Create a Virtual Race: STEP BY STEP FUNDRAISING EVENT SETUP

STEP BY STEP FUNDRAISING EVENT SETUP

Getting Started

Get started by clicking Get Started Free on givesignup.org or Create Race on runsignup.com. This will take you into the Race Wizard. Visit our Go Virtual Set Up page to learn more about setting up your virtual event.

After you finish going through the Race Wizard, you can customize the following on your Race Dashboard.

Customize Race Location Race >> Race Page >> Race Location
Customize Donations Donations >> Setup
Set an achievable donation goal. If you reach the goal, then increase it!
Enable Fundraising (Make fundraising optional) Fundraising >> Individual Fundraisers and Fundraising >> Team Fundraisers
Enable Facebook Fundraising Fundraising >> Facebook Fundraisers. This is the best way to raise more and save money. Our integration is available for free to every nonprofit, donations made on Facebook are free, and the amounts raised on GiveSignup and Facebook automatically sync so your fundraisers’ goals are always accurate.
Add a custom question to confirm virtual race understanding Race >> Registration >> Questions
Edit confirmation email Race >> Notifications >> General Settings >> User Registered. Include instructions on the next steps (i.e. submitting results, posting photos to social media with your hashtag) at the top of the confirmation email.

Design Your Website

You need a website for your virtual event, even if your event is free.

With GiveSignup / RunSignup, you don’t need any design or coding skills to build a website. Every event gets a free website. In addition to helping your nonprofit save money, GiveSignup and RunSignup free websites have additional advantages:

Showcase your brand, images, and content
Easy to update and make changes
Data-driven (i.e. showcase fundraiser leaderboard and countdown clocks)
Bring your own domain (https://virtualdogjog.preciouspaws.org VS https://givesignup.org/virtualdogjog)
Generate leads with customizable Email Capture pop-up
In addition to RunSignup resources, your nonprofit should take advantage of Canva. It’s free to create an account and you can easily create designs and images for cover pages, logos, emails, social sharing, finisher certificates, virtual bibs, and more.

Here is your checklist to use when designing a website for your free virtual event.

Customize Race Theme Race >> Race Page >> Race Theme
Design Cover Page Donations >> Race Page >> Cover Page Make sure to include a section with simple directions on how to complete the virtual race.
Add a custom domain Race >> Race Page >> Domains
Add custom content Race >> Race Page >> Custom Sections
Update custom content display Race >> Race Page >> Custom Content Display
Add Email Capture Email Marketing >> Manage Lists Then, Email Marketing >> Email Capture

Swag

You don’t need swag to have a successful virtual event. However, you may decide to offer swag as an add-on or through a standalone store. Your can also add a registration fee and include it with each registration. Here are some resources and considerations if you want to do swag for your virtual event.

Have a fulfillment and shipping plan in place before opening registration
Check out our recent blog for links to industry swag and fulfillment partners. There are an increasing number of options for swag like masks.
Talk to your timerIf you don’t have a timer: https://runsignup.com/TimerSearch
Talk to turnkey virtual race servicesNegative Split Productions: https://www.mynegativesplit.com/virtual
Enable Shipping Address Validation : Race >> Registration >> Shipping Address Validation
This will save money because you will have correct mailing addresses for all participants.

Want more information? Visit https://runsignup.com/GoVirtual

Specifically, check out the Shipping and Fulfillment page for great tips to help you put together a swag plan.

Results and Engagement

There are 3 good options for your virtual event’s results.

1. No Results
Works well for fitness challenges (i.e. 100 push ups a day challenge)
“Results” are done via social media. Use a hashtag and encourage people to post their accomplishment on FB or Instagram

2. Virtual Results

Easy for participants to submit their times.
Free result emails and/or text messages to participants during virtual event. This is a great way to engage and make the virtual event feel real.
Allow people to mark that they finished the run/walk/ride without submitting a time.

3. Tracking Options

Use a free option like Strava Clubs (RunSignup has a basic integration with Strava Clubs)
Use a paid option like Final Surge (www.finalsurge.com) – Integrates with all tracking apps. Pricing starts at $39 per month for 100 athletes (or $390 per year), with a 20% discount for nonprofits. Contact tim@finalsurge.com for volume pricing.

Another great option to enhance your virtual event is RaceJoy. RaceJoy is exclusively available through RaceDay Certified timers. RaceJoy is a mobile GPS tracking event that offers:

Live GPS tracking of participant’s location
Real-time cheer sending from remote spectators
Performance progress alerts at every mile without timing equipment
Monitoring dashboard with progress board for race organizers and timers (from the safety of your home)
Integration with RunSignup’s Virtual Results
In-app Communications (news alerts, audio sound files at points along the course, direct audio, and banner ads)

Here are your checklist items if you use GiveSignup / RunSignup for virtual results and engagement:

Enable Virtual Results RaceDay Tools >> Enhanced Virtual Race >> Set Up Virtual Race
Create Pre-Race Virtual Bib RaceDay Tools >> Results >> Customize Pre-Race Bib
You can encourage participants to print and wear their bib when they complete their virtual race. Have them post pictures with their bibs using your event hashtag.
Create Finisher Certificate RaceDay Tools >> Results >> Finisher Certificate
RaceJoyRequest from a RaceDay Certified Timer
This can make a virtual event interactive and celebratory for participants and spectators alike.
Email Marketing Email Marketing >> Send Email
Customize Social Sharing Promotion >> Social Sharing

CHECK OUT MORE IDEAS FOR VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING, DONATIONS, AND SUPPORTER ENGAGEMENT

SLIDESHOW:

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.