Where does your community gather? Earlier this month, many of us gathered in Atlanta for P2PForum25, where one question was top of mind: What’s next for P2P fundraising?

In keeping with our conference theme – Back To The Future – we looked to the past for clues. History shows that peer-to-peer fundraising doesn’t just change with community trends – it expands with them:

🏘️ The 1980s: The Neighborhood Era
In the ‘80s, community was centered around neighborhoods. Small charity walks thrived because they connected neighbors in a shared cause.

🏢 The 1990s: The Workplace Era
By the ‘90s, the workplace became a dominant source of community. Corporate team challenges took off, adding a powerful new layer to P2P fundraising.

🏃‍♀️ The 2000s: The Fitness Era
In the 2000s, group fitness boomed. Marathons, endurance challenges and obstacle races became natural extensions of P2P fundraising.

📱 The 2010s & Early 2020s: The Digital Era
Social media expanded community beyond physical spaces, unlocking new P2P opportunities like viral challenges, crowdfunding and livestream fundraising.

So, what’s next? While we don’t have a time machine to see the future, one thing is clear: Community is more expansive than ever.

As new communities emerge, they don’t replace the old—they build upon them, giving us more ways to connect with both new and existing supporters. By embracing these shifts, we can expand our reach, engage new audiences and deepen relationships with existing supporters.

The key to growth is staying ahead of where people gather. If we do, we’ll be ready to meet them with the right fundraising opportunities—at the right time, in the right way.