Peer-to-peer fundraising continues to be one of the fastest-growing ways for nonprofits to expand their reach and revenue. In fact, participation in the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising programs grew 15.6% from 2022 to 2023, signaling that organizations of every size are seeing success by turning their supporters into active fundraisers.
Peer-to-peer fundraising empowers your most passionate advocates to raise money on your behalf by launching their own campaigns and sharing them with friends, family, and coworkers. It’s not just a modern fundraising trend—it’s a proven way to engage new audiences and build long-term donor relationships.
Get the Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser Toolkit and Templates. Make it easy for your volunteers to launch and manage successful campaigns. The Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser Toolkit includes templates, messaging examples, and setup checklists to help supporters create their fundraising pages, stay engaged, and reach their goals faster.
Peer-to-peer fundraising works as both a stand-alone campaign and a powerful add-on to events like galas, golf tournaments, or community days. Here are a few creative ways organizations are using it:
- Supporters compete to create the best signature cocktail, with votes cast through donations.
- Golf foursomes raise funds as teams before the event, competing both on the leaderboard and the course.
- Kids submit artwork or projects for supporters to “vote” on through small gifts.
If your nonprofit hasn’t explored peer-to-peer fundraising yet, now’s the time. It’s flexible, community-driven, and can extend your fundraising timeline well beyond event day.
Choosing the Right Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Platform
If your nonprofit hasn’t explored peer-to-peer fundraising yet, now’s the time. It’s flexible, community-driven, and can extend your fundraising timeline well beyond event day.
Selecting the right peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make—it shapes your campaign’s success, volunteer engagement, and donor experience. The right platform gives supporters an easy way to create personalized fundraising pages, track donations in real time, and collaborate as teams to support your mission.
Modern P2P tools also integrate seamlessly with your CRM, email marketing, and event management systems to simplify setup and reporting. Learn how GiveSmart’s peer-to-peer fundraising solution streamlines campaign management and supporter engagement.
When evaluating P2P platforms, prioritize features that drive participation and efficiency:
- Mobile optimization for effortless giving and campaign management on any device
- Social sharing tools to help fundraisers amplify their stories across platforms
- Donor recognition features like automated thank-yous and progress badges
- Team fundraising and leaderboards to encourage friendly competition
- Customizable templates that reflect your brand and event goals
For example, GiveSmart offers a complete suite of peer-to-peer tools that let supporters build custom pages, inspire participation through live leaderboards, and automate donor outreach—all within a unified platform.
Fundraising Platform Features
A strong platform does more than process donations—it builds engagement and deepens relationships. Look for solutions with built-in communication tools, secure payment processing, and flexible reporting that scales with your organization’s growth. The best systems help you spend less time on administration and more time nurturing the community that powers your mission.
Differences Between Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising are often used interchangeably, but they serve very different purposes—and understanding those differences can help you choose the right approach for your goals.
Crowdfunding typically centers around a single campaign created and managed by an individual or organization to raise money for a specific project or need. Donors give directly to that campaign, and once the goal is met, the activity usually ends.
Peer-to-peer fundraising, on the other hand, empowers supporters to fundraise on your organization’s behalf. Each participant creates their own campaign page and reaches out to their network to help you meet a larger collective goal. This not only expands your reach but also deepens community engagement by turning donors into advocates.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising vs. Crowdfunding
Here’s how they differ:
- Campaign ownership: Crowdfunding is run by one person or organization; peer-to-peer fundraising is powered by many fundraisers supporting your cause.
- Donor relationship: Crowdfunding attracts one-time donations, while peer-to-peer builds community and long-term engagement.
- Goals and impact: Crowdfunding supports personal or one-off projects; peer-to-peer fundraising advances your nonprofit’s ongoing mission.
- Scale: Crowdfunding relies on one campaign, while peer-to-peer involves many smaller efforts contributing to a shared goal.
Both models can raise meaningful funds, but peer-to-peer fundraising creates something more lasting—a network of advocates who amplify your mission year after year.
