The P2P Soapbox TruStory FM

Being a leader in the peer-to-peer world can feel like a whirlwind of demands. Stay relevant. Innovate. Stick to the fundamentals. Explore new revenue streams. Prioritize effectively. Cultivate meaningful relationships. It’s a lot to juggle and can leave even the most seasoned leader feeling a bit dizzy.
In the midst of this whirlwind, it’s crucial not to lose sight of our "why" - the reason we embarked on a career in the nonprofit sector in the first place and also why we  joined our respective organizations.
In this episode, P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell is joined by Kim Slone, Executive Vice President for Development and Community Health of the American Heart Association, which was recently recognized as the 2024 Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum Organization Of The Year .  They delve into how this century-old organization remains relevant to today's volunteers and supporters, the importance of building relationships with internal colleagues & volunteers, and how all of this can be accomplished by staying true to your “why”.

In this episode, we’ll also explore:
Messaging strategies to engage a new generation of fundraisersThe delicate balance between revenue diversification and strategic focusThe importance of understanding your community’s motivation
Mentioned Links
American Heart Association
Heart Walk
Kids Heart Challenge
Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Connect with Kim
Connect with Marcie
Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

(00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
(01:01) - Introducing Kim Slone
(06:16) - How does the American Heart Association use P2P?
(08:29) - Staying Relevant over 100 Years
(16:34) - The Importance of Relationships
(20:34) - Growing from Where You Are
(24:36) - Get Involved

In the world of peer-to-peer fundraising, endurance events present a distinct set of challenges and opportunities. These events typically entail a much longer engagement window, offering both the chance to cultivate enduring relationships with participants and the hurdle of sustaining their involvement over an extended period of time.

For many participants, the commitment required—both physically and in fundraising—can be daunting, especially for first-timers. As nonprofits, it's easy to focus our communication solely on fundraising goals and our mission, but in doing so, we may overlook a crucial aspect: supporting the individual athlete in their personal journey.
In this episode, P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell is joined by World Vision USA’s Lyndsey Deane Ratchford. They delve into the significance of crafting a fundraiser communication journey that revolves around the needs and motivations of their runners and discuss how these overarching concepts can translate into a comprehensive multi-channel messaging strategy.
In this episode, we’ll also explore:
- The value of creating custom messaging strategies for different demographic audiences
- The power of vulnerability & empathy in peer-to-peer relationships
- How to help your team prioritize participant-centric communication
Mentioned Links
Team World Vision
World Vision USA
World Vision International
Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Connect with LyndseyConnect with Marcie
Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

(00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
(02:18) - Introducing Lindsey Deane Ratchford
(10:23) - About Team World Vision
(14:56) - A Focus on Messaging
(35:44) - Learn More

It seems obvious that peer-to-peer fundraising events would be designed with the organization's missions in mind.
 
However, amidst the critical logistics decisions, competing messaging priorities and the influence of multiple stakeholders, prioritizing a mission-centric approach can inadvertently take a back seat.

In this episode, Cure SMA’s Jesse Aynes & Kyle Houlihan join P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell for a conversation on the importance of leading with a mission-first strategy. Kyle & Jesse will share how their team is expanding the Walk-n-Roll community by engaging direct mission providers and tell the story of how they launched a new on-site mission experience - and what they learned from it.

In this episode, we’ll also explore:
- The importance of a consistent branding & mission experience - and the distinction between the two
- How their program is evolving to meet the needs and share the stories of the SMA community
- The full-circle impact of the Walk-n-Roll program on Cure SMA’s mission

Mentioned Links
Cure SMA
Cure SMA Walk-n-Roll
On Social: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube & Twitter/X

Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Connect with Jesse
Connect with KyleConnect with Marcie
Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum


(00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
(03:34) - Introducing Jesse & Kyle
(07:25) - About SMA
(10:40) - Igniting the community around the mission
(17:58) - The Care Center Network
(32:33) - Facing Better Problems
(37:35) - Learn More

At its core, peer-to-peer fundraising is built on relationship-building and community - it’s all about the people. And at the same time, the most successful fundraising campaigns are equally driven by the numbers.

With hundreds of events, thousands of participants and an extensive supporter base, even minor adjustments can have an exponential impact, meaning it is critical to understand your key performance indicators and build intentional strategies to both maintain and grow each one.

In the episode, P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell is joined by Mary Sorensen & Morgan Sills of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).  Mary & Morgan will delve into how their team is drilling down into their data from the national program level to individual markets and even to individual teams and fundraisers to find their greatest areas of opportunity for NAMIWalks.

In this episode, we’ll also explore:
- How small changes can lead to exponential growth
- Using data to gain strategy buy-in
- How to customize communications based on data

Mentioned Links
NAMI
NAMIWalks
On Social: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn &Twitter/X

Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Connect with Mary
Connect with Morgan
Connect with Marcie
Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

At the 2024 Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum conference in Philadephia, we unveiled the P2P Fundraising Top 30 programs for both the U.S. and Canada. This study compiled data from  134 programs, making it the largest P2P study ever. 

In this special solo episode, P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell digs into the newly unveiled 2023 Top 30, highlighting top success stories, key benchmarks, and trends to watch for 2024.

Mentioned Links
U.S. P2P Top 30 Study
Canadian P2P Top 30 Study
Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Connect with Marcie
Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

(00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
(00:44) - The Peer 2 Peer Fundraising and Benchmark Report

In the realm of peer-to-peer fundraising, DIY campaigns often receive less attention and investment compared to more traditional programs. The term "Do It Yourself" fundraising may suggest a hands-off approach to organizers.

However, this misconception overlooks a significant opportunity. Frequently, individuals who initiate their own fundraising events exhibit even greater passion and personal investment in our cause compared to participants in traditional walks, runs, and rides.

The most successful DIY programs in our field recognize the true value these fundraisers bring and prioritize building relationships and providing support to ensure their success.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell of P2P Fundraising is joined by Becky Mitts, Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development at Ovarian Cancer Canada. Becky shares her team's journey in understanding their DIY landscape, identifying opportunities and advocating for the prioritization of DIY within the organization. They delve into the challenges and outdated perspectives that often hinder organizations from developing a strategic DIY fundraising approach.

In this episode, we’ll also explore:
Tips for overcoming technology challenges in DIY programsHow DIY and traditional P2P programs can co-exist and complement each otherHow third-party fundraisers can serve as a testing ground for your organization
Mentioned Links
Ovarian Cancer Canada
On Social: Instagram, YouTube &Twitter/X

Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Connect with BeckyConnect with Marcie
Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

(00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
(01:46) - Introducing Becky Mitts
(06:02) - Overhauling DIY
(11:18) - Fundraising Lessons Learned
(21:04) - Program Cross-over
(23:26) - New to DIY? Here's what you need to know.