Your supporters are ready to champion your cause, but they need the right tools to succeed. A peer-to-peer campaign gives them a platform, and the fundraising page is their most important asset. A great page removes friction, tells a compelling story, and makes giving feel both easy and impactful. It’s the critical link between your supporter’s enthusiasm and their network’s generosity. Getting it right is the foundation of a successful campaign. We’ll break down the entire process, showing you how to create a p2p fundraising page that equips your fundraisers, engages their friends, and drives more donations for your mission.
Key Takeaways
- Empower your fundraisers to be your best advocates: Set your supporters up for success by giving them a comprehensive toolkit with pre-written posts, compelling visuals, and clear talking points. More importantly, keep them motivated with consistent, personal encouragement through channels like direct messaging.
- Combine a powerful story with a frictionless process: Capture donors' hearts by framing your mission around a single, relatable human story. Then, make it incredibly easy for them to give with a mobile-perfect design, clear donation tiers tied to specific outcomes, and a visible progress tracker to build momentum.
- A great page is only one piece of the puzzle: Ensure campaign success by creating a multi-channel promotion plan, thoroughly testing every link and button before launch, and analyzing your performance data afterward to make your next P2P effort even more effective.
What Is Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Fundraising?
Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is a strategy that turns your most passionate supporters into active fundraisers for your cause. Instead of your organization being the only one asking for donations, you empower individuals—your donors, volunteers, and community members—to create their own fundraising pages and tap into their personal networks. Think of it as a ripple effect: one supporter reaches ten of their friends, and some of those friends are inspired to share, expanding your reach far beyond your own audience. It’s a powerful way to bring in new donors and deepen relationships with existing supporters.
How P2P Fundraising Works
The mechanics are pretty straightforward. Your nonprofit creates a main campaign, and then your supporters sign up to create individual fundraising pages connected to it. Each person customizes their page with a personal story and a fundraising goal. From there, they share their page with friends and family through email, social media, and even direct messaging. When someone donates through an individual's page, the funds roll up to your main campaign goal. This model puts your supporters in the driver's seat, allowing them to become authentic advocates for your work within their own circles.
The Benefits for Nonprofits
The most obvious benefit of P2P fundraising is raising more money, but the advantages go much deeper. This strategy is a fantastic way to acquire new donors. When your supporters reach out to their networks, they’re introducing your cause to people who might never have heard of you otherwise. This word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly effective and builds trust from the start. P2P campaigns also increase engagement with your current supporters by giving them a meaningful role in your success. By empowering them to fundraise, you’re strengthening their connection to your mission and turning them into lifelong advocates.
Common Types of P2P Campaigns
P2P fundraising is incredibly versatile, so you can tailor it to fit your mission. Some of the most popular campaigns include activity-based events like runs, walks, or bike-a-thons where participants raise pledges. Another great option is a virtual campaign, like a Facebook Challenge, where supporters complete an activity over a set period, like 30 push-ups a day for a month. You can also run campaigns around giving days, create tribute pages to honor a loved one, or launch "Do-It-Yourself" (DIY) campaigns where supporters host their own small events. The key is to offer an engaging experience that resonates with your audience.
Anatomy of a High-Converting P2P Page
A great peer-to-peer fundraising page is more than just a donation button. It’s a compelling, easy-to-use hub that inspires your supporters to not only give but to share your mission with their own networks. Think of it as your campaign’s digital headquarters. Getting the key elements right from the start makes all the difference in reaching your goals. Let's break down the essential components that turn a good page into a high-converting one.
A Compelling Story and Visuals
People connect with stories, not statistics. Your P2P page should immediately draw visitors in with a narrative that explains why this campaign matters. Use powerful photos and short videos to show the real-world impact of your work. Instead of just saying you provide shelter, show a picture of a family in their new home. This is how you build an emotional connection that motivates giving. As fundraising platform Funraise notes, you should "use videos, photos, or other media to tell a strong story." This encourages people to donate and gets your fundraisers excited to share.
