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
Race season is off to a quacktastic start and we have five duck races to kick of May. Check out the details of each duck race and adopt your ducks today!
Reedy River Duck Derby
Who: Rotary Club of Greenville Evening
Returning for their 13th year, the Rotary Club is racing 10,000 ducks for multiple nonprofit organizations in Greenville, SC. Nonprofits include: Mauldin Miracle League, GAIHN, EarlyAct FirstKnight, and more!
Where: Reedy River Falls Park in Greenville, SC
When: Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. The ducks will race at 2:30 p.m.
Highlights: There will be games, children’s activities, entertainment, and exhibits from local artists. Prizes include an Embassy Suites Golf Resort Weekend Package, a children’s playhouse, and groceries for a year from Publix! Don’t miss out on this quacky event!
Racer Website: www.reedyriverduckderby.com
YESS Duck Derby
Who: Youth Emergency Services & Shelter
As Iowa’s largest provider of emergency services for youth, newborn through age 17, YESS touches the lives of more than 2,000 children per year through a range of programs designed to keep kids safe and help families thrive.
Where: Jordan Creek Town Center in Des Moines, IA
When: Saturday, May 6, 2017 at noon CDT. Ducks launch at 2:00 p.m.
Highlights: YESS is celebrating a duck-ade of making a splash for kids in crisis. Spectators can enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment, kids’ activities, photos with Quacky, and food samples from the restaurants in the Jordan Creek shopping center, all at no cost!
At approximately 2:00 p.m. a total of 40,000 rubber ducks will dive into the water to win one of ten prizes. This year’s prizes include a $100 gift card to Joseph’s Jewelers, a $400 Iowa Cubs Party Pack, a Landscaping Makeover and the Grand Prize winner receives $10,000 in cash!
Racer Website: www.yessduckderby.org
River Region Duck Dash
Who: Wetumpka Rotary Club
The Wetumpka Rotary supports nonprofits such as the Humane Society of Elmore County, Camp ASCAA, and Adullum House. In addition, the Rotary supports the Wetumpka Rotary Dictionary Project, Elmore County Pregnancy Center, Relay for Life, and more!
Where: Gold Star Park during the Wetumpka Chamber’s Kayak Fishing Tournament in Wetumpka, AL
When: Saturday, May 6, 2017. The ducks will launch around 3:00 p.m. CDT.
Highlights: Why are 5,000 rubber ducks racing down the river? To help out local nonprofits in the community. The top three ducks who cross the finish line first will win some ducktacular cash prizes. The grand prize is $1,500 for the quickest duck of them all! The second grand prize is $1,000 cash and the third grand prize is $750 cash.
Racer Website: www.riverregionduckdash.com
19th Annual Rubber Duck Derby
Who: Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier
The Boys and & Girls Clubs of Lanier help youths participate in the “Youth of the Year” leadership program, provides school supplies, provide healthy snacks, and more for the club!
Where: Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, GA
When: Friday, May 5, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EDT. Ducks race at 5:30 p.m.
Highlights: Family and friends can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live music, food and drinks. The highlight will be watching a total of 20,000 ducks splash into the lake and swim for first place! This year’s prizes include a two night stay at a Lakehouse, a Diamond Soltaire, and the quickest duck across the finish line will win the grand prize of $10,000!
Racer Website: www.rubberduckderby.com
Advocates for Children Duck Derby
Advocates for Children provides services to children and families who have been the victims of abuse and neglect. They also offer multiple layers of personal care through an array of programs to reduce the incidence of child abuse. Advocates serves 17 Northwest Georgia counties offering safety, comfort, and hope to over 3,000 children and families every year.
When: Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT. At noon, the ducks will launch.
Where: Terminus Wake Park in Cartersville, GA
Highlights: Duck race fans can enjoy a day of delicious food from local food trucks and children’s activities including an Ultimate Kid Zone with inflatables. At noon, a total of 20,000 ducks will take a dip in the water hoping to be plucked to win the grand prize of $10,000! Buy a Duck and Help the Children today!
