Virtual race fundraising guide Organizational Partner Virtual race fundraising guide October 22 – December 31, 2018

Thank you for committing to our Big Feats virtual race! This toolkit will guide you through the process of organizing your own virtual race, and turn you into a Big Feats champion. Let’s get started!

What is a virtual race? Our virtual race can be run, walked or wheeled anytime and anywhere. Prefer to swim or bike some miles? That’s perfect! How you move is totally up to you. You decide when, where and how you want to race. It’s THAT simple.

Why fundraise with our virtual race? Physical inactivity is a worldwide pandemic, shortening lifespans and leading to chronic illness. Today’s youth also suffer from unprecedented levels of stress, bullying and societal pressures. The "Big Feats for SHAPE America" campaign is raising awareness about the lifelong benefits of physical activity. Big Feats is also helping raise funds for the standards-based instruction, appropriate equipment, and safe spaces for Title I schools.

Get Started

How can you and your organization help? Visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats Personalize and set up your individual or team fundraising page. Make the first donation to show your commitment. Send personal emails to your network. Download customizable messages from the SHAPE America site. Ask face-to-face! Tell people about your event. Invite them to participate and/or to donate. Amplify your message on social media. Share your goals and inspiration with weekly posts and messages.

Step 1. Create your individual page To be a member of any fundraising team, you must first create an account and an individual fundraising page. From the main campaign landing page, click the “Join the movement” button and follow the short form until your account and page are created. Congrats — first step completed!  

Step 2. Form a team Are you a state affiliate or team leader? You can create a team directly from the Campaign Landing Page. Just follow the prompts to name your team, and start fundraising! Any money given to a team fundraising page or an individual that is connected to a team page will roll up to the team fundraising page.  

Step 3: Share with your network Email and social media are great tools to use throughout the fundraising process. Personalize your message! Tell your community why you are fundraising, what you are doing to fundraise, how to donate, and of course — your goal!

Help spread the message

For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats Spread the word! SHAPE America provides information and tips on how you can support and promote the Big Feats for SHAPE America campaign, including customizable tools to disseminate across your networks. For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Kickoff! Weeks of October 22- November 4 Create your individual or team fundraising page. Add a banner to your website, email signature and social media Send an email to your network Announce your goals on social media Sample message: We are excited to participate in #bigfeats as team <INSERT TEAM NAME> our goal is to raise $1500 towards SHAPE America’s Impact Schools. Help us reach our goals: <INSERT LINK> “If you are among one of the first 100 individuals to sign up for #BigFeats you will receive one of these snazzy light up sneaker clips. Sign up here: <URL> For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Tell your story! Week of November 5 Write about your #BigFeats goal on your organization’s blog or newsletter. Share a social media post asking your community to be ambassadors and share your messages. Use hashtag #GivingTuesday as well as #BigFeats so that GivingTuesday organizers can retweet our messaging. Sample message: We’ve got our active shoes on! Help us as we race our way toward funding effective HPE programs & healthier school environments for high- need schools across the nation. Every little bit counts and brings us a step closer to #BigFeats! Donate at: <URL> For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Amplify Weeks of November 12-26 Ramp up your #BigFeats social media and post 1-2 messages a week. Remember to use #GivingTuesday as well as #BigFeats so that the GivingTuesday organizers can retweet our messaging. Sample message: As you prepare for #GivingTuesday please consider giving to #BigFeats. 80% of the funds will go to help high-need schools across the U.S. to build effective health and physical education programs and healthier school environments. To donate, <URL> For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

#GivingTuesday! November 27 Whether you’ve finished your event, or plan to hold it today—this is a great day to ask for donations! Use lots of images, GIFs, videos, and materials on social media using #GivingTuesday and #BigFeats. Make sure to have thank you’s ready to go on November 28! For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Reach back Week of December 3 Send an email to past donors, reminding them that the giving season has just begun. Post 1 social media message about the giving season and tax-deductible donations Sample message: This giving season, make a donation to ensure all children are able to lead healthy and physically active lives. #BigFeats Donate here: <URL> For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Keep the pace Weeks of December 10-17 Ramp up your #BigFeats social media and post 1-2 messages a week during the holiday season. Sample message: <STATE NAME> as the holiday season approaches consider giving back to schools in high-need areas through #BigFeats. Donate here: <URL> This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Finish Strong! Week of December 24 Be sure to update supporters on how successful your campaign was, and how their donations have helped SHAPE America Impact Schools. Sample message: Congratulations <STATE NAME> we have reached our goal and raised <AMOUNT RAISED> during #bigfeats, more than our $1500 goal. For logos, graphics, and more tools visit shapeamerica.org/bigfeats

Have fun! Getting Started