7 Occasion Fundraising Stewardship Concepts to Assist Marathon Fundraisers



Among the best emotions is watching your occasion fundraising goal hit 100%. And among the best methods to get there’s constructing actual relationships along with your fundraisers.

Robust relationships result in extra engagement, memorable experiences, and finally, long-term loyalty to your trigger. Champion Fundraising founder Davinia Batley shares a number of easy however good occasion fundraising stewardship concepts that gained’t drain your price range.

Occasion fundraising stewardship concepts at a look

– Have common private conversations
– Have fun fundraising milestones
– Construct a neighborhood round your trigger
– Create a fundraiser buddy system
– Host common fundraiser meetups
– Create which means moments earlier than occasion day
– Make occasion day memorable

What’s occasion fundraising stewardship?

Occasion fundraising stewardship is the method of supporting and interesting fundraisers earlier than, throughout, and after an occasion. Robust stewardship helps folks really feel valued, keep motivated, and construct a long-lasting connection along with your charity.

Chart showing the Standard Stewardship Cycle: Application and commitment, Training and enthusing, Countdown and compliance, and Race day and close.
Stewardship begins from the second somebody indicators as much as increase cash for you. Picture offered by Champion Fundraising.

1. Private conversations are highly effective

Emails work effectively for large updates. However private telephone calls construct actual relationships. Attempt spending simply 5 minutes each two weeks to name your contributors. Hearken to their private tales, test on their bodily progress. Share useful coaching, fundraising, and diet ideas too!

2. Have fun your supporters’ milestones

Have fun their very first donation on JustGiving or their longest run earlier than tapering! This easy act exhibits them that you just care about each step of their arduous work (as a result of they do). Learn to discover your inactive fundraisers in your JustGiving Reviews to see who would possibly want a bit of additional assist (requires Develop plan).

Test it out →

3. Construct your neighborhood round your trigger

Marathon coaching takes a very long time and may really feel lonely. Carry your fundraisers collectively by giving your group a enjoyable and memorable workforce title. Bonus factors for additionally turning it right into a hashtag, for instance Muscular Dystrophy UK’s London Marathon #TeamOrange.

For extra London Marathon and occasion fundraising planning recommendation, see our London Marathon fundraising information.

4. Create a fundraiser buddy system

Arrange a buddy system to match skilled fundraisers with newbies, to ensure they really feel supported and linked.  Match first timers with somebody who’s taken half earlier than, and encourage them to test in frequently, share concepts, and have fun their wins collectively.

5. Host common fundraiser meetups

Coordinate common in-person or digital meetups to offer contributors an area to have fun wins and share recommendation. This may additionally assist preserve them linked (or reconnect them) along with your charity’s mission.

If you are able to do a number of periods, stick with a transparent focus like occasion fundraising ideas, coaching recommendation, and race-day prep, to keep away from the additional overwhelm for fundraisers.

Image showing two members of the Spinal Research charity team in attendance at London Marathon to cheer on a smiling fundraiser in person.
The workforce at Spinal Analysis cheering on a fundraiser at London Marathon. Picture offered by Spinal Analysis.

6. Create significant moments earlier than occasion day

Create particular moments within the lead-up to occasion day by mailing your fundraisers thank-you letters written by your charity’s workforce or beneficiaries.

Then add an EXTRA-personal contact by sharing good luck video messages. It’s an ideal closing contact earlier than the large occasion!

7. Make occasion day memorable

Going 26 miles is TOUGH. To maintain spirits excessive in the course of the precise race, create your individual indicators and convey clean cardboard indicators and brilliant markers so others can too. Make occasion day much more particular by asking your runners’ family members to affix your official cheering spots.


Key takeaway

Nice occasion fundraising stewardship doesn’t require a big price range. Private communication, community-building, milestone recognition, and significant assist may help marathon fundraisers increase extra money and construct a stronger connection along with your charity.

Your occasion fundraising electronic mail advertising and marketing programme, achieved for you!

Get our full set of pre-written electronic mail templates + bonus planning instruments to assist increase extra money at each stage of your marketing campaign.

Image showing a mock-up of JustGiving's event fundraising email templates

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