You’ve decided to run a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign because you know it’s a great way to increase your prospective donor base, engage your supporters, and share your campaign beyond your current network.
After finalizing the details, including your campaign theme, goal, and timeframe, you’ve created the main website and you’re ready to roll! But there’s an essential step you have to allow time for here—you have to recruit peer-to-peer fundraisers before you kick off the campaign.
After seeing thousands of peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns hosted on our platform, we at CauseVox know it’s best to start recruiting fundraisers early in the process. In fact, finding people to fundraise on behalf of your organization should be at the very top of your to-do list.
Think of your peer-to-peer fundraisers as the fuel for your vehicle. You simply can’t get where you need to be without them!
Here are 6 ways to recruit peer-to-peer fundraisers for your upcoming campaign.
1. Leverage Your Inner Circle First
When it comes to launching a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, your best first recruits are the people closest to your mission such as your board, staff, volunteers, and of course, anyone who has participated in any peer-to-peer fundraisers you’ve hosted in the past. These individuals already believe in your cause, understand your goals, and have a natural influence within your community. When they commit early, they set the tone for others and provide powerful social proof that encourages wider participation.
Start with your most loyal supporters. Invite them to be the first to set up their fundraising pages, share their stories, and start raising money on your behalf. Their early involvement creates momentum that makes it easier to recruit additional fundraisers.
Empower used a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign to raise nearly $200k. Jeff was a peer-to-peer fundraiser who exceeded his initial personal goal and brought $3,400 into the campaign.
If you have a board meeting scheduled before your campaign launch, use that time to introduce the opportunity. Bring along campaign details and sample materials to make it easy for members to get involved. If timing doesn’t line up, carve out time to connect with board members individually by phone. The key is to personally invite them to lead the charge—it will make a measurable difference.
Volo Kids put on a peer-to-peer fundraiser with their board members
2. Tap Into Your Donor Base
Your donors already believe in your mission; that’s why they give. That makes them a natural next group to invite into your peer-to-peer campaign. Becoming a fundraiser allows them to take their support to the next level, not just by giving themselves, but by rallying others to join in.
When reaching out, use your CRM to help you start with donors who have given multiple times or at higher amounts. These supporters have already demonstrated a strong commitment, and peer-to-peer fundraising is a great way for them to multiply their impact without necessarily increasing their own giving.
Inviting your donor base into your peer-to-peer fundraising campaign helps you expand your reach, like Amigos who received over 600 individual donations!
But don’t overlook donors who give smaller or more occasional gifts, sometimes they’re the most enthusiastic ambassadors! The key is to personalize your ask based on their giving history, and to keep your invitation warm and relational. For example, “We’re so grateful for the support you’ve given. Would you consider sharing your passion for our mission with friends and family by creating a fundraising page?”
3. Use Story-Driven Social Media and Email Campaigns
Your social media channels and email list are some of the most powerful tools you have for recruiting peer-to-peer fundraisers. They connect you not only with your most loyal supporters, like donors, volunteers, and advocates, but also with acquaintances and new followers who may be just starting to learn about your cause.
Because social media and email reach people at every stage of connection, they’re the perfect outlets to spread the word about your campaign. Start sharing a few weeks before launch to build anticipation, and then keep the momentum going with regular posts and updates throughout your campaign. Remember: it’s never too late for someone to jump in as a fundraiser!
What works really well is sharing short, emotive stories that show the real impact of peer-to-peer fundraising. Video is especially powerful here. Highlight how past fundraisers have made a difference, and let their voices shine. End every post or email with a clear call-to-action and an easy link to sign up.
Email is also essential because some of your supporters may not be on your donor or board lists, or active on social media. Send a dedicated email to your contacts announcing the upcoming campaign and invite individual fundraisers to participate. Include a direct link to create a fundraising page, or provide the contact info of a staff member who can guide them through the process. We highly recommend creating a toolkit for your peer-to-peer fundraisers so they have everything they need for a successful campaign.
Orangewood Foundation created an easy to use toolkit for their peer-to-peer fundraisers.
Download Our Free Customizable Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Toolkit Template:
4. Recruit Through Events
Some of your best peer-to-peer fundraisers come from personal connections. If you have an upcoming gala, community event, or virtual gathering, carve out a moment to invite attendees to join your campaign. Share a quick success story from a past participant—or better yet, have the participant share it themselves— highlighting the difference they made and the fun they had fundraising. Hearing real experiences firsthand can inspire immediate sign-ups and create excitement around your campaign.
At your events, take a few minutes to introduce your peer-to-peer campaign and share a quick story of a past fundraiser’s success to make it relatable. Make it simple for attendees to get involved by offering a QR code, link, or contact info so they can sign up on the spot, and be sure to follow up afterward with a thank-you email and a reminder on how to join.
5. Offer Incentives and Recognition
People love feeling appreciated, and peer-to-peer fundraising is no exception. Offering incentives and recognition is a simple way to motivate participants and keep momentum going, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Small gestures can go a long way. For example, leaderboard shoutouts that highlight top fundraisers on your campaign page, social media, or in email updates are an easy way to celebrate their efforts.
Exclusive updates can also make fundraisers feel special. Sharing behind-the-scenes stories, insider news, or early access to campaign results gives participants a sense of connection and importance. Even small thank-you gifts like personalized notes and branded merchandise can make supporters feel seen and valued.
Well Aware used a leaderboard on their fundraising site to highlight the peer-to-peer fundraisers who were raising the most.
By recognizing participants’ efforts in ways that are visible, meaningful, and easy to deliver, you create a positive feedback loop: people feel appreciated, stay engaged, and encourage others to get involved.
Download our Free Ultimate Guide To Peer-to-Peer Fundraising:
6. Empower Past Fundraisers to Recruit for You
Your best ambassadors are the people who have already participated in peer-to-peer fundraising for your organization. They know the process, have experienced the impact firsthand, and can authentically share their enthusiasm with others. Encourage them to invite friends, family, and coworkers to join the campaign, helping you expand your reach organically.
Razor Aquatics had nearly 800 individuals donate through their peer-to-peer fundraising pages, allowing them to raise $50,000!
Make it easy for them to spread the word by providing a simple “recruitment kit” that includes a template email, social media post, and FAQ. This gives past fundraisers the tools they need to confidently and effectively bring new participants on board. By tapping into the networks of those who already believe in your mission, you create a multiplier effect that can significantly boost your campaign’s success.
Ready To Recruit More Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers?
Recruiting peer-to-peer fundraisers is all about tapping into the people who already believe in your mission—your board, staff, volunteers, donors, and past fundraisers—and giving them the tools, encouragement, and recognition they need to succeed.
By leveraging your inner circle, sharing compelling stories, offering meaningful incentives, and empowering ambassadors, you create a ripple effect that spreads your campaign far beyond your immediate network. With thoughtful planning and relational outreach, every supporter can become a passionate fundraiser, helping your organization reach new heights.
Ready to host a successful peer-to-peer fundraiser? Host it for free on CauseVox! Get started here.
