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You signed up to run a marathon for charity. You’re excited about the training. You believe in the cause. And then someone asks, “How’s fundraising going?” and your stomach drops a little.
Maybe you’ve sent a few messages and heard crickets. Maybe you’re staring at a donation page that hasn’t moved in weeks. Maybe race day is creeping closer and you’re quietly panicking about hitting your minimum.
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Marathon fundraising trips up even the most motivated runners. And more often than not, it’s not because people don’t want to support you. It’s because a few small missteps are getting in the way.
The good news? Every single one of them is fixable. Let’s review.
What’s Included in this Post
- My Fundraising Wasn’t Always Pretty
- 1. Posting Your Donation Link Without Any Context
- 2. Sending Copy-Paste Fundraising Messages
- 3. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Ask
- 4. Treating Your Charity Entry Like a Consolation Prize
- 5. Overcomplicating Your Strategy
- 6. Not Thanking Your Donors
- 7. Making It All About You and Forgetting the Cause
- 8. Posting Once and Calling It Done
- 9. Keeping Fundraising Separate From Your Training
- 10. Assuming People Don’t Want to Be Asked
- Frequently Asked Questions About Marathon Fundraising
- How much should I expect to raise for a charity marathon?
- When should I start fundraising for a marathon?
- What do I do if I can’t hit my fundraising minimum?
- Is it okay to ask the same people to donate more than once?
- How do I fundraise for a marathon without social media?
- What’s a good fundraising goal for a first-time charity runner?
- Final Thoughts
My Fundraising Wasn’t Always Pretty
When I ran my first charity marathon in Chicago in 2014 for Girls on the Run, I was nervous I’d never hit my goal. Fast forward to today, I’ve raised over $35,000 across multiple races for charities I love, including Girls on the Run and Imerman Angels.
One of my biggest lessons didn’t come from a big splashy fundraising event. It came in 2020, when the pandemic wiped out every in-person idea I had.
No parties, no bake sales, no gathering people together. I had to get creative and personal. And honestly? It changed everything about how I approach fundraising.
More on that in a minute. First, let’s talk about what might be holding you back.
1. Posting Your Donation Link Without Any Context
This is the most common marathon fundraising mistake I see, and it’s an easy one to fall into. You’re busy. Training is ramping up. So you drop your link with a quick “please donate!” and hope for the best.
Here’s the thing, though: a link without a story gives people no real reason to click. It blends right into every other post in their feed and gets scrolled past without a second thought.
What works instead is sharing why this race and this charity matter to you. It doesn’t have to be long or perfectly written. Even a few honest sentences to give context. Why you chose this charity, what the cause means to you personally, and what it would feel like to hit your goal, will outperform a generic ask every single time.
Your story is your greatest fundraising tool. Don’t leave it out.
2. Sending Copy-Paste Fundraising Messages
We’ve all received one of these:
“Hi! I’m running a marathon for a great cause. Any donation is appreciated!”
It’s not offensive. It’s just forgettable. And forgettable doesn’t raise money.
When your message sounds like it could have come from anyone, people feel it. There’s no connection, no personality, nothing that makes them want to stop and respond.
Write like you actually talk. Be specific about your cause. Make a joke if that’s your style. Share something a little vulnerable if you’re comfortable with it. The runners who raise the most money aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest networks; they’re the ones who feel the most real.
Related Post: Set up your fundraising page with a relatable story! Get tips for setting up your marathon fundraising page!
3. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Ask
Race week is not the time to start fundraising. Every charity runner is stressed that they’re going to be staring at a gap between their current total and their minimum with nowhere near enough time to close it.
Fundraising works best when it builds momentum over time. Think of it the same way you think about your training plan. You wouldn’t run your first long run the week before the marathon. You build up gradually, consistently, week by week.
Start reaching out early, even before your training really kicks in. Post regularly, even when it feels repetitive. Every touchpoint plants a seed, and those seeds add up.
Related Post: If you want a few ideas to use race week to create fundraising momentum, you need to read these last-minute fundraising ideas!
4. Treating Your Charity Entry Like a Consolation Prize
This one is worth naming, honestly, because it’s more common than people admit.
A lot of runners enter races through a charity because they didn’t get in through the lottery. And if that’s you, it’s really easy to carry a little resentment into your fundraising, a quiet feeling of I’m only doing this because I didn’t get a real spot.
