what is over the edge?
Over the Edge is not your average fundraiser. On August 15, brave community members will rappel down the historic Tioga Apartments in downtown Merced while raising money for United Way of Merced County and our local partner agencies. Whether you are ready to take the leap, rally your team, drop your boss, or just come downtown for the block party, this is your chance to be part of one of Merced’s boldest community events, with food, drinks, music, and plenty of reasons to look up.
The View From the Edge
Real people. Real courage. One unforgettable day in downtown Merced.
SPONSOR TODAY
Drop Your Boss. Promote Your Brand.
Don’t want to bother fundraising? Want to drop your boss over the edge of the Tioga instead? Do you have a company you want to promote? Becoming a sponsor is perfect for you.
Show your support and your brand’s boldness by becoming an Over the Edge sponsor.
Sponsorships Start at $2,500
Sponsor packages include rappel spots, high-visibility promotion, and exclusive perks across United Way’s signature events like our Speakeasy Soiree. It’s a powerful way to invest in local impact while putting your business or organization front and center at one of Merced’s most exciting events.
Climb higher for the community. As a Wall Walker Sponsor, your business gets in on the action with visibility, perks, and two brave souls going Over the Edge.
Includes
- 2 rappelling slots
- Recognition in marketing, website, and social media
- 2 gift bags and T-shirts for rappellers
- 4 complimentary drink tickets from Tioga-Sequoia at the block party
Step up your impact and your visibility. As an Elevate Sponsor, your business leads from the top with premium placement, community recognition, and crossover benefits at other events.
Includes
- 3 rappelling slots
- Recognition in marketing, website, and social media
- 3 gift bags and T-shirts for rappellers
- 9 complimentary drink tickets from Tioga-Sequoia at the block party
- $1,000 Jazz Age Sponsorship for Speakeasy Soiree or 1 additional rappelling slot
Make a bold statement and claim your spot in the heart of the action. As a Descent Zone Sponsor, your team gets maximum rappel impact and premium placement at our Speakeasy.
Includes
- 4 rappelling slots
- Recognition in marketing, website, and social media
- Company logo placement at registration and the beer garden
- 4 gift bags and T-shirts for rappellers
- 12 complimentary drink tickets from Tioga-Sequoia at the block party
- $2,500 Roaring Twenties Sponsorship for Speakeasy Soiree or 1 additional rappelling slot
Be the name everyone sees at the bottom of the ropes and across the entire campaign season. As a Landing Zone Sponsor, your support goes higher, louder, and further than any other tier.
Includes
- 5 rappelling slots
- Recognition in marketing, website, and social media
- Company logo placement at registration and the beer garden
- 5 gift bags and T-shirts for rappellers
- 20 complimentary drink tickets from Tioga-Sequoia at the block party
- $5,000 Great Gatsby Sponsorship at Speakeasy Soiree or 1 additional rappelling slot
Before You Go Over
Everything you need to know about registering, fundraising, rappelling, safety, and event day at the Tioga Apartments in downtown Merced.
Still Have Questions?
We’re happy to help with registration, fundraising ideas, sponsor questions, team challenges, or event details.
Contact RobertOver the Edge is a unique fundraising event where participants raise money for the chance to rappel down the Tioga Apartments in downtown Merced.
United Way of Merced County partners with Over The Edge, which provides the technical setup and certified staff. Participants raise at least $1,000 to guarantee their chance to go Over the Edge.
Register online with a non-refundable $75 registration fee, which counts toward your fundraising goal. Once registered, you’ll create a personal fundraising page and begin raising money online and offline.
Your rappel spot is guaranteed once you raise at least $1,000.
Date: Saturday, August 15
Time: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Tioga Apartments, 1715 N Street, Merced, CA 95340
No experience is needed. After check-in, participants are fitted with rappelling gear and receive mandatory training from an Over The Edge on-site technician.
Everyone gets a chance to practice using the gear before going Over the Edge.
Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver form. Anyone under 17 must also have a parent or guardian attend with them on the day of the rappel.
Yes. All participants must be between 100 and 300 lbs. to safely fit into the harness equipment.
Over The Edge also follows a “No Fit-No Go” policy. If the gear does not fit a participant properly and without alteration, they cannot rappel during the event.
Event day is the official fundraising deadline.
When you register, you’ll create a personal fundraising page that can be shared with friends, family, coworkers, and supporters.
Add a photo, write a short message about why you’re going Over the Edge, and share your page regularly. After you register, we’ll also send an Edger Toolkit with fundraising resources and ideas.
Yes. Donations are tax deductible. Online donors will receive an email confirmation shortly after making their gift.
Check and cash donations must include the Edger’s name so the gift can be credited correctly. Donor name and address are needed for mailed acknowledgement letters.
A $1,000 fundraising total guarantees your spot to go Over the Edge. Once you reach $1,000, our team will contact you to schedule your rappel time.
If you have not reached $1,000 by August 13, please contact us so we can talk through next steps. We will provide fundraising tips, ideas, and support to help you reach your goal.
On event day, participants who have raised $1,000 or more will be guaranteed a rappel spot. If space remains, we will invite the next highest fundraisers to go Over the Edge.
All registration fees and donations are non-refundable. Every dollar raised supports United Way of Merced County, our partner network, and our work in the community.
Individual fundraising: Once you raise $1,000, you secure your rappel spot and receive an event shirt. If you raise $2,000, contact our team. If space allows, you may be able to secure a second rappel slot for a friend, family member, coworker, or fellow brave soul.
Team fundraising: Rally your coworkers, club, board, church, or community group. For every $1,000 your team raises, your group earns one rappel slot.
Toss Your Boss Challenge: Have a boss, supervisor, board member, coworker, or local leader willing to go Over the Edge? Build a team around them and start fundraising. Costumes are encouraged, bragging rights are included, and every dollar supports local programs and partner agencies.
All money raised is considered a donation to United Way of Merced County and is non-refundable.
If you do not wish to rappel on event day, you may offer a replacement to rappel in your place, as long as they register, sign the required waivers, and notify United Way staff about the change.
No. All registration fees and donations are non-refundable.
Yes. Over The Edge is set up as an industrial worksite and is compliant with federal and state OSHA Fall Protection Standards and OSHA laws.
All members of the Over The Edge technical team are IRATA and SPRAT certified industrial rope access technicians.
They may also work with trained volunteers from local fire departments, SWAT teams, AMGA guides, and others with rope rescue or climbing experience.
The Over The Edge technical team regularly orders new ropes. Ropes are inspected by qualified technical staff at the start and end of each event.
During the event, safety checks are performed for each participant before they rappel, and the team periodically re-inspects the rigging throughout the day.
Yes. You will go through a training session before your rappel. This practice helps you get comfortable with the harness, rappel device, and technique for descending the building.