Racer Website: www.duckrace.com/cartersville
- May 3, 2017
Email marketing is an affordable option that allows nonprofits to build awareness, educate and hopefully help gain donations. When your nonprofit wants to reach out to your donors, chances are that you email them. There is never a shortage of emails in your donor’s inbox so how do you cut through the clutter and make sure that your email reaches your donor and gets clicked?
Here are tips to enhance your nonprofit’s email strategy:
- Purpose of your Email – Before you start creating your email, think about the purpose of your email. Is it to spread the word about an upcoming fundraising campaign? Are you notifying donors about how proceeds from an event made a difference for families in your community? Focus on one subject so the donor understands exactly why you are sending the email. Once you have decided on the email topic, create an outline with supporting bullet points that will encourage your donors to spur into action.
- Create a Catchy Email Subject Line – Think about what subject line would cause you to open up an email. A good rule to follow is to keep it shore and no more than 50 characters. Remember that in the mobile inbox, only about the first 35 characters of your subject line will be visible. There are online programs you can use to evaluate your subject line such as subjectline.com. Be aware of words that can cause spam triggers and do not use all caps in the subject line.
- Keep Your Messaging Short and to the Point – Shorter emails yield shorter turnaround response times. People receiving a long email usually don’t have the time to read it until later in the day or maybe after work. Just make sure that you have enough copy in your email to get your point across.
- Show Your Personality – Remember that you are writing to people so make sure to show your personality. Think about how you would carry on a conversation if you were sitting across the table from one of your donors at your local coffee hangout. Think of ways that you can inject your personality into your emails. One way to think about how to differentiate your voice would be to ask yourself this question: if your nonprofit was a person, what would they be like? Think of 3 to 4 adjectives that could describe your nonprofit. Then, when you are writing think about how those adjectives could be using in your writing.
- Create a contagious call to action – Your fundraising email should always include a call to action. Think of what type of action you want the read to take after reading your email. Keep these helpful pointers in mind when creating your call to action. Use action words that will encourage engagement such as act, change and transform. You also want to use colors that catch the eye. For example, red promotes urgency. Also remember that your email should only have one call to action. You don’t want your audience to get confused by multiple call to action buttons.
- Monitor your email metrics – Make sure that you are tracking your open rate which is the measure of how many people on your email list opened up your email. For nonprofits, the average open rate is somewhere around 25%. You also want to monitor your click through rate is the measure of how many people clicked on a specific link in your email message. By consistently looking at your campaign reports, you can start to understand what is working and what isn’t working in terms of your email marketing campaigns.
- May 1, 2017
We have six duck races the last weekend of April and a total of over 90,000 rubber ducks racing! Adopt a Duck Today before our nonprofit racers sell out!
14th Annual Ken-Ducky Derby
Who: Harbor House of Louisville
Harbor House is a nonprofit training and development center that seeks to empower individuals with disabilities and their families to lead fulfilled and productive lives.
Where: Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EDT. Ducks drop at 7:00 p.m.
Highlights: Duck race fans can join 37,000 Derby Ducks along with live music, face painting, and family friendly activities at the Festival Plaza at Waterfront Park. At approximately 7:00 pm EDT the fans will be called to the post for the main event and watch thousands of ducks swim to the finish line to win the grand prize of a Brand New Ford F150 Truck. Cash prizes will also be awarded for the 2nd and 3rd place duck. Adopt a Duck, Light the Way for People with Disabilities.
Racer Website: http://duckrace.com/louisville
The Great Duck Derby Race
Who: Treasure Coast Community Health
TCCH’s mission is to provide accessible, cost-effective, high quality comprehensive health care to all people regardless of their socio-economic circumstances throughout Indian River County, Florida.
Where: Captain Hiram’s in Sebastian, Florida
When: Sunday, April 30, 2017 from noon – 4:00 p.m. EDT.
Highlights: Duck fans will get to watch a total of 5,000 ducks launch into the Indian River Lagoon and race towards the shore. Prizes include the grand prize of $1,000 cash. The second place wins $500 cash and the 3rd place winner wins $250 cash.
Racer Website: www.thegreatduckderby.com
2017 Duck Festival
Who: The Arc Montgomery County
The Arc provides inclusive child care, after-school care, and summer programs allowing children to play, grow, learn and explore their world, together.
