Peer-to-peer fundraising inherently involves a degree of vulnerability—sharing your personal story and hoping others will respond with support and donations. But what happens when the story is difficult to tell? When the cause itself is stigmatized? Or when you’re unsure how your loved ones will react?

This week on the P2P Soapbox, Shannon Greene, representing Shatterproof, joins us to explore these critical questions. She sheds light on the distinct hurdles nonprofits tackling issues like substance use disorder face in peer-to-peer fundraising and beyond. Shannon shares actionable strategies for breaking through societal biases, fostering safe and welcoming event environments and building trust with donors.

You’ll also hear insights on:

• Creating an engaging community experience
• Equipping your staff with the tools and confidence needed to build meaningful connections and navigate stigma effectively
• Understanding a participant’s motivation and goals for their support

Mentioned Links

https://www.shatterproof.org/

http://shatterproofwalk.org/

On Facebook (@ShatterproofHQ), X (@shatterproofHQ), and Instagram (@weareshatterproof).

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:34) - Introducing Shannon Greene
• (05:54) - About Shatterproof
• (07:30) - Shifting Approaches
• (15:30) - Getting Engaged, Feeling Safe
• (22:08) - Donor Trust
• (25:16) - Lessons Learned, Opportunities Ahead

The seasoned event fundraising professional knows that in-person events often bring unexpected challenges—whether it’s extreme weather, political unrest or medical emergencies.

While these worst-case scenarios can take many forms, the key to navigating them successfully lies in two essential elements: a strong external communication plan and an internal strategy to support your team during what can already be a high-stress time.

This week, Marcie Maxwell is joined by Ted McCartan of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation. Ted shares the extraordinary story of how his team faced a cybersecurity attack just three days before one of their largest peer-to-peer fundraising events. Ted dives into how his team shifted into problem-solving mode, the immediate and long-term impact on their fundraising efforts and the lessons they learned through the ordeal.

You’ll also hear insights on:

• Identifying alternate methods of communication.
• Harnessing the power of an empathetic and supportive community.
• Best practices for guiding and empowering your internal team during a crisis.

Mentioned Links

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | Pediatric Medicine

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Connect with Ted

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (00:59) - Introducing Ted McCartan
• (05:14) - About the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation Fundraising Programs
• (08:52) - The Cyber Security Breach
• (31:46) - Learn More

As many P2P programs strive to expand, organizations often grapple with a core question: should they focus resources on deepening engagement with current supporters or invest in acquiring new ones?

The answer isn’t always one strategy over the other—it’s important to consider your mission’s scope. For causes that directly impact millions, investing in participant acquisition can also help drive broader awareness and connect more people to essential services and support. For missions affecting a smaller community, creating deeper connections and boosting engagement may be more effective.

In today’s episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with industry veteran Megan Gavin, Vice President of Field Campaign and Community Initiatives at the American Diabetes Association. They dive into how her team developed a strategic plan to drive exponential growth for their flagship P2P event, Step Out Walk, aiming to engage more of the 38 million people living with diabetes in the U.S.

Tune in as they also discuss:

- Using data to guide staff toward high-impact activities

- Leveraging AI tools for lead generation

- The critical role of effective event leadership

Mentioned Links

www.diabetes.org

On Facebook (@American Diabetes Association), X (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn)

Stay Connected on LinkedIn

Connect with Megan

Connect with Marcie

Connect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:24) - Introducing Megan Gavin
• (04:26) - Tour de Cure and Step Out for Work
• (07:45) - Building New Networks
• (10:22) - ROI on Marketing Investments
• (15:04) - Results
• (19:18) - Learn More