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Creative prompts tied to quirky holidays are perfect for keeping your marathon fundraising light, fun, and effective. Check out these simple fundraising prompts and effective fundraising opportunities for September!
There are so many ways to fundraise, and this list of September fundraiser themes is perfect for tying September to your fundraising goals. Plus, September marks the first day of Fall. Whether you’re looking to host a large fundraiser or a small fundraising event, this list of successful fundraising ideas can cover all the bases.
Related Post: Love these ideas? Get fundraising ideas for the whole year with this guide!
Table of Contents
Boston Marathon Fundraising Tips
September is the time of year when Boston Marathon charities start filling their teams. If you’re running Boston through a charity, you’ll likely have a higher fundraising minimum ($10,000–$15,000), so September is a great time to:
- Kick Off Your Campaign. Get started as soon as possible. The fundraising minimums for Boston are incredibly high compared to other World Marathon Majors, so you don’t have time to waste! Create a sense of urgency by asking to hit milestones since the race is several months away.
- Pick a Charity Aligned With Your Values. Fundraising is easier when you can speak openly about why the cause is important to you.
- Request Raffle Prizes. Start reaching out for raffle prizes or donor rewards to host events in October and November.
- Use Storytelling: Explain why you chose your charity and what the charity’s mission means to you.
- Ask for Match Requests. Ask every donor if their employer accepts matches. This is a huge opportunity to get “free money” added to your total.
You can run the Boston Marathon for charity; you just need a clear strategy for raising money ideas to ensure you hit your fundraising minimum.
Pro-Tip: Need help with planning your trip to Boston? Check out this post on why every runner needs a travel agent and take some of the work off your plate!
Marathon Fundraising Best Practices
Make September fundraising simple and social-media-ready with themed ideas for charity runners. These fun holidays pair perfectly with donation prompts and a few Boston Marathon fundraising tips too!
Before we dive into holiday-themed prompts, here are a few quick tips to make any campaign more successful.
- Make it Personal. Share why you’re running, why you chose the charity you’re supporting, and what the cause means to you.
- Show Progress. Use visuals like progress bars, story highlights, or pinned posts to keep momentum going.
- Celebrate Milestones. Celebrate mini-goals with fun incentives.
- Keep it Simple. Give people a fast, frictionless way to donate through Venmo to donate on their behalf, direct links, or donation QR codes.
- Say Thank You. Always follow up with gratitude, even if it’s just a quick text message or phone call.
If you have questions about marathon fundraising overall, check out this post with these marathon fundraising frequently asked questions.
September Fundraising Ideas
Host a Football Squares Fundraiser
You don’t need the Super Bowl to host a football squares fundraiser! You can pick any football game as a reason to plan this easy fundraiser during football season. I like to pick rivalry games like the Chicago Bears vs Green Bay (I call them Super Bears Squares) or a big college matchup so I can rally enough friends to buy all 100 squares.
Get the full details to host a football squares pool with this football squares guide!
September 1 – No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day
There’s no better excuse to ask for a donation than… no excuse at all. It’s a playful and pressure-free reason to ask for donations since the donation needs no reason. The reason is “just because.”
This fundraising idea is perfect for: All charity runners, community development charities, youth programs
Social Prompt: “Today’s ask? Donate just because. No rhyme, no reason — just love and support for this cause that means so much to me. Will you donate $15 today for the fun of it?”
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
Not every fundraising day needs a gimmick. This is one of the few on the list where the most effective thing you can do is skip the theme entirely and tell people the truth about why you’re running. Say who you’re running for, say what that person or that experience means to you, and then make the ask right after while people are still sitting in it. Skip “any amount helps” and name a real number.
Who this fundraiser is for: Mental health orgs, crisis lines, suicide prevention charities
Social prompt: “I’m running for [Charity Name] because [reason]. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and the work they do is why I’m putting in 40 miles a week. Will you give $25 today?”
