At Inspired Adventures, we’ve helped hundreds of charities raise millions of dollars through purpose-driven treks, cycles, and kayak fundraising adventures. Here are our 5 top tried-and-true tips to help you plan, launch, and grow a fundraising adventure that inspires action and delivers real impact.
1. Share your “why” and make it tangible
At the core of every great fundraising adventure is a powerful purpose and call to action. People connect with stories, and your "why" is what will spark their interest, move them emotionally, and motivate them to join and fundraise.
Whether you're supporting medical research, animal welfare, climate action, or education, be clear about the real-world change supporters will help create. If you can, link your challenge to specific outcomes. For example:
“Every $50 raised will fund a literacy pack for a First Nations student in a remote community.”
Tangible goals help donors visualise their impact and encourage more generous giving.
And don’t stop there, encourage your participants to share their personal “why” as well. When they talk about why this cause matters to them, they deepen their fundraising appeal and invite others to become part of something meaningful.
2. Plan early - long lead times matter
Timing is everything when it comes to launching a successful fundraising challenge. We recommend charities launch their domestic adventure campaigns at least 10 months in advance, and international ones 12 months ahead of departure. This gives plenty of time to recruit the team, for participants to fundraise, train, and build momentum.
The early lead time also means you can align your challenge with your broader campaigns and fundraising calendar. With more time, your communications can be spaced out and strategic, keeping the challenge visible and exciting across the entire lead-up period. Fundraisers also have the time they need to confidently hit their targets and prepare physically for the adventure itself.
3. Cast your net far and wide to your charity network
From our experience, the most successful challenges are those that are promoted across your full network. Reach out to your Board members, staff, ambassadors, Major Donors, corporate partners, alumni, and volunteers. Fundraising adventures are a once-in-a-lifetime experience and appeals to people from all spheres of your advocacy. Many supporters are just waiting for a unique way to contribute.
Personalised invitations can also go a long way. A direct call or message to someone who’s run a fundraiser, attended a past event, or has a personal connection to your cause can lead to them to join a challenge.
4. Support your fundraisers with resources, fitness guidance, and celebrate their wins
When your participants feel supported, confident, and inspired, they achieve amazing things. Make it easy and enjoyable for them to succeed by providing:
- Fundraising toolkits – ideas, templates, sample emails, social media captions, and impact messaging
- Training and fitness resources – walking guides and access to training plans
- Regular check-ins and updates – emails, webinars, or team calls to keep them motivated
- Celebrate their milestones – share their wins on your socials or in newsletters, highlight fundraisers of the month, or send a simple handwritten thank-you
Fundraising can be daunting, but your encouragement, recognition, and ongoing support can go a long way.
5. Promote, promote, promote – across all Channels
Visibility is key to building momentum. Use a multi-channel approach to promote your fundraising adventure widely and consistently. Share it across your social media platforms, newsletters, website, and through your ambassadors and community partners. Feature it in your internal updates and encourage all staff, Board members, and fundraisers to share it within their own networks.
Consistency and creativity in your messaging will help keep the challenge front-of-mind for your audience. Every time someone sees it, their curiosity grows and when they see others getting involved, it creates social proof. Empower your fundraisers to become advocates for the challenge too. Their personal stories and excitement are some of your most powerful marketing tools.
A successful fundraising adventure doesn’t happen by accident. It's built through early planning, clear purpose, community engagement, and strong ongoing support.
Put these five tips into action and watch your next fundraising adventure thrive - hitting your fundraising goals, deepening supporter connections, expanding your reach, and making a lasting impact.
Need a hand planning your next big adventure? The Inspired Adventures team is here to help you dream big, plan smart, and bring it all to life. From a customised marketing suite and one-on-one fundraising support for every participant to fitness resources and more - we’ve got you covered every step of the way. Reach out to our team today!
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