40 peer-to-peer fundraising ideas to energize your supporters and expand your impact

Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is one of the most effective ways to activate your community and expand your nonprofit’s reach. By turning your supporters into fundraisers, you can magnify your organization’s voice, build greater awareness, and increase donations, all while strengthening relationships with the people who already care about your cause.

Whether you’re launching your first campaign or looking to freshen up your strategy, these 40 peer-to-peer fundraising ideas will help you energize your supporters, spark new engagement, and give you more funds to achieve your organization’s mission.

Peer-to-peer fundraising event ideas

Event-based peer-to-peer campaigns unite supporters around a shared experience, empowering them to raise money on your organization’s behalf. By blending high-energy, community-driven events with personal outreach, these efforts build awareness, deepen engagement, and drive donations.

1. Walk-a-thons and fun runs

A classic event-based fundraising program, walk-a-thons and fun runs recruit volunteers to log miles or minutes in support of your mission. Whether a slow-paced walk or a speed-timed 5K race, participants raise money from family and friends by collecting pledges and donations for every mile or hour of the event. With no special equipment required, the barrier to entry for a walk-a-thon is low, engaging a wide range of the community.

2. Bike rides and spin events

Offering a “spin” on the classic walk-a-thon, bike rides and spin events invite participants to go the distance, whether outdoors on two wheels or indoors on a stationary bike. These fitness-focused events are a great fit for health-related causes and appeal to a wide range of supporters.

3. Virtual fitness challenges

Virtual fitness challenges offer all the excitement and energy of traditional in-person events—without the logistics or overhead expense. These events encourage participants to run, walk, swim, or cycle a set distance over a month, fundraising online as part of their participation. The best part of virtual challenges? Distance is no limitation with online events; anyone with an internet connection and a passion for the cause can participate.

4. Dance marathons

These high-energy events blend endurance, movement, and social connection, all ideal ingredients for a P2P campaign. Dance marathons keep participants on their feet for hours, often with themed music, contests, and real-time donation goals to keep spirits high.

5. Bowl-a-thons

Like a dance-athon, a bowl-a-thon invites teams to compete in a bowling match or, more often, several. Often working as a team, participants raise funds for the cause with team pages and pledges, encouraging friendly competition both on and off the lanes. Donors often pledge per strike or game, inspiring participants to play their best for the cause.

6. Game night fundraisers

Trivia nights, board game tournaments, or video game streams are another great way to encourage friendly competition while raising important funds for your mission. Hosted by your organization or externally, these events put the fun in fundraising, raising money by game or by the hour.

7. Polar plunges

In a polar plunge, participants commit to jumping into cold water. Freezing cold water, to be precise. Fundraising for this exciting event almost functions as a dare—for a certain amount of money raised, participants promise to jump into a freezing lake or river. Best for organizations based in cold climates, the polar plunge is a favorite of daring and adventurous participants.

Related webinar: Fundraising Special Events – What’s Working, What Isn’t, and How Do We Make Them Successful and Inclusive?

Social media and digital peer-to-peer fundraising ideas

Leveraging modern technology to drive funds, social media and digital campaigns occur exclusively online. Whether using existing social platforms like Facebook fundraising or setting up individual fundraising pages, these campaigns rely on virtual social networks for their success.

8. Birthday fundraisers

The built-in fundraising tools of Facebook and Instagram are a great way for your supporters to direct their birthday attention to your cause. In these apps, users can create and drive their own birthday-themed fundraising campaign. While friends and family are offering their birthday wishes, they can also support your organization. 

9. Livestream fundraising

With livestream fundraising, a streamer on Twitch or YouTube raises money while gaming, cooking, or crafting. Many streamers will dedicate a particular livestream—or even a series—to your organization, working your organization’s mission, a call to action, and a pathway to donate into their regular streaming narrative.

10. Countdown campaigns

Countdown campaigns build anticipation and excitement leading up to a particular day or event—or possibly even a milestone within the campaign itself. A challenge like “10 Days to Raise $1,000,” with supporters inviting friends daily, can quickly gain momentum with its clear timeline, directive, and goal.

