Part one in a mini-series on nuggets gleaned from our marathon fundraising panel experts.

Ashley, Beth & Kristina, marathon fundraising team gurus

Last week Firstgiving hosted a Marathon Fundraising Panel for local charities interested in endurance event fundraising.  We’ve got photos here.  Successful Boston Marathon fundraising team coordinators Ashley, Beth, and Kristina shared their wisdom on how to get the most out of marathon fundraising.  They shared so much good stuff with us, we can’t fit it all in one post!  Here are some of their tips for success, with more to follow:

1. Tap into your network of supporters:

It takes a lot of passion to want to run 26.2 miles, and even more to fundraise several thousand dollars while doing it.  Where do you find these people?

• Start looking for your team early, 6-8 months before the event.
• Look internally and externally.  Tell everyone in your office you’re putting a team together, and then tell your entire database of contacts.  (For some more ideas on how to build your email list, see notes from our webinar on the subject).
• Get in touch with your donor community, with people who are already passionate about your organization’s mission.  Chances are that among these people, you’ll find some athletes or aspiring athletes.
• Our experts tell us that posting flyers at local gyms and sporting goods stores is not the most effective method for getting team members.  You might still want to do it, but invest most of your energies in tapping into your existing network.
• Include Team Firstgiving in your contact list!  Email us at endurance@firstgiving.com, and we’d be happy to post on our blog.

2. Talk about fundraising at your kick-off meeting

A marathon team kick-off meeting is par (er. . .qualifying) for the course.  Use this opportunity to train your athletes to fundraise as well.

• Invite people who have been impacted by the work of your organization to share their stories with your runners.  This can set the tone for the entire training and fundraising season.
• Talk about the mission of your organization and not only meeting but exceeding the fundraising minimum or goal.
• Ask your marathoners to share their stories with each other about why they are running for your organization.

Stay tuned, there’s more to come!