MyEvent Logo MyEvent Logo

Fundraising Ideas for Your Athon

The #1 Platform to Manage your Athons and Fundraising Events!

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial

No Credit Card Required.

Some Examples of Group Sports Fundraisers

Group sports fundraisers are a fun and powerful way to bring people together while raising money for your cause. From friendly competitions to endurance challenges, these events boost participation and team spirit.

Here are some great ideas to get you started.

Group Sports Fundraisers

Walk-a-Thons

Turn simple steps into serious fundraising.

Walk-a-thons are one of the easiest and most effective ways to bring a community together while raising meaningful funds. Anyone can participate - kids, parents, teams, and even supporters joining virtually.

Why it works:

  • Low barrier to entry (everyone can walk)
  • Scales from small groups to 1,000+ participants
  • Highly shareable and community-driven

How it Works:

Participants register individually or in teams, for free or for a fee and solicit donations from friends and family.

With MyEvent:

  • Each participant gets a personal fundraising page
  • Teams compete on live leaderboards
  • Built-in registration + donation tools increase conversion
  • Sponsors can be showcased directly on your site

Host it in a park, school, or city-wide route - and watch participation grow year after year.

Bike-a-Thons

Turn miles into momentum - and donations.

Bike-a-thons are perfect for communities that want a bigger challenge and bigger fundraising potential.

Why it works:

  • Higher perceived challenge = higher donations
  • Great for corporate teams and competitive participants
  • Can scale into multi-day or long-distance events

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and raise money based on distance, time, or completion. Routes can range from casual family rides to endurance challenges.

With MyEvent:

  • Custom registration forms (collect rider info, waivers, etc.)
  • Individual + team fundraising pages
  • Easy sponsor integration for larger events
  • Custom fields for t-shirts

Create themed rides, multi-city routes, or team competitions to boost engagement.

Dance-a-Thons

High energy. High engagement. High fundraising.

Dance-a-thons turn fundraising into an unforgettable event experience.

Why it works:

  • Fun, social, and highly shareable
  • Works great for schools and student groups
  • Easy to host in one location

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and solicit donations from friends and family and dance for a set period of time - hours or even overnight.

With MyEvent:

  • Sell tickets or registrations online
  • Showcase themes, sponsors, and schedules
  • Track fundraising progress live

Add themes (80s, glow party, etc.), competitions, or prizes to increase participation.

Sports Tournaments Athons

Competition drives participation - and donations.

Turn any sport into a fundraising engine.

Why it works:

  • Built-in excitement and competition
  • Easy to organize using existing facilities
  • Appeals to all age groups

Examples:

Soccer, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, baseball, and more.

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and raise funds from friends and family. Games are played tournament-style.

With MyEvent:

  • Team registration + roster management
  • Donation tracking per team/player
  • Sponsor visibility throughout your site

Host it at a local field - or partner with a major venue to boost interest.

Swim-a-Thons

Every lap makes an impact.

Swim-a-thons are perfect for schools, clubs, and fitness communities.

Why it works:

  • Clear measurable activity (laps = donations)
  • Great for team environments
  • Easy to track progress

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and collect donations from friends and family.

With MyEvent:

  • Track individual and team progress
  • Display leaderboards to increase competition
  • Encourage sharing through personal pages

Add relay races, team challenges, or themed swim events.

Bowl-a-Thons

Simple to run. Easy to scale. Proven results.

Bowl-a-thons are one of the most beginner-friendly fundraising events.

Why it works:

  • Hosted indoors (weather-proof)
  • Minimal logistics required
  • Great for corporate or school groups

How it Works:

Participants register for a free or for a fee and raise money from friends and family. Participants can bowl individually or in teams at a local bowling alley.

With MyEvent:

  • Easy participant sign-up
  • Team fundraising pages
  • Online donations before, during, and after the event

Add prizes, team costumes, or sponsor lanes.

Dog / Pet Walk-a-Thons

Bring the community - and their pets - together.

Perfect for animal lovers and pet-focused causes like SPCA or the Humane society.

Why it works:

  • Highly emotional + shareable
  • Great for social media engagement
  • Attracts sponsors in pet-related industries

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and walk with their pets and solicit donations from friends and family.

With MyEvent:

  • Participant + pet profiles
  • Donation tracking and sharing tools
  • Easy team creation

Add contests (best costume, cutest pet) to increase engagement.

Read-a-Thons

Turn reading into fundraising success.

A favorite for schools, PTO's, and PTA's.

Why it works:

  • Inclusive and low-cost
  • Encourages learning
  • Easy for kids to participate

How it Works:

Participants track reading time and solicit donations from friends and family.

With MyEvent:

  • Progress tracking tools
  • Parent-friendly donation pages
  • Easy reporting for schools

Add reading goals or classroom competitions.

Game-a-Thons

Engage a digital-first audience.

Perfect for younger participants and online communities.

Why it works:

  • Highly engaging
  • Works virtually or in-person
  • Strong streaming/social potential

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and game for a set time while collecting donations from friends and family.

With MyEvent:

  • Online fundraising pages
  • Social sharing integrations
  • Real-time tracking

Host tournaments or livestream events.

Clean-a-Thons

Fundraise while making a real-world impact.

Great for schools, PTO's and PTA's and environmental and community causes.

Why it works:

  • Purpose-driven participation
  • Appeals to volunteers and sponsors
  • Visible results

How it Works:

Participants register for free or for a fee and clean neighborhoods while soliciting donations from friends and family.

With MyEvent:

  • Team coordination tools
  • Progress tracking
  • Donation management

Partner with local organizations and schools.

Try It Free for 7 Days

Start Your 7 Day Free Trial

No credit card required.