P2P: Donors as Spokespersons for your Organization

Steve Stegelin

At the heart of Raiser's Edge NXT are the assignments and relationships of the fundraisers at your organization. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg, as your donors and supporters can also be your best advocates and fundraisers. Through peer-to-peer (or P2P for short) fundraising, donors voluntarily spread your message and solicit gifts from friends and family on behalf of your organization through events like walks, bike tours, and online challenges. To get the most out of P2P fundraising, we recommend you follow these best practices.

 

Value your donors-turned-fundraisers. Donors and supporters who solicit gifts on behalf of your organization are often directly affected by your mission and help personify your cause. Learn who your P2P fundraisers are, treat them like major donors (and rock stars), and recognize the time and effort they voluntarily give to your organization. Track their online presence on social media like Facebook and Twitter, and watch for opportunities to share and recognize their efforts and excitement for your organization. For information about how to track social media accounts, check out the Online Presence Help.



Enable online and mobile P2P fundraising. Digital channels are a great way to attract new donors, and P2P fundraising is particularly effective online. Given the ubiquitous use of smart phones, tablets, and other devices, consider mobile giving as a strategic part of your fundraising (P2P or otherwise). To maximize your online presence, we recommend solutions such as everydayhero, which enable supporters to independently fund-raise on behalf of your organization. For information about how to sync everydayhero with your database, see the everydayhero Help.



Plan for how to retain new donors. Be it the trusted source, peer pressure, or familial guilt, solicitations from a close friend or family member are often much more effective than those from a faceless organization. While P2P fundraising may ease first-time giving, consider those new donors as prospects for additional or recurring gifts. To help cultivate these new relationships, assign them to fundraisers at your organization who can encourage their continued support and help put another face to your organization. For information, check out the Fundraiser Assignments Help.



How are ways you foster and recognize P2P fundraisers who solicit on behalf of your organization?