Columbus, Ohio
Healthcare
5KforJK is a patient-led nonprofit dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s live their best lives today. Rather than focusing solely on research, they provide resources, education, and a supportive community to help individuals navigate their journey with confidence.
What began as a walk for one quickly became a movement for millions. In 2021, Jessica Krauser was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) at just 37 years old, her friends immediately took initiative, organizing a Team Fox 5K event in Jessica’s honor.
While that event brought together 500 participants, Jessica’s network soon realized there was a need for more than just fundraising. While research is critical, there was a gap in resources, education, and support for those living with Parkinson’s every day. Inspired by that first event, they launched their own nonprofit — 5KforJK — dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and creating a network of support for the 1 million people in the U.S. living with Parkinson’s.
What They Used Before – And Why It Wasn’t Enough
In the early days of 5KforJK, managing fundraising and event logistics was a struggle. For their very first event in 2021, they used the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s platform through Team Fox, which provided a structured system for registrations and donations. However, when they transitioned into running their own nonprofit the following year, they found themselves without a dedicated platform—and the difference was overwhelming.
Jessica Krauser recalls that second year as particularly difficult, describing it as “the worst“. Without a proper system in place, they relied on Excel spreadsheets to track participants, donations, and event details. This manual process quickly became frustrating and inefficient, making it hard to stay organized and keep up with everything.
That year was a turning point. It became clear that if 5KforJK was going to grow and continue supporting the Parkinson’s community effectively, they needed a better solution—one that could handle event registrations, fundraising, and donor management all in one place.
That’s when they started looking for a platform that could meet their needs.
Finding a Better Way: The Move to Neon CRM
After struggling managing their event and donations manually, Jessica knew they needed a better system. That’s when she found Neon CRM.
With Neon CRM, they could finally streamline their operations—collecting participant and donor information in one place, sending emails, and managing donations efficiently. Jessica described the transition as a game-changer, saying, “it was obviously very helpful to have all of that streamlined.”
Although there was a learning curve, she quickly adapted and found the platform intuitive. Neon CRM didn’t just make things easier—it gave them the structure they needed to focus on their mission, rather than getting bogged down in administrative headaches.
Taking 5KforJK’s Fundraising to the Next Level with P2P
After implementing Neon CRM, Jessica knew there was still an opportunity to improve how 5KforJK engaged its supporters. As the organization grew, so did the need for a more dynamic and interactive fundraising experience—one that empowered participants to fundraise on behalf of the cause.
In 2023, they adopted Neon Fundraise, our P2P tool, allowing supporters to create personalized fundraising pages, share their stories, and rally their networks. This shift offered fundraisers a more user-friendly experience and greater customization options.
The results spoke for themselves. Donations increased from $134K in 2023 to $180K in 2024—a 34% jump, despite losing a $10,000 sponsor. Fundraisers found the platform easier to use compared to previous years, and while some older users faced a learning curve, the overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The ability to personalize fundraising pages helped deepen engagement, giving participants a stronger connection to the cause.
For 5KforJK, peer-to-peer fundraising isn’t just a tool—it’s becoming the heart of their movement, bringing people together to support and uplift those living with Parkinson’s.
“Neon Fundraise really helped us generate more donations because fundraisers had their own personalized pages to share and engage their networks.”
– Co-Founder, Jessica Krauser
Bringing It All Together: Neon One Fundraising Experience
With Neon CRM and Neon Fundraise, 5KforJK found the perfect balance between donor management and fundraising. Neon CRM handles donor records and communications, while Neon Fundraise empowers participants with personalized fundraising pages and peer-to-peer tools.
This seamless integration lets Jessica manage donor relationships while giving fundraisers the tools to succeed. Neon CRM streamlines donor data and email campaigns, while Neon Fundraise enhances the event experience, making it easier for participants to raise funds.
Having both platforms also offers Jessica the flexibility to tailor her approach. For large-scale peer-to-peer events like the 5K, Neon Fundraise provides an engaging and interactive experience, while Neon CRM is ideal for donor outreach and contributions for initiatives like GivingTuesday. This strategic use of both systems helped optimize every fundraising opportunity.
Together, Neon CRM and Neon Fundraise created a powerful ecosystem, enabling 5KforJK to raise more and build deeper donor connections—ensuring that every event, campaign, and donor interaction contributes to their mission of supporting people living with Parkinson’s.
Why Neon One is Essential
For Jessica and 5KforJK, Neon One isn’t just a tool—it’s the backbone of their fundraising efforts. As they continue to expand, she sees it as an essential part of their ability to stay organized, engage donors, and grow their impact.
“Without [Neon One], I can’t be organized,” Jessica emphasized. From managing donor relationships to tracking fundraising progress, Neon One provides the structure they need to keep everything running smoothly. It ensures that key donor communications—like tax receipts, acknowledgments, and confirmations—are handled seamlessly, strengthening donor trust and transparency.
For 5KforJK, Neon One isn’t just helpful—it’s indispensable. As Jessica put it, “this can’t go away.” She sees it as a force multiplier, allowing them to amplify their efforts and bring in the funds needed to support their mission. With Neon One powering their operations, 5KforJK is poised to reach more people, raise more money, and continue changing lives in the Parkinson’s community.
“For me, the benefits far outweigh the costs, including transaction fees. What we gain in efficiency and fundraising impact makes it absolutely worth it.”
– Co-Founder, Jessica Krauser
Elevate Your Peer-to-Peer Fundraising with Neon Fundraise
The right peer-to-peer fundraising platform doesn’t just simplify event management—it empowers supporters to rally their networks and raise more for your mission.
Want to learn more about the platform that helped 5KforJK increase donations by 34% and engage their community more effectively? Discover how Neon Fundraise can take your peer-to-peer events to the next level!
