What do donations and hors d’oeuvres have in common?
You’ll find tons of them at all the best fundraising events!
Sadly, we can’t tell you how to assemble the perfect cheese plate.
But we can show you how to throw a fun, memorable, on-budget, and super successful nonprofit fundraising event that will help you build positive relationships with donors and supporters, increase awareness of your organization’s cause, and (of course) raise money in support of your mission.
9 Steps to Successful Fundraising Event Planning
Step 1: Set clear goals
Before you do anything, it’s really important to be clear about what you want this fundraising event to achieve for your nonprofit. Start the planning process by asking yourself (and your team) questions like:
Is this event strictly about raising money? If so, how much?
Is there another purpose baked in, such as building a network or marketing a particular program?
Define 1 or 2 priority goals first, and let those inform your planning decisions across the next 8 steps.
Without a clearly defined goal, you risk wasting a lot of time and money making gut-based (rather than evidenced-based) decisions that result in minimal benefit, and that team members can more readily become divided on. Not good.
Need help with brainstorming? Consider the S.M.A.R.T. goals system. It’s a tried-and-true tactic that helps folks create goals that are (s)pecific, (m)easurable, (a)chievable, (r)elevant, and (t)ime-bound.
Step 2: Define your audience
Consider whether the general public is welcome or if you want to cater to a more specific audience.
Use the basis of your non-profit and your goal for the event as a starting point. This information will help dictate your theme, budget, event space, and more.
For instance, say you support reading programs for elementary-aged kids in your local community and you want to raise awareness and recognition for your cause. A free daytime carnival may be just the fit if you’re looking to draw in young, local families.
Step 3: Clarify your budget
Speaking of budgets: This is another key element that needs to be defined before you dive further into non profit event planning.
When considering your budget, account for elements such as space rental, marketing, catering, staff, entertainment and/or presenters, decorations, security, furniture, audio/visual equipment, transportation, ticketing software, follow-up communications, and anything else that’s going to be part of your event. And of course, make sure you leave a little wiggle room in case your expenses surpass estimates.
If your organization isn’t equipped to cover the budget from its own coffers, consider seeking out event sponsors who can help you manage costs. Just make sure the sponsors’ values are aligned with that of your organization, or you risk diluting your brand and turning off potential donors.
Step 4: Determine who will be responsible for what
As your nonprofit event plans take shape, you’ll no doubt assemble a team of staff, vendors, volunteers, and other participants. This team is a great asset, but it needs to be effectively organized.
Clarify exactly who is responsible for each role and task, and ensure everyone on the team has a clear understanding of these responsibilities. That way you’ll streamline the entire fundraiser planning and production process, and cover all your bases.
Step 5: Select and book an event space
Once you have your goals, audience, budget, and team in place, it’s time to select and book an event space.
Make sure you consider your budget and whether the space is the appropriate size. Just like Goldilocks, you want a space that’s just right—not excessively large or too small to host enough people to meet your financial goals.
Also make sure the layout is conducive to your planned theme and schedule and that there is adequate parking. And figure out whether you’ll need to secure any permits (for example, to serve alcohol), buy or rent furniture or sound equipment, and so on.
Step 6: Create a marketing plan
Start marketing your fundraising event a minimum of two or three months before the big day.
An effective marketing plan should target people both in person and across multiple platforms, including social media. Here are some fundraising tips to craft a marketing plan that gets your event noticed and inspires people to sign up.
Step 7: Sell tickets
It’s important to clarify who is responsible for different elements of the ticketing process, as this aspect of any event can quickly go awry. Before you sell any tickets, you’ll need to decide how you’ll sell those tickets, what the tickets will look like, what incentives are for early ticket purchases, and more.
Step 8: Practice running through the event
Before paying attendees walk through the event space’s doors, practice set up and run through presentations. This way, you’ll be able to determine the appropriate layout for the venue, troubleshoot audio/visual issues, identify extra furniture or equipment needs, establish a smooth flow for timing the entire event, etc.
Step 9: Send thank you notes and surveys
Right after the event, thank everyone who helped, including staff and volunteers, as well as everyone who chose to attend. Depending on how long that list is, you could choose to send handwritten cards or emails, or make phone calls. The medium doesn’t matter so much as putting thought and heartfelt thanks into whatever you write.
