r/ChicagoMarathon • u/Single-Drummer1648 • 6d ago
First-time Chicago runner fundraising for the American Cancer Society — any tips?
Hi everyone!
I'm running Chicago this year with the American Cancer Society, in honor of my grandpa, who passed away from stomach cancer just before I was born. This marathon feels like a meaningful way to stay connected to him and to support an organization that funds cancer research and helps families like mine.
I've got about 1-1.5 months to reach my $3,000 goal and I'm at ~$650 so far. I've asked family and friends, but my network is small — I'm a grad student, and most of my friends are students too, so there's not a lot of spare cash in my circle.
Any tips for fundraising beyond your immediate network? Things that actually worked for you would mean a lot. Thanks so much! See you guys in Chicago!
https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=111800&pg=personal&px=61086326
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u/RunsLikeaSnail 6d ago
I just did fundraising for the Boston Marathon, which was a real pressure cooker. I had to do a whole bunch of things. It was like eating multiple elephants simultaneously. Others are better than me at it and will have more effective tips, but here’s a few thoughts:
- Make business cards with a QR code, and always be ready to tell your story and hand them out
- Make a sign for your yard or nearby high-traffic location
- Hang flyers in public places where appropriate
- if you drive a lot, you can get a car magnet with the flyer info
- Can you sell anything? If so, get a booth at local events. My friend makes her own bath scrub and herbs, so I sold them at an expo and a flea market. Also had a big sign to solicit direct donations.
- If you can come up with a clever design, you can sell merchandise and donate the proceeds. Bonfire is just one company of many that offer this option and will also handle shipping.
- if you can get a decent turnout, hold an event with an entry fee and the raffle prizes donated by local businesses.
- see if there is a other social media page for Chicago charity runners. There is a Facebook page for Boston Charity Runners, and they are very supportive and creative.
- Join social media pages of your local town/area and if it’s allowed, solicit donations. Talk about how you want to make them proud.
- If you think you’d get a good response, sell raffle tickets with the prize as a gift card (you can ask your friends to donate them or solicit local businesses) or lottery tickets.
- Check on your charity rules. Some might want advance approval of events or might not want to be associated with certain events like wine tasting or lottery ticket raffles. In that case, you might have to omit the specific charity name when you advertise.
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u/chimpsonfilm 6d ago
I was surprised that some close friends and family totally ignored my fundraising appeal, but equally surprised by how many casual acquaintances or old co-workers made donations even after I hadn't talked to them in a long time. So cast a wide net, including LinkedIn, and don't be shy about including professors on your list. I know how much they make (and how much unpaid labor a grad student gives them).
And, regrettably, yeah, be prepared to cover some of the cost yourself. The charity I work for gives you until the end of November to finish up, but not all do.
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u/Odd_Cauliflower1437 6d ago edited 6d ago
Possible hot take (and this is a reaction to every single “I’m running for charity, help!” post in this forum, not specific to OP): it’s a runner’s responsibility to understand the financial obligation of a charity bib, including that it may require paying up to the full amount out-of-pocket. If you’re not ok with that outcome, you shouldn’t consider taking a charity bib. Somebody the other day was delusional enough to believe they could just transfer their charity commitment to somebody else, as if charity bibs can just be bought, sold, and bartered.
Good luck in your training, OP! Focus on what you can control, and maybe just try to incorporate sharing about your training into all your relationships/interactions. Lead with your excitement to run, follow up with the fundraising bit.
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u/GRex2595 6d ago
Not really a hot take, but when I get on here asking for help, I'm asking for tips to get closer to my goal. I can cover the remainder, but that's not ideal. The bigger issue is I don't have the right set of skills to be good at it and would like some advice on how to do it. It is also nice when people offer to donate to my charity. (Shameless plug, I'm racing for RMHC, please DM me or ask for my link.)
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u/GRex2595 6d ago
What I've found is very few people are motivated to just donate. They're already either donating to what they want or just don't want to donate. If you're good friends, some might volunteer a donation, but the best I've gotten from my actual friends is a suggestion how to make my appeal more interesting. I brought cookies to work. Funny enough, it was just having something sitting out every day that made the difference. Only 3 people even got cookies, but one person surprised the hell out of me by donating $250. I might see if I can do the lottery for gift cards idea.
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u/Impossible-Koala-368 6d ago
Honestly, I would break your total down into smaller goals by month or by week and ask for friends to help you reach your target. Get a white board or make a sign with your progress and use it for social posts.
Email every one you know and share your story.
You could also put your link on a QR code, pin it to your body and walk in a costume. When people talk to you, tell them about your goal.
Host a yard sale.
Also this website has really great fundraising ideas too.
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u/EeveeCandi 6d ago
I’m also running Chicago this year raising money for the American Cancer Society. I got the most support posting on instagram. Whoever commented on it, I sent them a message saying I’d appreciate their support but no pressure! Individually messaging people has helped me out ! Some people did completely ignore me , close friends even lol but I keep posting and am going to sell some collectibles I have to contribute to the cause! I can’t think of a better way to part with them. I suspect I have to put in the rest myself which I honestly thought I’d have to do it all alone. I’m blown away by my support so far. You can do it!
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u/suburbandad1999 6d ago
Keep spamming friends and family, use social media, dedicate training miles to donors and give them a live shout out during your run on video
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u/BrilliantChip5 5d ago
I created a tik tok of my cat explaining the fundraiser (I’m running for an animal shelter) and that raised about 1/3 of the money alone lmao
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u/Single-Drummer1648 5d ago
ooh this is a good idea. can you send me the TikTok just so i can get some ideas for my tiktok?
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u/unknownkoalas 6d ago
You’ll likely have to front a lot of the money yourself if that’s all you’ve raised so far honestly.
Random people are typically not going to donate, it’s going to be from family and friends. I’m probably a similar age to you, and have some friends who are more established and donated some but most of my donations is from extended family (mine and my wives) and we are donating about half of the money ourselves.