11. Viral video challenges

Hashtag challenges pose a particular challenge—like posting a video or completing a task—to raise awareness and funds for your organization. One of the best examples of this type of challenge is 2014’s ice bucket challenge, which engaged more than 17 million participants and raised $115 million for the ALS Association.

TikTok fundraisers particularly encourage younger supporters. Whether they’re recreating viral dance trends or simply sharing their story, this viral-friendly platform is a great way to spread awareness—and raise funds—and turn young supporters into lifelong donors.

12. Instagram story fundraisers

Stories are short videos or photos posted to Instagram that disappear after 24 hours. Unlike a static post in the grid, stories are quick, dynamic, and engaging—and a great avenue for a supporter to share their fundraising efforts. Armed with templates or their own creativity, your supporters can invite their followers to learn about and support your cause by visiting their personal fundraising page.

Team fundraising event ideas

Team fundraising adds a collaborative layer to peer-to-peer campaigns, allowing groups of participants to work together toward a shared fundraising goal. This approach, whether used independently or as part of a larger campaign, fosters camaraderie, friendly competition, and a deeper sense of commitment—all of which often lead to more donations. By combining individual efforts under one banner, teams can amplify both their impact and their motivation.

13. School or class competitions

School fundraisers are a great way to help younger children learn about philanthropy and helping others, while also raising money for your cause. By challenging classrooms to compete for the highest fundraising totals—whether in a penny war, a dance-off, or a bake sale—you can infuse every event with friendly competition between classrooms.

14. Corporate team challenges

Corporate challenges position companies against each other, but for something bigger than business. Like school competitions, these challenges infuse routine days with an exciting way to help others. Participating gives each company’s employees an opportunity to work together, to engage with a great cause, and, of course, to have fun. The bragging rights and social capital gained are a bonus.

Related blog: Maximize Matching Gifts: Essential 2024 Checklist

15. Departmental face-offs

In big companies, it may not be the company vs. company challenge that gets people engaged, but the chance to compete against other departments. Departmental face-offs are a fun peer-to-peer fundraiser that allows different areas of the company to compete for fundraising bragging rights.

16. Family and friends teams

In peer-to-peer fundraising, family and friends teams often rally around a shared experience and personal connection to the cause. Whether they’re competing against siblings and cousins or against teams from other families, family and friends fundraising competitions offer a unique opportunity to bond while supporting a great cause together.

Seasonal and holiday-themed P2P fundraising ideas

Seasonal and holiday-themed fundraisers tie into the spirit of the season, whether that’s Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or back-to-school. 

17. Holiday gift wrapping stations

Gift wrapping stations make it easier for people to give—and to give back—during the holiday season. At these festive events, volunteers solicit donations in exchange for wrapping presents. It’s a great way to remind the community about your cause while providing a valuable service and, just as importantly, engaging your dedicated volunteers.

18. Valentine’s Day campaign

Celebrate a day of love with a “Fundraise for Love” campaign engaging your supporters and volunteers. With this peer-to-peer fundraiser, supporters might exchange sweet messages or small gifts in exchange for donations on an individual fundraising page, or even just use the day to talk about their love for your organization.

19. Summer splash campaigns

Summer is a great time to fundraise! With summer splash campaigns, your supporters might host a backyard pool party, a barbecue, or a lemonade stand to raise funds for your organization. With the right volunteer fundraisers in place, these casual summertime events can make a big splash in your fundraising numbers.

20. Back-to-school drives

For organizations that focus on children, back-to-school is the perfect time to raise awareness and funds for your cause. You might launch a social campaign to highlight the needs of the children you serve, or pair peer-to-peer fundraising with school supply collection and classroom sponsorships to help your local schools.

21. Pumpkin carving contest

Turn a favorite fall activity into funds for your organization with a pumpkin carving contest. Donations can serve as entry fees for participants to submit their most creative, spooky, or silly pumpkin designs. Held in person or virtually, this fun, family-friendly event encourages community participation and seasonal spirit, while supporting your cause.

