Whether you're thinking about fundraising in honor of your birthday or a special occasion, participating in an athletic event, creating a memorial page, or starting your own creative fundraiser, we've got you covered!
DIY Fundraising Event Types
Looking to fundraise, but aren’t sure where to begin? Check out our DIY fundraising event ideas to become inspired and get started today!
-
Create a Fundraiser
The sky is the limit on how you can raise funds for Cure SMA! Our fundraisers have hosted Zumba-thons, crossword tournaments, trivia nights, and more. Events can be live or virtual and no idea is too big or too small! Let your creativity shine!
-
Stream Away SMAAre you interested in taking your event to the internet? The best part about virtual streaming is that you can host participants and spectators from anywhere! The virtual streaming and gaming world is full of possibilities and Cure SMA wants to be a part of your virtual impact!
-
Host an Athletic Event
Feeling active? Raise funds by hosting an athletic event with family and friends and donating the proceeds to Cure SMA. From a cornhole tournament to a golf outing to biking across the country, there’s many options to get sporty for Cure SMA!
-
Donate a Special Occasion
Set up a personal fundraising page to ask for donations in lieu of gifts for any special event or achievement in your life (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc.)! These pages make it easy to share why Cure SMA is important to you!
-
Host a Youth Event
Empower the younger members of the Cure SMA community to make a difference! From coin collection cans to read-a-thons, to essay writing contests, or even bake sales, youth-led fundraisers have made a tremendous impact!
-
Start a Memorial or Tribute Page
Creating a tribute or memorial fund for a loved one helps celebrate or honor their legacy by giving back to the SMA community.
Your Fundraising Dollars at Work
-
Fund Breakthroughs
Every dollar raised with Cure SMA's events helps grow research, care, advocacy, and support programs that the SMA community depends on. We will ensure everyone with SMA –from infants to adults– have the chance to live a full and productive life.
-
Change Lives
Thousands of individuals with SMA and their families receive support and access Cure SMA resources each year. With the passionate support from people like you, we can meet the ever-changing needs of all people with SMA.
-
Empower the Community
Events across the country bring together people from coast-to-coast to raise awareness and build community. Whether you have a direct connection to SMA or not, everyone is invited to make a difference by fundraising for Cure SMA!
Cure SMA Story Spotlight
Making Waves:
Doug McCullough's Story
Before connecting with Cure SMA years ago, Doug McCullough had never met anyone else who had SMA. Doug has SMA Type 3 and works hard to promote inclusion of people with disabilities. He is an avid sports fan and participates in adaptive sports, such as cycling, kayaking, snow and water skiing, surfing, canoeing, and camping.
Those in the SMA community often feel a roller coaster of emotions as they face diagnosis, treatment, and daily life. “Despite the historical stigma of disabilities, I never thought of myself as disabled growing up and worked to hide my ‘shortcomings’ as much as possible. I learned SMA doesn’t define me, but it is part of who I am,” said Doug.
Lighting Up the Night:
Shaakira Thomas and Family
Shaakira and her husband, Parris Sr., are parents to Aaliyah, Kassian, and four-year-old Parris Jr., who was diagnosed with SMA. Shaakira and Parris Sr. first noticed something amiss when Parris Jr. started walking. “He had a little wobble, and it took until just before his third birthday for us to get a diagnosis of SMA,” shared Shaakira.
Despite her son’s challenges, Shaakira believes that SMA has made her family stronger. Shaakira helps support the SMA community by researching buildings that ‘light up’ for days of recognition and ensuring major landmarks across the US go purple to raise SMA awareness.
Getting in the Game:
Brady Chan and Family
Ten-year-old Brady Chan from North Carolina has big goals that stem from his passion for video games. He is part of an e-gaming team, where his favorite games include “Brawl Starts” and “Overwatch.” In the future, Brady hopes to become an engineer and create his own video games.
Brady was diagnosed with SMA at 18 months old. Mimi, Brady’s mom says “Brady is a confident, young man with a magnetic personality. He loves reading, learning, gaming, and writing poetry. Brady loves conversation and has never had problems making friends. He does, however, see very clearly that SMA keeps him from doing things his friends can do. Sometimes, that’s okay. He doesn’t have to play on the mulched playground, and instead created a soccer crew.”
Need Support?
Our team is here to help you reach new heights with your fundraising! Email diy@curesma.org to get started today. Can’t decide which way to support Cure SMA? Click the button below to fill out the contact form and a member of our team will reach out to help.