Charity Walks Blog

I have recently read several blog posts and newsletters from fundraising consultants who encourage nonprofits to run away from charity walks when they should be embracing special events.

Many of these consultants are friends of mine. I have a significant amount of respect for them and their abilities. So why am I concerned with this particular advice?

Get Rid of Charity Walks

There is some basis for these fundraising consultants to recommend that nonprofits stay away from special events, including charity walks. Planning, organizing and executing a successful charity walk takes a significant amount of time and effort from staff and volunteers. There are other much more efficient methods to raise money to support an important cause. There is also some level of risk being accepted when holding a special event.

Horror stories of failed attempts at raising funds have been used to reinforce the risks being taken when embarking on special events. Some of these stories were first-hand experiences of the fundraising consultant.

If the only need of the nonprofit organization is to raise money, the advice being given is right on target. Finding ways to be more effective and efficient at rising funds is why the fundraising consultant was hired, right?

The Flaw

Most nonprofit organizations don’t have a purpose and mission to raise money. Typically, an organization needs to do things like institute programs and lead advocacy efforts to fulfill their purpose. The funds raised are just one of the important tools needed to allow the organization to make a positive difference. There are other important tools that the organization needs in addition to money.

When decisions about special events are made from the limited perspective of fundraising alone, it can cause problems in the organization. I was intrigued by the blog post Fundraisers and Program Professionals: Can’t Everyone Just Get Along?. It discusses the friction that can occur between program professionals and fundraisers when each are not working together from a “corporate” perspective.

Consider Charity Walks for All They Can Provide

Charity walks can be powerful. There are many benefits this type of special event can provide to the nonprofit organization. Some of these benefits include:

• Raising money
• Recruiting and developing volunteers
• Raising awareness for the cause and the organization
• Identifying and engaging company partnerships in the community
• Supporting advocacy efforts

These are all positive things from the program professional perspective. But unless the fundraisers and program professionals start viewing their efforts from an organization perspective, there will be unhealthy conflict and the nonprofit will not be as effective as it could be.

Before eliminating charity walks, the total return on investment needs to be considered and compared to the overall needs of the organization. Only then can an informed decision be made. Who knows, maybe a bonus benefit will be the program professionals and fundraisers will start getting along.

By the way, most of the special event horror stories I read had little or no volunteer involvement. In my opinion, this is not advised and would put the event at significant risk. If you are considering a charity walk in the future, take advantage of others who have successfully put on these charity events. Get your personal  copy of The Walkathon Guide at http://www.TheWalkathonGuide.com.

Thanks,

Photo credit: Thiago Felipe Festa

Technorati Tags: Advocacy Efforts, charity fundraising, charity walk, charity walks, Fundraising, Fundraising Consultant, Fundraising Consultants, Nonprofit Organization, Nonprofit Organizations, Volunteers

There have been several articles and blog posts written lately suggesting that there are too many charity runs and walks. One of these posts is at http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2010/05/running-toward-an-awareness-overload.html.

I decided to examine the online community calendar of my local newspaper in Fredericksburg, Virginia. For today, the events listed include:

• 17 music events
• 4 art exhibits
• 3 theater events
• 2 book signings

Is it likely that people will complain about the promotion of too many music events? Art exhibits? I doubt it.

It is recognized that people have different tastes in types of music and art so multiple events on a given day are expected. So why isn’t it recognized that people have different passions regarding causes? Why isn’t it recognized that these charity events help provide nonprofit organizations with money, volunteers, public awareness, advocacy and partnerships with community businesses that are needed to make a difference?

What isn’t discussed is how many people are participating in these events. What isn’t discussed is how successful they are.

If there was true awareness overload, participation would dwindle, donations would evaporate, and sponsors would disappear. But that isn’t the case for most of these events. These events require hard work by many nonprofit staff and volunteers. They would be canceled if there wasn’t a good return on investment.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Thanks,

Photo credit: ramzi hashisho

Technorati Tags: Advocacy, charity events, charity walks, Community Calendar, Fredericksburg Virginia, Music Events, Nonprofit Organizations, Nonprofit Staff, Partnerships, Passions, Public Awareness, Return On Investment, Volunteers

Most people in the UK know at least one person whose life has been seriously affected by cancer, and as a result, many people are very keen to do something – anything – to help improve the lives of people living with cancer.

At first you may think that the battle against cancer is only fought in hospitals and laboratories, where scientists conduct research in an effort to develop new cures; but in fact, every single one of us can help by raising money for cancer charities, which helps support those affected by cancer and funds new research into new treatments.

Over the years, more and more extravagant ways of raising money through sponsorship have been dreamed up; cycling through the Sahara desert on a monocycle, running the London marathon – in a diving suit; jumping out of a plane – naked. The imagination and determination of fundraisers is the only limit to the world of wacky charity trips.

However, one of the most popular ways to raise money is still the tried-and-tested charity walk. The beauty of this form of fundraising is that everyone can join in, from toddlers to teenagers and OAPs, and it can be done anywhere, from capital cities to rural regions.

Walking events, such as Walk Wonders which raises funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, also have the bonus of bringing together a group a people for a communal cause. In addition, unlike more extravagant fundraising activities, there’s no expensive set up costs involved. There are a selection of organised walks that take place across the UK all year round, which range from short family fun walks, to much longer hikes and even multi-day adventures.

Most ask for no minimum amount of funds to be raised – every little helps. But, if you find that there is no organised cancer charity walk or other fundraising event in your area, why not hold your own? Many cancer charities offer assistance to those looking to set up their own event, and offer support and exposure through their organisations.