Clear, Action-Oriented Goals
Donors want to know exactly what their contribution will help achieve. Your page needs a clear, specific, and attainable fundraising goal. Are you trying to raise $10,000 to fund a specific program or $50,000 for a new building wing? State it clearly. This transparency builds trust and gives your supporters a tangible target to rally behind. Define how much you want to raise, what it's for, and how long the campaign will run. A well-defined goal provides a sense of urgency and shared purpose, making it easier for fundraisers to explain the mission to their friends and family.
Simple Donation Tiers
Make giving as easy as possible by offering suggested donation amounts. Instead of leaving donors to guess, provide a few clear options, or "tiers." More importantly, connect each amount to a specific outcome. For example, "$25 provides a week of meals" or "$100 funds a student's textbooks for a semester." This approach, recommended by fundraising experts, helps donors visualize their impact and removes friction from the donation process. It answers the question, "What will my money actually do?" and makes the act of giving feel more concrete and rewarding.
A Visible Progress Tracker
Everyone loves to see progress. A visual fundraising thermometer or progress bar is one of the most effective tools for motivating donors and fundraisers. It creates a sense of momentum and shared accomplishment as the total moves closer to the goal. Seeing that the campaign is just a few hundred dollars away from its target can inspire a visitor to make the donation that pushes it over the top. This simple visual element keeps your community engaged and invested in the campaign's success from start to finish, turning passive observers into active participants.
Social Proof and Testimonials
People trust recommendations from their peers. That’s the entire principle behind peer-to-peer fundraising. Your page should feature authentic stories and quotes from the very people who are fundraising for you. Let your volunteers and supporters share why they’re involved and what your cause means to them. These personal customer stories add a layer of credibility that an organizational message alone can't achieve. When potential donors see that people just like them are passionate about the campaign, they are far more likely to join in and contribute.
Flawless Mobile Design
Most of your supporters will find your P2P page through a link shared on social media, which they’ll likely be scrolling on their phones. If your page is difficult to read or use on a mobile device, you’ll lose donors before they even have a chance to give. Your page must have a responsive design that looks great and functions perfectly on a smartphone. The text should be readable, the images should load quickly, and the donation button should be easy to tap. A seamless mobile experience is no longer a nice-to-have; it's an absolute necessity for a successful campaign.
How to Create Your P2P Page, Step-by-Step
Building a peer-to-peer fundraising page might feel like a huge task, but it’s really just a series of simple, manageable steps. Think of it as creating the central hub for your entire campaign—a place where your story comes to life, your fundraisers feel empowered, and your donors can easily contribute. A great P2P page removes friction and makes supporting your cause feel inspiring and effortless.
The goal is to build a page that not only looks good but also functions perfectly for everyone who uses it. From the fundraiser setting up their personal page to the first-time donor making a contribution on their phone, the experience should be seamless. By following these steps, you can create a powerful and effective fundraising page that serves as the foundation for your campaign’s success. We’ll walk through everything from choosing the right software to triple-checking your work before you hit “launch.”
Choose the Right Platform
Your fundraising platform is the engine of your entire campaign, so it’s worth spending time choosing the right one. The best software makes it easy for you, your fundraisers, and your donors. Look for a P2P fundraising platform that offers features like customizable pages, easy sharing, and multiple payment options. Your platform should empower your supporters to easily create and personalize their own pages, share them on social media, and track their progress. For your team, it should provide clear analytics and simple management tools. A platform that integrates with your existing systems, like direct messaging for nonprofits, can also help you build stronger relationships with your supporters throughout the campaign.
Write Your Story
This is where you connect with people’s hearts. Your campaign story is the “why” behind the ask, and it needs to be compelling enough to inspire action. A strong story connects fundraisers and donors directly to your organization's mission. Don’t just state facts and figures; tell a narrative that illustrates the problem you’re solving and how your nonprofit is making a tangible difference. Explain who you help, what challenges they face, and how a donation will change their lives. Keep it clear, concise, and emotional. Your story should be the first thing people see, setting the tone for the entire page and giving them a powerful reason to get involved.
