Every Step Can Create Greater Impact

The RiseUP Elevation Challenge is about more than reaching the top of a trail or watching the elevation number on a treadmill rise.

It is an opportunity to move with purpose.

Throughout September, participants can work toward gaining 5,000 feet of elevation by walking, hiking, running, climbing stairs, or using a treadmill incline. Those who cannot reasonably complete an elevation goal because of disability, health, mobility, or geography may participate through the accessible Distance Challenge.

Participants can join individually or create a team with coworkers, family members, friends, churches, gyms, clubs, neighborhoods, nonprofits, or community organizations. Each person also has the opportunity to turn their challenge into meaningful fundraising support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and neurodiversity.

Whether you are participating in Colorado Springs, Denver, elsewhere in Colorado, or from another state, the following strategies can help you reach more people, raise more support, and make every foot count.

Begin With Your Personal Reason

People are much more likely to support your fundraiser when they understand why it matters to you.

You do not need an elaborate story. A few honest sentences can be enough.

Consider answering:

• Why did you join the Elevation Challenge?
• What does inclusion mean to you?
• Why do you support RiseUP?
• What does your personal 5,000-foot or distance goal represent?
• Who are you rising for?

Your message might sound like this:

I joined the RiseUP Elevation Challenge because everyone deserves the opportunity to feel included, supported, and connected to their community. This September, I am working toward 5,000 feet of elevation while raising support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and neurodiversity.

RiseUP provides person-centered services for children and adults, including its school, residential programs, adult day programs, supported employment, family support, and community-based services in Denver and Colorado Springs.

Connecting your fundraising goal to that larger mission gives people a clear reason to participate.

Set a Goal You Can Explain

Give your supporters something specific to rally around.

You may choose:

• A total fundraising goal.
• A goal for the number of individual donors.
• A team goal.
• A personal elevation or distance milestone.
• A challenge connected to a specific day, trail, or activity.
• A workplace or community competition.

For example:

My goal is to gain 5,000 feet of elevation and raise $500 for RiseUP during September.

Or:

Our Denver office team is working together to raise $2,500 while completing the challenge throughout September.

Specific goals help people understand what you are working toward and how their contribution moves you closer.

Start With the People Closest to You

Your first supporters will often come from the people who already know and trust you.

Begin by contacting:

• Family members.
• Close friends.
• Coworkers.
• Neighbors.
• Members of your church or community group.
• Gym or fitness community members.
• Local business contacts.
• Professional networks.
• Parents, caregivers, and advocates within the IDD and neurodivergent communities.

Ask a small group to donate before you make a broader public announcement. Early contributions create momentum and make your page feel active when more people begin visiting it.

Ask People to Join, Not Only Donate

Fundraising does not have to be limited to asking for money.

Invite people to:

• Register as an individual.
• Join your existing team.
• Create their own team.
• Share your fundraising page.
• Introduce you to a business sponsor.
• Donate an item for a drawing or silent auction.
• Participate in a group walk, hike, or stair-climbing activity.
• Follow and share your progress online.

The RiseUP Elevation Challenge welcomes offices, families, churches, friend groups, gyms, clubs, neighborhoods, nonprofits, and community organizations. Participants can work toward shared elevation, distance, and fundraising goals while encouraging one another throughout September.

Make Your Outreach Personal

A direct message almost always feels more meaningful than a generic mass request.

Instead of sending only:

Please donate to my fundraiser.

Try:

Hi, I’m participating in the RiseUP Elevation Challenge this September, and I immediately thought of you because I know how much you care about building a stronger and more inclusive community. Would you consider supporting my goal or sharing my page?

Personalization does not need to take long. Adding the person’s name and one sentence explaining why you contacted them can make a significant difference.

Use a Simple Three-Step Outreach Plan

Step 1: Announce Your Challenge

Tell people:

• What you are doing.
• Why you are doing it.
• What your goal is.
• How they can participate or support you.

Step 2: Share Progress

Post updates as you:

• Complete your first hike or walk.
• Reach an elevation milestone.
• Welcome a new team member.
• Receive your first donations.
• Reach 25%, 50%, or 75% of your fundraising goal.
• Learn more about RiseUP’s mission.

