17 Best Athon Fundraisers for Nonprofit

In a world where running shoes are mostly laced up for personal bests and medal placements, there live groups of people that use their love for sports and physical activity for the greater good.

They understand they have the power to make a difference in the world, so they turn to marathons and endurance events to raise money for their favorite causes.

From running miles to swimming across lakes and biking through mountains, these events have become a way for individuals and nonprofits to come together and make a meaningful impact.

If you're looking to make a difference and get involved in the world of A-Thons fundraisers, you've come to the right place. Scroll on as we explore the 17 best fundraisers for nonprofits, each with its unique twist and opportunities for impact.

If you want to make your fundraising efforts a success, signup with BetterWorld. Our powerful platform makes it easy to collect donations, whether you're hosting an in-person, online, or hybrid fundraiser. You can connect with donors from around the world and maximize your impact.

#1 Walk-a-thon

A walk-a-thon is one of the most popular endurance events for raising money for a charitable cause. It involves walking along a designated course to pledge money for the miles covered. Different organizations choose different themes for their walk-a-thons, and most nonprofits host them annually.

What makes them a popular choice among hosts and participants is that they're fun, engaging, and great from a health point of view. Not only are they easy to organize, given an organization's limited resources, but they also have immense potential to reach and also exceeding the fundraising goal.

You can use different ways to raise money from the walk-a-thon, but the two most common options are crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. In these two options, participants ask people they know for donations. Another option is to sell merchandise or collect pledges.

#2 Dance-a-thon

A dance-a-thon is a great option to raise money through peer-to-peer fundraising. In this event, participants commit to dance for typically 12 to 48 hours to ask for donations and pledges from sponsors.

The dance-a-thons can be held as continuous events or split into sessions that could be in a live stream format or a virtual setting. They are a fun alternative for people who don't like running, walking, or bicycle riding, and they are especially attractive to young people.

Dance-a-thons are also particularly cost-effective because they don't require organizers to map out a safe route for running or walking marathons. All they need is a good sound system and a venue to host the event.

#3 Bike-a-thon

A bike-a-thon is almost like a walk-a-thon, but here participants commit to riding their bicycles along a designated course rather than walking for the cause in exchange for donations and pledges from donors.

They work pretty well among people who are bicycling enthusiasts, and they even serve as a great opportunity for families to come together for fun, healthy activity.

You can introduce different challenges within the biking marathon to keep the spirit of competition alive. Provide incentives for people who pedal the farthest or who bring others along to make it a success.

#4 Spell-a-thon

Spell-a-thons is an excellent way for schools to raise money by combining academic activity with fundraising. In it, children are challenged to boast and improve their spelling skills while raising funds to support the school's academic programs.

The academic programs could include art, library, music, drama, gardening, physical education, and field trips. These events can be a whole lot of fun as the participants are given prizes, trophies, and certificates by the end. They are a great way to promote education and literacy.

#5 Bowl-a-thon

Bowl-a-thon is a peer-to-peer fundraiser where the participants get to flex their bowling skills. The proceeds are then used to help a cause within the community. The participants can play as individuals or team up with their friends and family to raise money for a nonprofit.

It serves as a fun activity for people to enjoy a day out and also has immense potential of raising handsome amounts.

On 17th April 2017, the National Abortion Access Bowl-a-thon collectively raised $1 million two weeks ahead of the campaign deadline. Such is the power of community and coming together for a common cause.

#6 Swim-a-thon

A swim-a-thon is like a big pool party where participants swim as a team or individually to ask for money for the lengths covered or a flat donation. The participants usually ask for donations from friends, family, or sponsors.

All the money collected is donated to a cause and it is an excellent opportunity because people get to swim and also help others at the same time.

The swim-a-thons provide an excellent opportunity to raise funds while promoting physical activity and healthy competition.

#7 Bake-a-thon

A bake-a-thon is a charitable event where people bake tons of yummy treats, like cookies and cupcakes for hours at length. And then they sell them to raise money for a good cause. It's an amazing opportunity to make people come together to support a noble cause.

It serves as a big baking party where people team up to make lots of treats, and then friends, family, and corporations come and buy them to support important causes like protecting endangered animals or treating people with cancer.

So, when people buy baked goods from a bake-a-thon, they're not only getting something delicious to eat, but they're also helping to make the world a better place.

#8 Jump-a-thon

A jump-a-thon is another type of fundraiser popular among children, which is an effective way to raise money for a cause. During a jump-a-thon, the participants have to jump, usually on a trampoline, for an hour or two to ask sponsors for money in exchange.

If you want to organize a jump-a-thon, you can ask your friends, family, or neighbors to sponsor it for you. A jump-a-thon is a great way to do some exercise and also raise money for a good cause.

#9 Skate-a-thon

A skate-a-thon is another type of charity event where participants skate for a long distance to raise money. The proceeds are then forwarded to help a cause. The event is open for all ages as long as they know how to skate.