Add Compelling Visuals
People are visual creatures. A block of text is easy to scroll past, but a powerful image or video can stop someone in their tracks. Use high-quality photos, videos, or other media to tell a strong story. This encourages people to donate and gets fundraisers excited to share the page. Instead of using generic stock photos, feature real people from your community (with their permission, of course). Show the faces of those you serve or the volunteers in action. A short, impactful video can be even more effective, quickly conveying the emotion and urgency of your cause. These visuals make your mission feel real and immediate.
Set Up Payment Processing
A smooth and secure donation process is non-negotiable. If it’s confusing or difficult for someone to give, they’ll likely abandon their donation. Your page should offer many payment options, allowing donors to pay with credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and other popular methods. The more convenient you make it, the more likely people are to complete their donations. Make sure your donation form is simple, mobile-friendly, and clearly branded. A clunky or untrustworthy-looking payment page is one of the fastest ways to lose a potential supporter, so prioritize a seamless checkout experience.
Customize Your Page's Look and Feel
Your P2P page is an extension of your nonprofit, and it should look and feel like it. Make sure your organization's branding and messaging are consistent across all campaign pages. This helps your organization seem professional and trustworthy. Use your logo, brand colors, and fonts to create a cohesive experience that reassures donors they’re in the right place. This consistency builds trust and reinforces your brand identity, making supporters feel more confident in their decision to donate. A well-branded page shows you’ve put thought and care into your campaign, which reflects positively on your entire organization.
Test Everything Before Launch
Before you officially launch your campaign, do a thorough test run of the entire user experience. Click every button, read every line of text, and test the donation process with a small transaction. It’s crucial to view the page on multiple devices—desktop, tablet, and smartphone—to ensure it looks and functions perfectly on all of them. Ask a few colleagues or trusted supporters to go through the process as well. They might catch a typo or a broken link you missed. Taking the time to test everything beforehand helps you avoid technical glitches and ensures a smooth, positive experience for your fundraisers and donors from day one.
How to Craft a Story That Connects
Your peer-to-peer fundraising page is more than just a place to collect money; it’s a platform to tell a story that moves people to act. While statistics can inform the mind, a powerful narrative is what captures the heart and inspires someone to click the “donate” button. A well-told story makes your mission feel personal and urgent. It transforms a potential donor from a passive observer into an active participant in your cause. The key is to build a narrative that is authentic, impactful, and easy for your fundraisers to share. When your supporters feel a genuine connection to the story, they become your most passionate advocates, eager to spread the word and rally their networks. Let’s break down the essential elements of a story that truly connects.
Find the Personal Angle
People give to people, not to abstract concepts. The most effective way to make your mission resonate is to frame it through the lens of a single, personal story. Instead of talking about your organization’s broad goals, focus on one individual whose life has been changed by your work. Tell the story of a specific family, a particular community, or even a dedicated volunteer. This personal angle makes your impact tangible and relatable. It gives your audience a hero to root for and a clear reason to get involved. When you build a campaign narrative around a real person, your mission becomes a human story that donors will remember and feel connected to long after they’ve given.
Show, Don't Just Tell, Your Impact
To build trust and motivate donors, you need to clearly demonstrate the tangible results of their contributions. Go beyond general statements like "your donation helps" and provide concrete examples of what a specific dollar amount can achieve. For instance, instead of saying you provide food security, say, "$50 provides a week's worth of groceries for a family of four." Use specific numbers, testimonials, and clear cause-and-effect statements to paint a vivid picture of the difference a donation makes. When donors can easily visualize the real-world outcome of their generosity, they feel more confident that their money is making a meaningful impact, which encourages them to give more.