It’s also smart to send out event surveys to everyone who attended. The feedback you receive will help improve future events and assess the success of the one you just held.
While you may be exhausted after hosting a fundraising event, the work isn’t quite over! Make sure you take the time to update your nonprofit supporters about the event’s fundraising results so they can feel like they were part of something meaningful. Also take time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t so you can apply those lessons to your next fundraising endeavors.
Conclusion
Finally (finally!), make sure you give yourself and your team some time to rest up and appreciate everything you’ve accomplished. Managing a nonprofit fundraising event from start to finish is no joke, and everyone involved deserves some time to catch their breath (and digest all those hors d’oeuvres!) before moving on to the next fundraising project.
Do your friends have any idea how smart you are?
Display this infographic on your site to show off your know-how while helping others celebrate more fundraising goals.
The term “peer-to-peer fundraising” might conjure images of begging your friends to pony up for your car payment or your cat’s medical bills. But that’s not actually what we’re talking about here.
(Though by all means, do whatever it takes to help your cat!)
If you’re wondering how to fundraise for a personal cause, this article might not be exactly what you’re after.
But if you’re part of an organization that’s looking to enhance its fundraising while expanding its recognition, or you’re looking to fundraise on behalf of an organization that’s near and dear to your heart, then you’ve come to the right place.
That’s because peer-to-peer fundraising is a great way to raise funds for many types of causes and organizations.
In fact, research from The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Thirty suggests the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns in the U.S. raised more than $1 billion in 2017 alone.
Want to claim a piece of that pie?
Read on to learn what peer-to-peer fundraising is all about, plus how to get started with your own campaign.
What Is Peer-to-Peer Fundraising?
What we’re talking about here is a particular style of fundraising that involves empowering your organization’s campaigners to raise funds for your organization by encouraging the people in their network—family, friends, colleagues, and so on—to donate to the cause.
You might also hear peer-to-peer fundraising referred to as P2P fundraising, personal fundraising, social fundraising, or team fundraising.
There are lots of ways to do a P2P fundraising campaign—many of which you’ve probably participated in yourself.
For example, there are time-limited P2P campaigns where fundraisers might challenge their communities to help them raise a specific dollar amount within a specific amount of time (such as #GivingTuesday).
Other examples include activities like walkathons, fundraising events, or personal challenges like No-Shave November where people skip shaving for a month and raise funds from their networks to support cancer prevention and research.
How Does Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Work?
Just like snowflakes, each P2P campaign is unique. Here’s a basic overview of how the process works
The nonprofit identifies its fundraising goal and decides which style of P2P campaign they’d like to run: time-based, rolling, or a giving day.
Time-based campaigns take place over a specific time period and often correspond with a kick-off or concluding event.
Rolling campaigns continue for as long as it takes to meet a particular goal.
Giving days designate a financial goal and aim to meet it within 24 hours.
The nonprofit chooses a fundraising platform that’s best suited to its campaign.
The nonprofit recruits campaigners, who commit to setting up personal campaign pages, soliciting donations from their networks, and marketing the campaign.
During the campaign, the nonprofit supports its fundraisers with resources, promotion, and appreciation. The nonprofit also keeps tabs on their fundraisers’ progress, and follows up with new donors.
Depending on the style of P2P campaign, the campaign concludes after a financial goal is reached or a deadline passes.
What is the Difference Between Peer-to-Peer Fundraising and Crowdfunding?
It’s easy to confuse peer-to-peer fundraising with crowdfunding because both strategies involve tapping into a large network of donors to solicit many smaller donations. In fact, P2P fundraising is often considered a type of crowdfunding.
But it also differs from crowdfunding in several ways
Crowdfunding campaigns are managed by the organization that’s doing the fundraising, whereas peer-to-peer fundraising will involve many “managers” (i.e. campaigners) working to drum up donations. Think of crowdfunding as a one-to-many approach, whereas P2P is many-to-one. Crowdfunding campaigns are managed by 1 person: the person doing the fundraising. These campaigns involve tapping into the organizer (or organizer’s) network for donations and hoping the word will spread. P2P campaigns have word-of-mouth marketing baked into them, because your campaigners are charged with doing just that.
