15 Creative Fundraising Ideas for Runs, Walks, and Rides

Discover 15 creative fundraising ideas for 5Ks, walkathons, and bike rides! Boost donations, engage participants, and simplify planning with SignUpGenius.

Quick Summary:

• Maximize donations by using peer-to-peer pages, pledge-per-mile challenges, and team competitions.
• Engage sponsors with corporate partnerships, matching gift challenges, and community workshops.
• Boost participation by adding themes, post-race festivals, or virtual options for supporters anywhere.
• Increase revenue through extras like raffles, auctions, VIP packages, and tribute mile markers.
• Simplify planning with SignUpGenius tools — collect donations, sell tickets, schedule volunteers, and share QR codes all in one place.

Planning a charity run, walk, or ride is a powerful way to bring people together and raise money for a good cause. The challenge is keeping the event fresh, engaging, and rewarding for both participants and donors. With the right mix of ideas, you can grow excitement year after year and increase the total funds raised.

Whether you’re hosting a 5K, a family walkathon, or a community bike ride, these fundraising ideas will help you go the extra mile. And with SignUpGenius Donations, you can make giving simple — securely collecting contributions right through your event sign up while coordinating volunteers and participants all in one place.

Participant-Driven Fundraising

When your participants become fundraisers, they tap into their own networks and multiply your reach.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Pages

Encourage every runner, walker, or cyclist to set up a personal fundraising page with a clear donation goal. Friends and family are more likely to give when they’re supporting someone they know personally. Not only does this increase donations, but it also builds a stronger sense of purpose for participants.

💰 The top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising programs in the U.S.—which include charity runs, walks, and rides—collectively raised $1.14 billion 2024, reflecting a 3% increase year-over-year¹.

Pledge Per Mile

Transform a race into a real challenge by asking donors to pledge a set amount per mile or lap. This structure motivates participants to push themselves further while donors feel more connected to the outcome.

Team Fundraising

Invite participants to form teams and compete to raise the most money. Adding a leaderboard or offering special recognition for the top teams adds a layer of friendly competition that drives results.

💡🧠 Genius Tip: With SignUpGenius Donations, you can easily collect these pledges and track contributions in one place — no spreadsheets required.

Sponsorships and Partnerships

Events thrive when local businesses and organizations get involved. Even a Genius needs a little help to make fundraisers as successful as possible!

Corporate Sponsorships

Offer sponsorship packages to local businesses. In return for their support, they can be featured on banners, race bibs, and your event website. Sponsors often bring in larger contributions while strengthening your event’s visibility.

Matching Gift Challenges

Work with a company or major donor who’s willing to match participant donations dollar for dollar. This not only doubles the funds raised but also creates a sense of urgency for supporters to give within the match window.

Training Workshops or Clinics

Fitness studios, cycling shops, or personal trainers can host paid prep sessions for participants. These partners provide expertise while your cause receives a portion of the proceeds. It’s a win-win collaboration that builds community ties.

Creative Event Experiences

Adding fun twists helps your event stand out and attract more people. Something new and exciting gets people’s attention - and that’s exactly what you need to reach your fundraising goals.

Themed Races

From glow-in-the-dark walks to superhero costume rides, themes make your event memorable. Participants love sharing photos from these events, which can also help with social media buzz and future promotion.

Post-Race Festival

Transform your finish line into a celebration. Food trucks, music, and kids’ activities turn your fundraiser into a full community event. Charge a small entry fee for the festival to bring in additional revenue.

💡🧠 Genius Tip: If you’re selling entry tickets or after-party passes, SignUpGenius Tickets can streamline sales, check-ins, and reporting — all online.

Virtual Participation Option

If supporters can’t make it in person, give them a way to join virtually. They can log their miles from anywhere and still raise money through their networks. Virtual options widen your audience and increase overall participation.

📈 RunSignUp reports that offering virtual participation helps grow overall event numbers without raising operational overhead. For virtual races, 92% have 100 or fewer participants, but they act as an additional participation stream that enhances total turnout².

Extras That Boost Donations

Sometimes the little add-ons make the biggest difference.

Silent or Online Auction

Pair your race with an auction featuring donated items or unique experiences. Participants can bid before, during, or after the event, adding another revenue stream.

Raffle Drawings

Offer raffle tickets for sale at registration or along the route. Even small prizes can build excitement, and raffles are an easy way to engage those who might not be participating in the actual race.

Tribute Signs or Mile Markers

Allow donors to purchase mile markers or course signs dedicated to loved ones. Families and friends will be moved to see personal tributes displayed during the event, and it provides a visible reminder of why your cause matters.

VIP Experience Packages

Offer special perks like early check-in, preferred parking, or exclusive swag bags for participants who raise or donate a certain amount. These packages can encourage higher donations while making supporters feel valued.

Branded Merchandise

T-shirts, hats, and water bottles with your event’s name and cause not only raise money but also keep your message visible long after the race is over. Merchandise is also a tangible way for participants to feel like part of the community.

Build Excitement Online

Social engagement gets people buzzing so you don’t have to do the footwork of spreading the word yourself. Plus, including your online community extends your event beyond race day!

Social Media Challenges

Create a hashtag and encourage participants to share training photos, finish-line selfies, or fundraising milestones. Recognize the best posts with small prizes or shoutouts. This kind of digital momentum can help recruit more donors and future participants.

Live Streaming

Broadcast the start, finish line, or award ceremony on social media. This allows friends and family who can’t attend to still cheer on participants — and motivates them to donate in real time.

Leaderboards and Fundraising Thermometers

Visual progress trackers are powerful motivators. Share updates on top fundraisers or total donations raised to keep the energy high. People love seeing their impact grow.

💡🧠 Genius Tip: Easy Access with QR Codes

Place QR codes on posters, bibs, or signs along the route that link directly to your sign up or donation page. With just one quick scan, supporters can give, register, or check event details instantly.

Make It Simple with SignUpGenius

With so many moving parts, organizing a run, walk, or ride can feel overwhelming. That’s where SignUpGenius comes in. From coordinating volunteers at water stations to collecting donations online, our tools simplify every step of event planning.

• Collect participant fees and donations through SignUpGenius Donations.
  
• Use online sign ups to schedule volunteers and manage event-day logistics.
  
• Sell after-party passes or raffle tickets with SignUpGenius Tickets.
  
• Share QR codes so participants and supporters can easily register or donate.
  

FAQ

Q: How can I maximize fundraising at a charity run or walk?

Encourage peer-to-peer fundraising, offer pledge-per-mile options, and add extras like raffles or auctions. Don’t forget to recognize top fundraisers to keep motivation high.

Q: What’s the easiest way to collect donations online?

With SignUpGenius Donations, you can securely accept credit card payments right on your event sign up page. No juggling multiple platforms.

Q: Do I need a large team to run a fundraising event?

Not at all. With online sign ups, you can easily coordinate volunteers for registration, water stations, and cleanup without endless back-and-forth emails.

Ready to Go the Distance?

Charity runs, walks, and rides are more than just fundraisers — they’re opportunities to build community, celebrate your cause, and inspire generosity. With creative fundraising ideas and the right tools, your event can go from a simple race to an unforgettable experience that keeps participants coming back year after year.

With SignUpGenius, you can simplify every detail — from volunteer coordination to donation collection — so you can focus on making an impact.

Get started today and see how easy it is to start planning your next run, walk, or ride fundraiser!

Want to start collecting donations right away?

¹ Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. “Top 30 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Events Accomplish Fourth Straight Year of Growth.” NonProfit PRO, March 2025.

² RunSignup. “RaceTrends 2024: Industry Report.” January 2025.