Charity Walks Blog

One alternative to the traditional charity walk is a treadmill charity walk

Almost anyone can participate in a charity walk. That is one of the characteristics that is so appealing for this type of charity event. However, not everyone will be able to participate in your charity walk.

There are some people who aren’t physically able to walk the course you have planned. There are others who won’t be able to attend because it is not convenient.

Putting a twist on your charity walks by adding options can help include some of those who are unable to participate in your basic charity event.

Consider some of these add-on options to increase participation, awareness and fundraising:

Virtual Participation

The name virtual charity walk typically refers to a charity walk event being conducted in a virtual world via computer.  Second Life is one of the online virtual worlds where this is becoming popular. That is not the type of virtual participation I am referring to.

For some potential walkers, the location or the date/time of your charity walk will not allow them to participate.  Why not allow them to do their walk at a convenient location or date/time of their own choosing? Although they would not be a participant at the main event, they would fundraise and walk with the same passion and spirit. Each of these virtual participants would receive the great feeling that comes from supporting a great cause and the nonprofit organization would reap the benefits of reaping additional active volunteers and money to further the cause.

Treadmill Walk

Some participants are physically unable to participate in a traditional charity walk.  Westchester Square Physical Therapy (WSPT) of the Bronx is holding a Treadmill Walk-a-Thon as an alternative. Physical therapy patients and others in the community will be timed as they walk on treadmills.  WSPT’s treadmills to be used includes a therapy pool treadmill.

Aquatic Walk

An arthritis aquatics class conducts an aquatic walk each year in support of a charity walk in my local area. The aquatic walk is performed by participants “walking” laps around the pool.  Although it would be extremely difficult or impossible for them to participate in the traditional charity walk, the aquatic walk allows them to participate in a charity walk with a group of friends while benefiting the nonprofit organization.

Consider augmenting your charity walks with options that allow additional walkers  to participate. It can help those who have felt excluded from being able to participate in the past. It also can mean additional support and funding for your nonprofit organization.

Thanks,

p.s. Go to http://CharityWalks.ning.com and take advantage of the free signup at the Charity Walks Network. Learn additional ways to make your next charity walk event more successful.

photo credit: Mr. T in DC

Technorati Tags: Charity Event, charity walks, Fundraising, Nonprofit Organization, Physical Therapy Patients, Second Life, Treadmill, Treadmills, Walk A Thon, Walkers, Westchester Square, Wspt

Charity walks provide many benefits. Some of these are: raising needed funds, increasing the public’s awareness of the organization and cause, and identifying new company partners, advocates, and volunteers.

What Is the Unique Charity Walk Benefit?

The important benefits mentioned above are already worth the investment of time and energy that is required to hold a charity walk. However, there is another benefit that many nonprofit organizations don’t think about. It is possible due to the gathering of so many people who are passionate about the organization and cause. What is the benefit? The ability to interview a large group of individuals for their personal stories and testimonials

Some people are participating in the charity walk because they (or someone close to them) are suffering from something the nonprofit organization is fighting to remedy. There are many personal stories that could be captured from these individuals. Some people are participating in the charity walk because they’ve been helped by the nonprofit organization. Why not record their testimonials? You could collect other interviews from people that might not meet either of these categories and capture their thoughts about why they are supporting the charity walk.

What Can Be Done with Personal Stories and Testimonials

I believe the best way to record the stories and testimonials is to interview the person on video. Why? By recording video, it allows the greatest number of ways to use the information. Here are a few ideas:

• Post the videos on video sharing sites. Include a description of what the charity is all about along with a link to the charity’s website.
• Include some of the interviews in marketing materials, such as video advertisements.
• Use audio from the stories and testimonials for use with podcasts.
• Transcribe the videos into an ebook that can be freely shared or sold to raise additional funds for the organization. The Walk for Healthcare has done this effectively by Dr. Ogan Gurel interviewing people throughout his walk route. I have included one of their resulting documents above to see what they have done.
• Create printed books to use for staff/volunteer recognition and also for giving to VIPs as a part of advocacy efforts. For example, this may be a great tool to put in the hands of politicians to educate them on the importance of supporting the organization and cause.

Thanks,

p.s. Be sure to get your copy of The Walkathon Guide at http://TheWalkathonGuide.com while it is still available at the introductory price.

Technorati Tags: Advocates, Benefit Charity, charity walks, Company Partners, Nonprofit Organization, Testimonials, Volunteers, walk for healthcare

When you approach potential sponsors for your charity walks, do you request a “handout” or do you present a well thought out proposal that describes how the business will receive as much or more than they contribute?

Businesses need to make a profit. You need to show them that their sponsorship is important and beneficial. There is nothing wrong with finding ways they can benefit from their generous donations in support of your cause and event.

Traditional benefits provided to charity walk sponsors include printed logos on the walkers t-shirts, a listing of sponsors in the promotional material, and providing sponsor tables at the event. Don’t stop at what has been done traditionally. Be creative.