Crowdfunding campaigns often have a specific fundraising goal in mind and use a single progress bar to track overall progress. In contrast, P2P fundraising might involve many mini goals that are specific to the campaigners involved (though this often depends on the type of P2P fundraiser).
Crowdfunding campaigns typically rely on a single web page, whereas P2P fundraising will probably involve many personalized web pages managed by individual campaigners.
5 Best Practices for Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Every peer-to-peer fundraising campaign is different, which means the strategies that work well for one organization might fall as flat as an under-baked cake for another.
That said, here are a few general best practices that should apply to nearly every P2P fundraising effort.
1. Make sure your web pages are easy to navigate
Because your campaigners will most likely use a personal web page to solicit and track donations, they need to be able to navigate the site without much hassle. Learn more about how to create a personal fundraising page here.
2. Make your web pages look pretty
No matter the fundraising campaign, good design is important. People will be more likely to stick around on the site, get inspired, and donate if the pages are thoughtfully organized, mobile-optimized, and nice to look at. (We’re willing to bet that white font on a black background has never inspired a major donation!)
Wondering which personal fundraising website you should use? Check out this list of 10 stellar options.
3. Promote the campaign
While it’s tremendously helpful when your campaigners raise funds for your organization, it (unfortunately) doesn’t mean you can spend the campaign sipping mimosas at a spa.
Make sure to promote the campaign on your organization’s website, social media platforms, and perhaps via direct mail to boost the reach of your hardworking P2P campaigners.
4. Follow up with new donors
As soon as new donors contribute, thank them and add them to your donor database. That way, when a new P2P campaign rolls around, your pool of potential campaigners will be even larger!
5. Show appreciation for your campaigners
Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns only happen because people who believe in your cause are willing to volunteer their time to help raise funds. That’s a huge honor, and it’s important that your organization acts like it by profusely thanking—even gifting—your generous campaigners.
6 Tips for Starting a Peer-to-Peer Campaign
Okay, you’re convinced peer-to-peer fundraising might work for your organization. So how do you actually create a personal fundraiser?
Fear not! We’ve got some tried-and-true tips to start your own peer-to-peer campaign.
1. Choose your campaign type
Before launching a P2P campaign, take time to consider which format best suits your goals. Most P2P campaigns fall into one of the following categories: time-based campaigns, rolling campaigns, and giving days. The right choice for you will depend on your financial goals, time constraints, staff capabilities, and intentions regarding how the money will be used.
2. Select your fundraising software
There are dozens of fundraising platforms available, which means nonprofits have more choices than ever before. The right platform will be the one that’s best tailored to your organization’s specific needs, but here are a few features to look for.
The option to create individual fundraising pages
The option to customize giving forms
The option to easily share the campaign on social media
Ease of use
Integration with merchandise sales
Gamification options (such as badges, progress bars, leaderboards, etc.)
Technical support
3. Craft your story
Both campaigners and donors are more likely to stay involved in your campaign if it’s driven by a compelling story. Before you start recruiting participants, take time to think about the story that explains why people should care about your campaign. (Hint: “Because our roof is caving in” is not a compelling story. But “Ginny’s life got better in this home, and now we’re trying to build a new roof so we can improve other kids’ lives too” just might.)
When you start working with campaigners, educate them about the power of story. Their appeals to their networks will be much more effective if they tell the story of why they have personally come to support your cause instead of simply saying, “I’m raising money. Click here to donate.” (Not very motivating, right?)
4. Identify your campaigners
Browse through your donor database to identify people who have demonstrated high levels of enthusiasm for your cause by volunteering their time, making regular or large donations, and/or expressing interest in doing more. These are indicators that a person will be motivated to advocate on your behalf.
It might also be helpful to identify opportunities for partnerships with local businesses, other nonprofits, influencers, and/or major donors. Some of these partners might be willing to offer matching gifts, which can be a great way to boost participation in your campaign.
5. Set your campaigners up for success
Once you gather your crew of peer-to-peer fundraisers, give them the resources necessary to fundraise successfully. That might include:
An on-boarding session that introduces participants to the campaign’s structure, story, and goals
Regular check-ins (in person or via digital conferencing)
Tutorials for navigating their personal fundraising page
Email and social media templates
Sharing participants’ posts on social media
Regularly celebrating your fundraisers
6. Follow up
At the end of the campaign, make sure to update everyone who participated and thank your campaigners and new donors.
