We have two quacky duck race on July 4th scheduled in the The Woodlands, Texas and Covington, Louisiana. Adopt a duck today before they sell out!
10th Annual Crisis Assistance Center Duck Derby
The Crisis Assistance Center (CAC) is a source of hope for Montgomery County residents experiencing financial crisis in basic needs of housing, utilities, food and clothing. Strengthened through collaboration with community and faith partners, we honor and restore the dignity of individuals and families to attain great levels of responsibility and financial independence, by delivering assistance and life lasting strategic solutions.
Where: Rob Fleming Aquatic Center
When: July 4, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. CDT.
Highlights: Our first race of the weekend returns for their 10th year. What could be more fun than watching 5,000 rubber ducks race down a water slide? The third place duck win a wine tasting for 20 people. The second place duck wins a $1,000 gift card and the first place duck waddles home with a $2,500 gift card. Adopting a duck will help families in crisis.
Racer Website: www.cacduckderby.org
St. Tammany Humane Society Duck Derby and Festival
Who: St. Tammany Humane Society
St. Tammany is the the largest nonprofit, no kill animal shelter in Louisiana. Since 1953, they have been serving the homeless, neglected and abandoned animals of the Northshore region. They are an independent, non-governmental rescue that offers veterinary care, fostering, adoption and more!
Where: Mandeville Beach
When: July 4, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. CDT.
Highlights: A minimum of 1,500 rubber ducks will race to the finish line to raise money and awareness for the cause of homeless pets and great prizes for their duck adoptive parents. The third place duck wins $250 and the second place duck wins $500. The first place duck goes home with $1,000! Adopt a Duck, Save a Life!
Racer Website: www.sttammanyduckderby.com
- June 28, 2017
Our Rubber Duck Racer Spotlight on Bradenton, FL this month features our nonprofit partner, PACE Center for Girls of Manatee County. Throughout the year, we will feature different nonprofit partners so our duck racer community can learn from each other.
Organization Name: Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County
Years Racing with GAME: 2017 will mark 8 years
Head Duck: Heather Kortzendorf, Board Chair; Christi Haley, Staff Chair
Tell us a little bit about your organization and why you are racing ducks:
PACE Center for Girls is a year-round, non-residential school, providing a safe environment where middle and high school aged girls can thrive in a small environment. Our balanced emphasis on academics and social services is combined with our program model to produce an experience that is nationally recognized as one of the most effective programs for helping at-risk girls realize brighter and more productive futures.
We’re racing ducks to change the lives of girls in our community!
What is your favorite part of planning a Rubber Duck Race?
The best part of planning a duck race is meeting new people in the community. Each person we meet wants to give of their personal time to help our girls. We love the fact that anyone in the community can be involved a make a difference. Adoptions start at only $5.00, and volunteer opportunities are available for a variety of tasks, from leading a team to tagging ducks. It’s inspiring when the community comes together.
Do you have any duck race tips you would share with a first time racer?
Take advantage of the training and expertise of the GAME staff, and attend the Racer Conference if at all possible. Being able to brainstorm new ideas and spend time with other racers is so helpful. I have learned something new to grow our race at each conference. No one else truly understands the event like your fellow racers. Having a forum to share the struggles and celebrate success is invaluable. As a first time racer, set realistic goals and keep your expectations low, knowing that slow and steady really does win the race and there is tremendous potential growth over time.
How do you keep your race fresh and new year after year?
We evaluate our race every year and limit changes in focus to only 3. For example, this past year we made a commitment to increase our social media exposure, grow the number of “community led” teams, and develop a Very Important Duck program. Our Very Important Duck Package includes 100 ducks in our race plus one corporate duck with a business logo that was entered into the Very Important Duck Race. With these changes, we increased our duck sales by over 30%, from 15,000 to 20,000 ducks. We sold out just prior to the race! Changes are made every year to keep the event fresh, but we limit the changes to three to grow our race steadily while maintaining a positive reputation in the community.
What is something some people might not know about your organization and/or Rubber Duck Race?
We have a DDC!!! Every racer needs one… our “Duck Deployment Crewe” takes care of all logistical issues regarding the race and takes tremendous strain off of our staff & volunteers. Can you imagine not worrying about how the ducks will arrive at the race location, how they will get into the water, race to the finish, and be packed back up?? The DDC has its own logo and t-shirts, and are part of the “Hernando De Soto Historical Society,” a men’s volunteer organization. They truly make a difference in our community in so many ways, and we couldn’t race without them!
What are some organizational goals you are trying to achieve with your Rubber Duck Race?
