Fundraising is a lot like marketing sometimes.  If you can come up with something new and interesting that nobody else has done, you can get some extra interest and media coverage.  And if you can’t, then falling back on a tried-and-true formula isn’t a bad thing either.  For people raising money online with Firstgiving, the "-thon" is a real staple of both types.  Almost half of all the Firstgiving -thons are walk-a-thons (somtimes walkathons), and there are also a lot of bikeathons.  If you’re running dry, here are some more original fundraising ideas…

Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin Tae Kwon Do Board Break-a-Thon

Twin Cities Huntington’s Disease Society of America Hoop-a-Thon

New York Writers Coalition Write-a-Thon

Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee Bowl-a-Thon (aka Hoe Down Bowl Down)

Child Health Services Scrap-a-Thon

OK, hold the phone a minute – what is a Scrap-a-Thon?  How much can you scrap for charity?  Not quite.  According to Margaret Wasserman’s LJ,

Zoe and I will be participating in a "scrap-a-thon" on Sunday, April 6th. In addition to _finally_ putting some of those photos I’ve been saving into a scrap book, we’ll be raising money for Child Health Services, a charity that provides health and nutrition services to thousands of kids and their families.

Go figure.  We are humbled.  Getting organized and raising money for a good cause, what could be better?   Good luck Margaret and Zoe!  What’s your favorite fundraise-a-thon activity?