NVFS Choose your Challenge Campaign: SERVE-ing Greater Prince William

Choose Your Challenge: SERVE-ing Greater Prince William

A Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Guide

Economic pressures, housing instability, and food insecurity continue to impact families across the Greater Prince William community and beyond. NVFS plays a critical role in bridging the gap through innovative programs and compassionate care.

You can make a lasting impact by taking on a challenge of your choice! Whether you're an athlete, a foodie, or a creative problem-solver, you can help raise funds to support NVFS and its essential programs. Choose an activity that excites you, rally your network, and turn your passion into meaningful change!

How It Works:

1.        Choose Your Challenge: Select an activity that aligns with your interests and fundraising goals.

2.        Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.

3.        Spread the Word: Share your challenge with friends, family, and colleagues to gather support.

4.        Complete Your Challenge: Host your event or take on your challenge with enthusiasm.

5.        Celebrate & Submit Results: Share photos, updates, and your fundraising success with us!

Challenge Ideas & How to Get Started

Host Your Own Bowl-a-Thon

Ready to knock down some pins and raise funds for a great cause? Hosting a Bowl-a-Thon is a fun, social way to challenge yourself and your friends while supporting NVFS.

How It Works:

  • Reserve Your Lane: Book a bowling alley and set a date for your event.
  • Gather Participants: Invite friends, family, or coworkers to join the fun.
  • Fundraise as You Bowl: Charge an entry fee or encourage participants to raise pledges based on how many pins they knock down.

How to Get Started:

  • Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.
  • Spread the Word: Share your event with friends and family through email and social media.
  • Bowl Your Heart Out: Have fun while making a difference in your community!
  • Celebrate & Submit Results: Share photos or videos with us of your bowling fun and celebrate the impact you’ve made!

Commit to a 5K or Race Event

Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, a 5K or race event is a great way to combine fitness with fundraising for NVFS.

How It Works:

  • Sign Up for a Race: Choose a local race or create your own walking/running event.
  • Get Your Network Involved: Encourage friends and family to join you or sponsor you per mile completed. Use social media or group text to keep everyone updated on your training and race day progress.
  • Celebrate Success: Cross the finish line with pride, knowing you’ve made a real difference!

How to Get Started:

  • Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.
  • Spread the Word: Share your race event details with family, friends, and your social media followers. Then, run/walk/move with purpose! Get active while making a difference for your community!
  • Celebrate & Submit Results: Share photos and updates with your supporters—thank them for helping you reach your goal!

Create a Cereal Domino Challenge

Ready for a fun and unique way to raise funds while engaging your friends, family, and coworkers? The Cereal Domino Challenge is the perfect way to show off your creativity, competitive spirit, and love for breakfast!

How It Works:

  • Collect Cereal Boxes: Reach out to your network and ask for donations of cereal boxes (the bigger, the better!).
  • Design Your Domino Setup: Arrange the cereal boxes in a domino formation, ready to knock them over with one dramatic push!
  • Fundraise & Share: Ask participants to pledge donations to see your cereal domino masterpiece in action.
  • Record & Share: Capture the excitement on video as the dominoes fall—share your video on social media and challenge others to donate or take part!

How to Get Started:

  • Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.
  • Spread the Word: Encourage your network to donate cereal boxes and support your challenge.
  • Set Up the Dominoes: Arrange your cereal boxes in the most creative and fun way possible!
  • Celebrate & Submit Results: Share videos of your cereal domino success and then, drop off your food donations at the Hunger Resource Center in Manassas!

Design & Execute a Canned/Boxed Food Building Challenge

Flex your creativity and help stock the shelves of NVFS’ Hunger Resource Center by organizing a Canned/Boxed Food Building Challenge! After you are finished with your work of art, you can bring your food donations to the Hunger Resource Center.

How It Works:

  • Collect Food Donations: Ask your network to donate non-perishable food items for your project.
  • Build a Creative Display: Organize the items into a fun, unique design or structure (bonus points for creativity!).
  • Raise Funds: Charge an entry fee for teams to participate or ask for donations to vote for the best food structure.
  • Showcase Your Creation: Take pictures or videos of your completed structure and share them on social media to inspire others.

How to Get Started:

  • Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.
  • Spread the Word: Encourage friends and family to donate food and vote on their favorite creations.
  • Get Building: Construct your food display while raising funds to support NVFS’ mission!
  • Celebrate & Submit Results: Share photos and updates of your finished structure and let everyone know how much you raised. Then, drop off your food donations at the Hunger Resource Center in Manassas!

Organize a Bake Sale or Chili Cook-Off

Bring your kitchen skills to the table and organize a Bake Sale or Chili Cook-Off to raise funds for NVFS!

How It Works:

  • Gather Participants: Ask friends, family, or coworkers to bake or cook their best recipes.
  • Set Up Shop: Host your sale at a local event, school, or office.
  • Raise Funds: Charge for baked goods or chili bowls or ask for donations in exchange for a taste-testing ticket.
  • Host a Friendly Competition: Offer prizes for the best cookies, cakes, or chili dishes.

How to Get Started:

  • Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.
  • Spread the Word: Share your event details with friends and family to encourage participation and donations.
  • Cook & Bake with Passion: Create your most delicious dishes and raise funds while doing it!
  • Celebrate & Submit Results: Share photos of your baked goods or chili creations and let everyone know how much you raised.

Plan a Fitness Fundraiser

Get active and raise funds for NVFS by hosting a Fitness Fundraiser like a yoga class, dance session, or high-energy workout event.

How It Works:

  • Partner with an Instructor: Team up with a local gym or instructor willing to donate their time.
  • Charge a Class Fee: Ask participants to donate the cost of a typical fitness class or a set donation amount.
  • Encourage Social Sharing: Post your workout photos or videos on social media to encourage others to donate and join you.
  • Host a Fun Event: Whether it’s yoga, zumba, or a boot camp, get your community moving and fundraising at the same time!

How to Get Started:

  • Set Up Your Fundraiser: Create your personal fundraising page on our Peer-to-Peer platform.
  • Spread the Word: Share your fitness fundraiser with friends, family, and your social media followers.
  • Work Out for a Cause: Host your fitness event while helping raise funds for those in need.
  • Celebrate & Submit Results: Share your event photos and how much you raised with your supporters.

Fundraising Tips for Success

  • Set a Goal: Define a clear fundraising target to keep yourself and your supporters motivated.
  • Engage Your Network: Use email, social media, and personal outreach to spread the word.
  • Get Creative: Consider livestreaming parts of your challenge or offering incentives for donors.
  • Say Thank You: Show appreciation to your supporters through messages, shoutouts, or small tokens of gratitude.

Together, we can make a difference!

Your participation helps provide food, shelter, and stability for local families. Sign up today, take action, and support Northern Virginia Family Service!

Need help getting started? Contact Jessica Warren at JWarren@nvfs.org