September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
This holiday is the perfect pairing with taper-season nerves or if you’ve ever had a rough training block. Ask donors to send an encouraging note with their donation and read them on your long run.
Who this fundraiser is for: Any charity, especially mental health and youth mentorship
Social prompt: “I’m running [x number] of miles this weekend and want to hear your positive thoughts! Donate $15 and leave me a note. I’m reading every single one after my run on Saturday.”
Related Post: Get more depth on the mental aspect of running with this post on how to stay positive as a runner!
September 22 – First Day of Fall
Autumn equinox lands Tuesday, September 22 this year. Kick off cozy season with a pumpkin spice latte and ask for donations of $7 for the cost of a PSL.
This fundraiser is perfect for: This holiday is a natural fit for any charity!
Social Prompt: “Give my fundraiser a little boost today for the first day of Fall! Donate $7 for your PSL coffee total to my fundraiser today!”
Labor Day Fundraising Idea for Work
September 7 – Labor Day
Labor Day is a great reason to call out your hard work for marathon training. It’s also a great reason to ask for support if your charity mission supports labor causes.
This fundraising idea is ideal for: Worker advocacy, equity-focused orgs, mentorship programs
Social Prompt: “While today we celebrate all the hard work for laborers, consider donating to my charity to celebrate all my hard work marathon training. I’m logging miles and fundraising for [Charity Name]. Celebrate Labor Day by supporting a cause that supports others year-round!”
September 25 – 9-to-5 Day
Let’s make September 25th an honorary 9-to-5 Day! This one is for every runner who works a full day and then goes out and runs a full training week on top of it, which is most of us. “Working 9 to 5” is the perfect setup for a workplace ask, because it gives you a reason to talk about the double shift you’ve been pulling all season without it sounding like complaining.
Keep it simple and ask for $9 or $25 donations to match the date. This is also the best possible day to ask every single person who donates whether their employer matches gifts, since you’re already talking about work.
This fundraising idea is perfect for: Worker advocacy orgs, literacy and education charities (a nice nod to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library), any runner with a supportive workplace
Social Prompt: “Working 9 to 5, then training 5 to 9. If my 4:45am alarm has earned anything, let it be this: donate $9 today for [Charity Name], and check whether your employer will match it. That turns your $9 into $18 and I will personally sing about it.”
Build a Skyscraper of Donations
September 3 – Skyscraper Day
Why it Works: The visual metaphor is strong with this one. The sky’s the limit! Focus on asking to raise donations like a building. You can use increments like each floor in the building for certain milestones and set a goal to reach the top of the building.
Who should use this fundraising idea: All charity marathon runners
Social Prompt: “Help me build my skyscraper one donation at a time. Let’s get this fundraiser as tall as the Sears Tower — every $10 gets me closer to the top.”
Foodie Fundraiser Ideas
September 5 – Cheese Pizza Day
Pizza is a universal love language and to celebrate, ask for the cost of a slice or a whole pie!
This fundraiser is pizza perfect for: Food access charities, youth charities, or anyone who loves cheese pizza!
Social Prompt: “Instead of ordering a slice today, consider donating that $5 to help feed a child or empower a young runner.”
September 18 – National Cheeseburger Day
One of the most primal cravings after a run is the post-long-run burger. There is something so satisfying and delicious about the meat and cheese; it’s so good!
Who it’s for: Any charity, food access organizations
Social prompt: “I have earned roughly nine cheeseburgers this training cycle. Skip yours today and send that $12 to [Charity Name] instead. I’ll eat one for both of us.”
Support For Literacy Charities
September 7 – Buy a Book Day
Readers love sharing favorite titles, and this day is a great excuse to connect through stories, both literary and your own. Highlight your love for books or a literacy program with Buy a Book Day! Encourage others to donate $20 to your cause for the cost of a book. Offer your own book recommendations in your stories throughout the day to offer visibility to your fundraising efforts.