Then, plan to stay in touch with all your campaigners (old and new) as you put their money to good use. Showing people they’ve contributed to something meaningful will inspire them to get involved next time another campaign rolls around.
Stellar Examples of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Struggling to come up with ideas for your peer-to-peer fundraiser? Here are a few tried-and-true options to get your creative wheels turning.
Athletic events such as runs, walks, swims, and golf outings where campaigners raise funds from their network prior to participating in the event
Bowl-a-thons, game nights, rubber ducky races, and other family-friendly competitions
Pub crawls or casino nights (if you’re going the less family-friendly route!)
Quirky challenges, such as No Shave November or polar plunges
It might also be helpful to get your campaigners involved in choosing the theme and format of the campaign. They could come up with something that’s never been done before, which is sure to attract attention. For instance, one participant in the Children’s Miracle Network’s Extra Life campaign committed to getting a tattoo if his friends and family raised $2,000!
Conclusion
Peer-to-peer fundraising is kind of like a great big family reunion: It offers your organization the chance to connect with a sprawling network of people you might never have previously talked to. Only in this case, odds are good that those people will be interested in supporting your organization’s cause (instead of fighting over politics by the punch bowl).
By empowering your campaigners to raise funds on your organization’s behalf, you’ll grow your nonprofit’s pool of campaigners, raise money, and build relationships with people who will continue to cheerlead your organization even after the campaign has ended.
Share this Image On Your Site
Let your friends know how smart you are by sharing this handy infographic on your nonprofit’s blog or with your social media network.
First Descents is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18 – 39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.
What is the Goal?
The ultimate goal of First Descents is to help increase self-esteem, body image, and self-compassion, as well as alleviate the alienation, depression, and fatigue often associated with having the disease.
The mission of First Descents is to address the needs of one of the fastest-growing and most underserved age demographics in oncology by providing entirely free, life-changing outdoor adventures to young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.
A Little History…
Since 2001, First Descents (FD) has been supporting the physical, mental, and emotional health of young adults living with and surviving cancer.
Inspired by his aunt’s successful battle against cancer, professional kayaker and future CNN Hero Award Winner, Brad Ludden, founded First Descents in 2001 at just 18 years old.
The inaugural adventure trip saw 10 cancer survivors brave the Colorado River aboard whitewater kayaks.
By 2011, 27 outdoor programs were changing the lives of 283 people—a number that nearly doubled in the next year.
Nearly two decades of life-changing adventures—and no signs of slowing.
Project Examples
There’s an adventure for everyone.
From a single day of local indoor climbing to a week-long white water kayaking adventure, FD provides a variety of program types that meet the individual needs of participants, allowing individuals to get out on a program as soon as possible.
No previous “adventuring” experience? No problem!
Guides with tremendous know-how provide the adaptive programming and expert instruction necessary to participate in one of First Descents’ local, regional, national or international programs such as:
1. Week-Long Programs
First Descents Adventures
FD often welcomes first-timers into their community through multi-day outdoor programs that test participants’ limits, build friendships, and promote individual growth.
Programs are set in breathtakingly spectacular settings across the nation, and may include:
Kayaking through the Oregonian wilderness
Surfing the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Rafting Class 3 rapids on the Colorado River
Mountain biking in San Francisco’s backyard
Climbing adventures at Rocky Mountain National Park
2. Local Adventure Communities
First-timers and FD alumni may join in on one-day or multi-day outdoor adventures at a local level.
Currently, over 18 FD hubs in select cities (such as Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston, New York City, and Phoenix) offer regional programming, monthly meetups, and events throughout the year.
3. International Adventure Programs
FD alumni are eligible to participate in the ultimate adventure experience—one that takes place across the globe—and introduces a select few to multi-sport pursuits in areas like:
Thailand (caving and rappelling)
The mountains of Patagonia (whitewater rafting class V rapids)
The Italian Alps (rock climbing and hiking)
Ireland (sea kayaking in between historic castle visits)
4. Medical Center Partnerships
Joining forces with regional hospitals and clinics, such as Dana Farber in Boston, First Descents partners with healthcare providers to create custom weekend programs for first-timers and alumni who wish to experience First Descents, but are unable to attend programs due to treatment schedules, health concerns, or family and work responsibilities.
