Here’s a few things I would suggest.
One, target a specific nonprofit organization. If your goal is to (1) raise money and (2) to raise awareness while (3) loosing weight, then having a specific nonprofit whose mission you are supporting will go along way with your sponsors (or donors). Plus, just about any nonprofit would jump on something like this for the publicity it will create.
Two, find a business to support your goals, say a health club, a local chapter of Weight Watchers, a local grocery store (eating healthy), a hospital or doctor’s office, sporting good store, etc. This will bring greater awareness of your purpose.
Three, contact your local community foundation to see if they will set up a project fund for this. This will add a BUNCH of legal credibility to this and provide donor with (1) a way to track their tax deductible giving and (2) verification that the funds are being distributed to the nonprofit, not heading into a third party’s pocket. (Not that I’m saying you’d pocket the money, but why even put that into people’s minds to begin with?). Also, your community foundation should be able to do all the administrative work for a small fee (thank you letters, etc.). This all, of course, depends on your community foundation.
Four, it may help to raise money faster/easier, etc. to have a group of people do this and raise money. Of course, you’d need a way to keep track of it–maybe a “Weigh In Sheet” that each person receives, and their weight is tracked by their physician?
It sounds like a terrific idea. So many health problems are associated with obesity, and it’s a great way to bring awareness to it, while still loosing weight and raising money. Good luck.
If you’d like more info about community foundations, just email me.