People take part in cancer charity walks for different reasons. Some are former sufferers who have recovered and want to give something back; some have a friend or family member who are currently undergoing treatment or want to honour a loved one who has passed away, and many just want to do something positive for those less fortunate than themselves.

Whatever your reason for wanting to take part, walking to raise funds for cancer is a meaningful way for people to contribute to a great cause, enjoy a healthy activity and participate in a collective family outing.

About the Author

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen gardener. He lives in Scotland with his two dogs.

(ArticlesBase SC #332189)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Step by Step: Walking for the Cancer Cause

Photo credit: Karina Faiani

Technorati Tags: Cancer Cause, Cancer Charities, Cancer Charity, Cancer Charity Walk, Fundraising, Fundraising Activities, Fundraising Event, London Marathon, Macmillan Cancer Support, Raising Money, Running Marathon, Sponsored Walks, Walk For Cancer, Ways To Raise Money

The charity walk was scheduled to  start in about an hour and a half.  I was in my car and about five minutes away from the event. That’s when it hit my windshield…RAIN!

I was attending the Richmond Arthritis Walk in Richmond, Virginia.  It was my first time participating in this event so I didn’t know what to expect.  I did know the event was taking place rain or shine.

When I arrived, I was directed to park my car on the second level of the parking deck. The staff and volunteers were already moving tables out of the rain to the first level of the parking deck. That was the location most of the morning activities took place.

I was surprised by how many people arrived with their raincoats and umbrellas to take part in the charity walk.  The rainy weather wasn’t going to stop them from supporting a cause that was important to them. Fortunately, most of the rain subsided during the walk portion of the event. But on that morning, the participants were already prepared to walk in the rain.

We can’t control the weather.  The Richmond Arthritis Walk could have been a disaster because of the rain.  Instead, it was a tremendous success despite the bad weather. The success didn’t happen by accident. Here are some tips that should be considered for all charity walks, because this could happen at any outdoor event:

• Decide very early in the planning process whether you are going to hold the charity walk event “rain or shine” or have an alternate date scheduled in case of bad weather.
• Communicate your intentions to all participants so they are not wondering on the day of the event whether or not to attend.
• If you decide to hold your event if it rains, make sure the needed details are covered in all of your planning and preparation right up to the date of the charity walk.
• Maintain safety as a #1 priority throughout the event.

None of us want bad weather on the day of our charity walks.  However, when it does happen you’ll be glad that you prepared for it ahead of time.

Thanks,

p.s. You can view some of the photos I took at the Richmond Arthritis Walk at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogercarr/sets/72157623803852501/.

Photo credit: John Evans

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis walk, Bad Weather, Charity Event, charity walk, charity walks, Rain Or Shine, Rainy Weather, Richmond, Richmond Virginia, Umbrellas, virginia, Volunteers

A member of the Charity Walks Network asked for other member experiences using registration software for charity walks. It turned out to be a hot topic. Several members chimed in with information. Several representatives of the software developers shared in the conversation. You can read and participate in the discussion at http://charitywalks.ning.com/forum/topics/registration-software.

Software can be helpful for better organizing, promoting and fundraising for your charity walk. There are many software packages to choose from. Some are general purpose that can be adapted to your needs and others are written specifically to support pledge-based events, such as charity walks. Some support a specialized purpose and others provide an integrated capability. Some are online while others are hosted on your own computers.

The following table contains the names of software mentioned or referenced in the discussion on the Charity Walks Network:

ActiveGiving	Artez	BEEx.org
Blackbaud Sphere Events	Change.org	ChangingthePresent.org
ChipIn	Convio TeamRaiser	DoJiggy Pledge
DonorDrive by Global Cloud	DonorPages by DonorPerfect	eTapestry
Facebook Causes	Firstgiving	GiftTool
Six Degrees

To evaluate the needs and potential products to support charity walks, I have used criteria described in the book by Ken Laudon and Jane Laudon called Management Information Systems. They define three factors that must be understood when considering information systems. They are organization, management, and technology.

Organization

The definition of organization is much larger than is reflected on an organizational chart. Laudon and Laudon define the key elements of an organization as “its people, structure, business processes, politics, and culture.” All of these need to be considered when implementing an information system. This will help avoid a potential resistance to change as the new software is introduced and it will also help ensure hidden costs for things like training are addressed when choosing the software solution.

Management

Strategic and tactical decision making are both required for the management of charity walk events. There are several strategic decisions that can be made which will have a significant impact on the amount of funding and participation that is received in the future. There is also the need to plan and monitor the progress on a day-to-day basis. If the software needs to support these areas, make sure it monitors and reports on the appropriate information that is needed at all levels of the organization.

Technology

Technology is much more than just the hardware and software of the information system. It also includes items such as the methods of communication and collaboration, and the types of devices that will access the information. For example, are there plans to use mobile technology for communication or fundraising? Privacy and security are also a part of the considerations under the technology category.

Selecting the appropriate software to support charity walks is not an easy task. However, understanding your needs before making a selection is critical to making an appropriate choice.

Be sure to sign up for your free membership at the Charity Walks Network (http://www.CharityWalks.ning.com). Ask a question about selecting software or any other charity walk topic you need help with. There is a growing community there interested in helping you succeed.

Thanks,

Photo credit: Ariel da Silva Parreira

Technorati Tags: Blackbaud, charity walks, Convio, DoJiggy, Facebook, Global Cloud, Management Information Systems, Registration Software, Six Degrees