The Lucky Ducky Race for PACE not only raises funds, but tremendous advocacy for our programs. Before starting the race 8 years ago, not many people in the community knew we existed. Now, “Quacky” is recognizable throughout the community and everyone wants a hug and picture when she makes appearances at community events! Because of our teams and restaurant partners who give adoption certificates to each of their customers, our community understands a little more about the needs of girls and has a positive image of PACE and the girls we serve.
What is your favorite phrase or quote?
Adopt a Duck…Help a Girl!
What is your favorite ducktionary phrase?
We use specQUACKular, QUACKtastic, and QUACKtabulous on a regular basis… and “our feathers are ruffling with excitement” when we’re looking forward to a QUACK ATTACK or other event.
- June 20, 2017
The ducks are making their way to Cedar Rapids, Iowa this weekend for the 9th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Duck Race on June 17, 2017.
9th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Duck Race
Who: Cedar Rapids DayBreak Rotary
Over the last 8 years, through community involvement investment by sponsors and adopted ducks, the Cedar Rapids Daybreak Rotary has given more than $540,000 to local youth organizations.
Where: 420 6th Street SE – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
When: Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDT.
Highlights: Fans will enjoy a day of fun, activities and watching a total of 15,000 rubber ducks race! Over 15 prizes will be offered at this year’s race including a $2600 Sports Fan Getaway Package, a $500 Mall Shopping Spree, a $250 Spa Day Package, gift certificates to local businesses, and more! One lucky duck is going to win the $10,000 cash grand prize for its adoptive owner!
This year’s race will support the following organizations:
- YouthPort at Polk Education Center (Boys & Girls Clubs of Cedar Rapids, Tanager Place and Young Parents Network)
- Jon Cushing Sunshine Fund
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids
- Kid’s First Law Center
- Daybreak Rotary’s ESNA Village Network Project
Help Daybreak Rotary make a difference in the world and Adopt a Duck today!
Racer Website: www.easterniowaduckrace.org
- June 14, 2017
The ducks next stop this weekend is in Manhattan, Kansas on Saturday, June 10, 2017 for the Little Apple Duck Dash. Have you adopted your duck yet so it can race? Remember, you don’t have to be present to win.
Little Apple Duck Dash
The third annual Little Apple Duck Dash begins at 9:00 a.m. CDT at CiCo Park Sledding Hill. The day will be filled with food, games and fun. The highlight of the day will be watching a total of 5,000 yellow ducks race down the sledding hill for one of three top positions to win a prize. The ducks launch at 11:30 a.m. The grand prize winner will win $1,000 cash and the 2nd place winner goes home with $750 cash. The third place winner gets a $500 shopping spree at Manhattan Town Center.
All proceeds from the Little Apple Duck Dash benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan which operates nine Club locations in Manhattan and Wamego and serves over 2,500 children annually. Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens through programs that focus on Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles.
What can one duck do? A single duck provides a week of after school snacks for a club member. A quack pack adoption of 6 ducks provides an annual teen membership plus a field trip. A Flock of Ducks adoption of 12 ducks will provide an after school semester scholarship for a club member.
Racer Website: www.littleappleduckdash.com
- June 7, 2017
8 Interesting Stats on Nonprofit Online Fundraising and Social Media
We recently read 8 interesting stats on nonprofit online fundraising, social media and mobile technology that are taking place in the nonprofit world. First of all, the good news is that online fundraising revenue is increasing worldwide! And the even better news is that online fundraising revenue will continue to grow. Read through these interesting statistics from Nonprofit Tech for Good and considering discussing them at your next staff meeting.
1. The percentage of total fundraising that came from online giving reached a record high in 2016. Online donations accounted for 7.2% of all revenue raised in 2016.
Takeaway: If your nonprofit doesn’t have a mobile-friendly site, it’s time to make it a top priority.
2. The percentage of donors motivated to give online by an email has increased to 40% since 2015. In 2010, only 6% of donors said that an email motivated them to give.
Takeway: Convert as many of your supporters to email/social contacts as you can and save on mailings.
3. Donors that have an annual household income of $200,000 give an average of $2,252 yearly and 51% prefer to donate online.
Takeaway: Continue building the relationships with your large donors. For example, ask them to be an advisor to help you solve challenges you may be facing.
4. For every 1,000 email subscribers, nonprofits have 428 Facebook followers, 141 Twitter followers and 39 Instagram followers.
Takeaway: Identify the right online platforms for your organization and build and engage your community on these platforms.
5. A total of 21% of peer-to-peer fundraising dollars raised are the result of a direct click-through on social media.
Takeaway: Tell stories on social media to maximize shareability of your posts. Furthermore, brand your fundraising campaign by using hashtags and incorporating different multimedia such as images, video, and text.