Where: Veteran’s Plaza, Downtown Silver Spring
When: Saturday, April 29, 2017 from noon – 4:00 p.m. EDT. Duck Pluck is at 3:00 p.m.
Highlights: Spectators can enjoy free activities and entertainment that is fun for the whole family featuring carnival-style games and photo opportunities with Quacky. And the best part is cheering as a diver “swims” through 7,000 rubber ducks, plucking out a special few to win prizes for their adoptive families! The Grand Prize winner wins $1,000 cash and the second place winner will go home with $750. Third place wins $500. One lucky duck may win a million dollars!
Racer Website: www.thearcducks.org
Fayetteville Duck Derby
Who: Fayetteville Urban Ministry
Fayetteville Urban Ministry focuses on transforming lives through Faith, Hope, Love and Security through programs that help Cumberland County residents every year, free of charge.
Where: Cross Creek at Festival Park
When: Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.
Highlights: The first lucky duck that crosses the finish line wins the Grand Prize of a 2017 Coleman Toy Hauler and $300 cash! Seven other lucky ducks will go home with prizes. The best part of all is that all proceeds go directly to local nonprofits and schools in Cumberland County.
Racer Website: www.fayettevilleduckderby.com
Merryman House Paducky Derby
Who: Merryman House
The Merryman House offers both residency and outreach services to meet the needs of victims of intimate partner abuse and their dependents as they strive to live free of violence in their home.
Where: Noble Park Pond in Paducah, Kentucky.
Racer Highlights: There are 3 cash prizes for the first 3 winning ducks! The third place winner receives $500, 2nd place receives $1,000 and the grand prize winner receives $2,500! Each duck adopted helps save, build and change lives!
Racer Website: www.paducahduckrace.com
When: Saturday, April 29, 2017 starting at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
13th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race
Who: Kindermourn
For 39 years, Kindermourn has provided help, hope and healing to to bereaved parents and grieving children. They also provide counseling services for parents who have experienced the death of a child and children grieving death of a loved one.
Where: U.S. National Whitewater Center
When: Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT. The Duck Race begins at 3:30 p.m.
Highlights: Our final race of the weekend is the KinderMourn 13th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race in Charlotte, NC. A total of 30,000 ducks will get the chance to swim through some fun rapids! This ducky day will feature children’s activities, crafts and games. The grand prize is $2,500 in cash and other quacktastic prizes will be given away. Adopt Ducks! Float Hope!
Racer Website: http://duckrace.com/charlotte
- April 26, 2017
We have three fun rubber duck races this weekend for three different, yet amazing nonprofits in Fremont, Columbia and Santa Cruz. Adopt your ducks today!
23rd Annual Ducks for Bucks Benefit Race
The Kiwanis Club of Fremont partners with multiple nonprofits within the community to adopt 7,000 ducks for their causes. Nonprofit selling organizations include schools, various youth organizations and clubs, churches, and adult & family service groups. Nearly $17,500 was paid out in 2016 to local charities and nonprofits!
Where: Fremont, CA at Elizabeth Lake
When: Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. PDT
Highlights: This race truly brings the community together by allowing any nonprofit to participate and earn money for their organizations! Family activities will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the ducks will race at 1:00 p.m.
Some lucky duck adopter will win the great grand prize of a car of their choice, from any dealer in the Fremont Auto Mall up to a $30,000 purchase. Other prizes include a grand prize of $2,000 cash, Disneyland passes, a wellness package and a weekend stay and fine dining package.
Racer Website: www.ducks4bucks.org
27th Annual Ducky Derby
Who: Omega Nu
Omega Nu has been serving Santa Cruz County since 1903 through charitable events, scholarships, and community service. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Duck Derby goes directly back to the community.
Where: Friendship Gardens at Harvey West Park
When: Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. PDT
Highlights: The Santa Cruz community will join together in Friendship Gardens at Harvey West Park to enjoy an afternoon of food, carnival games, live music, and local entertainment! This unique race features a custom-built course the Derby Ducks and will run several heats throughout the afternoon. Don’t worry, all 12,000 Derby Ducks will have their chance to race! This ducky race features hundreds of prizes with gift certificates to local businesses in Santa Cruz! Adopt a Duck and Help a Community today!
