Current Economy Influences Charity Fitness Events and Related Fundraising
With the current state of the economy it is no surprise that the ability to donate to charity organizations is changing for many people. Regular participants and donators are being forced to either limit participation in events or the amount they give to the causes they believe in.
Last month a Boston Globe article reported about some negative changes in charity fundraising through athletic events. Highlighted was the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, a two-day bike trip across the state for charity which takes place this year on August 1st.
According to organizers registration is down 10%. The planning committee has turned to promoting shorter routes that allow for lower fundraising totals to draw in those who can’t commit to the full $4200 for participation.
Organizations hosting charity fitness events are searching for ways to keep total donations up and promote growth. Many are taking action to raise their number of participants knowing that each person is probably going donate less. Less money from more people is one way to meet fundraising goals.
Despite challenges, positive news is still being reported and many are taking an optimistic view of the situation. The Run, Walk, Ride Fundraising Council conducts an annual survey among managers of well-known athletic fundraising events. This information is used to compile the Run, Walk, Ride 30 – the top 30 athletic event fundraising programs. The survey also gathers information on strategies and trends among event organizers.
Their annual report shows that in 2008 the top 30 “athon” programs had a 7.6% increase in dollars raised to total $1.76 billion in gross revenue for charity. The top five programs included the Relay for Life, Team in Training, March for Babies, Race for the Cure and Breast Cancer 3-day.
This diverse group of events which topped the list can only be seen as a positive from the perspective of fundraising and participant numbers. The group includes everything from a short walk to endurance events. A wide variety of events such as this will help to draw novice exercisers as well as trained athletes. More participants mean more fundraising dollars.
Although there are worries about the ability to repeat similar fundraising growth in 2009, the survey showed that managers are implementing strategies to succeed. The top two of these strategies includes increasing corporate team recruitment and providing participants with tools to raise more funds. By focusing on the challenge from this perspective hopes are high that successful fundraising and growth will continue this year and beyond.
Do you organize charity fitness events or participate in them? How has the economy affected your efforts and what is your outlook for this year?
Photo by ronnieb, morgueFile.com
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