6. A total of 46% of Americans say that they check their smartphones as soon as they wake up, even before they get out of bed. Email and social media are the first apps that are opened.
Takeaway: Go through your entire website, donation page, social media platforms and email newsletter to make sure they are easy to access on a mobile device.
7. A total of 28% of smartphone users worldwide have used a mobile payment service such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or WeChatPay.
Takeaway: Optimize your donation process for mobile. These type of payment services have the potential to make collecting donations much more efficient since donors do not have to fill out a long form each time to enter their payment information.
8. Only 3% of charities rate their board and executive leadership team as being digitally savvy. As a result, 56% of charities are worried that they will miss out on digital fundraising opportunities.
Takeway: Digital skills training doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many online resources and webinars nonprofits can utilize to sharpen their skills. Websites such as Nonprofit Hub offer free webinars on their site.
- June 5, 2017
We have three duck races to start June and a total of 40,000 rubber ducks racing! The ducks have been training hard for these races. Check out the details about each duck race and adopt your ducks today!
3rd Annual Coastal Duck Derby
Who: Open House Youth Shelter at Coastal Horizons Center
Open House is a 24-hour shelter that is committed to improving the safety and well being of abused and/or neglected at risk youth who are in the need of a place to stay. While meeting the basic needs for food, clothing and shelter, Open House encourage’s youths personal growth through counseling services, vocational/educational and life skill building activities and recreational activities. All services are confidential and are provided at no cost to the youth or their families.
Where: Jungle Rapids Water Park in Wilmington, North Carolina.
When: Saturday, June 3, 2017. Doors open up at 6:00 p.m. and the ducks will race at approximately 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Highlights: Duck race fans can join 15,000 rubber ducks along with music and games for adults and kids. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. At approximately 7:00 pm EDT fans will watch the main event of thousands of ducks racing to the finish line to win the grand prize of a 1 year Sea Tow membership. Cash prizes will also be awarded for the 2nd and 3rd place duck. Adopt a Duck, Help a Child.
Racer Website: www.coastalduckderby.org
Palm Beach Duck Dash
Who: Special Olympics Florida – Palm Beach County
Special Olympics Florida Palm Beach County provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to children and adults 8 years of age and older with intellectual and development disabilities. It is able to provide these opportunities to over 1,500 athletes at no cost to the athlete.
Where: Rapids Water Park in Palm Beach, Florida
When: Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. EDT.
Highlights: The community will watch 5,000 yellow rubber ducks dive into the lazy river and race to the finish line to win some fantastic prizes. Some lucky duck will win $1,500 cash and the second place winner wins (4) one-way Southwest Airlines Tickets. The third place duck winner receives 4 passes to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure and fourth place receives a Rapids Water Park Cabana Day. Make a splash for Special Olympics and Adopt a Duck!
Racer Website: www.palmbeachduckdash.com
8th Annual Rubber Duck Derby
One in five households in Louisiana is at risk of hunger. Second Harvest Food Bank is leading the fight against hunger in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education and disaster response. It provides food to 582 partners and programs across 23 parishes. Their work helps ensure that meals make it to the dinner tables of thousands of families struggling with hunger in South Louisiana.
Where: Big Lake In New Orleans City Park
When: Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
Highlights: A total of 20,000 ducks will be racing to fight hunger. The first place duck wins $5,000 cash for its adoptive owner. Other prizes this year include a $1,000 gift certificate to Rouses, a Carnival Cruise for Two, Raising Cane’s for a year and a two night stay at the Omni Riverfront Hotel combined with a Cooking Class for Two. For every $1 raised, Second Harvest Food Bank can provide 3 meals to those in need across South Louisiana.
Racer Website: www.duckrace.com/nola
- May 31, 2017
. Our Rubber Duck Racer Spotlight on Charlotte, NC this month features our nonprofit partner, Kindermourn who has been racing for 13 years. We will spotlight different nonprofit partners during the year so our racer community can learn from each other and grow their race.
Organization Name: Kindermourn
Years Racing with GAME: 2017 will make 13 years!
Head Duck: It takes a flock to plan our duck race. The entire Kindermourn staff jumps in to help.
Tell us a little bit about your organization and why you are racing ducks:
Kindermourn is a nonprofit that helps families who are experiencing unthinkable loss in their lives. We provide hope and healing to bereaved parents dealing with the loss of a child. We also work with grieving children and teens who have lost a sibling, parent or other loved one.
What is your favorite part of planning a Rubber Duck Race?