How First Descents Helps
Programs run by First Descents use a combination of skills development, challenging adventures, and forging connections with peers in the same boat.
First Descents Hiking Adventures
“Experience the healing power of adventure.”
Run the rapids in San Marcos. Bike the Florida Keys. Climb the Cascade Mountains
Over the years, First Descents programs have proven their worth. According to a University of Michigan study conducted in 2015, First Descents participants experience a reconnection to their bodies, feel more resilient, and regain confidence in their physical abilities.
100% of participants report increased ability to cope with cancer and its effects.
99% of participants want to stay involved in FD programs.
Participants experiencing depression post-program dropped by 10%.
Who Can Use First Descents Services?
First Descents programs are for individuals ages 18-39, diagnosed at age 15 or older.
Lodging, food, gear, and activities during programs are free.
First Descents also awards travel scholarships to anyone unable to afford transportation to program locations.
An onsite medic is present during all adventure programs to provide individualized care to participants.
Emergency response plans explicitly tailored to program sites are also in place.
First Descents additionally ensures quality attention and care by not exceeding 15 participants in a single venture.
Impact and Future Plans
First Descents figures now boast more than 1,500 unique experiences taking place annually.
Plus the organization’s mission and goals continue to evolve.
In 2018, First Descents launched a pilot program for multiple sclerosis (MS) that now offers rock climbing and whitewater rafting adventures to young adults impacted by MS.
First Descents Climbathons
Interest is high for what FD has to offer, but they can’t accommodate everybody, and there’s a waitlist!
The organization holds many fundraising events—from climbathons and marathons, to annual balls—that help them grow and expand their reach.
If you haven’t already you can also download the Giving Assistant button cash back extension for your desktop browser.
This will help you to start easily support the First Descent nonprofit AND save money on your everyday online purchases at thousands of online retailers.
Not a member yet? Sign up here to start supporting First Descent as you shop online.
Let’s talk about popular sneakers. One word: Puma.
Puma has been creating the comfortable, yet stylish sneakers you love for years, and they continue to impress.
The Women’s Incite Knit Sneaker successfully blends fashion and sport to give you a breathable, lightweight, knit shoe, ideal for sport or leisure. They are great for running, walking and anything else you can do with two feet.
If you’re going from the gym to the coffee shop, you want your sneakers to be as comfortable as they are trendy, and with 3 color options, these sneakers are it.
Sometimes the best sneakers for women are the ones that make life the easiest.
Women’s slip-on sneakers might not seem like the most fashion-forward, but when they’re Vans, they are.
Everyone loves Vans. They’re the classic, canvas, go-to sneaker with tons of color options to match any outfit. These sneakers have a rubber sole with fabric linings, but the best part is the dual goring panels for easy on and off that will outlast the entire life of the shoe.
These slip-ons are as comfortable as they are cool with a cushioned footbed for added comfort.
The hardest decision you’ll make is picking your favorite color.
The new Ralaxa sneaker features innovative CUSH+ technology which provides responsive cushioning and comfort without sacrificing durability or stability.
In other words this is an all-day, good looking sneaker that provides comfort all day, every day.
When it comes to dealing with plantar fasciitis — women should seriously consider the Ralaxa.
If you suffer from this condition, it’s not about finding just any walking shoe, but the perfect walking shoe.
That’s why New Balance’s trend-right and athletic design features soft plus satisfying technology to give your feet the relief they need.
We can all appreciate walking, but no list of best sneakers for women would be complete without a top pick for workouts.
The best workouts for women start with the best shoes, and Adidas now features their Ultra Boost shoe for an ultra workout.
For the first time in shoe history, Adidas used the ARAMIS system to measure vibration, design, and ergonomics needed to create one of the best workout sneakers for women.
The sneaker has a webbed outsole for stability and adaptability to the foot. It also uses Primeknit material which is breathable and stylish.
The elastic and stretch-heel construction supports the natural movement of the Achilles, which helps prevent injury.
If you’ve never heard of Saucony, then you’ve never researched the best women’s walking sneakers.
