Spring Into Fundraising

Spring is prime duck race season. The weather is warming, communities are emerging from winter hibernation, and people are ready for outdoor fun. A May or early June duck race gives you an ideal planning window. Here's your month-by-month roadmap.

January: Foundation Month

• Form your duck race committee and assign key roles

• Set your fundraising goal and budget

• Research potential venues and waterways

• Begin conversations with your municipality about permits

• Contact Derby Duck Races to discuss your event needs

February: Strategy Month

• Lock in your venue and date

• Develop your sponsorship package and tiers

• Create your event brand: name, logo, color scheme

• Begin approaching title-level sponsors ($5,000+)

• Set up your online duck adoption sales platform

March: Sponsor Sprint

• Aggressively pursue corporate sponsors at all levels

• Launch social media accounts or event pages

• Begin recruiting volunteers through your networks

• Confirm prize donations and begin prize marketing

• Finalize event layout and activity plans

April: Sales Launch

• LAUNCH DUCK ADOPTION SALES — this is your biggest push

• Ramp up social media content to 4-5 posts per week

• Distribute flyers and posters to local businesses

• Pitch local media for pre-event coverage

• Confirm food vendors, entertainment, and activities

• Begin volunteer training and role assignments

May: Execution Month

• Week 1-2: Push duck sales hard with urgency messaging

• Week 3: Finalize logistics, create day-of timeline, brief all team leads

• Day before: Set up venue, do complete walkthrough with team captains

• RACE DAY: Execute your plan, have an amazing time, raise incredible money!

• Week after: Send thank-yous, tally results, debrief with committee

Spring-Specific Considerations

• Watch for spring rain — have a weather contingency plan

• Check waterway conditions: spring snowmelt can affect river levels and flow

• Coordinate with other spring events to avoid schedule conflicts

• Spring allergies are real — have first aid supplies including antihistamines on hand

A spring duck race captures the energy of a community ready for fun after a long winter. With this timeline, you'll be prepared for an incredible event. Derby Duck Races is here to guide you through every step. Let's make this spring unforgettable!