Peer-to-peer fundraising has long been dominated by charities that fight diseases and promote health.
But can charities that have non-health missions achieve the same levels of success?
Among the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising programs in the United States in 2014, all but two were related to health and disease. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids’ Sake and Junior Achievement’s Bowl-a-Thon were the exceptions.
But a growing number of newer programs at non-health charities are starting to gain traction and could soon be crashing the party.
Climate Ride, a series of endurance bike rides that support charities working on the issue of climate change, is one example. While it is still small in size (it raised just more than $1.5-million in 2014), its fundraising total increased by 75 percent last year and more growth is expected this year.
Andrew Valainis, Climate Ride’s operations and rider manager, says it is challenging for charities with non-disease missions to make a personal connection with its volunteers. But it’s not impossible.
He says the organization spends a lot of time working with its riders to help them identify why they are passionate about the cause — and then it helps them communicate that passion with their friends and family.
“Sharing that passion is really what gets them to donate and to support you,” Valainis says.
Watch the video above to hear more advice about how non-disease charities can inspire their supporters to raise money on their behalf.