The Alzheimer’s Association has been named 2019 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Organization of the Year by the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum.
The award recognizes its work in developing record-shattering campaigns that set the standard for nonprofits across North America.
A signature event for the Alzheimer’s Association, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, drew more than 526,000 walkers and raised nearly $97 million in 2018 — making it the nation’s third-largest P2P fundraising campaign. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the only large walk campaign in the U.S. that has grown its annual revenue each year since 2006.
The Longest Day, the Alzheimer’s Association’s second signature event, saw revenue increase by more than $2.2 million in 2018 to $7.8 million, making it one of the nation’s most successful ongoing do-it-yourself fundraising programs.
“Running one consistently successful, large-scale peer-to-peer fundraising campaign is difficult for any organization. Running two is almost unheard of,” said David Hessekiel, founder and president of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. “The Alzheimer’s Association continues to break the mold — and it clearly deserves to be recognized as our Organization of the Year.”
About Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Peer-to-peer fundraising is the practice of having a nonprofit’s supporters take part in an activity such as a walk, bike ride or challenge and reach out to their friends, family members and colleagues for donations. Collectively, peer-to-peer programs raise billions of dollars annually for thousands of nonprofits nationwide.
Few peer-to-peer programs have demonstrated the level of consistent success that the Alzheimer’s Association have lead.
Setting the Pace
At a time when most other large national walks have plateaued, The Walk to End Alzheimer’s has nearly doubled revenues in the past six years.
Even as the walk has grown, the Alzheimer’s Association has invested in reaching new audiences through The Longest Day, a do-it-yourself fundraising campaign in which participants lead their own fundraising events on June 21.
The Longest Day — which started in 2012 — has shown a consistent pattern of growth, even as many nonprofits have struggled to sustain and grow DIY campaigns,
“Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Longest Day are an organizational priority,” said Wendy Vizek, senior director of constituent events, Alzheimer’s Association. “We have a great partnership with our leaders in Chapters across the country and that is crucial to the success of our peer-to-peer events.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is also launching a third program this year, a bike campaign, called the Ride to End ALZ.
The Alzheimer’s Association will accept the award at the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum’s annual conference in New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 28.