Step 3: Make a Final Push

As September progresses, remind supporters how close you are to your goal.

Try:

I have reached 4,100 of my 5,000 feet and am only $150 away from my fundraising goal. Will you help me finish strong?

People who intended to donate may simply need a reminder.

Create a Team Around a Shared Identity

Teams are often most effective when members already share a connection.

Examples include:

• A Colorado Springs workplace team.
• A Denver neighborhood walking group.
• A local hiking club.
• A family team.
• A school community.
• A church or faith-based team.
• A gym or fitness studio.
• A group of disability advocates.
• Parents and caregivers.
• A community organization or nonprofit.

Give your team a memorable name and a clear shared goal. Encourage members to post updates, recognize one another, and celebrate milestones together.

Participants may also select a participating nonprofit partner during registration. Half of the proceeds raised through that participant’s page support the selected nonprofit, allowing participants to support two missions through one challenge.

Reach Out to Colorado Businesses and Community Partners

Local businesses may be interested in participating through:

• Sponsorship.
• Employee teams.
• Matching gifts.
• Drawing prize donations.
• Silent auction items.
• Social media promotion.
• Hosting a group activity.
• Sharing the challenge with customers or employees.

When contacting a business in Colorado Springs or Denver, explain both the community impact and the practical opportunity.

For example:

The RiseUP Elevation Challenge gives Colorado businesses a meaningful way to support disability inclusion, engage employees, and connect with families and community members throughout the state.

Keep the initial message brief and offer to send additional information.

Use Email to Make Direct, Thoughtful Requests

Email is particularly useful for:

• Friends and family who may miss a social post.
• Coworkers and professional contacts.
• Business owners.
• Church or club leadership.
• Community organizations.
• Former volunteers and supporters.

A successful email should contain:

1. A clear subject line.
2. A personal introduction.
3. A short explanation of the challenge.
4. Your reason for participating.
5. One primary request.
6. A registration or donation button.

Avoid including every possible detail in the first email. Give the reader the main reason to care and a simple next step.

Use Social Media to Build Momentum

Social media gives participants a way to take supporters along on the journey.

Share:

• Your reason for participating.
• Training or movement updates.
• Trail, stair, treadmill, or neighborhood photos.
• Team member introductions.
• Fundraising milestones.
• Stories about RiseUP’s impact.
• Countdown reminders.
• Thank-you posts.
• Final challenge results.

Participants are encouraged to use #UP4TheChallenge and tag RiseUP when sharing progress.

For Colorado-focused visibility, relevant hashtags may also include:

#RiseUP #ColoradoNonprofit #ColoradoSpringsCommunity #DenverCommunity #DisabilityInclusion #IDDCommunity #Neurodiversity #InclusiveColorado

Use only the hashtags that genuinely fit the post rather than adding the entire list every time.

Make Participation Accessible and Welcoming

Not everyone will participate in the same way, and that is an important part of the challenge.

The Distance Challenge gives people with disabilities, mobility or health limitations, or limited access to meaningful elevation an alternative way to participate fully.

When recruiting team members or sharing the challenge, use language such as:

• Move in the way that works for you.
• Choose an elevation or distance goal.
• Participate from wherever you are.
• Every person and every effort matter.
• The goal is meaningful participation, not comparison.

This reflects RiseUP’s broader commitment to person-centered support, dignity, respect, adaptability, and community building.

Remember to Thank People

Thank supporters throughout the campaign, not only at the end.

You can thank:

• Individual donors.
• People who share your page.
• Team members.
• Business supporters.
• Nonprofit partners.
• Friends who join you for a walk or hike.
• Anyone who encourages you.

A simple personal thank-you strengthens the relationship and reminds supporters that their involvement matters.

Ready to Rise for Something Greater?

You do not need to be an experienced athlete or climb a Colorado mountain.

You can walk through your neighborhood, hike a favorite trail, climb stairs, use a treadmill incline, complete a distance goal, or build your progress one activity at a time.

Choose your goal. Invite your community. Share your progress. Make every foot count.