Swim-a-Thon

Swim-a-Thon is a fun and easy way to raise money to support our team each year. Swimmers simply ask family, friends, neighbors, or local businesses to pledge support based on the number of lengths they swim at practice over a set number of days.

Swim-a-Thon Q&A

• Do I need to be registered for May to participate in the Swim-a-Thon?
  • NO, any Lake Monster can join any Swim-a-Thon practice
• Can I join a Swim-a-Thon practice on a day I don't usually swim?
  • YES, particularly Tuesday/Thursday Novices who want to get in another Swim-a-Thon practice should feel free to add Monday or Wednesday that week
• Do I need to have received pledges to attend practice during the Swim-a-Thon?
  • NO, practices are still for all Lake Monsters, but every Lake Monster will be raising money for the team thanks to a $0.30 per length pledge from a generous donor.
• Can donors make a flat contribution instead of a pledge per length?
  • YES, they can make a direct contribution through PayPal, which is also linked through the Online Pledge Form
• Are contributions tax deductible?
  • YES, The Minneapolis Lake Monsters Swim Team is a a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions
• Do all of the contributions go to the team?
  • All contributions after PayPal's processing fee (1.99% + $0.49 per transaction) are split 95% to the Minneapolis Lake Monsters Swim Team and 5% to the USA Swimming Foundation (made directly by the team from revenues raised)

Sample message to donors

Dear _______[donor]_________,

My name is _______[name]_________ and I am a swimmer with the Minneapolis Lake Monsters Swim Team, the only competitive swim team for elementary and middle-school-age children in Minneapolis. We are a new team and are raising money for a timing system so that we can host our own swim meets in the city. While our immediate goal is to fund a new timing system, we also use donations for scholarships to support monthly registration and swim meet fees and ensure that ALL interested swimmers can participate - regardless of neighborhood, income, or experience. The goal is to make the Lake Monsters Swim Team a fun and engaging athletic endeavor for all interested children in Minneapolis!

I am reaching out to you today about our first annual Swim-a-Thon, where I am asking the community (you!) for pledges as I attempt to swim [insert yards/laps here - 40 lengths/practice for Novice | 70 lengths/practice for Age Group 1 | 100 lengths/practice for Age Group 2] over Monday, May 19 through Wednesday, May 21. You may pledge to donate a small amount for each length at https://forms.gle/rAL3q9h5EpsQkE1E9 or make a flat donation at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AHU8VTG22CNP4 - it’s up to you! I would suggest a pledge of [insert suggested pledge/donation amount - the following equal about $30 - $0.50/length for Novice | $0.15 for AG1 | $0.10 for AG2] so that we can reach our goal!

Thank you for your support! I will reach out after the Swim-a-Thon to let you know my final number of laps and with details to collect your donation! 

Thank you for supporting the Lake Monsters Swim Team!

Sincerely, your [friend, neighbor, grandchild],

_______[name]_________