Use Authentic, Emotional Language
Your story should sound like it was written by a passionate human, not a marketing department. Avoid corporate jargon and overly formal language. Instead, write from the heart. Use simple, direct, and honest words that convey the genuine emotion behind your work. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share both the struggles and the triumphs. An authentic voice builds an emotional bridge between your cause and your audience. This connection is what drives donor engagement and inspires people to join your movement. When you speak from a place of authenticity, your passion becomes contagious.
Bring Your Story to Life with Photos and Video
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video can be worth even more. Visuals are essential for capturing attention and conveying emotion quickly and effectively. Use high-quality photos of the real people your organization serves (with their permission, of course). A short, compelling video—even one shot on a smartphone—can tell your story in a way that text alone cannot. Consider creating a brief video testimonial from a beneficiary or a behind-the-scenes look at your team in action. These visual elements make your story more dynamic and shareable, helping your fundraisers get their networks excited about the campaign.
Keep Your Supporters in the Loop with Updates
A great story doesn't end once the campaign launches; it unfolds over time. Keep your fundraisers and donors engaged by sharing regular updates on your progress. Celebrate milestones when you hit 25% or 50% of your goal. Share mini-stories and photos from the campaign trail. This ongoing communication makes your supporters feel like they are part of a dynamic and successful journey. It shows them that their contribution matters and keeps the campaign’s momentum going. Using tools like email, social media, and direct messaging to share these updates helps maintain a strong sense of community and encourages continued support.
Set Your Campaign Up for Success
A beautiful fundraising page is a great start, but the strategy behind it is what truly drives donations. Before you even think about launching your campaign, you need to build a solid foundation that makes it easy and exciting for people to give. This means thinking through the entire supporter journey, from the moment they land on your page to the second they click "donate." How can you make the experience as clear, motivating, and frictionless as possible?
The most effective peer-to-peer campaigns are built with intention. They don’t just ask for money; they create a compelling experience. By setting clear goals, guiding donors on their impact, simplifying the giving process, and adding a dash of fun, you can turn a simple webpage into a powerful fundraising engine. These next few steps are all about setting up the strategic elements that will make your fundraisers feel empowered and your donors feel inspired to contribute to your cause.
Set a Clear, Attainable Goal
Every successful campaign begins with a specific, measurable goal. Vague objectives like "raise money for our cause" don't give your supporters a finish line to cross. A clear goal, on the other hand, provides direction and motivates everyone involved. Frame your goal around a tangible outcome, like "Raise $15,000 to provide 100 children with after-school tutoring." This not only gives your fundraisers a concrete target to strive for but also shows donors exactly what their contribution will help achieve. This shared purpose rallies your community and builds momentum from day one.
Offer Suggested Donation Amounts
Don't leave your donors guessing how much to give. Decision fatigue is real, and an open-ended donation field can sometimes lead to smaller contributions or none at all. Instead, guide them with suggested donation amounts and, more importantly, show them the direct impact of each level. For example: "$25 can provide a warm meal for a family," or "$50 can fund a wellness check-up." By connecting a dollar amount to a specific outcome, you make the act of giving more concrete and meaningful, which often encourages donors to give more generously.
Make Donating Easy
A complicated or confusing donation process is one of the fastest ways to lose a potential supporter. Your goal should be to remove as much friction as possible. The donation form should be simple, short, and incredibly easy to find. Use a prominent, brightly colored "Donate" button and ask only for essential information. The entire process, from landing on the page to getting a confirmation, should take just a minute or two. By meeting supporters where they are and making giving effortless, you can dramatically improve your conversion rates. GoodUnited’s Direct Messaging tools are built on this principle of creating seamless supporter experiences.
