One growing area of raising money is called “peer-to-peer fundraising.” This approach invites individuals or groups to support a cause by contributing to a giving goal.
For example, you may run a race or participate in a walk and raise money for charity in the process. Friends might donate $10 to your cause after you complete a 10K. One popular approach invites alternative birthday giving. In place of presents, friends are invited to contribute to a cause.
This approach to fundraising isn’t new, but the ease of giving through online platforms and the ability to spread the word on social networks amplifies their impact. Many websites support this sort of fundraising, including some connected to the ELCA.
Nonprofits often host their own peer-to-peer giving network like the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer that, in September, hosted events in 58 communities with an initial goal of raising $10 million. Other nonprofits welcome contributions through intermediary websites such as www.activegiving.com.
Peer-to-peer giving can be a great tool for those uncomfortable with asking for money. It also welcomes a team approach, so your congregation, mission team or youth group can together work toward a shared goal.
Just this year the ELCA launched new tools to support the latest in giving trends online. Users can design events themselves and the funds raised support ELCA World Hunger (www.elca.org/TeamELCA).
In conjunction with last summer’s ELCA Youth Gathering, the Walk for Water campaign (www.elca.org/mywalk4water) also helped raise money through peer-to-peer fundraising. In fact, as part of their Rise Up Together Tour, Rachel Kurtz and Dave Scherer of the group AGAPE* are running head-to-head campaigns with goals of $50,000 each.
Laury Rinker, ELCA director for communications and marketing, said, “This is a big opportunity for the church — for all of us — to connect with the future of giving.”