Saucony is as practical as it gets. It offers comfort in places you never knew your foot needed.
For example, the forefoot stretch zone provides a comfortable and forgiving forefoot cushion. Then, proGrid cushioning gives you extra cushioning in a lightweight format.
Finally the non-marking rubber outsole provides the shock absorption you need, while also making the shoe safe for indoor or outdoor use, never leaving a single skid mark.
You can go far in these Saucony sneakers and sometimes the best sneakers for women is about how far you can walk in them.
Puma does it again. With their newest training sneakers for women, it doesn’t matter what you’re training for, these shoes are stability.
The CELL Phase shoe uses their newest CELL technology to create stable cushioning with a street design wrapped in a sleek silhouette.
You’ll notice instant comfort and steadiness that comes in an ideal lightweight shoe.
The rubber outsole also provides maximum traction and durability. This means that finally your sneaker can go as fast, hard, and long as you can. With Puma, as always you can also rely on style.
The suede outsole offers a smooth finish, while the variety of color options will fit any personality.
Sometimes when you walk, you have to take a step on the wild side and hit the trails.
This requires the perfect trail running sneakers for women, and ASICS has just the shoe.
If you’re a trail runner you know that this activity combines running with steep gradients and unpaved roads.
It’s an excellent form of physical activity, but it is important to be mindful of your feet. The wrong shoe can mean an easily sprained ankle or worse.
That’s why ASICS has several benefits to make your trail running safer such as Lyte Technology, Rearfoot and Forefoot Gel Cushioning, as well as Dynamic Duomix Support System.
With these shoes you can hit the trails with comfort and confidence.
If you never thought a sneaker could protect your feet and look good at work, then you’ve never tried a KEEN sneaker.
These are the ideal sneakers for women that work hard. Foot safety is a growing concern in the workplace, so if you’re a working woman, you might want to start with a KEEN.
With their patented toe protection, the shoe outsoles wrap up and over the toes for ultimate protection.
The toe is specifically made of steel, aluminum, and uses a composite design to provide a roomier but safer toe.
The toe isn’t the only important part however, this shoe also provides excellent arch support and cradles the natural contours of your foot.
Don’t be fooled; trendy sneakers and comfortable sneakers can be one and the same.
It’s no surprise that one of our favorite women’s fashion sneakers is by Skechers.
This brand is known to be stylish, yet comfy and the Women’s Empire sneaker does not disappoint.
This shoe features a smooth, woven mesh fabric upper and a faux leather heel panel.
The slip-on bungee lace is sporty, yet convenient for taking on and off. While their long-lasting quality will impress, so will the attention to detail with the metallic interwoven pattern on the uppers, stitching accents, and the classic “S” logo.
Running, biking, and hiking is fun, but sometimes you just need to take a walk.
That’s why ZGR knows how important it is to make the best sneakers for walking. It’s also important to use top-quality canvas when making an all canvas shoe; ZGR does that too.
These women’s high-top sneakers have a classic style that can be paired with any outfit.
With these sneakers you get all the durability of canvas, with comfort and breathability too.
The thick rubber sole is anti-slip so that while these shoes were made for walking, you could pick up the pace and run comfortably too.
If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that Adidas shoes aren’t going out of style anytime soon, especially not Superstars like these.
These classic sneakers will surely give you all the nostalgia, since their design has been in style since 1969.
Featuring Adidas’ iconic three-stripes along the side, they have a smooth leather upper riding and leather console, as well as breathable mesh lining.
Black and white is always a reliable go-to combination, but the Superstar Shoe is also available in other colors to match your every fashion need. Adidas are comfy and casual, but most of all – cool.
The best sneakers for women should be made expressly for women, which means there’s always room for a wedge.
Women’s wedge sneakers like these SODAs are hard to find. These sneakers are expertly crafted be as sporty as they are sexy.
Can your other sneakers do that?
This sneaker is also designed to be safe with a rubber sole; and convenient with the fully functional outer zipper.
It uses a combination of imitation suede, Nylon camouflage, and a man made leather. More height means more confidence, that’s why women love the added wedge heel design.
The best part is that you could still walk comfortably for miles.
The modern woman is as professional as she is casual.
That’s why Superga has created their own women’s casual sneakers.