Here’s the truth: donors can feel that energy. If fundraising feels like an obligation you’re stuck with, it’s going to come through in every message you send and every post you write.
The runners who raise the most money are the ones who genuinely own their charity entry, who see it as a choice they made to do something meaningful with their race spot. Some runners chose a charity over the lottery. They choose impact over convenience. That’s a pretty powerful thing to share.
Reframe it, and your whole approach to fundraising shifts with it.
5. Overcomplicating Your Strategy
Somewhere along the way, a lot of runners get the idea that successful fundraising requires a big event: a party, a raffle, a formal campaign with graphics and a content calendar.
It doesn’t.
Some of the most effective marathon fundraising ideas are genuinely simple. A heartfelt email to close friends and family. A weekly training update on social media with your donation link. A personal message to someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
Here’s my favorite example of something simple done brilliantly: in 2020, when I couldn’t host any in-person events because of the pandemic, I was reading Runner’s World. I came across a story about run streaks: running at least a mile every day for a set number of days. I decided to run 50 days in a row to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NYC Marathon, asked for pledges per mile, and documented my progress with selfies at beautiful murals around the city to keep it entertaining.
It was fun. It was visual. It was shareable. And it raised $650, because I loved it so much I did it again and raised $600 more.
No event space required. No catering. No logistics. Just a creative idea and showcasing some great wall art.
Related Post: I’ve outlined how to host a run streak fundraiser. Check out the step-by-step guide!
6. Not Thanking Your Donors
This one is quieter than the others, but it matters more than most runners realize.
When someone donates and hears nothing back, no thank you, no update, no acknowledgment, it doesn’t just feel a little rude. While your charity might send an automated thank you with their receipt, you should personally thank your donors. Without a personal note, your donor could feel far less likely to donate again, share your page, or feel like part of your journey.
Gratitude doesn’t have to be elaborate. A quick personal thank-you in an email or text message goes a long way. A training update that mentions how close you’re getting because of their support goes even further.
Let your donor know, “Hi [friend]! Thank you so much for making a donation! I appreciate your generosity and supporting [the charity name].”
Let your donors feel like they’re running this race with you because, in a real way, they are.
7. Making It All About You and Forgetting the Cause
Your personal story is important, and it’s what makes people connect with you. But if every post is about your training, your miles, your goal, and your race experience, donors can lose sight of why any of it matters.
The most compelling fundraising weaves together two threads: your journey and the mission behind it. What does this charity actually do? Who does it help? What does a donation of any size make possible?
When people understand both the runner and the cause, they’re not just supporting a friend who’s running a race. They’re part of something bigger. And that’s a much more motivating place to donate from.
8. Posting Once and Calling It Done
One post is not a fundraising strategy. Social media moves fast, inboxes are full, and people are busy. The vast majority of your network won’t see your first ask, and even those who do often need a gentle reminder before they actually click donate.
This doesn’t mean spamming people. It means showing up consistently with something worth reading. Share a training milestone. Revisit your why. Celebrate a fundraising goal you just hit. Each new touchpoint reaches someone who missed the last one and keeps your campaign alive in people’s minds.
Repetition done with personality builds visibility and trust. It also creates visibility since your message might not show up in your friends’ alogrythims.
9. Keeping Fundraising Separate From Your Training
Your training is content. Your long-run reflections, your tough weeks, your small wins, all of it can naturally support your fundraising without feeling forced or salesy.
When someone follows your journey from that nervous first long run to crossing the finish line, they feel invested. They want to see you hit your goal. They’re rooting for you.
Try weaving your fundraising into your regular training updates. Something like: “Just hit 16 miles this morning and I’m getting closer to my fundraising goal too! Celebrate my progress with a donation! Here’s the link if you’d like to donate.”
It feels natural because it IS natural. It’s all part of the same story.
Related Post: If you need tips for creating social media running content, I’ve got you. Here’s a post with tips for documenting your running journey online.
10. Assuming People Don’t Want to Be Asked
This is the one that holds so many runners back, and honestly, it’s the one I want to end on.
You worry about being annoying. You hesitate to send that follow-up message. You water down your ask because you don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.
But here’s what I’ve learned after raising over $35,000 for various charities: most people genuinely want to support you. They just need a clear, warm, easy invitation to do it.
