Fundraising has always been about bringing people together for a shared cause. But traditional methods — like bake sales, silent auctions, and single-page donation forms — can limit your reach and fundraising potential. That’s where peer-to-peer fundraising with Cheddar Up comes in.
By giving your group members personalized fundraising pages, you can expand your network, boost engagement, and increase donations — all on a simple, user-friendly platform.
In this ultimate peer-to-peer fundraising guide, we’ll explore:
Whether you’re fundraising for a school, nonprofit, sports team, or community group, this strategy can help you raise more while building a stronger, more engaged donor community.
What Is Peer-to-Peer Fundraising?
Peer-to-peer fundraising is a community-driven approach where individuals raise money on behalf of an organization. Instead of relying on a single donation page, each participant gets a customizable fundraising page they can personalize and share with their network.
The Power of Personal Connection
One of the biggest reasons peer-to-peer fundraising is so effective is because it’s driven by trusted relationships. Rather than receiving a generic donation request, potential donors hear from someone they know and trust, making the appeal more meaningful and persuasive.
When supporters share their fundraising pages, they’re not just asking for donations—they’re inviting their network to be part of something bigger. This emotional connection often leads to more significant contributions, stronger donor relationships, and long-term support, helping organizations grow a committed and engaged community.
Three Types of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
One of the most significant advantages of peer-to-peer fundraising with Cheddar Up is its flexibility. Whether you want to collect flat donations, sell fundraising items, or run an athon, there’s a model to fit your needs.
Flat Donations: The Classic Approach
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How It Works:
Participants ask for one-time donations from their network.
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Best For:
Schools, sports teams, churches, and community groups.
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Why It Works:
Simple and effective — no products to sell, just direct contributions.
Example:
A high school band runs a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign to raise money for a trip. Each student gets a custom donation page and shares it with friends and family.
Item Sales: Sell More with Personal Fundraising Stores
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How It Works:
Participants receive an online storefront selling fundraising items like t-shirts, popcorn, cakes, or coffee.
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Best For:
Booster clubs, youth groups, and nonprofits looking to sell products for a cause.
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Why It Works:
More sellers mean more buyers, leading to higher sales.
Example:
A local lacrosse team uses Cheddar Up to sell bundt cakes. Each player gets their own page to promote their store, driving more sales.
Athons: Raise Money for Every Step, Lap, or Book Read (Coming Soon!)
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How It Works:
Donors pledge an amount per unit of activity (e.g., per mile walked or per book read).
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Best For:
Walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, and bike-a-thons.
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Why It Works:
Donors stay engaged throughout the fundraiser and often give more.
Example:
A school hosts a read-a-thon where students gather pledges for every book they complete. Ultimately, donors are charged based on the student’s reading progress.
How Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Works
Setting up a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign is a seamless process with Cheddar Up’s intuitive tools.
1. Create a Main Fundraising Page
Your main Cheddar Up fundraising page is the central hub of your peer-to-peer campaign. It is the first thing donors see, so it needs to be clear, engaging, and inspiring.
Here’s what to include:
A compelling campaign description:
- Explain what you’re raising money for and who will benefit.
- Share a short, emotionally compelling story to connect with potential donors.
- Highlight the impact of donations, making it clear why contributions matter.
A strong visual (banner image or video):
- Choose a high-quality image that represents your cause.
- Include a short video featuring organizers, participants, or beneficiaries if possible.
- Visuals help make your campaign feel more personal and urgent, leading to more engagement.
A donation goal and progress bar:
- Set a clear fundraising target so donors know what you’re working toward.
- Use a progress bar to create urgency and momentum — people love seeing goals get closer!
- A visible goal encourages larger contributions, especially as the campaign nears its target.
A well-designed main page makes it easy for donors to understand the cause, feel inspired, and take action — whether donating directly or supporting a participant.
2. Add Participants
One of the most significant aspects of peer-to-peer fundraising is that it empowers individuals to become fundraisers.
Here’s how to set them up for success:
Encourage participants to customize their page:
- Add a message, photo, or video to make their appeal more compelling.
- A personal touch helps donors feel more connected to the cause.
Let participants set their own fundraising goals:
- Allow them to choose a goal that feels achievable and motivating (e.g., $100, $500, or $5,000).
- Clear goals keep them engaged and encourage donors to help them reach their target.
Turn participants into dedicated advocates:
- Give them the tools to personalize, track, and promote their fundraising pages.
- The more engaged they are, the more successful the campaign will be!
Empowering and equipping participants creates a team of motivated fundraisers to help expand your reach and maximize donations.
3. Activate Fundraising Features
Integrating interactive fundraising tools is essential to keep the energy high and participants engaged. These features help create momentum, encourage friendly competition, and drive more donations.
Leaderboards:
- Showcase top fundraisers in real time to inspire friendly competition.
- Motivate participants to push for higher donation amounts by recognizing their efforts.
Donor Messages:
- Allow supporters to leave words of encouragement as they donate.
- Builds excitement and reinforces the impact of each contribution.
Goal Progress Bar:
- Provides a visual representation of fundraising goals.
- Watching the progress made creates urgency and encourages last-minute donations.
These interactive features keep participants engaged and motivate them to raise more for your cause.
4. Encourage Participants to Share
The success of a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign depends on how well participants promote their fundraising pages. The more they share, the wider their reach and the more donations they collect. Since not all participants will know the best ways to spread the word, providing them with easy-to-use sharing tools and a QR code to their campaign page is key.
Provide Ready-to-Use Email Templates:
- Include a heartfelt message, a direct donation link, and a clear call to action (e.g., “Click here to donate and help me reach my goal!”).
- Pre-written templates make it easy for participants to send personalized donation requests.
Leverage Social Media for Maximum Reach:
- Encourage social media posts by participants on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- Suggest sharing:
- Progress updates (e.g., “I’m halfway to my goal—help me get there!”)
- Personal stories and images that connect donors to the cause
- Short videos or live streams discussing their fundraising journey
Make It Easy with Text Message Templates:
- Texting is one of the fastest ways to reach potential donors.
- Provide pre-written text templates participants can quickly send to family and friends.
- A short, direct message with a donation link makes it easy for busy supporters to contribute on the spot.
Equipping participants with the right tools and messaging empowers them to spread the word effectively, leading to higher engagement and increased donations.
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5. Track and Celebrate Progress
Keeping a close eye on fundraising progress helps maintain excitement and motivation throughout the campaign. Use Cheddar Up’s real-time dashboard to monitor who’s raising the most, where donations come from, and overall campaign performance. It creates an engaging and rewarding experience that keeps participants and donors invested until the last donation.
Take Your Fundraising to the Next Level
Peer-to-peer fundraising is one of the most powerful ways to expand your reach, increase donations, and strengthen connections. Turning group members into fundraisers amplifies your impact and fosters a more profound sense of involvement and shared purpose.
Whether running a flat donation drive, selling fundraising items, or launching an athon, Cheddar Up equips participants with the right tools to rally their networks, drive meaningful support, and build a stronger, more engaged community around your cause.
Before you go
With Cheddar Up, you can empower your group members to rally around a cause, turning individual efforts into a powerful movement. Start your peer-to-peer campaign today and watch your community unite to make a difference!
