This political season, we are seeing a rise in grassroots voter mobilization.
You likely heard about the impromptu Zoom call hosted by the #WinWithBlackWomen network that brought in over 90,000 participants on the day Kamala Harris was endorsed as the Democratic presidential candidate. Since then, diverse groups—like Swifties, “White Dudes,” and “Geeks & Nerds”—have organized their own calls to action.
Regardless of political affiliation, there is much to be learned from this phenomenon when it comes to activating our peer-to-peer fundraisers.
Create community within a larger community.
These mobilization efforts thrive on connecting like-minded individuals. By leveraging affinity groups aligned with your mission (moms of kids with Type 1 diabetes, spouses of breast cancer survivors, etc.), you can tap into supporters’ desire to feel seen and understood, helping them feel less alone in their fundraising and support of our mission.
Elevate your supporters’ voices.
Most of these calls are led by members of the affinity groups themselves. By engaging ambassadors or influencers within these communities to share their stories, we can start a real conversation with our supporters that resonates more deeply, building a sense of belonging and turning shared values into action.
Empower your supporters.
These grassroots movements are successful because they are community-driven, not imposed externally. Every organization has volunteers and participants who are capable and hungry to do more – it’s our job to arm them with resources and get out of their way.
These ideas are not new to the world of peer-to-peer. Team captain kickoffs, corporate leadership breakfasts and family team rallies have been happening for years. But maybe it’s time to evolve and meet the moment, taking cues from today’s grassroots momentum.