Team NEXT Fundraising Toolkit
Welcome!
Thank you for supporting NEXT for AUTISM with your commitment to run in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. The NEXT team is here to support you in your marathon efforts. Together, we will set the pace for the future of autism services nationwide.
Below are some resources to support your fundraising and awareness efforts as part of #TeamNEXT.
ABOUT NEXT FOR AUTISM
NEXT for AUTISM is a national non-profit that works to enhance the lives of autistic adults.
NEXT believes that every individual deserves to live a productive and fulfilling life. To achieve this vision, NEXT transforms the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative programs in the areas of home, work, social, and health.
The incidence of autism in children is 1 in 36. Every year, nearly 112,000 autistic teens enter adulthood, reaching a milestone known as the “services cliff” when they no longer have access to the educational services and skills-related support they once had. Today, there are more than 5.4 million autistic adults in the U.S.
Fundraising Tips
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Share your personal connection to autism and why running to support the autism community and NEXT for AUTISM are important to you. Include photos when possible.
KICKSTART FOR SUCCESS
Ask a couple of friends or family members to kickstart your page with donations—this will encourage others to follow. The first donation can even come from you!
MAKE IT A DOUBLE
Encourage your community to inquire if their employers have matching gift programs; this can potentially double their gifts!
BE CONSISTENT
Fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint. Just like regular training, consistent communication to your networks about your goal is important.
WHEN AND WHERE
- SOCIAL MEDIA. Your community will want to see your commitment and progress, from being selected to be on the inaugural Team NEXT, training, fundraising goals, your personal connection, and any milestones. All platforms!
- SOCIAL PLUS. Encourage your community to share your story and posts, to magnify your reach and impact.
- MAKE IT EASY TO DONATE. Include the link to your personal fundraising page on your social media bio, your posts, and email signature.
- SHARE EVERYWHERE. Do you work in an in-person office? Share a poster in the break room. Or ask your HR manager to include your marathon run in the company newsletter.
- EMAILS. Send an email to friends and colleagues. An email offers more space than a social post to share your personal message and articulate the importance of your run.
SAMPLE MESSAGING
- EMAIL COPY
Dear Friend,
I’m excited to share that I have been selected to run in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on behalf of a cause that is very important and personal to me, autism. I was selected to be a member of NEXT for AUTISM’s inaugural marathon team, and I couldn’t be more honored. Consider adding a personal reason why you're running here.
Why NEXT? NEXT for AUTISM is unique in that they focus their efforts on autistic adults, the most underserved and least funded group in the autism community. Did you know that when an autistic individual reaches adulthood, they age out of many of the services that they and their families relied on? NEXT works to ensure that all autistic adults have access to the opportunities and resources needed to live their best lives. Everyone deserves to live a productive and fulfilling life, don’t you agree?
Donate today to help me be one step closer to hitting my fundraising goal! ADD YOUR FUNDRAISING LINK HERE. Your donation will help fuel my training, my race, and support a mission that is important to me.
Thank you,
Your Name
- SOCIAL MEDIA
I’m running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on behalf of NEXT for AUTISM, to help fuel their work supporting autistic adults. Please consider a donation to ensure we are doing all we can to ensure every autistic adult has access to the resources, opportunities, and inclusion to live their best lives. ADD YOUR FUNDRAISING LINK HERE
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I’m halfway to my fundraising goal for the 2026 TCS NYC Marathon to benefit #TeamNEXT. Your donation will fund NEXT for AUTISM’s work that enhances the lives of autistic adults nationwide and fuel me in my marathon training. ADD YOUR FUNDRAISING LINK HERE
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We are closing in on race day! The 2026 TCS NYC Marathon is only a few weeks away, and I need your cheerleading and your donations! Help me cross the finish line with my fundraising goal realized to support NEXT for AUTISM. ADD YOUR FUNDRAISING LINK HERE
SAMPLE SOCIAL IMAGERY & LOGOS
FAQs
Thank you for supporting our inaugural year as an official charity partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. If you would like to learn more about NEXT and how you can make an impact, email [email protected]. Thank you.
