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Running a marathon for charity is an inspiring way to support a cause you’re passionate about. For most runners, the fundraising part can be incredibly intimidating. If you think marathon fundraising needs to be big events and a lot of work, think again! You already have enough on your plate with training, meal prep and your regular life. You want easy fundraising ideas that work.
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What You’ll Find in This Post
This post offers simple ideas to help boost your fundraising efforts. With these low-lift strategies for marathon fundraising, you can engage your supporters and make fundraising a breeze.
Here are three simple fundraising ideas for individuals to help you meet (and exceed) your marathon fundraising goals.
Why Simple Fundraising Ideas Work
Simple marathon fundraising ideas are effective because they remove the barriers that often deter people from getting involved. When you ask for smaller, specific amounts, it removes the feeling of having to give a lot or the guilt of not giving enough.
It also frees you up from having to plan huge fundraising events or complex logistics. These ideas are approachable and easy to execute, making them accessible to a wide audience. The more you speak up about your charity goals, the more you advocate for yourself.
Related Post: This post was in the Top 10 for 2025 for good reason! Get the whole list of the top-ranked posts here.
How Do Marathons Raise Money?
How to Run a Marathon for Charity
Running a marathon for charity is a rewarding way to cross the finish line because you’re using your own goals to promote a bigger platform. For some races, specifically the World Marathon Majors, it’s become one of the only ways to guarantee your entry into the race.
What to Look for in a Marathon Charity
When looking at the options, how do you pick which charity to run for? It starts with picking a cause that lights you up.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to run a marathon for charity by raising money:
- Choose a cause that matters to you. When you feel connected to the mission, sharing your fundraising page becomes second nature.
- Sign up through a charity partner. Many major marathons offer guaranteed entries through official charity partners—just make sure to read the fundraising requirements carefully. Every charity offers different requirements for minimums, training packages, and entry fees. For tips on how to pick the perfect charity for you, check out this other post!
- Set a realistic fundraising goal. Then break it down into small wins (like $10 donations from 10 friends) to keep it manageable and motivating.
- Use your training as part of the journey. Share your long runs, setbacks, and little victories through social media posts to build momentum and connection.
- Make it personal. People are more likely to give when they understand why this cause matters to you. Raising awareness is important, but why it’s important to you is key.
Quick and Easy Fundraising Ideas For Runners
At the end of the day, running for charity adds meaning to every mile. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned marathoner, giving back makes the finish line feel even more powerful. These fundraising efforts are simple to help keep your goals on track.
How to Raise Money for Marathons
These initiatives invite participation with minimal effort. While the individual contributions might be smaller, it still helps you approach your fundraising goal with progress. The collective impact can be significant as more people feel empowered to contribute and support the cause in meaningful, manageable ways. Whether you need fundraising ideas for the Boston Marathon or Chicago Marathon fundraising tips, you’ll get incredible traction for your marathon fundraising goals.
How to Use Social Media for Your Marathon Fundraiser
Social media is one of the most powerful tools for charity runners. It’s free, reaches a wide audience, and can make a big impact when used strategically. The biggest key to this strategy is to post regularly. To keep up with the algorithm, you’ll need to post regularly to ensure the message is received.
- Share Your Journey: Post updates about your training progress, milestones, and why you chose your charity. Use photos, videos, and stories to make your posts engaging. I love using my run selfies as a way to feature murals from local artists in my social media posts to make it fun! It’s a great way to feature my local community.
- Make It Personal: Set up your fundraising page and share your story. Let your friends know why this cause matters to you. Share your passion, and don’t be afraid to get vulnerable.
- Add a Call to Action: Include a suggested donation amount, such as the number of miles for your weekly long run or a number tied to the post. Included your charity page link so they can make an online donation.
Speaking of socials, are you following Run. Wander. Wear. on Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest?
Use Email as a Fundraising Tool
Email remains one of the most effective ways to connect with potential donors. People are more likely to contribute when they receive a personal and heartfelt message. This is a great way to raise awareness for your charity’s mission.
What to Include in Your Fundraising Email:
- An Introduction: Start by sharing that you’re running a marathon for charity and why this cause matters to you.
- Your Goal: Be clear about your fundraising target and how raising money will make an impact. Include details on where their donation will have the biggest impact.
- A Call to Action: Include a link to your donation page and ask for their support. Make it easy for them to donate with clear instructions. If you are documenting the process on social media, include links to your handles and ask them to follow your progress. I also include notes on whether they’d prefer to send a check and where to mail it.
Once you receive a donation from a donor, send them an email to thank them.
Pro Tip: One of the easiest ways you can increase your donation totals is to ask them if their employer offers a donation match program. Match donations are when companies donate the money based on the employee’s initial donation (whether it’s one-to-one or a portion of the donation total). It’s a great way to get additional contributions with very low effort.
Fun Marathon Fundraising Ideas
Make your fundraising campaign stand out by tying it to fun and unique holidays to support your charity’s mission. These themes can inspire creative posts and keep your supporters engaged.
Fundraising Holidays to Support Your Cause
- International Women’s Day: Ask your friends to honor a strong woman in your life and connect it to your charity’s mission. Include a suggested donation amount, such as their favorite number(March 8). For more on this fundraiser, check out this list of March fundraisers!
- Kentucky Derby: Ask your friends to bet on you and raise money for your charity as part of the Kentucky Derby (first Saturday in May). For more May fundraisers, look here.
- Silly Monthly Holidays: I’ve started building monthly lists with fun and different approaches for fundraising posts. Check out the post here from September as an example!
- Beverage Holidays: Ask your friends to donate what they would pay for their daily coffee on National Coffee Day (September 29th) or a glass of wine (National Wine Day is May 25th) or host a wine tasting and charge an entry fee! Encourage your guests to bring people to your event.
Easy Fundraising Events
- Host a Bake Sale: Partner with a local business to donate pastries or bake your own and donate the proceeds to your fundraising page.
- Games Night for a Cause! Host a board games night and sell tickets to attend! You could also host a bingo night and sell each bingo board individually. Get prizes by asking local businesses to donate prizes for the winners or donate a gift card.
- Host a Bar Night: Ask a local bar if they have a “wristband” package. A wristband package is a set price for open bar for a window of time. Invite friends and charge a small fee. By selling tickets for a markup, donate the proceeds to your charity for each ticket. Add an element of a silent auction or fashion show to encourage additional donations.
- Host a Trivia Night: Work with a local bar to host a trivia night. Request donations to enter the tournament. Get donations for a raffle to raise money towards your goal.
- Sponsor a Car Wash: Ask friends to donate the money for a car wash to raise money for your charity.
- Milestones to Race Day: Use milestones until your race day as a reason to post! When you’re 100 days out from your race, ask friends to help raise $100 for that day. You can also ask for $50 or $25 donations when you’re 50 or 25 days out.
Simple Fundraising Ideas Raise Awareness
Combine these simple fundraising ideas for even better results. For example, post about a fun holiday on social media and follow up with an email to friends and family. Use hashtags and keep your updates regular and consistent to maintain momentum.
Related Post: For more simple fundraising ideas, check out my top fundraisers from my previous charity marathons!
By focusing on these straightforward yet effective tactics, you’ll not only reach your fundraising goals but also inspire others to support your journey. Remember, every post, email, and donation brings you one step closer to reaching your goal.
Have your own fundraising ideas you’d like to share? How do you encourage people to donate? Leave a note in the comments!
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