Fresh Youth Virtual 5K Fundraiser

What Do I Need To Know?

1. FYI needs your support at our annual 5K Fundraiser. Every dollar you raise will fund:

• A new bilingual and bicultural behavioral mental health clinic in Washington Heights for youth and their families. 
• Ongoing year-round, free-of-charge programs that provide educational, mental health, literacy and youth enrichment programs for 1,300 Washington Heights youth.
• Our Food and Social Services Department, which provides free, biweekly food packages to over 150 families and connects them other outside resources.

2. FYI's 2023 5K is fully virtual. All participants will all complete their very own 5K (3.1 miles) wherever is most convenient. Night owl? No problem! Early bird? We've got you covered. You and your team members can run, walk or roll any time during the weekend of Friday, November 10—Sunday, November 12. 

3. By participating, you commit to raising a minimum of $200 for FYI programs that help our students and families in need. Once you've signed up, you can create your own fundraising page to share with friends and family on social media.  

4. You can run as an individual, create a team, or become a corporate sponsor!

5. Once you register, we'll help you with fundraising strategies and provide helpful templates, resources, and more. For instance: check out these sites as you make your training plan and plan your running route.

6. All participants will receive a customized t-shirt mailed directly to their home. To guarantee delivery of your t-shirt by the day of the race, please register by October 16th. We encourage you to stay connected and post pics about your training. Make sure to follow and tag @FreshYouthFYI on Facebook, Twitter/X, or Instagram and use the hashtag #FYI5K  

FAQs

What is a virtual 5K?
A virtual 5K is a race that can be run at any location. For this event, we will run 3.1 miles on our own at a time and location that is most convenient. 

Can I even finish a 5K?
Of course! One of the reasons that the event is a 5K (3.1 miles) is so as many people can participate as possible. That makes the event more fun and raises more money for our mission. If you haven't trained recently, you might want to check with your doctor before trying to run the 5K. However, walking or running at your leisure is always an option!

Can I walk the course?
Yes! Approximately 50% of our participants are walkers, and walking is a great way to participate with a whole group of friends and younger participants.

Is there a minimum amount of fundraising I must do?
Yes. There is a mandatory minimum fundraising requirement of $200. Most participants easily raise more and we know you can too. We provide you with the tools you need to make fundraising easy (including your own web page, social media integration, fundraising tips, etc). Don't worry—we've got your back!

I've never fundraised before. How do I get started?
No problem! Once you sign up, our website walks you through every step of building your fundraising profile and sharing it on social media. Our team here at FYI is here to help, too. We will be sending you emails periodically with all the tools you need to be an amazing fundraiser.

Are there any awards given out after the event?
Yes. FYI will award prizes to the top individual and team fundraisers. 

How much of the money that I raise goes to your organization?
100%! Raise as much as you can, because you can be sure that every penny is going to FYI. We hold a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a silver seal from GuideStar—evidence of our fiscal transparency and accountability.