Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Examples: 8 Ideas to Inspire Nonprofits
Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is an excellent way for nonprofits to connect with their community and get connected with their community’s community of friends, family, and colleagues. P2P allows a lot of room for creative campaign options, but how do you come up with an idea that resonates with your supporters and makes them excited to fundraise?
Let’s start by looking at a few fun P2P campaigns other organizations have done. Here are eight peer-to-peer fundraising examples to inspire you!
8 Inspiring Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Examples
One of the best ways to get the creative wheels in your brain spinning is to draw inspiration from someone else’s creativity. As Albert Einstein once said (allegedly), “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.”
As you review the peer-to-peer fundraising examples below, consider your past successful campaigns and events. Also, consider who your supporters are and what typically gets them to react positively.
1. Virtual 5K
Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation hosted a virtual 5K to raise funds for cancer research. Virtual 5 Ks are simpler for nonprofits to organize and easier for supporters to participate in. Supporters can run (or walk, bike, rollerblade, etc.) on their own schedule and at their own pace.
By using Neon Fundraise and allowing participants to fundraise individually or with a team, the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation reached its $20,000 fundraising goal.
2. Do a Nontraditional Twist on a Traditional Event
You’ve heard of the traditional fundraising gala with its fancy plates, gowns, and tuxedos, but the Colon Cancer Coalition hosts an annual “Not So Gala, Gala.”
It’s a laid-back take on a gala format with a casual dress code, live music, and a live auction. The “Not So Gala, Gala” is a part of their “Runs for Buns” campaign, in which supporters can donate to an individual participant or team or make a donation for every run they complete.
3. Online Trivia
Trivia is already a guaranteed good time, but All About You, Inc. made it even more fun with a “Betty White and her animal friends trivia” event to raise money for Morris Animal Foundation, a leader in scientific animal health research funding.
4. Call on Local Clubs
Speaking of animals, the Lincoln State Cat Club tapped into their community to fundraise for a research study they’re sponsoring (also supporting the Morris Animal Foundation).
Their P2P fundraiser represents a great idea and opportunity: reach out to local groups that are already proven devotees to your cause. For example, if you have an animal-related mission like the Morris Animal Foundation, you might reach out to an animal lovers group in your area or, if your cause supports children, ask a parents club in your community if they’d like to join forces to fundraise for a cause they care about.
5. Connect Your Mission to an Activity
Connect a part of your mission to an activity your supporters can participate in. Water Mission’s Walk for Water campaign does just that.
They connected the fact that millions of people worldwide often have to walk over three miles a day to get access to water to inspire their community in Charleston to walk in their honor and raise money to provide clean, safe water.
6. Frozen 5K
A 5K, but make it icy! Supporters of the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation take to the ice for their Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer campaign. Participants skate 35 laps in honor and remembrance of their loved ones who have been impacted by cancer.
7. Chefs Event
If anyone knows how to throw a great event, it’s chefs. Some of the top chefs in Charlottesville, VA teamed up for the Breath of Life Chefs Event, which raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Consider asking local chefs to fundraise among your community and lend their skills for a campaign event!
8. Let Supporters Fundraise Their Way
As part of a year-round peer-to-peer fundraising initiative, The Colon Cancer Coalition offers their supporters a chance to choose their own adventure. Their “Fundraise Your Way” initiative presents a variety of fundraiser options they can choose from and quickly and easily create a fundraising page or event on the spot.
Whether you choose to ask your supporters to glide across the ice for the cause with a Frozen 5K or try a virtual one (or something with less physical activity and more eating, like a chef’s event), P2P fundraising is perfect for showcasing the power of creativity and community-driven generosity. Take inspiration from these eight peer-to-peer fundraising examples and start planning your next campaign today!
Fuel Your Fundraising Success with Neon Fundraise
Aside from being amazing ideas, all of the above peer-to-peer fundraising examples have something in common: they’re all powered by Neon Fundraise.
Neon Fundraise is a peer-to-peer fundraising software tool that empowers your nonprofit to run campaigns and engage supporters with ease. To learn more, request a demo—we’d love to show you around and give you a tour of this powerful platform.
