As the nonprofit sector navigates the post-pandemic world, organizations rely on the resilience and adaptability of peer-to-peer fundraising programs. These fundraising programs are more crucial than ever. A survey by Charity Dynamics of the top 30 peer to peer fundraising programs provided enlightening information. The full report highlighted a key theme: growth. In 2023, these programs continued their path of recovery and showcased significant growth, reflecting the sector’s enduring strength and innovation. Additionally, Tatango data gathered in 2023 highlights the innovative tools, such as text messaging service for nonprofits that can help maximize donations and amplify impact for peer-to-peer fundraising events. In this blog post, we will share key insights form the top 30 peer-to-peer programs and how using a text messaging service for nonprofits can increase donations and further your cause.
Survey results from the Top 30 report showed a promising uptick for the top 30 U.S. peer-to-peer fundraising events. Collectively these events garnered $1.1 billion, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year. This upward trajectory was complemented by a notable surge in participation, with 3.8 million individuals rallying behind various causes—a 15.6% increase compared to 2022. Despite these advances, the sector is still on its journey to surpass the pre-pandemic high of $1.37 billion in revenue recorded in 2019.
Peer-to-peer fundraising allows constituents to mobilize their network to contribute financially and engage in specific events such as runs, walks, or rides.This not only amplifies fundraising efforts but also fosters community and solidarity, especially in large-scale events that draw widespread participation, or nation-wide events with specific communities.
Last year, the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk led the charge as the most significant peer-to-peer program, raising an astounding $106 million. While this figure showed growth, it underscored the ongoing efforts to reach and exceed past achievements. Similarly, other events like the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s and ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s St. Jude Heroes demonstrated substantial growth, highlighting the sector’s resilience and potential for impact.
The Best Text Messaging Service for Nonprofit Peer-to-Peer Event Fundraising
In addition to the highly successful organizations mentioned above, organizations such as March of Dimes, Holt International, USO, Sandy Hook Promise, and others also use a text messaging service for nonprofits. Utilizing texting services as part of their digital toolkit can be a cost-effective communications channel, especially in the context of peer-to-peer event fundraising. Texting can significantly enhance engagement and participation by providing an immediate, direct, and personal means of communication.
What To Look For In A Text Messaging Service for Nonprofits
Not all text messaging services for nonprofits are created equal. Some platforms can only send text-only messages with a 160-character limit. Others can’t send at scale, delaying messages or taking too long to send messages to thousands of recipients.
When researching text messaging services for nonprofits, consider the following:
- Built for and experience with nonprofit organizations
- Proven results with nonprofit fundraising
- Cost-effective for nonprofit budgets with high ROI
- Ability to send messages immediately to thousands of recipients
- Integrations with tools nonprofits use regularly
- Follows TCPA guidelines and provides security and compliance measures
A platform like Tatango is built for enterprise nonprofits, offering them the ability to message their entire list with just the click of a button. Additionally, our SOC-2 qualification ensures that your constituent’s information is safe and secure. Tatango clients like March of Dimes and Alzheimer’s Association, who both raised significant funds in their peer-to-peer event fundraising and who are part of the Top 30 peer-to-peer programs, tell the story of their mission with texts containing videos, images, GIFs, and more. And because this innovative communications tool is cost-effective, and integrated with platforms and tools they already use, such as FundraiseUp, Virtuous, Hubspot, Classy, Blackbaud Luminate, and more, they can maximize donations and yield a high ROI. To learn more about how a text messaging service for nonprofits can work, check out our Ultimate Guide To Nonprofit Text Messaging.
How To Use A Text Messaging Service for Nonprofit Peer-to-Peer Event Fundraising
There are so many ways to use a text messaging service for nonprofit peer-to-peer event fundraising. From before the event to maintaining communication with supporters, engaging constituents regularly is crucial for making them feel valued and a part of your mission. Check out this video for more:
How To Use Texting For Nonprofit Run, Walk, Ride Events
Using Text Messaging Before Your Event
Text Messaging is a great way to get participants excited about your run, walk, or ride event.
Collect phone numbers as part of your participants opt-in to your email list, or as they’re registering for the event. Here are just a few text messages your organization could send:
- Event updates
- Coaching participants to raise money(pro tip: make it a shareable link so they can share the donation page with a friend!)
- Last minute updates
- Event recruitment
- What to expect on the day of the event
- Stories of the impact your nonprofit is making
Using Text Messaging During Your Event
Texting can play a crucial role in fundraising, particularly during the events themselves. Participants can share their progress, invite friends to join them, ask for support, and celebrate milestones in real-time, leveraging their immediate networks for spur-of-the-moment contributions. This immediacy can harness the enthusiasm and communal spirit of the event, translating it directly into fundraising success.
Using Text Messaging After Your Event
After your run, walk, or ride event, be sure to text participants, volunteers, and others involved with your event. Continue the excitement and dialogue via text after your event by sending post-event statistics, donation amounts and what they were used for surveys and polls, and a thank you to volunteers, participants, and other key people.
As we reflect on the achievements of years past and look ahead to the future, peer-to-peer fundraising events can be highly impactful when used in conjunction with text messaging services for nonprofits. The most successful nonprofits continue to evolve and embrace new technologies. With immediate, personal communications, nonprofits can deepen constituent engagement, boost event participation, and accelerate their fundraising efforts.