Consider some of these unique sponsor incentives for your next charity walks:

• Send a press release. Get the attention of the media for both your organization and the sponsor by submitting a press release. Don’t limit your submission to the local media. Make sure it is posted online as well to increase exposure.
• Mention sponsors in newsletter and emails. Your nonprofit organization probably sends out emails on a regular basis to your supporters. You probably send out a newsletter in the mail as well. Another benefit you can provide the supporter, is to mention their generosity to your supporters in these emails and newsletters.
• Add links on your websites. If the sponsor has a web site, the company can receive multiple benefits from you adding a link to their website on your websites. This includes links from your charity walk blog and other online social sites. Your charity walk doesn’t have a blog? It’s time to get one started.
• Offer speeches and workshops. Your organization is making an impact in the world. You know, better than anyone, about the challenges of the cause and what is possible with the support of others. Offer a speech or class on the topic to educate and help the sponsor’s employees. If the topic is not something of general interest, offer to teach a class on topics such as leadership, organization, or public speaking.

Make it easy for the potential sponsor to say “yes” to your proposal to support your charity walks. Show the company unique ways their donation may benefit their financial bottom line in a positive way. Presenting a win-win proposal will better your chances of adding that sponsor as a supporter to your charity walks and keeping that sponsor’s support for a long time.

Thanks,

photo credit: ©FOTOCROMO

Technorati Tags: charity walks, Generosity, Generous Donations, Incentives, Local Media, Nonprofit Organization, Press Release, Promotional Material, Proposal, Speeches, Sponsor Tables, Sponsorship

Charity walks can benefit tremendously from the support of businesses. They can potentially provide money, required products, and volunteer time.

Businesses all around you need new ways to promote their products and services to the community. They also need to continually find new ways to improve employee satisfaction. Supporting charity walks is one great way to do this.

Contact businesses in your area for support. Let them know the impact your nonprofit organization is making, the benefit your charity walk and organization will receive from their business donation, and what benefits they can receive through their generosity.

Make sure you are offering many of the following ways to benefit your charity walk sponsors:

• Mention sponsors on all event promotion material. Let everyone you promote your charity walk to, know who your sponsors are. This is great advertising for your sponsors. Make sure
• Print the logo of each sponsor on charity walk shirts. Participants turn into moving billboards for the charity and sponsors every time they wear the shirt.
• Provide a table for each sponsor on the day of the event. Walkers will be able to visit each sponsor’s display and be able to get their questions answered immediately by the company representatives covering the event. It also provides an opportunity for the sponsor to provide promotion material to the walk participants.
• Provide an opportunity for the sponsors to give samples of their products to the walk participants. They can do this at their sponsor tables. It can also happen by putting together a gift bag for all of your walkers or by using sponsor products as prizes.
• Present thank you plaques or certificates to all of your charity walk sponsors. Many shops and restaurants will display these at their place of business in a location where customers and employees can view them. This can improve the image of the business while also continuing to raise awareness of your organization.

Be creative in finding additional ways for companies to benefit from their sponsorship of your charity walks. The next time you discuss opportunities with a local business, you will be able to share several benefits they will receive for their contribution. It will be a win-win proposal that will help you secure more sponsorships for a more successful charity walk.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: Charity Organization, charity walks, Employee Satisfaction, Generosity, Incentives, Nonprofit Organization, Nonprofit Organizations, Participants, Plaques, Prizes, Promotion Material, Sponsor Products, Sponsor Tables, sponsors, Volunteer Time, Walkers

Training session being conducted by Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter

Training is critical to a successful charity walk program. With proper training, each participant will be better equipped to fulfill his or her role.

There are two levels of training that need to be provided to the charity walk team. They are general training and role specific training.

General Training

General training applies to everyone involved in the walk. What should this type of training cover?

It should include:

• Description/mission of the nonprofit organization
• Overview of the charity walk
• Fundraising basics
• Advocacy basics
• Different ways to support the nonprofit organization

Role Specific Training

Role specific training gives instruction tailored to the job of the individual participants. The focus should be on making a participant’s efforts as easy and effective as possible. What should this type of training cover?

It should include:

• Step-by-step instructions
• Tools
• Tips
• Lessons learned
• Resources
• Importance of the role and how it fits into the overall effort
• How to get help when needed

Training Methods

Training can be provided in a variety of ways. People learn differently. Consider providing the training in multiple forms when possible. This allows the participants to choose the method(s) most effective and enjoyable.

Some of the training methods that can be used include:

• Classroom (face-to-face)
• Written documents
• Online interactive lessons
• Video (online or DVD)
• Audio (podcast or CD)

Make sure your organization provides great training for the participants. You will be helping your charity walks be successful.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: charity events, charity fundraising, charity walks, Nonprofit Organization, Participants