Going the Extra Mile: Team Achilles Members Share Their Top Fundraising Tips

Each year, Team Achilles charity entrants take on some of the world’s most iconic endurance events while raising critical funds to support athletes with disabilities. Along the way, they help introduce new people to Achilles International’s mission and create more opportunities for athletes of all abilities to participate in endurance sports.

For first-time fundraisers, getting started can feel almost as intimidating as the miles ahead. So, we asked a few seasoned Team Achilles members to share the strategies that have worked for them and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

How did you approach getting started with fundraising?

“I am very fortunate to be part of a vibrant running community in Pittsburgh and belong to two clubs, City of Bridges Run Club and Rogue Runners and Walkers. When I was accepted onto Team Achilles for the TCS New York City Marathon, I immediately reached out to both club presidents because I knew meeting my fundraising goal would take more than a single event.

Together, we made a calendar of potential fundraising events, and they have been incredibly gracious about lending space and helping promote them.”

– Bethany Hagensen, 2026 TCS New York City Marathon

How can your personal connection to Achilles strengthen your fundraising?

“I live in Boston, but I’ve been involved with both the Boston and New York City Achilles chapters since around 2021. I’ve guided athletes in races, on tandem bikes and at workouts, and I actually ran my first marathon while guiding Achilles athlete Simon at the TCS New York City Marathon.

Everyone in my life knows how obsessed I am with Achilles. They know Simon. They know Tina. They’ve heard me talk about the athletes and organization for years.

I think people are more inclined to donate when they know it’s genuinely important to you. There’s a stronger connection than just saying, ‘I found this organization and I think it’s cool.’”

– Stacy Deveau, Bank of America Chicago Marathon

What fundraising strategies have worked best for you?

“I have had great success scheduling structured events, such as bake sales, movie screenings and raffle basket days hosted at my run club.

My mom and I also carry the QR code for the fundraiser everywhere. I even laminated my mission statement and QR code to display at events so people can donate directly.

I’ve reached out to local businesses, especially running stores, for raffle donations, and artists in my community have donated prints. I also moonlight as a hobby florist and artist, so I’ve sold my own art prints and terrariums alongside the baked goods.”

– Bethany

How can social media help keep supporters engaged?

“I recently guided Achilles athlete Brandon Ehrlich at the Cape Town Marathon, and when I started preparing for Chicago, I wanted to bring that community along with me.

I made a kickoff video explaining my journey and now post weekly updates about how training is going and how close we are to the fundraising goal.

People see that we’re getting closer to the goal, but they’re also learning more about Achilles as we go. It makes people feel like they’re on the journey with you instead of feeling like you’re just asking them for money.”

– Matthew Fernbach, 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Are there ways to make donations go even further?

“One thing I think a lot of people don’t realize is that their employer may match charitable donations. A friend of mine works for Bloomberg, which has a matching program. When he made a $500 donation, the company matched it and that became $1,000 toward my fundraising goal.

It’s definitely worth asking donors to check whether their employer offers something similar.”

– Stacy

What is your biggest piece of advice for someone fundraising for the first time?

“People are more willing to support you than you would even imagine. I had never really fundraised before taking on Chicago, and it can be easy to think, ‘Should I really ask people for money?’ But if you frame your ask around the cause, the opportunity and where the money goes, people can make that connection.

You’re not just asking for money. You’re giving people the opportunity to support a really great organization. Focus on the mission, explain where the support goes and bring people along on the journey with you.”

– Matthew

“Make it easy for people to donate. I saved the QR code for my fundraising page right in my phone because people will say, ‘Send it to me,’ but sometimes there isn’t always that follow-through.

If somebody asks me about Chicago or Achilles, I can pull it up and say, ‘It’s right here.’ If somebody is ready to support you at that moment, give them a way to do it right then.”

– Stacy