Highlight Matching Gift Opportunities
One of the most powerful ways to increase donation size is by highlighting matching gift opportunities. Many companies offer programs that match their employees' charitable contributions, effectively doubling or even tripling the impact of a single donation. Yet, many donors are unaware this is an option. Make it impossible to miss on your fundraising page. Add a clear, visible section that prompts donors to check if their employer will match their gift. It’s a simple addition that provides a massive incentive for people to give, as they see their personal impact instantly amplified.
Add Fun with Gamification
Fundraising should feel like a rewarding and engaging experience, not a chore. You can create a sense of excitement and friendly competition by incorporating gamification elements into your campaign. Features like leaderboards that display top fundraisers, progress bars that fill up as you near your goal, and badges for hitting certain milestones can motivate participants to go the extra mile. This is a key strategy behind successful social fundraising events like Facebook Challenges, which use competition and community to create an energetic and highly effective campaign.
How to Promote Your P2P Campaign
You’ve built a beautiful, compelling fundraising page. Now what? The real work begins with promotion. A great page won’t convert anyone if people don’t see it. Getting the word out is a team effort that involves your organization and your incredible fundraisers. Your role is to make it as easy and exciting as possible for them to share the campaign with their networks. A multi-channel promotion strategy ensures your message reaches the widest possible audience and keeps momentum going from launch day to the finish line. By planning ahead and equipping your supporters for success, you can turn your P2P campaign into a powerful fundraising engine.
Create a Social Media Plan
Your fundraisers’ social networks are the lifeblood of a P2P campaign, so your promotion strategy should start there. Make it incredibly easy for them to share their personal pages on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Develop a simple social media toolkit with pre-written posts for different channels, eye-catching graphics, and relevant hashtags. This removes the guesswork and ensures messaging stays consistent. Plan a content calendar for your nonprofit’s own social channels to highlight the campaign, celebrate fundraising milestones, and feature individual supporter stories. By creating a steady stream of engaging content, you’ll keep the campaign top-of-mind and inspire more people to get involved.
Reach Out with Email
While social media is fantastic for broad outreach, email is your go-to for more direct and personalized communication. Your fundraisers aren't professional marketers, so provide them with tools to make their email outreach effective. Draft a few email templates they can adapt and send to their friends, family, and colleagues. Think about a launch announcement, a mid-campaign update, and a "last chance to donate" message. You should also use email to communicate directly with your fundraisers. Send them weekly updates with encouragement, fundraising tips, and reminders of the impact they’re making. This consistent contact helps them feel supported and motivated throughout the campaign.
Leverage Direct Messaging
For a truly personal touch, nothing beats direct messaging. This is where you can build genuine, 1:1 relationships with your fundraisers at scale. Use social direct messaging to check in with your supporters, answer their questions in real-time, and offer a word of encouragement when they need it most. A quick "You're doing great!" message can make a huge difference in keeping someone motivated. You can also use DMs to share important updates or remind them why your mission is so critical. Unlike a crowded email inbox, a direct message feels immediate and personal, strengthening their connection to your cause and inspiring them to keep going.
Equip and Encourage Your Fundraisers
Your fundraisers are your campaign's greatest champions, so set them up for success from day one. Create a comprehensive digital toolkit they can access anytime. This should include everything they need to confidently share their story: high-quality photos and videos, key facts and statistics about your work, and sample social media posts. Beyond just providing tools, make sure to actively encourage them. Consider creating a private Facebook Group where fundraisers can connect, share tips, and celebrate wins together. Have a dedicated team member check in with them, give shout-outs to top performers, and consistently thank them for their hard work. When supporters feel seen and valued, their passion becomes contagious.
Share Progress Updates Regularly
Maintaining momentum is key to hitting your fundraising goal. Keep your audience engaged by sharing regular progress updates across all your channels. Celebrate every milestone, whether it’s hitting 25% of your goal or having your 50th fundraiser sign up. These updates create a sense of excitement and urgency, encouraging people to donate before the campaign ends. Don’t just share the numbers; tell the stories behind them. Feature a top fundraiser and what motivates them, or share a specific example of how the money raised will be used. Consistent updates show your campaign is active and that every single donation is helping you get closer to your goal.