22. Giving Tuesday ambassador campaigns

Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the US. Developed as a counterbalance to the feasting of Thanksgiving and the consumerism of Black Friday, Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for individuals to support your organization. It’s an even better opportunity to recruit ambassadors from your supporters, asking them to fundraise in the days leading up to and on Giving Tuesday.

Related blog: Beyond Giving Tuesday: Maximizing Momentum for Future Success

Peer-to-peer fundraising with food and drink

Whether directly raising funds (as with a bake sale) or providing an avenue for engagement (a la chili cook-offs), food- and drink-based fundraising programs give your supporters an easy way to talk about your organization and why they support it, all wrapped up in one delicious event package.

23. Community bake sales

Bake sales are one of the oldest—and most delicious—peer-to-peer fundraising ideas around. To participate, your supporters can host their own bake sales, raising money through the sale of homemade goods. But modern technology adds another element to these classic events; participants can raise additional funds through custom online giving portals.

24. Chili cook-offs

Bring in the competitive foodies! In a chili cook-off, each cook competes to win the blue ribbon for their culinary efforts and their fundraising efforts too. While chili works great as a classic cook-off dish, you can choose any food that’s shareable (and delicious too).

25. Coffee for a cause

With coffee for a cause, supporters host pop-up coffee stands at home or work. Friends and family members partake of the coffee (often alongside treats) while the host solicits donations to benefit your organization. Whether low-key or elaborate, coffee fundraisers give your supporters a natural opportunity to gather, connect, and talk about why your mission matters.

26. Cocktail or mocktail competitions

Like a chili cook-off, cocktail or mocktail competitions put professional and home bartenders head-to-head in a fun competition to support your cause. Participants can submit their best recipes and raise money through online or in-person “votes” in the form of donations.

Creative and arts-based fundraising ideas

Many of the arts-based event ideas listed below may look like traditional fundraisers, but when your supporters lead the charge, they become powerful peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns that elevate creativity and impact together.

27. Paint-and-sip nights

Paint-and-sip nights invite participants to attend a creative art night, in-person or virtually. Participants can set up an individual fundraising page to raise money for your nonprofit organization as part of their participation, or encourage others to attend as well. As a bonus, painting time is a great chance to tell attendees about your mission.

28. Poetry or open mic nights

Open mic nights offer creatives a chance to perform in support of your cause. Themed nights, tied into your mission, can add even more depth to the evening. Peer-to-peer fundraising can come in the form of tips, admission fees, and even a traditional call for donations during the show.

29. Photography fundraisers

From cell phone cameras to fancy DSLRs, photography is a popular art medium. Turn that creative passion into donations with a photo contest or gallery night. Each photo can be sponsored or sold for donations, engaging the arts community in your mission.

30. Art auctions

Similar to photography fundraisers, art auctions draw on the creativity of your supporters, who donate art or crafts to be auctioned, with the proceeds supporting your mission.

Peer-led campaigns and DIY fundraisers

31. Personal challenge campaigns

With personal challenge campaigns, supporters take on a bold action—like going tech-free, shaving their heads, or going vegan—and raise money in the process. Social tools like Facebook and Instagram make it easy for supporters to share their story, their goals, and their progress, encouraging their followers and friends to support the efforts.

32. Wedding or anniversary fundraisers

For some philanthropic couples, the idea of supporting a good cause is better than any brand-new toaster. Wedding and anniversary based peer-to-peer fundraisers encourage party guests to redirect their celebratory dollars from gifts to donations, supporting a cause that the couple cares about.

33. Tribute or memorial campaigns

Tribute and memorial campaigns honor or memorialize an individual or a group of individuals. Often tying their efforts and their chosen organization into the person’s life experiences or passions, supporters fundraise in their honor.

34. “Unbirthday” or random act of kindness fundraisers

Who needs a birthday when you can celebrate an unbirthday? These playful campaigns encourage supporters to turn an ordinary day into something extraordinary by fundraising around random acts of kindness, surprise donations, or personal giving challenges.

35. Clothing swap fundraisers

Clothing swaps are a great way to refresh your closet without spending any cash. They take on a whole new level of social good when participants donate clothes to the swap. Participants can attend the swap event by giving to your campaign, stocking up on new clothes for their closet while raising money for your nonprofit organization.

