Looking for a way to raise $10,000 for your charity? The Mile of Money Campaign could be along the right track! This fundraiser combines the donation campaign with a visual element and a finite goal that encourages giving to the finish line. Showing visual success is a great way to encourage participation and remind people that their donations are going to a good cause supported by a winning team.

While many groups currently hold coin collecting fundraisers, this idea will help you ramp up your efforts for a community-wide campaign. The Mile of Money campaign asks donors to give a single dollar bill that, when stretched end to end with other donations, will reach one full mile. Since a dollar bill is approximately 6 inches long (based on an old MacGyver tip), you would need around $10,500 in single bills to reach one mile. (1 Mile is 5,280 ft)

Your group could use this as an add-on or piggyback fundraiser for a larger event, such as a car show or dog walk. Instead of taping money end to end to show the length, donors could purchase a 6″ slip of paper the same size as a dollar bill. (This format could be very similar to the Links for Life campaign.) Then, donors can personalize the paper, adding their own special message. These slips could then be taped end to end around a 1/4 mile track at a local school, or along the route of a race or car show, or along the walls of any other venue, lapping around several times.

This Mile of Money fundraiser could be used by any animal group, during any other fundraiser event. It could be turned into a longer, ongoing fundraiser that lasts the full year for a smaller group with smaller annual budgets. Or, a humane society or larger group could push this fundraiser in advance of a major event, where the links will be put on display. For you horse lovers, this could be called “1/4 mile for Quarterhorses” or otherwise refer to the 1/4 track to buy tack and other supplies. This would also be ideal for any groups that rescue retired racing greyhounds, claiming the track as your own ‘good thing’ to benefit the animals. Personalize and adapt this idea to make it work best for your nonprofit group!

Since this fundraiser would take place over a longer amount of time, be sure to update your donors through newsletters, e-mail, and in the media of your progress. This keeps the donors interested in your activities, as well as pushes the fundraising level a bit more. It also helps establish a stronger relationship with your cause. turning one-time or casual donors into educated and repeat donors who give again and again. Communication is the key to lasting relationships. Describe how the donations through this campaign have helped the animals in your care. However you style this idea, be sure to publicize like crazy to bring in support and draw attention to your cause. Your animals deserve it!