Common P2P Fundraising Mistakes to Avoid
You’ve put so much work into planning your campaign, crafting your story, and designing your page. The last thing you want is for a simple, avoidable mistake to hold you back. Getting your P2P page right often comes down to steering clear of a few common pitfalls that can trip up even the most seasoned fundraisers. By being aware of these potential issues ahead of time, you can ensure a smoother experience for your supporters and give your campaign the best possible chance to succeed. Let’s walk through the four biggest mistakes we see and how you can easily sidestep them.
Confusing Page Design
Your fundraising page should be inviting and incredibly easy to use. If a potential supporter lands on your page and can’t figure out how to sign up or donate within a few seconds, they’ll likely leave. A complex registration process is a major roadblock; when you offer too many choices or ask for unnecessary information, people will abandon the process. Think of your page design like a clear path. Keep the layout clean, use one obvious call-to-action button, and only ask for the information you absolutely need. The goal is to remove every possible bit of friction between a supporter’s desire to help and their ability to take action.
Vague or Infrequent Communication
Launching your P2P campaign is the starting line, not the finish line. A common mistake is to "set it and forget it," leaving your fundraisers without guidance or encouragement. Regular communication is essential to keep your participants motivated and informed about the campaign's progress. You need to be their biggest cheerleader. Plan to connect with them through automated emails and, more effectively, through direct messaging on social media. Share milestone updates, offer fundraising tips, and celebrate their wins. When your fundraisers feel supported and part of a team, they’ll be far more driven to help you reach your goal.
Not Testing for Technical Glitches
Imagine a passionate supporter is ready to donate, but the "Donate" button is broken. Frustrating, right? Not testing your fundraising page before launch can lead to technical glitches that stop donations in their tracks. Before you go live, you have to do a full run-through. Ask a few team members to test the entire user journey on their phones and computers. Make sure all the links work, the donation process is seamless, and the page loads correctly on mobile devices. A few minutes of testing can save you from major headaches and lost revenue once the campaign is live.
Forgetting to Engage with Donors
Your fundraisers are the stars of the show, but don't forget about their audience: the donors. Failing to acknowledge the people who give can make them feel unappreciated and less likely to support your cause in the future. Every donation, no matter the size, deserves a thank you. You can automate thank-you messages and receipts, but also look for ways to make it more personal. A quick thank-you message or a shout-out in a group update can make a donor feel seen. These small acts of gratitude help build stronger supporter relationships and can turn a one-time donor into a lifelong advocate for your mission.
How to Measure Your Campaign's Success
Once your peer-to-peer campaign is live, your work isn’t over. In fact, one of the most important phases is just beginning: tracking your progress. Measuring your campaign's success isn't just about seeing that final number on your fundraising thermometer (though that’s definitely exciting!). It’s about understanding what’s working, what isn’t, and how you can make your next campaign even more impactful. By keeping a close eye on your data, you can make smart adjustments on the fly and gather invaluable insights for the future.
Think of it like this: you wouldn't plan a road trip without looking at a map. Your campaign data is your map. It shows you where you are, where you're going, and the best route to get there. It helps you answer critical questions like, "Are our fundraisers getting the support they need?" and "Which of our promotional efforts are actually driving donations?" This information empowers you to build stronger relationships with your supporters and, ultimately, raise more for your mission. Consistent tracking turns fundraising from a guessing game into a repeatable, scalable strategy.
Key Metrics to Track
To get a clear picture of your campaign's performance, you need to look beyond the total amount raised. Start by tracking the number of fundraisers created. This tells you how well your campaign is resonating with your community and inspiring them to take action. Next, calculate your cost per dollar raised to understand the efficiency of your efforts. You should also monitor your donor retention rate, which shows how many supporters are coming back to give again. A high retention rate is a fantastic indicator of long-term engagement and a strong connection to your cause. These fundraising metrics give you a holistic view of your campaign's health.
