10 walkathon fundraisers that raised big (& how you can too)

Walkathons are one of the most fun, flexible, and community-friendly ways to raise money—and when done right, they can bring in thousands for your cause.

Whether you're planning your first walkathon or looking to level up from last year, the key to success is a little strategy and a lot of spirit. With the right theme, tools, and team behind you, your walkathon can boost donations, bring people together, and leave a lasting impact.

What is a walkathon (and how does it work)?

A walkathon is a classic a-thon fundraiser in which participants raise money by walking a set distance or for a set amount of time. Each person collects flat-rate donations or pledges per mile or lap. The more they walk, the more they raise.

Initially popularized by charity walks in the 1960s, today’s walkathons use peer-to-peer fundraising platforms to boost reach and automate donations. Participants share their fundraising pages with friends and family and track real-time progress as they walk. 

Thinking about a walkathon? We’ll walk you through it

Walkathons are more than just a feel-good fundraiser—they’re a low-cost, high-impact way to rally supporters and raise serious money. But they shine brightest for organizations with the right setup.

This guide is for you if:

• You work with students, families, or local groups—like schools, youth teams, PTAs, or faith-based communities—and want a fundraiser that builds connection and spirit ✅ 
• Your mission aligns with wellness, education, or community outreach, and you want your event to reflect those values ✅ 
• You’re looking for a budget-friendly fundraiser with minimal overhead but big potential, including examples of groups that raised $5K to $65K+ ✅ 
• You need step-by-step guidance—from planning your route and registration system to picking themes, prizes, and social sharing strategies ✅ 
• You want to maximize participation and donations using real-world tips and free tools like Givebutter’s peer-to-peer platform ✅ 

If that sounds like you, this guide has everything you need to plan, launch, and level up your walkathon.

Let’s lace up and get started.👇

How to organize a walkathon step by step

This step-by-step charity walk guide shows how schools and nonprofit organizations set goals, rally their communities, and turn simple walks into high-performing fundraising efforts.

Step 1: Pick a date, walk route, and format 📅 

A common mistake most walkathon organizers make is setting the date too late. Plan at least 4–6 months ahead to allow time for approvals, promotion, and logistics. External factors like weather, traffic, and accessibility can impact turnout, so choose a safe, walkable route with parking and restroom access.

For example, school tracks work well for lap-based walks. For community events, consider looping routes in public parks or closed-off neighborhood streets, where volunteers can monitor checkpoints and cheer participants on.

Step 2: Set clear money goals 💰 

Decide how much you want to raise, how many participants you’ll need, and what the average donation per person should be. 

For example, a $5K goal with 100 walkers = $50 per person. 

Break it down and share it with your team so everyone’s aligned. Include these goals in your messaging so everyone knows what success looks like and feels motivated to help you get there.

💡 Pro tip: Don’t forget to share your goal with supporters by adding a fundraising thermometer to your online donation form.

More to explore

Use pledge cards to secure more support →

Step 3: Pick a strong walkathon theme and slogan 🎨

Ever attended a walkathon just because the theme was fun? That's the power of a great concept—it makes it easier to promote your event and boost participation

Choose a theme that aligns with your cause and community (e.g., “Miles for Meals” or “Walk for Water”). Keep it short, energetic, and easy to remember—you’ll use it across flyers, t-shirts, and online pages.

Here are a few walkathon slogans to get your creative juices flowing: 

• Every Step Counts 🚶‍♂️ 
• Miles with a Mission 🎯 
• Walk for What Matters 💖 
• Step Up, Stand Out 🌍 
• Walking Strong, Giving Bold 🔥 

Step 4: Design the walker experience 🚶

Map your route, place water stations every mile, and assign volunteers at key turns and the finish line. Prepare simple check-in packets with route maps, fundraising thermometers, and thank-you gifts. 

For virtual events, add GPS tracking apps and scheduled group video calls to maintain a sense of community.

Step 5: Choose your walkathon prizes 🎁

Offer creative, fun prizes that make your walkathon feel even more rewarding. These don’t have to be expensive—just match what your community cares about. 

Here are a few walkathon prize ideas that work well for schools, sports teams, and nonprofits.

• Top fundraiser trophy 🏆 Recognize the highest-earning individual or team with a custom award.‍
• Principal for a day 👩‍🏫 Let one student take over a fun leadership role for the day—great for schools.‍
• Dunk the principal 💦 Turn fundraising into fun by letting top earners dunk the principal in a tank.‍
• Gift cards 🎁 Offer small gift cards for coffee shops, bookstores, or local favorites.‍
• VIP treatment 🎟️ Give winners perks like early access, priority check-in, or front-row seats at future events.‍
• Team pizza party 🍕 Reward the top class or group with a pizza celebration.‍
• Social media shoutout 📸 Feature top fundraisers across your channels to recognize their impact publicly.