If you’re ready to expand your reach, explore GiveSmart’s peer-to-peer fundraising solution to see how your supporters can fundraise on your behalf.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Ideas & Tips
Peer-to-peer fundraising works best when it’s fun, flexible, and tied to your community’s passions. Whether it’s part of a larger event or a stand-alone campaign, creative formats encourage participation and help your supporters feel like part of something bigger.
Here are several event-based ideas to inspire your next campaign:
- Walks, runs, or rides: Invite supporters to collect pledges for every mile completed. Add leaderboards or milestone badges to keep motivation high.
- Golf tournaments: Have foursomes compete to raise the most funds before tee time, with prizes for both athletic and fundraising performance.
- Gala challenges: Let attendees raise money ahead of your annual gala by creating personal pages tied to tables or teams.
- Virtual contests: Host online challenges—like bake-offs, trivia nights, or talent shows—where participants share donation links and encourage votes through gifts.
- Creative competitions: Ask supporters to submit cocktail recipes, pet photos, or themed artwork, and have the community “vote” for winners with donations.
- Seasonal campaigns: Tie your fundraiser to a holiday or awareness month to spark engagement (e.g., Giving Tuesday, Breast Cancer Awareness Month).
- Corporate and team challenges: Encourage local businesses or departments to form teams and compete to raise the most funds.
Each of these ideas can be launched as a stand-alone campaign or wrapped around an existing event to expand its reach. With a peer-to-peer fundraising platform like GiveSmart, it’s easy for your volunteers to create pages, share stories, and track results in real time.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising as a Wrap-Around Event
Peer-to-peer fundraising isn’t just budget-friendly—it’s budget-building. Adding a peer-to-peer component around your main event can significantly extend your fundraising timeline and revenue potential.
Start your campaign early—30, 60, or even 90 days before your event—so supporters can begin raising funds while you promote ticket sales. Encourage your volunteers and attendees to create fundraising pages and set personal goals that contribute to your overall target.
You can use peer-to-peer fundraising as a pre-event warm-up, an in-event challenge, or a post-event thank-you campaign:
- Before: Build excitement and momentum leading up to your event.
- During: Highlight leaderboards or team totals live at the event to inspire last-minute gifts.
- After: Celebrate top fundraisers and keep engagement going with post-event donations.
This approach turns your event from a single-day fundraiser into a multi-week engagement opportunity—helping you reach new donors, boost participation, and amplify your total impact.
Finding Your Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Volunteers
A successful peer-to-peer campaign starts with the right volunteers. Your fundraisers can come from anywhere—active donors, current or former board members, staff, corporate partners, or engaged community members.
Start by identifying people who already care about your mission and have a story to tell. For example, suppose you’re raising funds to feed animals at your shelter, reach out to recurring volunteers or families who have adopted pets. In that case, they have a personal connection that inspires others to give.
To recruit effectively:
- Promote on multiple channels: Post on social media, include a callout in your email newsletter, and highlight volunteer fundraisers on your website.
- Build a persona: Outline what an ideal fundraiser looks like for your cause—this helps you target outreach more effectively.
- Make participation easy: Provide templates, email scripts, and branded graphics your fundraisers can share instantly.
When volunteers have the tools and confidence to share your mission, they become authentic ambassadors who attract new donors and expand your reach.
Motivating Your Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers
Once your volunteers are on board, keep them energized with creative, budget-friendly incentives. Recognition and friendly competition can go a long way toward maintaining momentum.
Try these ideas to inspire participation:
- Make it a competition: Offer digital badges or small prizes at key fundraising milestones, and share leaderboard updates to spark motivation.
- Offer complimentary tickets: Reward top fundraisers with free or discounted admission to your event, and recognize them publicly during the program.
- Host raffles or giveaways: Provide free raffle entries or exclusive items for fundraisers who hit their goals.
- Plan appreciation experiences: Consider a thank-you event or casual celebration—like a volunteer luncheon or happy hour—to recognize your most active supporters.