Charity runners who should check out this fundraising idea: Literacy orgs, fundraising for schools, or non-profit after-school programs
Social Prompt: “In honor of Buy a Book Day, I’m sharing 3 books that inspired my training mindset. What’s yours? Drop your fave — and if it moved you, consider donating $20 to support [your charity’s mission].”
Ask for Avoca-donations
September 16 – Guacamole Day
We love a good food donation opportunity (and if you recall, July 31 is National Avocado Day). Ask your supporters to Avoca-donate to your charity for Guacamole Day. Use fun tie-ins like: the guac is extra and add a little to their donation.
Keep this fundraiser as extra for: food equity, running programs
Social Prompt: “It’s a great day to avoca-donate! 🥑 Donate and add $2.75 to your donation for the cost of your extra guac to help me cross the finish line for [Charity Name]!”
Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 19 – Talk Like a Pirate Day
This legendary holiday be one o’ the most delightfully ridiculous days o’ the year! It’s a built-in excuse to post like a swashbuckler (dress in a pirate costume), have some fun, and charm yer donors with a sea-splashed ask.
Namin’ this fundraiser for: All hands on deck! Any charity can climb aboard this one. It’s pure fun and universally appealing.
Social Prompt: “Arrr matey! Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day, and I’m on a treasure hunt to meet me fundraising goal for [Charity Name]. 🏴☠️ Toss a few gold coins (or dollars) into me fundraising chest, and in return I’ll be namin’ ye a proper pirate and sendin’ ye a thank ye fit for a captain! Let’s hoist the sails and plunder this goal together!”
Pro-Tip: If you need help with how to write your thank you messages in Pirate, use ChatGPT to assist! And check out another post with the best ChatGPT prompts for runners!
Marathon Milestones
September 6 – Halfway to the Tokyo Marathon
If you’re fundraising for Tokyo and want to move the needle on your fundraising total, consider asking for donations to get halfway to your fundraising goal for the Tokyo Marathon.
This fundraising idea is for: Anyone running the Tokyo Marathon for charity
Social Prompt: We’re halfway between the Tokyo Marathon 2026 and Tokyo Marathon 2027. Help me get halfway to my fundraising goal today and raise $[amount you need for half of your goal].
September 13 – 50 Days to the New York City Marathon
With 50 days to go, remind your friends your big race is only 50 days away. Use this as an organic way to reshare your fundraising campaign with your friends.
Social Prompt: I’m running the New York City Marathon in 50 days! Cheer me on and make a $50 donation to support [your charity].
September 16 – 25 Days until the Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon is only 25 days away! It’s an easy way to share a post and ask for a $25 suggested donation.
Social Prompt: I’m running the Chicago Marathon in 25 days! Cheer me on and make a $25 donation to support [your charity].
September 17 – 10 Days to the Berlin Marathon
The Berlin Marathon is only 10 days away! It’s an easy way to share a post and see how many $10 donations you can get in one day.
Social Prompt: I’m running the Berlin Marathon in 10 days! How many $10 donations can we gather today to support [your charity]?
20 Miler Celebrations: September 5/6 – Berlin Marathon and September 19/20 – Chicago Marathon
If you’re running your 20-miler before your marathon, this is the perfect time to share your fundraising link! The last 20-mile run before the marathon is a significant milestone for marathon runners. It’s the perfect opportunity to make this day a huge fundraising opportunity!
Big milestones = high engagement. This is a natural opportunity to show commitment and ask for support by celebrating your last peak run before race day.
This milestone fundraiser is perfect for: Any charity you’re running for!
Social Prompt: “I’m running 20 miles today for my last peak run before the [your marathon]. Celebrate my season with a $20 donation!”
Related Post: Need help planning your Chicago Marathon weekend? This guide will help start your planning.
September 27 – Berlin Marathon
If you’re running the Berlin Marathon for a charity, your day has arrived! Even if you’ve reached your fundraising goal, post something to celebrate your day and ask for “cheers” (donations to support the charity).