💡 Pro tip: Announce your prizes in promotional materials to keep motivation high, and hand them out during your walkathon for maximum excitement.

Step 6: Build your registration system 🖥️

Use a peer-to-peer fundraising platform that lets you create individual fundraising pages. 

Each participant should get their own unique link to share, making it easy to track progress and issue donation receipts. To boost engagement, set up team competitions and public leaderboards to encourage a little friendly rivalry. 

Givebutter makes it easy to manage peer-to-peer fundraising with customizable pages, built-in team tracking, and real-time progress updates—all for free.

Step 7: Promote early and often 📣

Walkathons are naturally appealing—but only if people know about them. Start promoting with your internal list, such as school fundraiser newsletters, PTA groups, coaches, or the congregation.

Then, branch out to flyers, local radio, and especially social media. Encourage participants to share their personal donation pages weekly. 

💡 Pro tip: A strong theme sets the vibe, but pairing it with ready-to-use captions and graphics makes it effortless for teams to share and spread the word on social media.

Step 8: Prep your volunteers and materials 🛠️

Before the big day, confirm all logistics. Print bold signage and have extra maps ready. Gather supplies like water, first aid kits, snacks, and route markers. 

Assign volunteers to specific roles—check-in, route guides, cheer squads, safety support—and do a quick walkthrough or virtual briefing to make sure everyone’s ready to roll.

Step 9: Host your walkathon! 🎉

On the day of your walkathon, keep energy high and logistics smooth. Open with a short welcome, remind participants of your cause and goal, and celebrate every step. Use music, emcees, and signs to keep spirits lifted.

If your walk is lap-based, use punch cards or stickers for each lap. If it’s distance-based, use route markers and checkpoints. 

💡 Pro tip: Capture content throughout the day, like photos, videos, even livestreams, to keep donors updated and provide great follow-up material.

Step 10: Say thank you (right away) 💛

As soon as the event wraps up, send a thank-you message to every participant, donor, and volunteer. Use email, text, and social media to express gratitude, and include highlights from the event (photos, stories, total raised). 

💡 Pro tip: Consider recognizing top fundraisers publicly and sharing a recap video or leaderboard results.

Dive deeper

Hosting a 5k instead? Get the full guide →

7 walkathon theme ideas to try

Now that you have a strong structure in place, your walkathon theme can be as creative as you like! There are unique themes for every season, format, and audience. Here are just a few ideas to consider for your next fundraiser. 

• Walk-a-dog-a-thon 🐕 Turn your walk into a dog-friendly parade. Add water stations and costume contests for pets. Perfect for family events or fundraisers supporting animal shelters.
• Virtual walkathon fundraiser 📲 Let people walk from anywhere and track their steps online. Great for remote teams or national causes. Add leaderboards and team challenges to keep the momentum high.
• Breast cancer walkathon 🎀 Ask walkers to wear pink, dedicate laps to loved ones, and fundraise for breast cancer awareness.
• Church walkathon ⛪ Walk for a shared mission, like raising funds for outreach or building projects. Add prayer stops or devotionals to make it feel purposeful.
• Take a hike or walkathon 🥾Organize your walk at a scenic trail so participants can connect with nature while raising funds for your cause. Ideal for outdoor clubs, wellness programs, or environmental organizations. 
• Halloween walkathon 🎃 Participants walk in costume with spooky music and candy checkpoints. It’s festive, family-friendly, and perfect for fall fundraising.
• School walkathon 🎒 Let each class walk for a specific cause. Add friendly competition with prizes like pizza parties or extra recess. This school fundraiser is easy to pull off and rallies students, teachers, and parents together.

More to explore

Get inspired with 20+ fun run fundraiser ideas →

10 walkathon examples that inspire

These real-life campaigns show how to make your walkathon stand out. One raised over $65K with just 52 walkers and 265 supporters, proving that you don’t need big numbers to make a big impact. 

Use these examples to spark ideas, avoid guesswork, and build your own record-breaking fundraiser.

1. GPI Greyt Walkathon 🐶

💰Raised: $65,476   🙌 Supporters: 265

Greyhound Pets, Inc. raised 119% of its $55K goal through a team-led push, with the top team bringing in nearly $47K. Their community-friendly event featured friendly team competition and a live leaderboard to boost participation and build momentum. 

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: Personal stories, pup photos, and real-time updates created a strong emotional connection with supporters. The live fundraising thermometer kept energy high and donations flowing.

2. St. Martin of Tours’ Candy Land Walkathon 🍬

💰Raised: $28,478   🙌 Supporters: 414

St. Martin of Tours School’s annual walkathon surpassed its goal, raising over $28K from more than 400 donors! With a joyful Candy Land theme, exciting raffle baskets, and a mission rooted in faith and inclusion, this beloved event brought everyone together to support students in the sweetest way possible. 

