Sholom Community Alliance

Annual Oy Vey 5K Run/Walk

Purpose

A 5K Run/Walk created as a fundraiser to attract both competitive runners and amateurs from the

general public – along with the families, residents, tenants, staff and friends

of all Alliance facilities to join the fun – and walk or run to show their support for Sholom!

*Please note our walk/run fundraiser’s name is not an original! The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington was the first to sponsor an Oy Vay 5 & 10K!

The 4th Annual Oy Vey 5K is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2008!We were seeking an alternative to a golf

tournament – which we had sponsored for many years – and a means to attract a different segment of supporters – both from within our organization &

the general public

On your mark…• Lay chairs and a committee work with staff• Hire a race director (optional)• Set date well in advance• Determine course length/certification• Establish fees/registration procedure• Secure sponsorships• Publicize• Reserve (registration) tent, tables, etc.• Order t-shirts, awards• Create signs• Request refreshments from vendors, supporters• Enlist volunteers

Date, Place & Time …..can and do make a difference between your

success or failure to attract participants/supporters!

• Consider the weather• Research where and when other local

races are being held • Put your event on a community calendar• Decide on a locale – make it “official!”• Determine time frame – e.g. early

morning?

Fees and Registration …price it so they will come!

• Who do you want to attract? Your organization’s supporters? Local race community? Families?

• Don’t charge more than other local races do

• Encourage early sign-ups (discounted) or charge a late fee after a certain date and/or for on-site registration

Make sure registration form records information you need!

Contact info, including email address Gender & age T-shirt size Run or Walk preference Injury waiver statement Due dates & fees

Sponsorships…bottom line is how much

money did you raise?

• Determine various levels of “giving” and what they “get” for their sponsorship

• Approach organization’s vendors for sponsorships or in-kind donations (food)

• Publicize need for sponsors through newsletters, website, board meetings, special mailings

Sample Sponsor LevelsGold level ($5,000): • Large size logo on the back of the t-shirt• Signage at the main registration tent• Recognition on posters and website• First option to be the Gold sponsor in the next race

Silver level ($2500): • Medium size logo on the t-shirt• Signage at the main registration tent• Recognition on posters and website

Bronze level ($1000): • Small size logo on the t-shirt• Recognition on posters and website

Publicize Send out a race brochure

Use Active.com and/or local race website to promote

Highlight on your website

Send press releases to area newspapers

Place posters in synagogues, sports/race stores, JCC, etc.

Send a race e-newsletter to VIPs

Get set…• Rent necessary equipment – tents, chairs and

tables – for registration site• Order t-shirts with race logo • Order trophies or medallions for winners• Create signs – directing to race site, acknowledging

vendors, registration, one & two-mile marks, etc.• Provide water bottles, coffee, fruit or high protein

snack• Line up enough volunteers for set up, registration,

crowd control, race marking and timing, clean-up

Go…..

What’s worked....

Enthusiastic response to a new type of fundraiser Attracted new supporters not previously associated/familiar with our organization

Enhanced awareness of the services our organization offers

Slowly but surely attracting that younger crowd More families participate each year – from babies in strollers to grandparents

We’re raising much-needed funds for recreational programming Monies raised over the past three years has ranged from $15,000 to $20,000

….and what hasn’t

Grandiose expectations for raising fundsImplemented first event just as we were kicking off a major Capital Campaign – “you can only go to the well so many times!”

Collecting sponsorship pledgesThe first year two major donors ignored repeated pleas for payment

Difficulty enlisted volunteers to solicit financial supporters

Not appropriate for staff to approach vendors or others for sponsorships

Timing is everything

Year three’s date conflicted with too many other community events and attendance was down

The Voice of Experience!

• Advance planning is a necessity!• A certified race course will attract more

participants • Hire a race director – unless you have

someone with that experience on staff• Utilize an on-line registration service• Pre-pack registration “packets” for those

who pre-registered• Take advantage of freebies

For more information, visit www.sholom.com, call Connie Sandler at 952-939-1646 or write csandler@sholom.com