2011
130
$50,000
$49,500
$100,000
No
Apex Fun Run, a flagship program of Apex Leadership Company, offers a dynamic and impactful franchise opportunity in the burgeoning youth sports and school fundraising sector.By combining fitness, leadership development, and community engagement, Apex Fun Run transforms traditional school fundraisers into exciting events that not only raise significant funds but also foster character growth among students.With a proven track record and a scalable business model, Apex Fun Run stands out as a leading choice for entrepreneurs passionate about making a positive impact.
Proven Business Model: Apex Fun Run has demonstrated success in raising substantial funds for schools, with some events generating up to five times more than traditional product-based fundraisers.
Low Startup Costs: With an initial investment ranging from $65,000 to $100,000, Apex Fun Run offers an affordable entry into the franchise world.
Home-Based Operation: The franchise can be operated from home, providing flexibility and reducing overhead costs.
Comprehensive Support: Apex provides extensive training and ongoing support, ensuring franchisees are equipped to succeed.
Scalable Growth: The business model is designed for scalability, allowing franchisees to expand their operations as they grow.
Established Year: Apex Fun Run was founded in 2011 as part of Apex Leadership Company, a mission-driven organization dedicated to youth development and leadership training.
Founders: The franchise was co-founded by Scott Donnell and his wife Amy Donnell, an elementary school teacher. Their combined experience in education and business inspired a model that transforms traditional school fundraisers into engaging, fitness-based events that promote student wellness and community involvement.
Franchise Units: Apex Fun Run has grown to over 130 franchise units nationwide, demonstrating consistent demand and successful replication of its business model across diverse regions in the United States.
Ownership: The company remains privately held, emphasizing community-driven growth and a strong support system for franchisees.
Brand Journey & Company History: Starting as a single fundraising initiative for schools, Apex Fun Run quickly gained attention for its innovative approach. By combining exercise, school spirit, and fundraising, it became a recognized leader in school-based fundraising programs. Over the years, the franchise has scaled nationally while maintaining a focus on character development, fitness, and community engagement.
Market Presence in the USA: Apex Fun Run operates across all 50 states, partnering with hundreds of elementary and middle schools. Its strong national footprint positions it as one of the leading youth-focused fundraising franchises in the education and fitness sectors.
Industry Category: The franchise operates at the intersection of youth sports, education, and school fundraising, tapping into a market that values health, community engagement, and educational support.
Additional Information: Apex Fun Run stands out due to its scalable business model, home-based operation flexibility, and social impact, allowing franchisees to run profitable businesses while contributing positively to their communities. Its proprietary technology platform streamlines event management, donor tracking, and communication, ensuring consistency and ease of operations for all franchisees.
Apex Fun Run offers a comprehensive support and training system designed to ensure franchisees succeed from pre-launch through ongoing operations. The program is structured to guide franchisees at every stage of their journey:
Initial Training: Franchisees receive thorough online and in-person training covering all aspects of the business model, including event planning, school engagement, fundraising strategies, and leadership development.
Setup Assistance: Guidance on setting up the business infrastructure, including registration, legal compliance, and marketing planning.
Technology Onboarding: Training on the proprietary software platform that streamlines registration, donation tracking, and communications with schools and parents.
Event Planning & Execution: Step-by-step guidance to plan and run school-based fitness fundraising events, ensuring smooth operations and high participation rates.
Staff Training: Resources and best practices to manage and train any team members or volunteers involved in events.
Logistics Management: Assistance with supplies, equipment, and event scheduling to maximize efficiency and fundraising potential.
Promotional Materials: Access to professionally designed flyers, banners, emails, and social media templates to promote events effectively.
Local Marketing Strategies: Guidance on school outreach, community engagement, and sponsorship acquisition.
Branding Support: Consistent branding resources to maintain a professional, recognizable presence in each market.
Dedicated Franchise Support Team: Continuous access to experienced staff to answer operational questions, troubleshoot challenges, and provide strategic advice.
Peer Networking: Opportunities to connect with other franchisees to share insights, strategies, and best practices.
Annual Conferences & Workshops: Events for continued professional development, learning new strategies, and keeping up-to-date with the latest trends in fundraising and youth engagement.
Character & Leadership Curriculum: Resources to help franchisees incorporate leadership lessons into events, enhancing the educational value of each fundraiser.
Student Engagement Tools: Activities and incentives to motivate students and ensure high participation rates.
Proprietary Software: Franchisees gain access to a technology platform that simplifies registration, tracks donations, and manages communications, reducing administrative burden.
Data & Analytics: Tools to monitor fundraising performance, optimize event planning, and forecast potential revenue streams.
Summary: Apex Fun Run provides end-to-end support covering pre-launch preparation, daily operations, marketing, ongoing development, and educational impact. This comprehensive system equips franchisees to deliver successful, profitable, and meaningful fundraising events while growing their business confidently.
Apex Fun Run is designed for motivated entrepreneurs who are passionate about youth development, fitness, and community engagement. The ideal franchisee possesses a combination of personal traits, business skills, and financial capacity to successfully run and grow the franchise.
Franchisees should have a genuine interest in supporting schools and student growth.
A desire to positively impact children's physical fitness, leadership, and character development is highly valued.
Experience in education, coaching, or youth programs is advantageous but not mandatory.
Franchisees should enjoy building strong relationships with local schools, PTAs, community organizations, and sponsors.
Must be comfortable engaging with students, parents, teachers, and school administrators to foster a strong community presence.
The ideal candidate is self-motivated, goal-driven, and organized, with the ability to manage multiple events and responsibilities simultaneously.
Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability are important for overcoming challenges and maximizing event success.
Franchisees should have basic business management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and team oversight.
Financial requirements include a minimum of $50,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of at least $250,000, which ensures adequate resources for initial investment and smooth operations.
Candidates should be willing to invest in marketing, operational tools, and professional development to grow their business.
Franchisees should be open to operating in areas with high concentrations of elementary and middle schools, maximizing potential market reach.
Home-based operations are possible, so candidates should be comfortable running events and managing business operations from their own space.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to motivate students, collaborate with schools, and manage teams.
Enthusiasm, energy, and a positive attitude, which are critical for engaging participants and creating memorable fundraising experiences.
Commitment to delivering high-quality events consistently, ensuring repeat business and strong word-of-mouth marketing.
Summary: The ideal Apex Fun Run franchisee is a community-minded, motivated entrepreneur who values education and youth development, possesses the financial capability to invest in a home-based or small-scale business, and has the drive to grow a profitable, impactful franchise in the school fundraising market.
| Category | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $65,000 – $100,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $50,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $49,500 |
| Royalty Fees | 8% of gross revenue |
| Advertising Fund / Marketing Fee | Up to 2% of gross revenue |
| Infrastructure / Setup Costs | Minimal – home-based operations possible |
| Working Capital | Recommended to cover operational expenses and event planning |
| Expected ROI | Varies by market; operating profits reported around 21% |
| Break-Even Time | Typically within 12 months depending on market and execution |
| Franchise Units (Current) | 130+ units across the USA |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Event registration fees, sponsorships, merchandise sales, additional school services |
| Support & Training Costs | Included in franchise fee (pre-launch, operational, marketing, ongoing support) |
