One shouldn’t be so dazed by the benefits of peer-to-peer fundraising to the point of jumping onto it without certain considerations. This is even more needful when you factor in the things that could truncate the campaign. Fundraisers adopting the P2P model are sometimes faced with specific challenges that affect its overall impact.
But you do not have to fall into the trap as other fundraisers before you. To ensure this, it would be helpful if you know some of these challenges and be proactive in tackling them. Hence, the ensuing discussion will hint at four of such challenges along with possible solutions.
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Challenge #1: Unrealistic Goals
A lot of P2P fundraising campaigns have hit a brick wall simply because an unrealistic goal was set from the start. What makes the goal unattainable may be the plan or target amount to be raised. There are instances where organizers overestimate what can be achieved within a specific time.
At some other times, an unrealistic goal can arise from mismanagement or leaving loose ends. Whatever the case, such a reality could make one highly disappointed. But it’s not all gloomy; there’s a way out – right below.
Solution: Applying S.M.A.R.T Model
The SMART model has been widely employed within the business circle, and nothing stops you from using it.
To begin with, the project goal has to be Specific. This is about giving the campaign its uniqueness and shoring up loopholes. To this end, you need to have about your fundraising needs – and even state your vision and mission.
You should also be specific about the guys that will be leading the charge. This concerns your frontline P2P fundraisers and volunteers.
Now to the Measurable aspect of it. Setting out a measurable goal is important to check the progress of your campaign. It helps you to easily see how you are faring as time goes by. As such, you will be able to quickly know when there is a need for a review.
Your P2P fundraising goal must also be Achievable. You shouldn’t just reel out some meteoric figures without doing some checks. This borders on checking the capacity of the resources you have within your reach. Can your team pull it off or will some backup be required?
An honest answer to this question will keep you better guided toward goal actualization. You will be able to determine whether there is a need to hire more fundraisers or step things down.
Well, stepping things down shouldn’t necessarily be seen in a bad light. It could be what you need at the moment, and you can gradually scale things up later. This is just another principle of good and effective management.
The Relevance of your goal is equally critical. It is against this backdrop your vision should find its ‘life support’. What are you looking to achieve with the fundraising campaign? How does this help the greater good?
It’s all down to having the big picture for the campaign before you. This, in itself, is enough reason for you to keep pushing to see the project to a successful end. Plus, your P2P fundraisers will even be well motivated with project relevance established.
A Time-bound P2P fundraising goal ensures a heightened level of focus on all fronts. Hence, you should work out a timeline around the project and share this with the team.
This could be as simple as laying out your short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. What are you looking to have achieved within specific time frames? Here is another way you can evaluate the success of the fundraising project as time goes by.
Adopting a SMART model is, more or less, a way of establishing a solid plan. It is an intentional act that must be done with appreciable attention to detail. You won’t be caught within the web of setting an unrealistic goal if you do it right.
Challenge #2: Demotivated Peer-To-Peer Fundraisers
Sustaining the motivation of P2P fundraisers is a big challenge that organizers are often faced with. P2P fundraisers may be eager to get things started but may lose steam along the line. This is usually reflected by a drop in their activity level or low returns.
A set of demotivated P2P fundraisers can slow down the flow of the project on the whole. You have to be mindful of this and tackle it proactively. How [you may ask]? – Let’s consider these solutions:
Solutions: Empowerment & Fun-filling Activities
One cannot overemphasize the importance of empowerment in a P2P fundraising campaign. You have to equip your team with the right information and resources. This exercise shouldn’t be a one-off thing if you intend to have a successful campaign.
You should endeavor to incorporate the latest dimension into your P2P fundraising project. In other words, you must be dynamic, and let your team flow along this line.
That aside, you should also try to organize some fun-filling events – an award night, trivia, etc. This can further motivate the team to keep working towards a common cause.
Again, you should consider using a leaderboard to show the name and input of top performers. While celebrating these leaders, you shouldn’t forget to appreciate everyone that has put in the effort.
Challenge #3: Donation Page Lacks Substance
There are occasions when fundraisers complain about how their donation page is not getting enough engagements. This may be traced to the content or feel of the page. Simply put, the vibe you create around it. More often than not, leaving a donation page to drool is an oversight.
Many P2P fundraising organizers are more about fundraising proper, and they give little or no attention to other parts. But this shouldn’t continue as it may be tantamount to the waste of (scarce) resources.
Solution: Build User-friendly Page With Creativity Integrated
To resolve the issue of lack of substance, you have to pay close attention to the creative niche. The color theme, brand elements, and design of the page must be factored in. This should, however, extend to your social media communications to strike a good chord.
You should also have the story around your fundraising project shared on the page. Furthermore, you have to ensure that your donation page is user-friendly. Prospective donors should be able to seamlessly and promptly complete their (donation) transactions on the page.
Challenge #4: Lack of Concrete Follow-up Strategy
A lot of P2P fundraising campaigns have suffered from the lack of a concrete follow-up strategy. To this end, organizers find it hard to build on the gains of the project – a decline becomes imminent. Primarily, they are not able to take the project to the next level.
Sometimes, this lack of follow-up strategy could arise as activities – fundraising and volunteering – surge. Hence, the management structure, that had been in place, is called into question.
Solution: Be Intentional About Engaging Donors and Fundraisers
The solution is one you’ve always known or heard about – effective and efficient communication. This borders on engaging your P2P fundraisers and donors, and sending out posts consistently.
For one, you should always thank your donors for their support and provide them with project updates. This can be done through general social media posts or by sending them emails.
Concerning your P2P fundraisers, you should seek to get feedback from them, and never fail to address their queries. Also, organizing get-togethers, as earlier highlighted, can help in this regard.
Final Thought
Challenges are a regular part of life – irrespective of one’s area of endeavor. It is, however, up to us to find a way around them and strive to ‘hit the bull’s eye’ – the ultimate goal.
So, you shouldn’t let the challenges encountered during a P2P fundraising campaign discourage you in any way. You should rather focus on the solutions to give your campaign the needed boost.
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