When you ask confidently and genuinely, you’re not being a burden. You’re giving someone the opportunity to be part of something meaningful. That’s a gift, not an imposition.
Pro Tip: Ask like you mean it. Because you do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marathon Fundraising
It really depends on the race and the charity. Fundraising minimums can vary widely; some charity entries require as little as $2,250, while a Boston Marathon charity spot can come with a minimum of $7,500 or more. Before you commit to a charity entry, make sure you understand exactly what’s required and feel confident you can hit it.
That said, the minimum is just the floor, not the goal. Most experienced fundraisers will tell you to aim a little higher than your minimum from the start. It gives you breathing room, and honestly, once the momentum builds, you might surprise yourself.
Earlier than you think. Ideally, you want to start reaching out as soon as your charity entry is confirmed, even if race day feels far away. Early momentum matters because it gives you time to build relationships with donors, follow up naturally, and avoid that stressful last-minute scramble.
Think of it like your training plan. You wouldn’t save your long runs for the final two weeks. Fundraising works the same way: small, consistent efforts over time will always outperform one big desperate push at the end.
First, don’t panic and don’t give up before race day either. Some charities will hold off on charging your credit card until a final deadline, which gives you more time than you might realize. If you’re cutting it close, reach out to your charity coordinator directly and ask about your options. They want you to succeed and will often work with you.
One insider tip: the race expo is an underrated last-minute fundraising opportunity. While you’re picking up your bib, you’re surrounded by fellow runners, supporters, and people who are already emotionally invested in the race weekend. A personal, in-person ask in that environment can go a long way when you need to close a gap quickly.
And if you’re in the final stretch, don’t be shy about sending a direct text or email to your closest supporters. Something simple and honest, “I’m $200 away from my goal and race day is Sunday!” works better than you’d think. People who care about you want to help you cross that finish line in every sense.
Yes, with a little thoughtfulness. Repeat donors are actually some of your most valuable supporters, and many people who gave last year are genuinely happy to give again. The key is acknowledging them rather than treating them like a fresh prospect.
When reaching out to repeat donors, try including them in a broader email or update rather than a cold individual ask, and make sure to recognize their past support. Something like: “To everyone who has donated before, thank you. Your generosity is part of why I keep showing up at that start line.” It honors the relationship while naturally opening the door for another gift.
Completely doable, and in some ways, more personal. Email and text are your best friends here. A heartfelt, specific email to friends and family will almost always outperform a social media post anyway, because it lands directly in front of someone instead of competing with a hundred other things in their feed.
A few approaches that work well outside of social media:
– Personal emails to friends, family, former colleagues, and neighbors with a genuine note about why this race and charity matter to you.
– Text messages when you need to reach someone quickly or follow up closer to a deadline
– In-person asks at gatherings, community events, or even at the race expo
Workplace outreach, even if your company doesn’t have a formal matching program, colleagues are often happy to support a coworker they see every day
The most important thing is making every ask feel personal. Without social media, you lose the broadcast reach, but you gain something better. Every outreach feels one-on-one, and that intimacy is actually one of the most powerful fundraising tools there is.
Start with your minimum and then add a comfortable cushion, somewhere in the range of 10 to 20 percent above what’s required, is a solid target for a first timer. So if your minimum is $1,750, aiming for $2,000 to $2,100 gives you a meaningful stretch goal without feeling impossible.
Here’s the thing about first-time fundraising: you’re often going to surprise yourself. Most people underestimate how willing their network is to support them, especially for a first race. Set a goal that excites you a little, share your story honestly, and don’t be afraid to raise it if you hit your original number faster than expected.
The first campaign teaches you so much about what works for your specific network and your own personality. Whatever you raise, you’ll go into your next race with a real foundation to build on and the next goal will feel a lot less scary.
Final Thoughts
Marathon fundraising doesn’t have to feel stressful or awkward or like one more thing on an already overwhelming to-do list.
When you show up with your real story, stay consistent, keep things simple, and actually believe in what you’re doing, fundraising stops feeling like pressure and starts feeling like a connection.
And connection, it turns out, why people donate.
Are you currently fundraising for a race? I’d love to hear what’s working for you or what you’re struggling with. Drop it in the comments below. Your idea might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
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