Why Kind-Athons are the New Favorite School Fundraiser
In the world of school fundraising, a new event type has emerged that’s bringing schools closer to their communities while raising impressive funds: the Kind-Athon. Designed around students completing acts of kindness, these events are helping schools meet their fundraising goals, build stronger community ties, and teach kids about the power of kindness.
Let’s explore what makes Kind-Athons such a fast-growing choice for schools and provide you with practical tips and examples to make your Kind-Athon successful.
Ranchwood Elementary’s “Kindness is Magical”: Raised over $21,000 for a new PA system through acts of kindness. Students engaged in community activities, using a Bingo Card to encourage participation! Did you know if you team up with Get Movin’ you get access to our Event Toolbox? This is a treasure trove of professional, FREE, templates including a Bingo Card that you can customize with your school colors, logo, and even QR code to register for your event!
Benefits of Hosting a Kind-Athon
- Community Engagement: Kind-Athons encourage students to interact positively with their communities, from giving away old toys to donation centers to volunteering at pet shelters.
- Educational Value: Students learn the importance of kindness, empathy, and social responsibility.
- Inclusive Participation: Unlike other fundraisers, Kind-Athons allow all students to participate, regardless of physical ability or financial means.
- Positive Publicity: Acts of kindness generate goodwill and positive media coverage, enhancing the school’s reputation.
Unionville Elementary PTO’s “Fall into Kindness Fun-raiser”: Focused on integrating kindness into fall events, creating a meaningful and profitable fundraiser.
Planning Your Kind-Athon
To set your Kind-Athon up for success, start by establishing clear objectives. Define both your fundraising goals and the types of kindness activities students will perform. This ensures everyone is aligned and focused on specific, meaningful acts, whether it’s helping neighbors, cleaning up local parks, or writing thank-you notes to community workers. Clear objectives also make it easier to communicate your goals to students, parents, and the community.
Effective promotion is essential to maximize engagement and donations. Use social media, school newsletters, and local media outlets to spread the word about the event. Highlight how acts of kindness not only contribute to the community but also help the school meet its goals. Share heartwarming stories, post updates, and encourage students and parents to share their own experiences to create a buzz around the event.
During the Kind-Athon, track activities to maintain momentum and celebrate progress. FundHub’s Activity Tracker is an excellent tool for monitoring and showcasing the acts of kindness completed by individuals, classes, and the school as a whole. This visibility keeps everyone motivated and provides a real-time picture of the event’s success.
Finally, celebrate your Kind-Athon’s success! Recognize and reward students’ efforts to maintain enthusiasm and acknowledge the event’s positive impact. Whether it’s a school-wide celebration, certificates for participants, or a special recognition for classes that go above and beyond!
Valders Elementary’s 3rd Annual Kindness Challenge: Demonstrated that Kind-Athons can be both educational and financially successful! Check out how much they raised [and kept!] with FundHub.
Maximizing Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday, observed on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global day of giving that can significantly boost your Kind-Athon’s success. To leverage this opportunity:
- Extend the Donation Period: Keep your fundraising open through Giving Tuesday to capture additional donations.
- Launch a Social Media Campaign: Share stories and images of students’ acts of kindness to inspire donations.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with businesses willing to match donations or provide incentives.
Ernest R. Elliott’s 2nd Annual Kindness Walk: Combined a Walk-Athon with a kindness theme! This is a great idea if you still want to do a Fun Run, Walk-Athon, Read-Athon – or other style of event and use kindness as a central theme.
Why Schools Choose FundHub for Kind-Athons!
Organizing a Kind-Athon fundraiser is an excellent way to promote community engagement among students while raising essential funds for your school. FundHub offers a suite of features tailored to streamline this process and maximize your event’s success.
Personalized Student Webpages: Each student receives a customizable fundraising page, allowing them to share their kindness journey with family and friends. These pages can be easily shared via email, text, or social media, broadening your fundraiser’s reach and encouraging more donations.
Activity Tracker: FundHub’s Activity Tracker enables you to monitor and showcase the acts of kindness performed by individuals, classes, and the entire school. This feature not only keeps participants motivated but also provides a transparent way to display the collective impact of your Kind-Athon.
Incentive Management: Motivate students by setting up rewards for various milestones. FundHub’s Incentive Tracker simplifies the process of managing and distributing these incentives, ensuring that students are recognized for their efforts promptly.
Volunteer Organizer: Coordinating volunteers is crucial for a successful event. FundHub’s Volunteer Organizer allows you to recruit, schedule, and manage volunteers efficiently, ensuring all roles are filled and the event runs smoothly.
Real-Time Reporting: Stay informed with instant access to fundraising reports. FundHub provides customizable reports that offer insights into donation progress, participation rates, and other key metrics, enabling you to make informed decisions throughout your Kind-Athon!
Healdsburg Elementary Parents Club’s Annual Kindness Challenge: Promoted participation through social media activities and a dedicated hashtag for their event!
Making Your School Kind-Athon a Success!
A Kind-Athon offers an incredible opportunity for schools to raise funds while teaching students the importance of kindness and community involvement. With the right planning and resources—like FundHub’s Activity Tracker, student webpages, and real-time reporting—your school’s Kind-Athon can be more than just a fundraiser; it can be a memorable experience for everyone involved.
As schools continue to embrace Kind-Athons, it’s clear this fundraising event is here to stay, providing both financial and social benefits. Ready to plan your Kind-Athon? Our platform and coaches are ready to make it happen!