Season 6 Epsiode 7: Making Space for Gen Z Men in Peer-to-Peer Fundraising with The Ability Experience's Shaw Guidi

The Ability Experience’s Shaw Guidi joins the podcast to explore how organizations can better engage and support Gen Z men in peer-to-peer fundraising.

As organizations look to engage the next generation of fundraisers, many are asking the same question: what actually motivates Gen Z, and especially young men, to show up and take action?

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Shaw Guidi, Director of Chapter Engagement at The Ability Experience, the philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Shaw brings a firsthand perspective from working with college-age men across the country, offering insight into what drives their participation and what keeps them connected.

Shaw shares how competition, challenge, and personal connection play a powerful role in motivating Gen Z men. He also explores how organizations can provide structure without stifling creativity, meeting fundraisers where they are while guiding them toward success. From digital-first strategies like TikTok and livestreaming to the irreplaceable impact of in-person connection, this conversation highlights what it takes to turn initial interest into long-term commitment.

Together, we’ll explore:

– What motivates Gen Z men to engage and how competition and connection influence action
– How to balance structure and creativity while building meaningful fundraising experiences
– Why showing up in person still matters and how digital tools can amplify, not replace, human connection

Mentioned Links
The Ability Experience
Journey of Hope
Gear Up Florida
Gear Up New York

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Podcast Guest

Shaw Guidi started his non-profit experience at a young age. His family started a camp to serve people with disabilities in May of 2000, two months before he was born. As he grew up, he spent his summer vacation out at Camp Big Sky.

Once Shaw went to Western Illinois University, he found a fraternity that followed the same mission as his camp. Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and their partnered organization The Ability Experience. This mission became the reason that Shaw joined Pi Kappa Phi and in 2022 did their cross Florida cycling event, Gear Up Florida and in 2023 was the Project Manager for the cross-country trip, Journey of Hope.

While traveling on Journey of Hope, he was approached with an opportunity to join The Ability Experience staff as a Chapter Engagement Coordinator. Almost 3 years later, Shaw is now the Director of Chapter Engagement, playing a key role in the team reaching $1 million in Chapter fundraising and taking a major event from $80,000 raised in three weeks to $148,000 in that same time frame over two years.

Podcast Host

Marcie Maxwell is the CEO of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. Marcie joined the P2PPF team in 2021 after 15+ years as a front-line fundraiser, national events & campaign director and fundraising consultant. In her role, Marcie serves as a primary thought leader and community builder for the peer-to-peer fundraising industry. She started her career in fundraising with 10+ years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she ran local fundraising events, managed national volunteer partnerships and launched their national walk program. She then spent 5+ years as the Director of Chapter Fundraising Events with Make-A-Wish America, where she provided strategy, support & training to 60 chapters on the full event portfolio – walks, school fundraising, an endurance hiking program and galas & social events. In her most recent role at Charity Dynamics, she partnered with clients to provide strategic guidance and analysis to help them optimize and grow their peer-to-peer fundraising events & campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in Ethical Leadership from Christian Brothers University. She resides in Memphis, TN.