John Hancock Financial Leverages Crowdrise crowdfunding platform to increase donations for Boston Marathon fundraising for charity.
John Hancock Financial is rallying the runners in its 2013 Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program in their attempt to break last year’s record of raising $6.8 million in charitable donations for more than 100 non-profit organizations. There are close to 1,000 runners participating in John Hancock’s program as part of the 117th running of the historic race.
Last year, John Hancock began a partnership with CrowdRise, a leading crowdfunding platform, to further enhance runners’ fundraising campaigns with the benefits of fun and engaging support. Unique prizes like finish line seats and an iPad2, donated by John Hancock, contributed to a 29 percent increase in 2012 fundraising results over the previous year.
This year, in the spirit of CrowdRise fun, John Hancock’s runners are putting their money where their feet are – by fundraising and encouraging friends, family and the general public to donate to marathon campaigns at crowdrise.com/2013bostonmarathon, and by showcasing their feet and the good they are doing in a video to raise money for important causes. To increase awareness, the company hopes people will watch at thier video (see below) relating inspiring stories, then help spread the word about the runners’ generosity and hard work for a chance to earn a piece of Marathon history. Anyone posting the hashtag #goodfeet on their social media channels between March 28 and 10:00 a.m., April 16, 2013 will be entered for a chance to win a commemorative street banner signed by the 2013 winners of the Boston Marathon.*
“John Hancock takes great pride in the community support generated through our sponsorship of the Boston Marathon,” said Tom Crohan , AVP & Counsel, John Hancock. “Our partnership with CrowdRise provides a unique fundraising platform, and it has connected this special community of runners and organizations in a powerful way. We’re encouraging everyone – runners, our non-profit partners, and those donating to causes on CrowdRise, to watch the video and enter the contest.”
“We’re so psyched to continue to work with John Hancock,” said CrowdRise Cofounder and CEO Robert Wolfe . “They have an incredible program that’s emulated in both the running and non-profit communities and the fact that they’re able to embrace a more modern approach to social fundraising and do it in such a cool way is an incredible testament to their company, vision and commitment to give back.”
April 15th will mark the 28th year of John Hancock’s landmark sponsorship of the legendary Boston Marathon. As principal sponsor, John Hancock created its own Marathon Non-Profit Program, donating guaranteed entry ‘bibs’ – the race numbers that runners would otherwise have to qualify for – to nonprofit organizations. Non-profits use these entries to recruit runners, who must commit to raising a minimum of $5,000 for their cause. Since John Hancock began sponsoring the Boston Marathon, the John Hancock program and the Boston Athletic Association’s official charity program have combined to raise over $150 million dollars for community organizations.