon fundraising goal. Design and print sponsorship packages for walkers that will include preparatory materials (like what to wear and alternate plans in case of rain), medical releases and pledge cards for sponsors.
3. Seek a corporate sponsor for the entire event in addition to participant sponsors. Ask the corporate sponsor to donate money and in-kind donations, such as shirts, advertising, walking shoes, banners and printed promotional flyers. Contact local television and radio stations about donating public service announcement air time to promote your walk-a-thon about one month leading up to the event date.
4. Mail RSVP participation reminders to all registered walkers one week prior to the walk-a-thon. Meet with local emergency services to make sure that they are aware of the date of your event. Solicit the help of medical volunteers, such as doctors and nurses, at least two weeks prior to the event to help walkers with injuries like pulled muscles, over-heating and blisters. Contact the local media to cover your event.
5. Finalize check-in lists and confirmations from returned RSVP reminders one week prior to the event. Assemble enough volunteers along the route to provide water and encouragement to walkers. Assign volunteer photographers along the route to capture the event for promotional materials for next year's walk-a-thon.
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