Consistent encouragement and visibility are key. Spotlight fundraisers on social media, in newsletters, and at events to celebrate their impact and inspire others to join.
Get Your Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Toolkit
Make it easy for your volunteers to set up and manage successful campaigns. The Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser Toolkit includes ready-to-use templates, sample messaging, and setup checklists to help supporters create pages, share your mission, and hit their goals faster.
Whether you’re launching your first campaign or refreshing an existing event, this toolkit simplifies every step and keeps your fundraisers engaged from start to finish.
How P2P Fundraising Boosts Events and Donor Engagement
Peer-to-peer fundraising offers a dynamic, cost-effective way to amplify your nonprofit’s mission and deepen donor engagement. By empowering supporters to create their own campaigns—through creative contests, team challenges, or integrated event experiences—you extend your fundraising timeline and expand your donor base far beyond event day.
Integrating peer-to-peer fundraising into your event strategy helps maximize revenue, strengthen community ties, and inspire year-round giving. Now is the time to harness the power of your most passionate supporters and elevate your fundraising strategy to new heights.
Pair your next campaign with GiveSmart’s peer-to-peer fundraising solution and your Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser Toolkit to start building momentum today.
FAQ
What is peer-to-peer fundraising?
Peer-to-peer fundraising is a strategy where supporters raise money on behalf of your nonprofit by creating personal or team fundraising pages. Each participant shares their campaign with friends, family, and coworkers to expand your reach and impact.
How does peer-to-peer fundraising work?
Your organization sets up a central campaign, and participants create their own fundraising pages connected to it. They share their stories, collect donations, and help you reach your overall goal. Platforms like GiveSmart’s peer-to-peer fundraising solution make it easy to manage these campaigns and track results in real time.
What’s the difference between crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising?
Crowdfunding is a single campaign run by one person or organization for a specific need. Peer-to-peer fundraising empowers multiple supporters to run individual campaigns that roll up to a shared goal—building community and long-term engagement in the process.
What is a peer-to-peer fundraising platform?
A peer-to-peer fundraising platform provides the technology that allows supporters to create personalized campaign pages, accept donations securely, and track progress. It often includes features like social sharing tools, leaderboards, and donor recognition to keep fundraisers motivated.
How effective is peer-to-peer fundraising for nonprofits?
Peer-to-peer fundraising is highly effective for expanding donor networks and driving engagement. According to recent data, participation in the top 30 peer-to-peer programs grew more than 15% year over year, showing strong donor interest and sustainable impact.
What should I look for in a peer-to-peer fundraising platform?
Choose a platform that’s easy for volunteers to use and integrates with your CRM, email, and event tools. Look for mobile-friendly donation pages, social sharing options, real-time leaderboards, and automated thank-you messages. These features make campaigns more engaging and efficient for both staff and supporters.
How do I recruit peer-to-peer fundraisers?
Start with your most engaged supporters—recurring donors, board members, volunteers, and corporate partners. Share calls to action in your newsletter and on social media, and provide a toolkit with messaging templates and visuals to make participation easy.
How can I motivate peer-to-peer fundraisers?
Encourage friendly competition with badges or leaderboards, recognize top fundraisers at events, and offer small incentives like raffle entries or free event tickets. Regularly update participants on progress and highlight their impact publicly to keep them inspired.
Can peer-to-peer fundraising be part of an event?
Yes. Adding a peer-to-peer component before, during, or after an event helps expand your reach and increase revenue. Participants can start fundraising weeks before ticket sales and continue engaging their networks long after the event ends.
What are the best peer-to-peer fundraising ideas?
Popular options include walkathons, golf tournaments, virtual challenges, and creative contests like bake-offs or photo competitions. The best campaigns tie directly to your mission and make participation simple and fun for your supporters.
What is the 80/20 rule in fundraising?
The 80/20 rule (or Pareto principle) suggests that roughly 80% of donations come from 20% of donors. Peer-to-peer fundraising helps balance that ratio by empowering a broader base of supporters to contribute, engage their networks, and uncover new major-donor prospects.
