Beyond the Event; Creative Approaches to Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
As you launch your fundraising campaigns this year, you may be missing out on some creative and effective new ways to use peer-to-peer tools and approaches beyond traditional events.
Don’t get me wrong. Traditional run, walk, and ride events are highly effective. But, non-traditional peer-to-peer campaigns have an important place in fundraising, too. They’re typically less expensive to pull off than traditional run, walk, and ride events. And, they can be an effective way to supplement traditional peer-to-peer events year-round, especially during the months between events.
In an upcoming DMAW webinar, I will discuss all the benefits of non-traditional peer-to-peer fundraising—as well as introduce fresh ideas and real-world experience to inspire your next fundraising campaign. Join us Wednesday, January 17th, from 1-2pm ET for this free webinar. Here are just a few examples to think about until then and to get your supporters involved beyond traditional events:
- Alumni campaigns — If your organization is an educational institution, consider creating online campaigns that allow your alumni to raise funds for the programs at your organization that mean the most to them, such as athletics, scholarships, and research.
- Challenges — Set up an environment in which your supporters can sign up to do X if their friends and family donate a certain amount of money. Think “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” and you’ve got the idea.
- Special days — Ask your constituents to “donate” their special event — such as birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and other events — to your organization by asking friends and family to donate to your organization in lieu of presents.
- Tributes/memorials — If you have a mission tied to supporting the fallen, injured, or lost due to disease, disorder, injustice, or war, consider providing your constituents with online tools to raise funds in the name of someone who has touched their life.
- Virtual drives —Get your supporters involved by asking them to create their own virtual drives, for food, clothing, etc. depending on your mission. Provide them with online tools and suggested email content to help them use emails and social media to ask their connections to donate. Set up the campaign on your website so that your supporters’ friends and family can place items in a virtual shopping cart, representing what you can do with the money they give with their donation amount.
There are almost limitless ways you can use the peer-to-peer fundraising model to raise funds and engage with supporters. With inspiration, some time, and the right peer-to-peer tools for the job, you can take your campaigns in exciting new directions.
Register now to attend this free webinar, Beyond the Event: Creative Approaches to Peer-to-Peer Fundraising on Wednesday, January 17 from 1-2pm ET. This session is ideal for all development and marketing team members, no matter what technology platform you’re using.
Mark Becker is Founding Partner at Cathexis Partners. For more than a decade, Mark has used his deep experience with CRM, CMS, and online fundraising software for nonprofits to help organizations get the most from their existing technology tools, implement new technology to address gaps, and find the best overall approach to using technology to support their missions. Mark can be reached at mark@cathexispartners.com.