Our favorite part about planning the duck race has to be the teams that form every year to race in honor/memory of a lost loved on. The energy these families bring in the midst of grief is inspiring and heartwarming. We know the duck race brings a different light to their grief in a way that allows them to give back to Kindermourn while never forgetting the one that left them too soon.
Do you have any duck race tips you would share with a first time racer?
Our duck race is unique in that our rubber duck races have become a symbol of hope and healing for our families. Like grief, the journey to the end is often rough and unpredictable. Yet, regardless of circumstances, these little rubber ducks remain afloat! People need to feel connected to your cause and see the impact of what you do. Your duck race should be the same way. Find a way to blend your mission with your fundraising objectives and you will have a successful race!
How do you keep your race fresh and new year after year?
Our duck race has become a sort of “tradition” with our Kindermourn families and in our community. People can’t wait for the duck race each year so we are’t inclined to change too much from year to year. Each year, though, we do create new bright yellow signs and we love to see them popped up in yards all over town! Our racer t-shirts are also very popular each year and have become an added source of revenue for our race. Along with social media, we also pop out a lot of creative and motivational emails with new tag lines to generate our team’s excitement!
What is something that some people might not know about your organization and or Duck Race?
People probably don’t know that we are a tiny organization that puts on one killer duck race! Our staff at Kindermourn is under 10 but the need for our services in the community grows each year. This year was a record sellout at 30,000 ducks. We could have kept it going if we could have gotten more ducks in time for our race. The community support for Kindermourn is unparalleled, as well. We have a crane company that donates a crane to lift a custom steel fabricated (specially for us!) basket full of ducks at a venue that is the site of the U.S. Olympic Kayak trials. Thousands of people come to watch our race and this year was one of the best….30,000 ducks, over 20,000 spectators of all ages cheering on our little yellow champions, and record fundraising at $200,000!
What are some organizational goals you are trying to achieve with your Duck Race?
Our organizational goals for the duck race remain the same each year – to sustain our programs and the growing need for Kindermourn services. This duck race is our single signature fundraiser for the year and accounts for 25% of our operating budget. The monies raised from this race directly fund our in house individual and group counseling for parents and children. Proceeds also help our outreach school counseling program, provided for free, for at-risk children and teens within our local school system. This program provides grief awareness and group counseling in a safe, familiar school setting for students dealing with loss or other issues that affect their school performance who would otherwise not have access to our services.
What is your favorite phrase or quote?
One of our favorites this year was “They believed that they could…and they did.” We used the picture of a grouping of real ducks on a ledge with one taking a leap over into the water. We loved that image as it really was a reflection of our momentum this year. Another favorite quote of ours is this: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches on the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops it all…” – Emily Dickinson
What is your favorite Ducktionary phrase?
Our favorite is “Keep Calm and Quack On!” That’s what we did this year and it worked! We quack ourselves up around here!
- May 24, 2017
We have ducks and turtles racing this weekend for three fantastic nonprofit organizations. Ducks will be racing in Port Angeles and Walla Walla Washington and turtles will be racing in Toccoa, Georgia.
20th Annual Ducky Derby of Walla Walla
Who: Walla Walla Exchange Club
The Club sponsors a variety of activities that support and draw attention to their central mission, which is the prevention of child abuse in the Walla Walla Valley.
Where: Mill Creek by the Walla Walla Community College Athletic Fields
When: Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm PDT. Duck race begins at 2:00 p.m.
Highlights: Rubber ducks have been racing in Walla Walla for 20 years! This ducktacular event will feature free soda, popcorn, family-friendly activities, and 25 cent hot dogs! And the ducks aren’t just floating down Mill Creek. They are racing for child abuse prevention and to support programs that encourage youth all over the Walla Walla Valley!
Prizes: This year features over $25,000 in prizes including a 1-year family membership to the YMCA and a Victoria, British Columbia get-a-way package. In addition, the first place duck will have the option of going home with a 2017 Toyota Corolla or $12,500 cash!
Racer Website: http://www.wwexchangeclub.org/services-activities/ducky-derby
28th Annual Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby
Who: Olympic Medical Center Foundation
Since 1986, the OMC Foundation has provided more than $1.5 million dollars to the Olympic Medical Center Hospital, and Endowment funds have produced more than $700,000 in just eight years. This money goes towards state-of-the-art equipment and patient services.
Where: The Pond at Lincoln Park in Port Angeles, Washington
When: Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 2:30 pm PDT.
Highlights: A kid’s duck race will take place during the Duck Derby and is presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. Children under the age of 18 can purchase and decorate a duck for $10, which will be entered into the kid’s event.
