Training is tiring, but it's donor fatigue that worries me

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Training is tiring, but it's donor fatigue that worries me 4

Fundraising | Lucy Harvey | 11 Aug 2009

I'm training for a half marathon. I should probably say i'm half-training for a half marathon as I'm sure I haven't been doing nearly enough, but I'm still going to be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on October 11. And I'm really looking forward to it.

I ran my first race - the Bupa 10k in May - and loved every minute. All 60 of them. The organisation of the day beggared belief and the atmosphere was euphoric. I accepted my runner's goody bag like it was an Olympic gold medal and I was pleased as punch to raise £635 for the Foundation for Social Improvement.

Now, I am equally looking forward to the Royal Parks. I have heard it is a cracking event so, as well as the personal challenge of running for more than 2 hours (or maybe nearer three?!), I'm looking forward to the experience.

But, I am not looking forward to fundraising again.

On my first ask, friends, family and colleagues were happy to stump up for my efforts. But even though I'm running twice as far this time I feel like I shouldn't ask them again. I'm thinking of setting up a pub quiz or something instead to collect some cash, but should I keep my events fundraising and challenge fundraising separate?

Also, with the ongoing doom and gloom of the recession, it seems more and more people are starting to run, which is great for their fitness, but I think it means the idea of the challenge is weakened. Also, everyone who sponsored me expects me to sponsor them!

It seems charities are setting up more and more runs to take advantage of the surge in interest - only today I was emailed by Adoption Today with details of their 10k starting which takes place in November.

So, my questions are:

Is the running market saturated now or is there more to come?

Are there accurate statistics on the number of races currently being held - current figures and historic?

and

What's the best way for me to get people to give the second time around? Not least when they are being bombarded with 'sponsor me' pleas from every corner?

Place a comment

A Runner
12 Aug 2009

I agree with Vibeka.

I recently did a 10k run at a Cancer Research UK event. Not the fault of the charity, but I was shocked when I did my second lap of the course that there were people still lazily completing their 5k walk.

I can't believe that people can get sponsorship for such walks! I know that many of these women probably had personal experiences with cancer, and they do raise money, but at some point donors are going to get fed up with handing over cash for people to stroll in a country path for an hour on a Sunday.

Personally, I only ask people to sponsor me for runs once a year. I couldn\'t ask more of my friends and family without fear that they'd stop sponsoring other people high amounts. I also make sure I train hard and beat my previous time, so that I am making a real effort in my fundraising, and not just asking for cash for something I'd do anyway.

[Reply]

Sarah
12 Aug 2009

Well done on taking up another challenge Lucy! The ultimate fundraising motto - if you dont ask you dont get. You never know what situation your friends are in. Someone may have just got a bit bonus and happy to sponsor you twice what they did before.

The worst someone can do is say "Sorry, not this time" Also try and be a bit creative. Will local companies sponsor you in return for you thanking them in the local paper via a press release or putting their logo on your training shirt (easy peasy with iron on paper from WH Smiths!)

What kind of jobs do people really hate doing (getting lunch in the rain for example) will they contribute to your target if you do it for them? Also, speak to your charity for original ideas. They'll have a million and 1 tried and tested titbits just like these to help you.

[Reply]

Vibeka Mair
12 Aug 2009

I believe the surge in interest is down to facebook and other similar social networking mediums.

With better connections to my friends I am increasingly being asked for donations for runs, bike rides etc. as it's so easy to send a message around, or add a status update about it.

Personally, I'm finding it boring, it's so generic and expected.

I sponsor people I am close to and will only sponsor others if I find their fundraising activity inspiring.

[Reply]

Beth Breeze
11 Aug 2009

Good luck with your training Lucy. Unless 100 years of sociological thinking are wrong (which is always possible...) you shouldn't worry too much about asking people again, especially those that you have sponsored in the past. Studies of gift exchange in societies around the world conclude that gift giving is not just about giving and taking, it is crucially also about giving back. These three elements (giving-taking-giving back) create an unending cycle of reciprocities that ensure we all remain indebted to each other and so (theoretically) help to build a happy and inter-dependent society. If you sponsor someone but never give them a chance to repay the debt then you are responsible for making your friend or colleague carry a heavy burden of indebtedness and "irredeemable gratitude". I think it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said something like, "we never quite forgive a giver". So ask away and give yourself and your contacts the chance to keep on reciprocating.

[Reply]

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