5 Ways to Fundraise for Charity Races

Racing for a charity organization can be a serious commitment. It requires training and raising money—two tasks that take time, motivation and determination.

Despite the extra effort, the payoff can be even bigger. Training and racing for people in need is an effective motivator and allows you to contribute more than your personal finances might allow.

If you're gearing up to race for charity, consider these five ways to fundraise.

Email

Perhaps the easiest way to find potential donors is to contact them via email.

Email allows you to pitch a large number of people at once and provide them with all the necessary details about the organization and how they can donate.

While a mass email is the most effortless, you're likely to get a better response if you send personalized notes to each person.

More: The Great Debate: Should You Run for Time or Distance?

Throw a Party

Consider arranging a backyard barbecue or cocktail gathering to raise funds for your charity of choice. This requires an upfront investment in food and drinks, but you can offset that with donation buckets, games or a raffle.

If you have a birthday coming up, suggest partygoers pitch in a few bucks for charity instead of bringing you a gift. Either way, this is a fun reason to host a get together and gives you the chance to talk face-to-face with people about the charity that you're raising money for. That personal appeal may just compel them to give.

More: 5 Tips From 2 Pro Runners on How to Run a 5K PR

Host a Garage Sale

Ask your friends and family to donate gently used items for a garage sale fundraiser. This is a quick way to raise a considerable amount of money in a single weekend. It also can feel easier to ask people for donations of goods rather than cash.

More: Why Barefoot Running Is BS

Offer an Incentive

Order team shirts, keychains or bracelets to offer to every person who donates. This not only incentivizes their giving, it also makes them feel personally connected to the cause.

It's also a great to spread the word about the organization. When your donors wear the shirt or sport the bracelet, it can lead to conversations with other potential givers.

Partner with a Local Business

Businesses, particularly small local ones with connections to the community, will often offer a portion of the profits to your charity if you bring in customers.

Ask around and see who might be willing to help the cause and work on inviting as many guests as you can. This type of event makes for great community building in the name of a good cause.

More: 10 "Secrets" to Take Your Running to the Next Level