Marathons & Philanthropy

Evidence points to ‘Marathons’ being the largest single event that presents an opportunity for NGOs to raise Friends & Funds in India

The Runs in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore & Kolkata areconducted to International Standards

Elite runners of the World run for prize money

Over 100,000 citizens participate every year2004 2014 2016

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Positives in Participating

1. The event will continue to grow…

a. Media coverage is before and after the event; specific NGOs get covered; both in print and on TV

b. Procam International (who organise the event) are very keen on supporting NGOs to utilise the platform to the fullest

c. Overall status of the event will increase in the city and across the country, internationally too

d. The potential of the platform - Individual donations/ fundraisers are largely untapped

2. Income is becoming increasingly useful – The event give potential to raise undesignated funds that can help on improve/ start systems and needs of an organisation

What you will need…

Organisational (full-time) fundraisers are NOT essential; they can certainly help; but others such as Board members, Staff and friends raise considerable amounts

a. It is a great help if a Board member or CEO of your organisation gets involved; this encourages everyone, and sets an example by fundraising. They are the people with the best network in your organisation and due to the stature of the event, it should be easy to get them involved

b. Get as many people you know and can, to agree to fundraise. Do not worry about the amounts they will raise

c. Concentrate on numbers of Individual donors you can involve. Remember that most Individual giving is unrestricted income

d. The number of Companies getting involved to support an NGO through the event is increasing… there is a potential to get many more

Fundraising tends that work...Remember• Prepare communication material - Use Impact stores of your work• All people in the organisation have to convey the same message to the

donor• Encourage and Support your fundraisers. Have one person dedicated to do

all that is required to keep your fundraisers going...• Individuals hold mini events of all sorts to build support : Dinner parties;

raffles; etc• Fundraising has become global, reach out to your connections abroad -

Create event pages on Global Giving, Give India

Solid advice for 2015

You must have started by now!

1. Allocate one (or more) person(s) to take responsibility; and if possible one person to relate to the media – both mainstream and online

2. Plan to secure fundraisers – Friends : whether within the organisation … Individuals find their own donors – they raise the most money

3. Provide your Fundraisers - Change Maker ; Change Leader - with as much encouragement and practical support as possible… encourage them to ‘ask’ and ‘ask’ again and again

4. Use Social Media and e-Mails Promote what you are doing on Social Media