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: The personal touches, like encouraging student shoutouts and locally donated raffle baskets, made giving feel meaningful and memorable.

3. Walk a Marathon for Kids with Eczema 🪽

💰Raised: $5,680   🙌 Supporters: 80

Global Parents for Eczema Research challenged supporters to walk 26 miles in April to fund critical childhood eczema research—and exceeded their $5K goal! They paired the challenge with heartfelt "marathoner" stories and monthly milestone sharing, building emotional investment and sustained momentum.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: Compelling storytelling and clear progress tracking made each (mile)stone feel impactful.

4. Fall Walkathon Fundraiser 🍂

💰Raised: $16,175   🙌 Supporters: 445

Fall Creek Elementary PTO set a goal to raise $15K (and surpassed it!) to help support the students and staff. They used class-based team competition (e.g., third grade vs. kindergarten) displayed on a live leaderboard to increase participation and drive donations.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: Class team pages sparked fun, friendly rivalries, while students showed real commitment by walking as many laps as possible in just 30 minutes. Donors also appreciated the clear breakdown of how funds would be used, including a list of equipment to be purchased.

5. The Pink Walk 🎗️

💰Raised: $5,065   🙌 Supporters: 68

Deneen’s Dream rallied their community with a multi-activity event combining a walk, health screenings, yoga, raffles, and more to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They met their $5K goal with creative programming and strong supporter engagement!

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: The Pink Walk wasn’t just about fundraising—it was a full-day wellness celebration, complete with food, physical activities, and more!

Learn more

30+ cancer fundraising ideas that inspire hope →

6. Parker Woods Montessori School Walk‑a‑thon 🎒

💰Raised: $42,433   🙌 Supporters: 953 

Parker Woods Montessori raised 121% of their $35K goal to support teachers with essential classroom resources. With nearly 1,000 supporters, the school boosted engagement by organizing students into colorful classroom teams and showcasing progress on a live leaderboard.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: Weekly updates, popsicle celebrations, and team chants made donating feel like cheering on your own kid. The leaderboard and prizes awarded for every $60+ fundraiser kept momentum high.  

7. Ryerson Middle School Halloween Walkathon 🎃

💰Raised: $11,454   🙌 Supporters: 256

Ryerson Middle School raised over 114% of their $10K goal by turning their walk into a festive Halloween experience. Grade-level teams faced off against each other in spirited competitions to maximize fun and participation.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: The event tapped into Halloween magic with costumes, spooky treats, and a playful “walk for a cause” theme that made giving feel celebratory.

8. SJV Gold & White Day Walk-a‑thon 🥇

💰Raised: $45,160   🙌 Supporters: 805

Saint John Vianney High School rallied supporters to walk in school colors and achieved their $45K goal in spirit and giving. The event celebrated unity while supporting the school’s annual giving campaign, funding scholarships, campus improvements, and student programs—all under the bold Gold & White banner.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: This campaign nailed the art of motivation with clear, high-impact incentives: a shortened school year if goals were met, half-day and skip-day perks for seniors near prom, and fun rewards like a free dress-down day, pizza party, and $250 gift card for top donors. 

9. Mountain View Elementary Walk‑a‑thon ⛰️

💰Raised: $7,036   🙌 Supporters: 30+

Mountain View Elementary PTO’s walkathon empowered students to set their own walking goals and raise funds through playful incentives, like earning a chance to soak their P.E. teacher with water balloons. Proceeds supported students and teachers, making this lighthearted, student-led event a win-win for the whole school.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: This campaign nailed the fun factor: for every $5 raised, students got to throw a water balloon at their P.E. teacher. It was lighthearted, mischievous, and unforgettable, which made giving way more fun for donors of all ages.

10. Sts. Peter & Paul 2024 Walkathon Week 💚

💰Raised: $27,472   🙌 Supporters: 711

Sts. Peter and Paul RC Church beat their $25K goal for their annual walkathon, raising money for their school through fun incentives and strong school spirit. The event attracted over 700 supporters, with catchy prizes offered to each class.

🤩 What donors loved about this campaign: The incentives and prizes stole the show. Kids earned rewards for meeting minimum donation targets ($25), got the chance to dunk their principal in a tank, and top prize winners were able to hold a live snake! 

Make every step count with Givebutter 

You’ve got the plan, the theme, and the motivation—now it’s time to bring your walkathon to life. With Givebutter, you can launch a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, create team pages, track donations in real time, and keep everything organized in one place.

Whether running a simple walkathon fundraiser for your elementary school or scaling a returning event for your nonprofit, Givebutter gives you the fundraising tools to make it easier, more engaging, and fully online—from registration to thank-you notes.

Ready to raise more with less stress? Sign up for Givebutter today.

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