Pledging Playbook:
Road to Commitment
How to lead a campaign that builds community, leadership, and impact.
Why This Work Matters
When you pledge your performance, you're stepping into something bigger than your season—you're putting your platform to work for the 1 in 10 people living with a rare disease, many of whom will never see a treatment in their lifetime.
This isn't charity from a distance—it's athletes using their reps, their voice, and their influence to stand with a community that's been overlooked for far too long.
More than 10,000 rare diseases exist, most genetic, most starting in childhood, and 95% lack FDA-approved treatments. Families face long diagnostic journeys and a constant fight to be heard.
Whether you lead individually or with your team, your impact matters.

"Every rep with purpose. Every play with impact."
TEAM UA: Identity & Mission
Rally Athletes
Unite student-athletes across sports and campuses to support the rare disease community with purpose and passion.
Fuel Impact
Drive awareness, research funding, and direct support for families navigating the challenges of rare diseases.
Power of Sport
Transform athletic performance, platform, and influence into tangible hope for those who need it most.

"Every rep, every pledge, every dollar makes a difference."
Why Student-Athletes?
Your Platform Creates Change
Credibility & Visibility
Athletes bring authenticity, influence, and the ability to inspire action across campus and beyond.
Culture Drivers
Campus communities follow athletic leadership—your voice carries weight and creates momentum.
Multiplier Effect
One athlete or one team has the power to shift an entire community toward meaningful action.

"You're a trusted voice on your campus."
Choose Your Path: Individual vs. Team
Individual Path
  • Pledge personal stat or performance milestones
  • Host solo challenges or awareness weeks
  • Set personal goals and share your unique "why"
  • Perfect for any athlete, any sport, any season - even off-season training.
Drive change through personal commitment and authentic storytelling.
Team Path
  • Pledge collective stats or shared performance goals
  • Drive campus-wide engagement and awareness
  • Build team culture around service and purpose
  • Create traditions that outlast your season
Amplify impact through collective action and unified voice.

"One athlete can spark change. One team can shift a campus."
Servant Leadership Standards
What It Means to Lead
Purpose over ego
Lead with humility and focus on the mission, not recognition.
Consistent weekly action
Show up reliably—small, repeated efforts create lasting impact.
Team-first, community-always
Prioritize collective success and the families you're serving.
Share your story and effort
Vulnerability and authenticity inspire others to join.
What You Gain
  • Real-world leadership experience beyond the field
  • Event management and communication skills
  • Network of purpose-driven athletes
  • A deeper sense of purpose that transcends sport

"Leadership lives in the small, repeated actions."
Your Playbook: Plan → Promote → Execute → Celebrate
Plan
Choose individual or team path. Register your fundraising page. Pick your pledge format and timeline.
Promote
Share your "why" story. Send personal outreach messages. Use social media and campus connections.
Execute
Run your activation or season-long pledge. Post weekly updates. Celebrate milestones along the way.
Celebrate
Share final results and impact. Thank every donor personally. Debrief and plan for next year.

"Consistency beats intensity."
Choose Your Impact Play - Make An Impact On and Off The Field
Individual Activation Ideas
Stat Pledge
Donors pledge per point, rep, or mile you complete during a game, meet, or season.
PR Challenge
Set a personal record goal—donors give based on achievement level or flat donation.
Awareness Week
7 days of rare disease education, personal story sharing, and fundraising push.
Endurance Event
Solo 5K, 24-hour rep challenge, or birthday campaign with clear milestone goal.
Team Activation Ideas
Lift for Life
Team lifts combined weight—donors pledge per pound or flat amount per athlete.
Rivalry Challenge
Compete against rival team to see who raises more during game week.
Zebra Game
Designate one home game as rare disease awareness night with special jerseys or warmups.
Team Tournament
Mini competition where entry fees and donations go toward team goal.

"Your sport. Your pledge. Your impact."
Launch Strong, Finish Stronger
1
Launch Week
  • Post launch message with UA graphics
  • Share your personal "why" story
  • Send 5–10 direct asks to close contacts
  • Mid-week: rare disease fact or family story
2
Mid-Campaign Push
  • Host mini-challenge or "$5 Friday" drive
  • Share progress stats and donor shoutouts
  • Recognize top supporters publicly
  • Re-engage with follow-up messages
3
Final Week & Thanks
  • Push toward final goal with urgency
  • Share impact and total raised
  • Thank every donor personally
  • Debrief with team for next campaign

"Personal messages drive results."

"Momentum matters."

"How you finish shapes what comes next."
Ready to Lead? Start Here.
01
Set up your individual or team fundraising platform through TEAM UA.
02
Choose your path
Decide between individual or team activation based on your goals and timeline.
03
Pick your IMPACT play for pledging
Select the activation format that fits your sport, season, and story.
04
Set your goal
Establish a realistic fundraising target that challenges and motivates you.
05
Share your 'WHY'
Tell your authentic story—why rare disease matters to you personally.
06
Invite your community
Launch with personal outreach, social promotion, and consistent updates.
You're part of something bigger.
Supporting rare disease families. Building community through athletics. Leading with purpose.

"We tackle rare — together."
UA provides: Fundraising platform • Graphics + social templates • Toolkits + checklists • Staff support

"Servant leadership starts with one step."