Tools to Help You Track Performance
You don’t need to be a data scientist to track your campaign’s performance. The right tools will do most of the heavy lifting for you. Your P2P fundraising platform should have a built-in analytics dashboard where you can see key metrics in real time. When running campaigns on social media, like a Facebook Challenge, it’s crucial to use a solution that can track engagement and conversions directly within the platform. Make it a habit to check your analytics regularly—not just at the end of the campaign. A quick daily or weekly check-in can help you spot trends, celebrate small wins, and address potential issues before they grow.
Analyze Your Results
When the campaign wraps up, it’s time to sit down with your data and see what story it tells. Compare your results to previous campaigns to identify what changed. Did a new type of social media post perform exceptionally well? Did a certain email drive a spike in donations? Don’t just look at the numbers; gather qualitative feedback, too. Reach out to your top fundraisers and ask them what worked and what didn’t. Understanding your return on investment (ROI) is key to proving your campaign's value and making the case for future fundraising efforts. You can see how other nonprofits have achieved incredible results by checking out their success stories.
Use Data to Improve Next Time
The ultimate goal of measuring your campaign is to make the next one even better. Use the insights you’ve gathered to inform your future strategy. If you noticed that fundraisers who received personalized encouragement raised more money, build that into your communication plan from the start next time. If you saw that most donations came in through mobile devices, double-check that your donation page is perfectly optimized for phones. By identifying trends in donor behavior and fundraiser activity, you can refine your approach, create better experiences for your supporters, and build a more sustainable fundraising program for your organization.
Related Articles
- Why Your Nonprofit Needs P2P Fundraising (and How to Use It)
- What is Peer to Peer Fundraising? A Simple Guide
- Top 8 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Platforms for Nonprofits
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time and effort does managing a P2P campaign actually take? That’s a great question, and the honest answer is that it depends on your tools. The initial setup—writing your story, designing the page, and creating your promotional toolkit—requires a focused effort upfront. Once the campaign is live, your main job is to support your fundraisers. This can be time-consuming if you're doing it all manually, but with the right platform and automation for things like welcome messages or progress updates, you can manage the campaign effectively without it becoming a full-time job.
What's the best way to encourage our fundraisers to keep going if they lose momentum? It’s completely normal for motivation to dip, especially in a longer campaign. The key is consistent, personal encouragement. A generic email blast won't cut it. Instead, focus on direct check-ins. A quick direct message asking how they're doing or celebrating a small win can make a huge difference. Also, creating a community space, like a Facebook Group, allows fundraisers to cheer each other on, which takes some of the motivational work off your plate.
Is P2P fundraising a good fit for a small nonprofit with a smaller following? Absolutely. In fact, it can be one of the most effective ways for a smaller organization to grow. Peer-to-peer fundraising is designed to help you reach beyond your current audience. Even if you only have a small group of deeply passionate supporters, you are empowering them to introduce your cause to their personal networks. This strategy is less about the size of your starting list and more about the passion of your core supporters.
How do we handle thanking all the new donors who give through our supporters' pages? This is so important for turning those new donors into long-term supporters. Your fundraising platform should automatically send a tax receipt and a thank-you email immediately after a donation is made. But you can go a step further. Plan a follow-up email from your organization a week or two later, welcoming them to your community and sharing a story about the impact of their gift. This helps build a direct relationship with them from the very beginning.
Besides a big event like a walk or run, what other kinds of P2P campaigns work well? You have so many options beyond traditional athletic events. Virtual campaigns, like a Facebook Challenge where participants commit to an activity for a month, are incredibly popular and effective. You can also build campaigns around giving days, birthdays, or holidays, where supporters ask for donations instead of gifts. Another great approach is a "Do-It-Yourself" campaign, which gives your supporters the freedom to fundraise in whatever way feels most authentic to them.