This fundraiser is great for: All Berlin charity runners
Social Prompt: I’m running the Berlin Marathon today! Celebrate my season and everything we’ve done to rally for [your charity] and make a $26.20 donation to cheer for me!”
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
September 25 – Comic Book Day
Comic Book Day is a great opportunity to talk about your charity as a superhero with great imagery for the amazing things they strive for. As a charity runner, you’re also a superhero!
This is also a great opportunity to highlight children’s charities or share your favorite comic book characters.
This fundraiser should suit up for: Children’s hospitals, education programs, creative arts programs
Social Prompt: “Running is my superpower! Donate today in honor of Comic Book Day and help me be a hero for [your charity’s cause]!”
Throwback for a Cause
September 21 – Earth, Wind, and Fire Day
There’s exactly one date on the calendar with its own theme song, and this is it. The Earth, Wind & Fire classic “September” opens by asking whether you remember a specific night in September, and fans have claimed the 21st ever since. It’s a joyful, universally recognized excuse to post, and joy converts better than guilt. Ask for $21 in honor of the date, build a fundraising playlist and let donors add to it, or promise to dance across the finish line if you hit your next milestone.
This fundraising idea is perfect for: Every charity runner, and an especially good fit for music education and arts programs
Social Prompt: “Do you remember? It’s the 21st, which means Earth, Wind & Fire is playing on loop over here. Donate $21 today for [Charity Name] and I’ll add your favorite feel-good song to my race day playlist. Let’s make this the best September my fundraiser has ever had.”
September 25 – One-Hit Wonder Day
Everyone loves a good throwback song and it ties into playlists easily. You could offer to tie this day into creating your long run playlist for the weekend and let donors choose the hits you listen to on your run.
Keep this hit fundraiser in mind for: This holiday is perfect for any charity and is an especially good fit for music education charities
Social Prompt: “What’s your favorite one-hit wonder? 🎶 Donate today and I’ll add it to my long run playlist (and shout you out in my stories!)”
Donate Your Coffee Order
September 29 – National Coffee Day
Everyone has a favorite coffee order, and it’s an easy way to make micro-donations. Simply ask your friends to skip their coffee order and donate the cost of their coffee beverage to your fundraising campaign.
This fundraiser is perfect for: This holiday is a natural fit for any charity!
Social Prompt: “Give my fundraiser a little boost today! Skip your morning coffee and donate your coffee total to my fundraiser today and help me fuel this final stretch!”
September Fundraiser List
Here’s a quick list of all the quirky holidays featured in this post, perfect for your September fundraising calendar!
- September 1 – No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day
- September 3 – Skyscraper Day
- September 5 – Cheese Pizza Day
- September 6 – Halfway to Tokyo Marathon
- September 6 – 25 Days until the Berlin Marathon
- September 7 – Labor Day
- September 7 – Buy a Book Day
- September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
- September 13 – 50 Days Until the New York City Marathon
- September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
- September 16 – Guacamole Day
- September 16 – 25 Days Until the Chicago Marathon
- September 17 – 10 Days Until the Berlin Marathon
- September 18 – National Cheeseburger Day
- September 19 – Talk Like a Pirate Day
- September 20 – Chicago Marathon 20 Miler Day
- September 21 – Earth, Wind, and Fire Day
- September 22 – First Day of Fall
- September 25 – Comic Book Day
- September 25 – One-Hit Wonder Day
- September 25 – 9-to-5 Day
- September 27 – World Tourism Day
- September 28 – National Good Neighbor Day
- September 29 – Coffee Day
Related Post: Want ideas for October to keep your fundraising momentum? Check out the October fundraising ideas ready for another month of fundraising goals.
Fall Fundraising Ideas You Can Count On
This list of September fundraisers is a fun way to keep engagement up for your charity campaign in the Fall! Use one or multiple Autumn fundraiser ideas and see how you can make an impact for your charitable causes!
Did you use one of these Fall holiday ideas? Tag me on Instagram or comment below with your most successful September fundraiser!
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