This classic sneaker has canvas all the way around, making it easy to wear, but easy to wash too.
This fabric is fully washable and fully breathable. Eyelets along the sides allow for maximum comfort and functionality.
This means that air can easily flow through, while the laces also conveniently attach as well.
The Superga Cotu casual sneakers come in more color varieties than you can imagine. This proves that just because it’s a sneaker, does not mean it can’t be trendy and comfortable.
Any best sneakers for women guide should always include a choice for the best sneakers for running, and ours is the superb Brooks Women’s Ghost Sneaker, because it is as one of a kind as it gets.
When you shop Brooks, you’re shopping top quality footwear.
This sneaker has easy flexibility, long-lasting durability and a reliable outsole grip; everything you love about Brooks.
All this together gives you a smooth ride – or rather a smooth stride in every step. When it comes to footwear technology, Brooks comes first.
The shoe also includes BioMoGo responsive Brooks DNA, a full length segmented crash pad, and Omega Flex Grooves.
What does all this mean for you? A footwear experience like no other.
Choosing the best sneaker for you isn’t always about purchasing the most expensive, the trendiest, or the most popular.
You should base your purchase on other key factors.
1. What Activity Will You Being Doing?
What do you plan to do the most when wearing your sneakers?
If you think your regular sneakers can do anything, you might want to think again. Running sneakers are designed differently than hiking ones, and even more so than volleyball ones. Sure they’re all sneakers, but shoe manufacturers specifically engineer their sneakers (with science) to prevent injury in the most successful way possible, based on your foot’s activity.
For
example, hiking or trail running shoes are typically heavier, sturdier, and
feature more support around the ankle. You wouldn’t exactly want this for
taking a light stroll around the park; too heavy.
2. How Long Will You Be Wearing Them?
Will you be wearing them for a short or long period of time?
Slipping on
those trendy sneakers, which you know nothing about, might be tolerable for a
15 minute walk, but walking a few miles could take a toll on your foot.
Before
purchasing a sneaker, ask yourself how often you will be wearing the shoe?
Daily? Weekly? How many hours a day? Time will indicate how sturdy and
supportive your sneaker needs to be.
3. Does the Shoe Fit?
Do you have the correct shoe size for your feet?
We’re not
asking if it looks good or feels good; you must know, does the sneaker truly
fit your foot? You’ve heard it all before: leave some wiggle room, try a half-size
bigger or smaller, wear socks. These are all common tips given when purchasing
shoes, but it’s hard to determine which advice is the best.
Instead,
your best bet is to get fitted by a professional. When sizing with them, speak
up. Tell them about any foot pain you typically experience and if you are trying
to address any foot issues specifically. They will also be able to determine
your arch level, which is a major part of buying the right sneaker. In fact,
you might think you know your shoe size, but you should get fitted every two
years.
4. What Is Your Age?
How old are you and do you have any foot conditions?
While your
favorite athlete might look great in that brand new, sporty, sneaker, if you’re
not also in your 20’s your foot might not feel as glamorous. Age says a lot
about our feet. It can affect the weight on your feet and thus the amount of
pressure placed on them when you walk. Age can also increase common foot
problems in general, ankle problems, or a number of other conditions.
Just
because a sneaker review says it’s ‘comfortable’ don’t always be convinced it’s
comfortable for your age group.
5. What Type of Sole Is Needed?
Do you need a special type of sole on your shoe?
Every
sneaker owner should have a sneaker sole mate. In fact, you can almost assume
you’re buying the shoe, simply for the sole alone.
The sole of
a sneaker is the bottom part that comes into direct contact with the ground.
This makes a difference with every step you take because the sole can be smooth
or have traction, be shock absorbing or thin as paper. You wouldn’t wear
ballroom shoes with smooth soles on a mountain trail – you’d slip all over.
When buying
a sneaker, take a good look at the sole and ask yourself if it’s the one for
you.
Dirty water is the culprit behind the diseases that kill more people every year than all forms of violence put together, including war.
What’s more disheartening is that 43 percent of those deaths are children under the age of five.
One child dies every two minutes from drinking contaminated water—that’s nearly 900 children lost daily to something completely preventable— and one of the many reasons why One ATTA Time strives to increase global distribution of their life-changing water filter kits.
