Westside LA Team In Training - Summer 2009 Marathon & Half Marathon Team

Posts Tagged ‘ideas’

A TNT participant-created video created last year, titled, “Leave Your Shoes Behind”

For some of you, recommitment is around the corner. I’ve been approached by some participants about some unique and exciting ideas for fundraising. Most of my ideas come from researching other TNT fundraising pages outside of LA, checking out fundraising forums, and researching how other nonprofit organizations fundraise. The information is definitely out there, but the tough part is figuring out where to look.

A great resource for fundraising ideas are various Team In Training related and running forums. Skimming through some of the following forums, I already picked up some unique and exciting ideas such as bowling nights, magnets, buttons, having a table at an auto dealership, gift card fundraisers, restaurant revenue shares, local business reviews, and much much more.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Community Forums
This is the official Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraising Forum for Team in Training. This is HIGHLY recommended, and contains a lot of valuable fundraising information.

Facebook Team in Training Group Forums
This is a great resource for fundraising knowledge sharing from experienced and new Team in Training members. It seems to be updated with new topics and replies frequently, and reading some of the old archives are very helpful too.

MySpace Team in Training Group Forums
Topic threads don’t go very deep, but there’s pages and pages of topics which you can read through for many ideas.

Active Running Community – Fundraising Topic
This forum isn’t a Team in Training focused page, but you can use the same ideas and techniques from other nonprofit organizations. Not much going on here, but archives can also give you some great ideas.

You really have to take the time to read through some. I encourage you to also participate and contribute. Network with other TNT participants and alumni, meet some new friends, share ideas!

I’m sure you’ve read from different fundraising blogs and top lists about this idea of selling a piece of yourself. A bit weird? Sure, but it’s a pretty good fundraiser if you’re up to the task. Last year, Kim Willingham of the Georgia chapter of Team In Training let people write their names on certain body parts on raceday for a minimum $100 donation.

What parts?

• Right Arm
• Left Arm
• Right leg
• Left leg
• Right Breast
• Left Breast
• Right cheek
• Left cheek
• Belly
• Back

See how she did it here

Most of us will go into the LLS eFundraising Admin area (where you go to update your TNT fundraising page) and not notice certain features. We most likely just check who donated, or edit our fundraising page with a weekly update or photo. Have you clicked on the “Fundraising Tips” tab to the left of “Personalize Pages”? There’s a simple widget on there in which you can scroll through different fundraising ideas.

Here’s one that I didn’t know about:
“Three times a year, Whole Foods will hold “5% Days” (or Community giving Days). They will donate 5% of that day’s total sales to a local non-profit organization. Contact the Marketing Director at the nearest Whole Foods Market.”

Did you know that?

Log in to LLS eFundraising and check it out for yourself!