Racer Website: www.duckyderbysantacruz.org
CoMo Duck Derby 2017
Who: Central Missouri Humane Society
The Central Missouri Humane Society is the leading animal welfare agency in mid-Missouri. Their primary goal is to find caring, lasting homes for every adoptable animal. In addition to finding homes for stray and unwanted animals, they also provide low-cost veterinary services for pet owners in the community.
Where: Columbia, MO at Stephens Lake Park
When: Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT. The ducks race at 2:00 p.m.
Highlights: Columbia residents can enjoy an afternoon of live music, food, family friendly activities, and of course sunglass wearing ducks! CMHS will also have adoptable animals on site so you can meet your new best friend! Don’t miss out on this inaugural event!
Prizes include $500 cash, a hotel stay and a weekend pet stay. One lucky duck will have a chance to win $10,000!
Racer Website: http://www.comoduckderby.com
- April 19, 2017
There is a lot more to the duck race than yellow rubber ducks with sunglasses racing down a waterway to raise funds for fantastic nonprofit organizations. Here is a list of FAQ’s about GAME’s rubber duck race fundraiser that we get asked from time to time from potential nonprofit partners.
FAQ’s about GAME’s Rubber Duck Race Fundraiser
What is a rubber duck race fundraiser?
A duck race is a fundraising event that allows your nonprofit and community to come together by allowing people in your community to “adopt” a duck for $5. Those ducks are then dropped into a waterway and swim to the finish line to win prizes for their adoptive owners.
How long has the Duck Race been in existence?
The first Duck Race took place in 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona. Proceeds benefited the Scottsdale Arizona Prevention Institute who raised over $150,000. In fact, this year marks the 29th year that GAME has been partnering with nonprofits to help them raise funds with our duck race!
How many nonprofits does GAME partner with?
GAME partners with nonprofits in over 70 cities in the United States and 5 locations internationally including Mexico and Germany.
How do the ducks travel from city to city?
Our rubber ducks travel in totes from city to city and leave our warehouse in February. The ducks don’t return to the Flock until the end of October.
What is the most important component of a duck race?
The most important component of a rubber duck race is securing sponsorships. You want to say that 100% of every duck adoption is going directly back to your organization. Our fundraising experts help all of our nonprofit partners with sponsorship design so they can secure big bucks for their racing ducks!
After a person adopts a duck, do they get to keep the duck?
No. After a person adopts a duck, our nonprofits work with each duck to make sure it is ready for race day. After the race, all of the ducks are put back in totes and continue their travels to their next race somewhere in the United States.
What type of volunteer support does a nonprofit need when planning a duck race?
There are numerous volunteer opportunities when planning a duck race. For example, opportunities include: duck adoptions, tagging party, logistics support, duck mascot appearances, data entry, social media postings, and more! Even children can volunteer and get involved in the “quacktacular” fun!
Which nonprofit has earned the most money from a duck race?
In August 2014, the Freestore Food Bank in Cincinnati became GAME’s first nonprofit partner to raise over $1 million when they raced 150,000 ducks.
Can we still have a duck race if we don’t have a water source?
Yes! If you don’t have a water source, you can do a duck pluck. Other options include creating a man-made slip and slide. In addition, you can set up an obstacle course where local athletes pluck a duck and complete the course with their duck in tow.
How long does it take to plan a Duck Race?
We recommend a 7-9 month lead time so a nonprofit has enough time to secure sponsorship dollars and prizes.
How do the ducks get out of the water on race day?
The majority of our racers use nets to scoop up the ducks out of the water
A rubber duck race is a fun and unique fundraising event that brings smiles to your community, your sponsors and allows your nonprofit to spread awareness about your cause. Let our team of fundraising professionals help you put the “fun” back into fundraising! Contact us at racewithus@game-group.com or call us at (800) 779-RACE.
- April 17, 2017
- Recent Posts
Recent Posts
