Fundraising Tips and Ideas for your 100 Mile Club Program
The 100 Mile Club National Office is with you every step of the way. We understand you might need help to supplement funds and are looking for sponsorship and fundraising ideas. Below are a few suggestions to help you get started.
The following guidelines will help you make the right decision and create solid community partnerships:
- Do not reach out to companies associated with unhealthy products or those selling alcohol, tobacco, or firearm products.
- Look for appropriate, school-friendly sponsors.
- Research other programs already supported by the company.
- Be specific about expectations/benefits of the sponsorship (i.e., will the sponsor be getting signage, how will you recognize their sponsorship?)
- If any co-branding or reporting requirements are expected, contact the 100 Mile Club for guidance, policies and support prior to signing any agreement. NOTE: The 100 Mile Club can provide you with cover letters, grant/application assistance, and provide you with our 501 (c)(3) nonprofit determination letter when necessary. We are here to make you successful!
- Provide High Profile Visibility! Local businesses look for ways to show their commitment to their community. As a sponsor invite them to kick off assemblies or have them assist with your year-end Medal Ceremony. In addition to amazing exposure they will be confident knowing their sponsorship dollars will directly impact the lives of local children.
For Logo and Trademark guidelines please refer to the following link: https://100mileclub.com/trademarks/
Fundraising Ideas
Holding one annual event might be all you need to do to raise any additional funds. Below are several ideas to help you get started. Be creative and have fun!
Many schools hold a jog-a-thon or 1K/5K Run and find a single event can fund their entire school! One unique idea is to tell students who raise at least $15 in donations that they can join 100 Mile Club for free. Anything earned beyond that helps other programs at the school or other students join. This single event aligns perfectly with the physical activity emphasis of our program, so fits well!
This is a reliable old standby because it works, and it’s fun! You could do a classic 50/50 raffle where the winner gets half of the money raised, or a “chance ticket” prize raffle, where students and parents collect donated prizes from area business and then sell “chance tickets” that give people a shot at the prizes. Raffles work best in conjunction with another event like a school fair or sports game. With prizes donated by area businesses, you’ll make a 100% profit! One parent says: “The kids liked helping sell the tickets, and they also drew the winning tickets for the prizes. It made them feel more involved with the fundraising.” Be sure and clarify what is legal in your state, as each state varies on what is defined as gaming and what non-profits can do. Basket Raffle - A really creative spin on a classic raffle. Every class picks a theme for the basket they’re putting together — something like sports, chocolate, or summer fun. Ideally, students or parents get the items for the basket donated from local businesses that have something to offer related to that theme. Present a list of baskets and their contents to friends, family, and neighbors and sell raffle tickets for a shot at winning one. Your school can make quite a profit!
Do a simple coin/change drive. Filling a regular sized water bottle with dimes gives you about $100
One person’s junk can be a school’s treasure! Organize a garage sale, and you’ll clean out your house and give back to the community at the same time. You can make the sale as small or large as you like, depending on the number of donated items and the possible locations for the sale (the school gymnasium might be an option on the weekend, if there are no sports games). One parent says: “Box up and sell everything you haven’t used over the past year. I know it’s hard, but it’s for your own good and the good of the school. The school gets 100% of the profits. You get a clean house.”
Candles, Origami Owl, Jewelry or Tupperware are easy and fun and the companies have a catalog just for fundraisers. You collect the orders and money up front, and your school gets a percentage of the sales. Online catalog sales is another great option, (cookie dough, popcorn, gift wrap, restaurant night). Some fundraisers will either give back a portion of sales or 100% of donations.
One parent says: “Tupperware has an exclusive fundraiser line with items that can’t be found in the regular catalog. It’s best to have a ‘kickoff night’ where parents, students, and teachers learn what’s going on with the sale.”
Find a local car wash business to sponsor your event at their site, or have a DIY car wash in a prominent parking lot where you supply the helpers, soap, water, and towels. Kids can design signs to advertise your fundraiser on main street corners. Give credit to any local sponsors on your posters or flyers, and they’ll probably be glad to help your school or organization. This is a great fundraiser for teens to get involved in.
There are many different options to raise funds via online platforms, for example: GoFundMe, Amazon Smile, Facebook fundraiser, Instagram fundraiser Online catalog sales (cookie dough, popcorn, gift wrap, restaurant night). Some fundraisers will either give back a portion of sales or 100% of donations.
A great platform that 100 Mile Club uses is Network For Good https://100mileclub.networkforgood.com/ We can help you get this all set up and answer any questions you may have.
Many companies, from small businesses to large corporations will financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations.
Instead of asking for direct individual donations, a peer-to-peer or “P2P” fundraiser empowers your biggest supporters to raise funds on behalf of your nonprofit, effectively becoming “ambassadors” for the organization. For example, selling snacks or water bottles at a school event, one 100 MC coach funds his whole program by selling water bottles throughout the year. He gets donated water from parents/local grocery stores and then sells it cold for $1 a bottle throughout the school year.
This type of fundraising is highly effective.
Grants and Scholarships
Choosing a sponsor/partner is an important decision. You want to make sure the sponsor will help uphold the reputation of your school, your students and the overall mission of the 100 Mile Club. There are many local and national grants and sponsorships for our type of program.


- Contact local service organizations such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club and Kiwanis. These service based groups are great resources and often have funds available to support school programs.
- Businesses look for ways to show commitment in their community. We have had great success with Sam’s Club, Walmart and Costco.
- Approach businesses that are owned by or employ family members of your school’s students. Your school might already have a great relationship with a few local businesses. As a program sponsor they will feel confident knowing their sponsorship dollars will directly impact the lives of local children.
- Contact your Chamber of Commerce to help identify local companies interested in supporting school programs.
- School Site Funding, speak to your principal or site administrator about potential funds available to support a physical activity program like 100 Mile Club. They could come from a district health initiative, Title I funding, site discretionary funds, or grade-level collaboration monies. Many schools in California are using Extended Learning Funding (ELOP), offered as a COVID relief funding to support 100 Mile Club on their campuses. (This may be slightly different in other states).
- Fuel Up to Play 60 , throughout the year schools can apply for a chance to receive funding or equipment to support their wellness programs.
Need more ideas?
Check out how our Founder, Kara Lubin successfully fundraised for her entire school!!!