How Charity Hikes Help

MAD Charity Hike, Machu Picchu

If you enjoy outdoor adventures as well as supporting non-profits that are doing great work, charity hikes are an excellent way to combine these two passions.  By partnering with a non-profit organization that is serving those in need, you can turn your next trek into an adventure that helps change the world.

In this article, you’re going to learn all about charity hikes, and how you can sign-up to participate in an excursion that will help hundreds of young people have brighter hope for a better future.

What Are Charity Hikes?

Charity hikes are adventure tours that combine the thrill of travel with the satisfaction of supporting those in need. Generally, when you take a charity hike you are challenging yourself to travel to an adventure destination and complete a trek. Typical hikes include climbing Mount Everest, traveling across Patagonia, or walking a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

As part of a charity hike, participants generally seek out sponsors (either businesses or individuals) who pledge to donate a certain amount to a particular non-profit if the hiker completes the trek. Hikers can raise anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 (or more) on behalf of the charity they are supporting.

In order to be successful, someone who is interested in charity hikes should partner with a non-profit that is experienced in leading these types of excursions. Charity hikes are much different than your local school walk-a-thon. A charity hike to an adventure destination takes a significant amount of planning, and only certain non-profits have the experience needed to make these trips successful. Often, these charities will also offer opportunities for hikers to be involved in their work or to visit those they serve as part of the trip.

What is the Best Way to Raise Money for Your Next Charity Hike?

If you’re taking a charity hike, you may be wondering what the best way is to raise money to support your non-profit partner.  The single best way to raise money is one-on-one.  Your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors know you and they are likely to want to support your charity adventure.  

Start by making a list of everyone who you know who might be able to donate $50 or more to support your hike.  Then, reach out to each of these people to ask them to sponsor your trek.  The best way to make the ask is to call them on the phone or ask when you see them in person.  You can also send out an e-mail or snail mail letter to your contacts to ask them to sponsor your walk.  Remember not to be afraid to ask for a significant donation amount, if the person is likely to be able to afford it.  The non-profit you are supporting needs your help! 

How Can You Use Charity Hikes to Support Young People in Africa and Beyond?

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of young people in Africa, South America, and beyond who don’t have access to the education they need to survive and thrive.  For many of these teenagers and young adults, getting an education is simply out of reach, despite the impact that high school, college, or technical school would have for their family and their future.

Make A Difference Now is a 14-year-old non-profit organization that is bringing hope to these young people by providing the financial support they need to get the education they deserve.  We help young people finish high school, attend college, and get entrepreneurial and business training in Africa and beyond.  In many cases, these are students who would never have the chance to complete their education, if it were not for our help.

Best of all, Make A Difference Now has been running successful charity hikes for over a decade. We run charity hikes to Kilimanjaro, Everest, Patagonia and beyond, where participants can have an amazing adventure while supporting the young people we serve.  Over the past decade, hundreds of people have participated in our charity hikes, and we hope you will too!

Schedule Your Next Outdoor Adventure!

Charity hikes are an amazing way to take an exhilarating trip while at the same time making a real difference in the world.  We invite you to join us in making the world a better place by participating in one of our upcoming charity hikes. Use the button below or click here to learn more.