Youth and student peer-to-peer fundraising ideas

36. Read-a-thons

Perfect for schools and a favorite fundraising activity of English teachers, read-a-thons encourage students to raise money by reading books and logging their progress. The more books they read, the more they raise. It’s a win-win for youth literacy and your organization’s mission, and a perfect tie-in to literacy-based organizations.

37. Penny wars

The smallest donations add up quickly with this friendly, coin-based competition between classrooms or school teams. The classroom or student with the most pennies wins—and so does your organization when you collect all of those pennies, nickels, and even dimes.

38. Talent shows

Like an open mic night for adults, talent shows allow kids and teens to showcase their abilities while supporting a good cause. Participants can raise funds through entry fees and votes or by soliciting livestream donations in-person or online.

39. Recycle-for-a-cause

A recycling event is a particularly great fundraising opportunity for environmental-based organizations, teaching kids about philanthropy and conservation at the same time. You might challenge students to collect bottles, cans, or other recyclables while earning pledges for every item they find. In states with a deposit-based recycling program, returns on the cans and bottles collected offer even greater benefits.

40. Youth takeovers

Put the kids in charge with a youth takeover. Whether they’re running your social media for the day, planning a mini event, or hosting a livestream, this fundraiser empowers young supporters to take the reins and share your mission in their own voice. It’s a powerful way to build leadership skills, deepen engagement, and inspire peer-to-peer giving from a fresh perspective.

Technology and platform-based fundraising campaigns

41. Fundraising via mobile apps

Mobile-first fundraising platforms like JustGiving, Classy, and GoFundMe Charity make it easy for anyone to launch a personal campaign on your behalf. These platforms also offer built-in tracking tools, donation widgets, and social sharing options, making peer-to-peer fundraising easier and more accessible than ever.

Bonus tips for running a successful peer-to-peer fundraising campaign

Peer-to-peer fundraising programs can be invaluable to your organization. Whether you’re helping a supporter with a volunteer-led campaign or organizing a large-scale fundraising event to empower peer fundraising efforts, here are some of our best tips for success as you build a peer-to-peer fundraising strategy:

1. Learn from the success of past campaigns: Use your past success or the success of others as a guide.
2. Set impact-driven, shareable goals: SMART goals are compelling and focused, helping fundraisers and donors understand the mission.
3. Determine your structure and timeline: Before you do anything else, understand what you’re doing and when.
4. Define your audience and your core fundraising champions: Your strongest supporters are essential to your success. Find them early.
5. Promote your campaign with cross-channel marketing: Whether you’re launching an Instagram story campaign or running an open mic night, find creative ways to let people know about it.
6. Equip your volunteers and participants for success: Toolkits, coaching, and other resources help your volunteers to feel confident, to more effectively communicate your mission, and to raise more money for your organization. 
7. Tell compelling stories, and help others to tell their own: Great stories form the heart of every successful fundraising campaign.
8. Keep energy high with encouragement and real-time feedback: Let key fundraisers and volunteers know how they’re doing throughout the process.
9. Have a detailed event plan: If your peer-to-peer fundraising effort involves an event (especially in-person), make sure you have it thoroughly planned out—including a contingency plan for weather and other risks to its success.
10. Celebrate, thank, and recognize to build long-term relationships: Always, always thank participants and donors alike.

For more tips, read Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Success: 13 Essential Tips for Non-Profit Teams

Ready to launch your peer-to-peer fundraising campaign?

Peer-to-peer fundraising is more than a strategy—it’s a movement. When you equip your supporters to tell your story and raise money on your behalf, you expand your reach far beyond what your team could do alone. Whether you choose fun runs, livestreams, bake sales, or tribute campaigns, the most important thing is to make participation easy, meaningful, and fun.

At Kindsight, we provide the tools to help you identify top supporters, create compelling toolkits, and build easy-to-use donor portals. With the right strategy and support, your next peer-to-peer campaign could be your most powerful one yet.

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Carolyn Wynnack

Carolyn is a nonprofit-focused writer with more than 10 years of experience in non-profit and higher education event management, program development and management, prospect development, training, and data analysis.