The participants need to start asking for donations as soon as they receive their pledge sheets. Different challenges can be tied to the skate-a-thon to make things interesting. They can be organized in indoor or outdoor venues.

#10 Clean-a-thon

A clean-a-thon fundraiser is an event where participants raise money for a charitable cause by cleaning up litter and debris from public areas such as streets, parks, beaches, or rivers.

Similar to a skate-a-thon or walk-a-thon, participants in a clean-a-thon collect pledges or donations from friends, family, or sponsors based on the litter they collect or the time they spend cleaning up.

The event can be organized by schools, community groups, or non-profit organizations, and can be held in various locations depending on the needs of the community.

The purpose of a clean-a-thon fundraiser is to promote environmental awareness and community involvement, and raise funds for a specific cause or organization related to environmental conservation or waste management.

#11 Hike-a-thon

A hike-a-thon is a hiking marathon where people hike or walk across a trail for a designated distance. The participants then ask for donations for the miles they have hiked or a flat donation for the whole event.

The hike-a-thon can be organized in outdoor venues such as parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails. This fundraiser aims to promote physical activity, and community involvement, and raise funds for a specific cause or organization.

#12 Skiathlon

A skiathlon fundraiser is a fun event where participants ski or snowboard for a certain time to collect donations for a charitable cause. It is almost like a skate-a-thon, walk-a-thon, or marathon, but instead of walking, running, or skating, members ski or snowboard.

The players typically ask for pledges or donations from friends and family based on the time they have skied or snowboarded. The event can be held at ski resorts or other winter sports venues.

The purpose of a skiathlon is to raise funds for a specific cause or organization while promoting physical activity and community involvement in winter sports. It's also a great way to raise money for sports teams and clubs.

#13 Dog-Walk-a-thon

A dog walk-a-thon is a super fun event where people walk designated distances with their furry best friends for a good cause. They go for a walk with their pooch, but instead of just a regular stroll, they get to raise money for a charity while enjoying some fresh air and exercise.

People and their pups can collect pledges from friends and family to support the walk-a-thon efforts. Participants even dress up in fun matching outfits with their dogs, like a superhero duo or a famous movie duo to keep things interesting.

During the walk-a-thon, members get to meet other dog owners and their adorable pooches, all while supporting a great cause.

#14 Cook-a-thon

A cook-a-thon is like a marathon, but instead of running, participants get to cook up a delicious meal in the kitchen. It's a fun and delicious way to raise money for a cause you care about.

It works by gathering a group of enthusiastic cooks who put on their aprons and set a goal to cook as many dishes as possible in a set amount of time.

They can cook anything they wish to make which can include something from their favorite family recipes to trendy new dishes.

While the participants are busy cooking dishes, they can invite friends and family to come and watch, cheer them on, and of course, sample the delicious food they make. The members then ask them to make donations to the cause in exchange for a taste of the yummy creations.

#15 Laugh-a-thon

A laugh-a-thon is an event that involves comedy performances with the end goal of raising money for a charitable cause. It is an entertainment-based fundraising that uses humor and laughter as a form of engaging and entertaining participants while also raising funds for a good cause.

The event typically involves professional comedians or amateur performers who perform stand-up comedy, sketches, or other forms of comedic entertainment to make people laugh.

Participants can purchase tickets to attend the event, and the proceeds from ticket sales and any additional donations go to the designated charity or organization.

#16 Sing-a-thon

A sing-a-thon is a popular type of fundraiser where participants sing or perform music for a certain time to raise money for a cause they're supporting. It is almost like a marathon or walkathon, but here participants do a singing instead of walking or running.

Participants then collect pledges or donations from friends and family based on the hours they plan to sing or perform. The event can be organized by schools, choirs, community groups, or non-profit organizations and can be held in indoor or outdoor venues.

The purpose of a sing-a-thon fundraiser is to raise funds for a specific cause while promoting music education, community involvement, and social connection through music.

#17 Marathon

A marathon fundraiser is an event where athletes run a full or half marathon to raise money for a charitable cause close to their hearts.

It involves asking for donations and pledges from friends, family, and other sponsors, who give money per mile covered or in total for the runner's efforts.

The runners often train for several months before the marathon to ensure they are physically prepared to complete the distance. The event is typically hosted by non-profits with specific fundraising goals or objectives.

This type of fundraiser aims to not only raise money for a good cause but also to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and community involvement. It provides an excellent experience for both the participants and the beneficiaries.

Conclusion

A-Thons fundraisers are an excellent way for nonprofits to raise funds and awareness for their cause while engaging their supporters in fun and meaningful activities.

Remember, the key to a successful A-Thons fundraiser is to choose an activity that resonates with your cause and appeals to your supporters, set achievable fundraising goals, and promote the event through social media and other marketing channels.

If you need help with planning an A-Thons fundraiser for your nonprofit, then contact BetterWorld for step-by-step guidance and support.