Looking for an easy way to raise money while reducing global waste? A sneaker drive fundraiser can do just that! A sneaker drive is an easy, sustainable, and philanthropic way to invite your community to dispose of their gently worn, new and used athletic shoes.
Sneakers4Good makes the sneaker drive fundraising process easy. We provide everything you’ll need to get started: collection methods, promotional materials, and specialized support. Plus, the fundraiser’s low upfront costs make it an accessible option for any organization. It’s a win-win!
Still not sure if a sneaker drive is right for you? Check out these notable benefits that sneaker drives bring to the table:
These commercial and sustainable opportunities make it easy to keep your old sneakers out of landfills and provide jobs to communities that need them most, supporting a more eco-friendly Earth!
No matter what type of organization you run, there’s likely an opportunity for you to share your soles! More than likely, members of your community would prefer to dispose of their shoes sustainably, but aren’t sure where to donate sneakers.
At Sneakers4Good, we’ve partnered in the past with the following groups:
Run specialty stores often end up with sneakers that could be burned or buried in landfills as a result of customer returns, factory defects, overstock, or hash lots. A sneaker drive, in turn, fosters positive change by providing retailers with an opportunity to donate footwear.
There’s a reason why races such as the Marine Corps, Austin, and Boston Marathons have become partners. If you’re a marathon or road race director, a sneaker drive is a great way to create a fun, eco-friendly event that gives back.
Every marathon or road race can become a drop-off location for runners and college and university students who care about saving the planet. An event like a 5K, 10K, or marathon provides an easy, central location for people in the community to recycle their old sneakers.
Gyms are great locations for running sneaker drives, especially for gym members or owners. Members are already thinking about athletic wear when they’re preparing to go to the gym, so it’s easy for them to remember to bring an extra pair of shoes to repurpose. Some of them may even have a pair they don’t wear hiding in their gym bag or locker!
Most runners regularly replace their athletic shoes, making runner-focused organizations like running clubs and cross-country teams a great place to collect sneakers. If you’re a part of one of these organizations, you can encourage teammates, families, alumni, or supporters at your events to donate used sneakers!
If you participate in a community athletic league, you’re connected to a lot of people who likely have extra gently worn, new and used athletic shoes they’d be happy to repurpose. Set up a collection location at your community or recreation center and spread the word!
Typically, walkathon participants collect pledges from supporters before the event. These supporters agree to contribute a set amount per mile (or other distance unit) the participants walk. While you can use this model to set up your walkathon, you can also ask for a different kind of contribution: your participants’ gently worn, new and used athletic shoes!
Have volunteers collect your participants’ athletic shoes after they complete the walkathon. You can also encourage participants to bring extra pairs to recycle, making your walkathon running shoe drive even more successful.
Get started on the right foot by partnering with a sneaker recycling program facilitator like Sneakers4Good. Our dedicated sneaker recycling kit provides a prepaid shipping bag for you to fill with sneakers as you collect them from your community. Other supplies and resources you’ll have on hand include:
Equipped with these materials, you’ll be ready to raise awareness and collect sneakers quickly and easily.
After receiving your sneaker recycling kit, it’s time to spread the word and collect gently worn, new and used sneakers from your community. Set up a convenient collection location(s), post on social media, and share the news among your networks to encourage participation.
When you partner with us, we’ll support you every step of the way, including providing prepaid shipping bags that hold 10-15 sneakers each. To keep pairs of athletic shoes together, rubber-band them or tie their laces together.
Then, take the filled bags to your preferred mail carrier and ship them to the Sneakers4Good warehouse.
The amount of money your group receives depends on the number of athletic shoes you collect. So, make sure you spread the word about your running shoe drive and choose a collection site that’s easy for your community to notice and access.
After we process the athletic shoes you’ve collected, you’ll receive a check within days.
When you partner with Sneakers4Good, you’ll work with a team of passionate, experienced experts. Since we began pursuing our social enterprise work, we’ve achieved:
We have a proven track record of successfully repurposing running shoes and providing you with funds to support local nonprofits. Unlike other events, sneaker drives are incredibly versatile and promote a culture of sustainability and physical activity.
Encourage your community to donate their running shoes with a Sneakers4Good fundraiser. Ready to learn more? Get started here.
Interested in learning more about recycling sneakers? Check out these resources:
Partner with Sneakers4Good to recycle gently worn, used and new running shoes.
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