RWR Recap: 52 Marathons in 52 weeks, P2P Benchmark, Top 30 Fundraising Events

The Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council is hosting it’s annual Run Walk Ride Fundraising Conference this week. I’d like to highlight three cool moments from this year’s conference: The Cash, Sweat and Tears Award and the release of the 2012 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Event Benchmark Report and release of the famous list of Top 30 Run Walk Ride Fundraising events in the US.

Cash, Sweat and Tears Winner Julie Weiss

Last night Marathon Goddess Julie Wiess was recognized with the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council’s Cash, Sweat and Tears Award for her dedication in raising hope, money, and awareness for those who have been affected by pancreatic cancer. Julie was inspired by the life of her father and her passion for running to participate in a marathon a week for the last year in support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. This weekend she’ll be completing the final marathon her year-long journey of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks.  (BTW – This amazing woman accepted her award in 4 inch platform heels!)  So far, Julie has raised more than $143,000. Read more about her story and contribute to her fundraising at www.marathongoddess.com.

This week Blackbaud released the 2012 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Event benchmark report to the public.  I wrote about the key finding of this report last week.  This report documents the key performance metrics and statistics that events can use to compare your fundraising event against comparable events in the market place.  We have divided this report into 2 sections to report out on organizationally organized events like running, walking and cycling events and externally organized third party events like marathon & community campaigns.

The final highlight from the Conference is the release of the Top 30 Fundraising Events. A picture is worth a 1,000 words, so here’s a snippet from the infographic that my friends as Event 360 have pulled together. Check out the full version on the E360 website.

Congratulations to organizations and events recognized on this year’s list.

1. American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
2. Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
3. March of Dimes – March for Babies
4. American Heart Association – Heart Walk
5. National MS Society – Bike MS
6. JDRF – Walk to Cure Diabetes
7. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Team in Training
8. American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
9. American Heart Association – Jump Rope for Heart
10. Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
11. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Light the Night Walk
12. Alzheimer’s Association – Walk to End Alzheimers
13. National MS Society – Walk MS
14. Avon Foundation for Women – Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
15. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Great Strides, Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis
16. Pan-Mass Challenge – Pan-Mass Challenge
17. Autism Speaks – Walk Now For Autism Speaks
18. American Diabetes Association – Tour de Cure
19. American Diabetes Association – Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes
20. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America – Bowl for Kids’ Sake
21. The ALS Association – Walk to Defeat ALS
22. Pelotonia- Pelotonia
23. Church World Service – CROP Hunger Walk
24. AIDS LifeCycle – AIDS LifeCycle
25. National Down Syndrome Society – Buddy Walk
26. Best Buddies International – Best Buddies Challenge
27. Rodman Ride for Kids – Rodman Ride for Kids
28. Arthritis Foundation – Arthritis Walk
29. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America – Take Steps for Crohns & Colitis
30. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America – Team Challenge

Congrats to David Hessekiel and team for another amazing conference!

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npEngage Team