By David Hessekiel
P2P Professional Forum Founder
Six years ago, a leader in our industry told me to keep an eye on independent or third-party fundraising. Nonprofits were uncomfortable with supporters “doing their own thing,” but the pendulum was swinging in that direction.
“Sure, sure,” I replied, but I didn’t prioritize that sector because my eye was fixed on the world of runs, walks, rides and endurance fundraising Fast forward to August 2016 and “do it yourself fundraising” is a hot topic for almost all organizations seriously engaged in peer-to-peer.
Numerous groups have set up portal pages encouraging supporters to dedicate their birthdays, arrange tributes, organize events or choose virtually any activity. Only a few groups are bringing in big bucks this way, but in age of social media it’s clear that DIY is here to stay and growing. Over the summer, I’ve spoken with dozens of members of our community about DIY fundraising and it is clear that:
- they want to learn more
- this area is the “wild, wild west” of P2P with lots of obstacles to be overcome
That’s why we’re excited to be undertaking a serious study of this marketplace to help establish a common language, identify best practices and provide guidance on major challenges.
Whether you call it DIY, independent fundraising, third-party events or something else, we’d like to learn about the status of your efforts and the questions you have.
Please email me today with your thoughts – and enjoy the waning days of summer.