Baltimore Running Festival Fundraising Toolkit
Be a Champion for Special Olympics Maryland
Join Team Special Olympics Maryland and experience the city like never before—one stride at a time. As you run through Baltimore’s iconic neighborhoods, you’ll be supporting 25,141 Special Olympics Maryland athletes and their Unified teammates. Every step you take helps build a more inclusive world through the power of sport.
BMore Running Training Plan
Our friends over at Bmore Running created a training plan just for you! Check out the Training Plan here and use it leading up to the Baltimore Running Festival!
Instagram Templates
Make your grams highlight everything from registration and donations to how you are preparing to support Special Olympics Maryland through the Baltimore Running Festival! Use #SOMD and #BaltimoreRunningFestival to show off all of the cool things you are doing to support Special Olympics Maryland! Add photos and videos to make your posts stand out
Snap a pic and copy and paste our sample captions below:
Initial (right after to register)
I am officially registered for the Baltimore Running Festival to support Special Olympics Maryland! Now starts the fundraising. If you have any time, check out my runner page and see how you too can help support @specialolympics_md and their athletes and Unified® teammates! #RunBaltimore #SOMD
Reminder (keep the content going!)
Tis’ running season and I am ramping up my fundraising efforts for @specialolympics_md. You can help me reach my goal by donating to my runner page. Each donation goes right to the athletes and Unified® teammates that compete in sports year-round, free of charge. #SOMD #RunBaltimore
Facebook & LinkedIn Posts
Make your Facebook posts about everything from registration and donations to how you are preparing to plunge this year! Use #SOMD, and #RunBaltimore to show off all of the cool things you are doing to support Special Olympics Maryland! Add photos and videos to make your posts stand out.
Copy and paste our sample Facebook & LinkedIn posts below:
Initial (right after to register)
- I just signed up for the Baltimore Running Festival to run for@SpecialOlympicsMaryland! Please help me reach my fundraising goal by donating to my runner page today! [insert your Runner Page link here] #SOMD #RunBaltimore
- I’m getting ready for this year’s Baltimore Running Festival to support Special Olympics Maryland, and you should too! Join my team and help out a great cause. [insert your Runner Page link here] #SOMD #RunBaltimore
Awareness (get your followers to join in too)
- Were you looking for a way to run a scenic race while supporting a great cause? Special Olympics has the answer for you! SOMD has partnered with the Baltimore Running Festival to be a beneficiary of the event. Sign up or make a donation here:[insert your Plunge Page link here] #SOMD #RunBaltimore
Reminder (keep the content going!)
- Tis’ running season and I am ramping up my fundraising efforts for the Baltimore Running Festival to benefit @specialolympics_md. You can help me reach my goal by donating to my runner page. Each donation goes right to the athletes and Unified® teammates that compete in sports year-round, free of charge. [insert your Runner page link here] #PlungeMD #BearTheCold
- I am still raising money for the Baltimore Running Festival to benefit @specialolympicsmd. Please help me reach my goal! [insert your Runner Page link here] #SOMD #RunBaltimore
Where Does Your Money Go?
Let your Running donors know where their Baltimore Running Festival donations are going! All money raised through the Special Olympics Maryland Polar Bear Plunge directly supports the athletes and Unified® teammates across the state who compete year-round, free of charge. Download our Where Does Your Money Go? one-pager and send to your donors in your solicitation emails.
Email Templates
Let’s start spreading the word! Email is a great tool to ask others to pledge their support and we have a few messages for you to work from. A few tips: make it personal, include pictures, make it FUN, and don’t forget to say THANK YOU!
Subject Line Options:
- Join Me in Making a Difference at the Baltimore Running Festival!
- Help Me Cross the Finish Line for a Great Cause!
- I’m Running for Special Olympics Maryland – Support My Journey!
Email Body:
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I’m excited to share that I’ll be participating in the Baltimore Running Festival this year—not just for the personal challenge, but for something that means even more to me: supporting Special Olympics Maryland.
Special Olympics Maryland provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities, creating opportunities for joy, inclusion, and empowerment. I’m proud to run on behalf of these amazing athletes—and I need your help!
My goal is to raise [your fundraising goal] by race day, and every dollar goes directly to supporting athletes across Maryland. Whether it’s $10, $25, or more, your support can help fund uniforms, equipment, training facilities, and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re able to contribute, you can donate directly through my fundraising page here:
[Insert Your Fundraising Link]Even if you can’t give right now, sharing my page with your network would mean the world to me.
Thanks so much for being part of my support team—I’ll be thinking of you with every mile I run!
With gratitude,
[Your Name]
Runner for Team SOMD
[Optional: Your Contact Info or Social Media]
Flyer
Are you a fan of this content? Great! Share it with your friends on social media, and remember to tag Special Olympics Maryland.