One ATA Time is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides solutions to empower local leaders with education and water filters, who are then in charge of delivering these water filter kits throughout their communities.
Goal
There are 800 million people in the world that live without access to clean drinking water.
Providing a water filter can help solve this problem.
Each One ATTA Time water filter removes 100 percent of the harmful contaminants (such as bacteria, protozoa, and cysts) that cause water-borne illnesses.
The filters last 30-40 years and produce 1 million gallons of water in a lifetime.
This means that just one purification system from One ATTA Time provides an entire generation within a community with continuous access to clean water!
History
It started with one child.
Following an eye-opening trip in August of 2013 to visit Bryan, his sponsored child in El Salvador, Sean Kappauf felt inspired to do more.
As he spent time with Bryan and his mother, he learned that it was common for children in Bryan’s community to have intestinal worms due to unsanitary drinking water.
After his visit, Sean returned home motivated to enact positive change.
In February of 2014, he brought back a team to El Salvador to train young local leaders on how to maintain and distribute 50 water filtration devices to homes in need.
The trip was successful: The children’s health improved and entire communities thrived.
Sean then decided that his leadership training and providing water filters to areas in need could have a lasting impact worldwide, sparking the birth of One ATTA Time in 2014.
The California-based non-profit now travels the globe, distributing water filter kits to families residing in places like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Kenya.”
We work in Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Vietnam, Uganda, and do disaster relief work in the United States.
Project Examples
1. Clean Water for Small Villages at Pennies a Day
One ATTA Time outfits communities with made-in-the-USA, EPA-tested and approved Sawyer water filters, which provide the fastest, easiest, and most cost-efficient way to produce pure potable water at the highest filtration rates.
Just one filtration system supplies small villages with clean water for only a few cents a day.
ATTA kits include everything needed to transform any sanitary, plastic bucket or container into a filtration system. You don’t have to dig wells, use sand filters, or rely on purification chemicals.
No need for batteries or plugging into an outlet; gravity is the only external force required.
Long-lasting and self-sustainable, easy maintenance also extends the life expectancy of filters. Kits come with a syringe that flushes and unclogs the system when needed.
2. Natural Disaster Relief That’s Better for the Environment
One ATTA Time’s efforts empower global communities lacking clean water sources but also reduces the need to ship bottled water to areas affected by natural catastrophes.
One ATTA Time’s latest partnership provides the residents of Paradise, California with safe, decontaminated water sources following the aftermath of the state’s deadliest wildfire.
The non-profit has also provided access to clean water in response to:
Hurricane Harvey in Texas
Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico
Flooded, rural parts of Kauai, Hawaii’s North Shore
In addition to providing a continuous supply of purified water for drinking, the bucket system also generates water for:
Bathing
Cleaning
Cooking
Watering plants
Plus many other everyday tasks.
Future Plans
It might be difficult to believe, but one of the most preventable and easily treatable diseases, diarrhea, is also one of the leading causes of death nationwide.
One ATTA Time has ongoing projects in seven locations to decrease this threat and hopes to meet the following goals for 2019:
El Salvador: provide 500 filters to rural and coastal communities affected by the 90 percent of contaminated surface water bodies that cover the country, which helps fight.
Uganda: provide 1,000 filters to locals in South Uganda to reduce sickness related to the 75 percent of diseases linked to unclean waters and unsanitary living conditions.
Colombia: provide 1,500 filters to areas in the northern and southeast parts of the country; nearly one in four people do not have clean water to drink in these rural areas.
Vietnam: provide 2,000 filters to more people living in rural communities, who face one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in East Asia.
Impact
To date, One ATTA Time has distributed 10,000 water filters across 7 countries.
Safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene play a significant role in averting preventable diseases (and subsequent issues like dehydration, high infant- and child mortality rates, and intestinal parasites) from occurring in the first place.
Your donation contribution through Giving Assistant to One ATTA Time helps provides communities in need with access to one of life’s basic necessities: clean water.
If you haven’t already you can also download the Giving Assistant button cash back extension for your desktop browser.
This will help you to start easily support the One ATTA Time nonprofit AND save money on your everyday online purchases at thousands of online retailers.
Not a member yet? Sign up here to start supporting One ATTA Time as you shop online.
