How to Organize a Charity Walk Or Run

How to Organize a Charity Walk or Run. If you have a cause you care about, it's easy to put a plan -- and feet! -- in motion for making money. You will need Cause Planning committee Date Route Knowledge of local laws Sponsors Publicity Website and race-day plan. Step 1. Pick a cause that's particularly important to you. Learn about your issue through personal interaction and statistics so you can speak about it passionately and accurately. Step 2. Find other people to help you plan your event by visiting local support groups and web forums. Gather enough people so you can delegate effectively while maintaining focus on your objective. Seek out a national group dedicated to your cause to help with additional information and contacts. Step 3. Pick a date to hold your event, giving yourself at least six months to plan. Research other events going on in your area so you're not competing for people's availability, energy, and funding. Select an alternate date, so people aren't forced to run or walk in bad weather. If your charity has a designated day or month, plan your event around it to help generate publicity. Step 4. Choose an available location and route for your event. Pick a race length that ensures people can finish and accomplish their goals while raising appropriate funds. Consult local officials regarding traffic flow, crowd control, security issues, and insurance needs. Step 5. Approach businesses and individuals to donate resources or funds. Start with local running or sporting goods stores, since their business relates directly to your event. Take whatever a sponsor is willing to provide and thank them in any event-related press. If a sponsor donates an item you can't use for the event, raffle it off before the race starts. Step 6. Publicize your event. Contact newspaper, radio, and television outlets for interviews. Find out if any public personalities have connections to your cause and would be willing to either get the word out or participate themselves. Step 7. Find people to participate. Decide at least four months in advance whether to have participants pay a registration fee, collect sponsors, or both. Approach friends, relatives, and support groups; reach out to contacts on social-media services; and place fliers locally. Create a website where people can find information on the race and your cause. Step 8. Have a plan for race day, but be willing to improvise if necessary. Maintain a cool head and rely on your team's support as you watch your charitable vision become a reality. Did you know In 2009, about 100 runners wearing only Santa hats and swimsuits ran through the streets of Budapest, Hungary to raise money for cystic fibrosis.