Prizes: A total of 45 total prizes are up for grabs this year! The grand prize is a 2017 Toyota Corolla provided by Wilder Toyota. Proceeds from the Duck Derby will benefit the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.
Racer Website: http://www.omhf.org/duck-derby.aspx
2nd Annual Toccoa Turtle Race
Who: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toccoa Stephens County
The Boys & Girls Club mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring responsible citizens. Every turtle in the water is a life you have helped inspire in the community.
Where: Toccoa Falls College
When: Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm EDT.
Highlights: There will be food, music and festivities for children.
Prizes: The grand prize winner will go home with $2,000 cash! Adopt a Turtle, Inspire a Future!
Racer Website: www.toccoaturtlerace.com
- May 17, 2017
The ducks are traveling to Bradenton, Florida this weekend for the 8th Annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace on May 13, 2017. Adopt a Duck…Help a Girl!
8th Annual Lucky Ducky Race for PACE
PACE Manatee started changing girl’s lives in 1989. PACE helps girls between the ages of 11 and 18, in middle and high school. Their mission is to help each girl achieve her academic goals, develop real world skills and prepare for the promise of her future. They believe that every girl, no matter what her life circumstances have been, deserves an opportunity for a better future.
Where: Caddy’s at the Pointe in Bradenton, Florida.
When: Saturday, May 13, 2017. The ducks will race at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Highlights: This year’s grand prize is a new Chevy Cruze (2 year lease or $6,000) sponsored by Cox Chevrolet! Other prizes include a weekly dinner for 2 at Anna Marie Oyster Bar for a year! Be sure to be on the lookout for Quacky throughout the day and say hi while taking a selfie. The whole day will be filled with entertainment, games, and fun! The highlight will be watching 20,000 ducks racing down the Manatee River and crossing the finish line! New for 2017 is a a special VID (Very Important Duck) Race just before the Lucky Ducky Race for PACE.
What can a duck do?
- A $5.00 single duck adoption can provide a girl with the essential supplies she needs to be successful academically.
- A $20.00 quack pack adoption of 5 ducks can provide a 1 month student transportation pass.
- A $100.00 flock adoption of 30 ducks can provide a girl and her family with counseling and goal setting, creating hope for her future.
Racer Website: www.luckyduckyraceforpace.com
- May 10, 2017
The week of your duck race your nonprofit needs that final push to get all your ducks adopted. Here are some ideas to encourage last minute duck adoptions. These ideas will catch the attention of your community and drive traffic to your duck adoption site.
Here are some ideas to encourage last minute duck adoptions:
1. Post a Duck Emergency Image. To encourage people to adopt who are procrastinating the last week, post a duck emergency image. GAME has several images to choose from or you can easily create your own image in Canva. Here is an example of content you can include with the image: “Duck Emergency! There are still some ducks left to adopt for our duck race this weekend. You don’t want to miss out on some ducktastic prizes so better get moving before we sell out of ducks!” Include your call to action and your duck adoption website URL.
2. Post a Screenshot of your duck adoption total. Youth Emergency Services and Shelter posted on Instagram a screenshot of their duck adoption total. They also included the following caption: 3 days and 6,000 ducks left to go! Please adopt a duck today at yessduckderby.org and help us spread the message. Every duck adoption matters for Iowa’s kids!
3. Team Totals. PACE Center for Girls keeps teams updated on their weekly duck adoption totals. Every week, a QUACK CHAT image is posts on Facebook and Instagram. A fun duck image shows the top community and staff teams so they can keep updated on their progress.
4. Email Blast – Send an email blast to your donor database a few days before your race. You should also send out an email about 3 weeks prior to your race. The racers who send out an email the last week of their race do see an increase in duck adoptions. Adding a creative flair and subject line to your email increases the chances of it being opened. Our racer in Reno, Nevada ( Nevada Humane Society) sent a series of emails about ducks who have overcome obstacles by competing in the duck race. Make sure to include your call to action and a link to your duck adoption site.
5. Board Member Challenge – Give 20 adoption papers to each one of your board members duck race committee members and challenge them to return all 20 completed by the Friday evening before your race.
6. Quack Attack – Have your Quacky mascot go around town the last week of your race and “dance” around random people until they adopt a duck.
7. Have a duck mascot dance competition – Our nonprofit partner, Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners in Denver, Colorado, had a day of cash prize for their race in 2016. To enter, people had to participate in a dance-off competition with their duck mascot. The cash prize incentivized people to attend their event.
How does your nonprofit encourage last minute duck adoptions the week of your race? Share them with us on our Facebook page!
- May 8, 2017
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