Imagine turning your next fundraiser into an event that people talk about for weeks—not just because it supports a great cause but because people are genuinely excited to participate. As a development director, you’re constantly challenged to find creative ways to boost donor engagement and revenue, and competitive fundraisers may be your solution!
These events harness the energy of friendly rivalry to increase engagement, boost donations, and rally your community together. By tapping into people’s desire to win, you can spark enthusiasm, energize donors, and turn fundraising into a collective effort.
Whether it’s a Read-A-Thon, charity sports tournament, or walking challenge, competitive fundraisers can ignite that competitive spirit and raise more money for your cause. Let’s explore how and why you can turn your next fundraiser into a challenge that participants can’t wait to join.
Why Competitive Fundraisers Work
Competitive fundraisers tap into several psychological drivers that motivate participants to give their best effort. Here are some key benefits:
- Sense of Accomplishment: Individuals and teams feel accomplished when they achieve goals or hit milestones, making them feel like they’re directly contributing to your mission.
- Skill Development: Competitive fundraisers are especially effective fundraisers for schools, because they teach kids teamwork, leadership, and dedication to a cause.
- Increased Engagement: When people compete for a cause they care about, they stay invested. Plus, when donors personally care about a specific participant’s success, they’re more likely to feel engaged and stay involved long term.
- Community Building: Competitive fundraisers can rally people around your cause and bring them closer together, especially when they compete in teams.
- Incentives for Participation: Rewards and recognition give participants extra motivation to reach their goals, making the event more exciting. Something as simple as public leaderboards showcasing top fundraisers can inspire people to work harder toward their personal fundraising goals.
- Clear Progress Indicators: Leaderboards, updates, and goal tracking help participants see their progress and feel part of something bigger.
As participants see how they contribute to your overall fundraising results, they’ll become more motivated to keep pushing for success. This not only leads to higher engagement and increased donations but also fosters a deeper emotional connection to your cause.
Best Competitive Fundraiser Ideas
To maximize participation, choose a competitive fundraiser that aligns with your audience’s interests and your organization’s mission. Whether you’re engaging students, sports enthusiasts, or community members, the right type of event can spark excitement and drive success. Here are some popular ideas for your next competitive fundraiser:
Read-A-Thon
A Read-A-Thon is a fundraising event in which participants raise money for every minute they spend reading. These events are especially effective for schools and libraries since they promote literacy while raising funds.
Read-A-Thon’s complete guide on the subject shares these easy steps to get started:
- Outline the duration of your fundraiser, the fundraising goal, and how you’ll spend the funds. Aim for around two weeks to maintain excitement.
- Choose a platform to run your fundraiser. For instance, Read-A-Thon’s platform provides marketing materials and tools to track donations, minutes read, and top readers.
- Select a prize model. You might incentivize top performers with prizes. Your platform may offer a prize store to make this easier. For example, Read-A-Thon’s store offers prizes like gift cards, toys, and books, and they’ll ship them to your school to hand out.
- Promote your Read-A-Thon. Send flyers home with students, post on social media, and send emails to families.
- Measure progress. Provide progress updates, spotlight top readers and teams, and share tips with participants to keep the momentum going throughout your fundraiser.
- Celebrate the completion of your fundraiser. Once your Read-A-Thon wraps up, share the results with your community and congratulate participants on the prizes they’ve won.
Read-A-Thons create a win-win by raising funds and fostering a love of reading, making them a rewarding experience for participants and donors alike.
Walking Challenge
Walking challenges encourage participants to rack up miles or laps to support your cause. For example, donors might pledge a specific amount for each lap someone completes. These events are accessible to all ages and fitness levels since walking isn’t too strenuous for most people. Plus, they require very little setup.
To incite some friendly competition, display leaderboards highlighting top fundraisers or walkers during your event. People can create teams to see who walks the farthest or raises the most money. Be sure to encourage participants’ friends and family to come out and cheer them on!
Charity Sports Tournament
Host a competitive sports event where teams sign up to compete for prizes or recognition. Tournaments can range from casual games like kickball to more structured events like basketball or golf. Though charity golf tournaments are popular, they can be more expensive to organize.
Here’s how to raise money with your tournament:
- Charge entry fees for individuals or teams.
- Line up food vendors and other side activities for spectators.
- Secure sponsors for prize donations or to cover event costs.
- Sell raffle tickets or merchandise like t-shirts.
Sports tournaments not only bring the community together but also create a competitive atmosphere that motivates participants to give their all. With the right mix of activities and sponsorships, these events can become a signature fundraiser for your organization year after year.
How to Host a Successful Competitive Fundraiser
A successful competitive fundraiser requires careful planning and the right tools to keep participants engaged. Start by selecting a digital platform to track donations, monitor participants’ progress, and view real-time leaderboards. This makes for a more enjoyable experience for both participants and donors who pledge their support.
From here, try these strategies:
- Set clear goals and rules. Clearly communicate how efforts will be measured, whether it’s the time spent reading or donations collected. Establish specific targets, like reading for 60 minutes a day.
- Promote early. Announcing your fundraiser well in advance builds anticipation and gives participants time to secure pledges. Getting Attention’s nonprofit digital marketing guide encourages using various channels, like social media, email, your website, and eCards, to invite participants. Experiment to find the most effective methods, and don’t overlook offline strategies like flyers and direct mail!
- Track progress and incorporate leaderboards. Real-time leaderboards for individuals, teams, or donors will spark friendly competition. These visual progress trackers inspire participants to push harder and help them feel connected to the overall goal.
- Offer incentives. Simple incentives can go a long way in motivating participants. For example, some fun school fundraiser prizes include certificates, class parties, extended recess, and school supplies.
Try to get your whole community involved. Encourage people to form teams to compete and motivate one another. Also, involve local businesses to sponsor teams or offer incentives, bringing the entire community into your fundraiser.
When your fundraiser wraps up, share the results with participants and donors. Celebrate their achievements, announce the total funds raised, and express sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.
Competitive fundraisers can transform your nonprofit’s approach to donor engagement for the better. By tapping into people’s desire to win, you’ll create an atmosphere that fosters excitement and community. But beyond the numbers and leaderboard rankings, competitive fundraisers provide a meaningful way for people to connect with your cause and feel like they’re making a direct impact.
When planned thoughtfully, competitive fundraisers can help your nonprofit build long-term connections that will support your mission for years to come.