What it is
Peer to peer fundraising means a group or cause invites individual supporters to start their own personal fundraising pages or efforts. Each supporter shares the cause with the people who already trust them. The money raised goes toward the shared goal.
Instead of one organization asking everyone directly, many voices carry the message. A friend asking a friend often feels more personal than a mass appeal. That personal connection is the heart of the approach.
It can be used for a range of community goals, such as youth shooting sports programs, firearm safety education, civic education events, or support for veterans and first responders. An online fundraising platform is one tool that can make the pages, sharing and tracking easier.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, peer to peer efforts were run offline. Supporters collected pledges on paper forms, passed around envelopes at club meetings, or asked coworkers and neighbors in person. Walks, runs, and match-style events often relied on this kind of sponsorship.
Over time, many groups moved to email, social media and online pages so supporters could share a link instead of a clipboard. Organizers often set a team goal, give participants simple talking points, and thank donors along the way.
Groups choose different styles. Some prefer a short campaign tied to an event, like a charity shoot or a community day. Others run ongoing efforts all year. Neither is wrong; it depends on the group's size, capacity and goals.
How the right organizer may help
The right organizer may help you plan a peer to peer campaign: choosing a clear goal, recruiting supporters, writing a simple message, and setting a realistic timeline. They may also help you think through how to thank donors and keep supporters engaged. Results are never guaranteed.
A first conversation is usually a chance to share your cause, your audience and what you have tried before. An organizer may ask about your team, your existing email or social following, and any events coming up. On this directory, plans are Free, Grow at $99 per month, and Done-for-you outreach at $1,500 per month, with a 6% platform fee per donation and payouts on the 15th for the prior calendar month.
Good questions to ask: How will you help supporters feel comfortable asking? What does a typical campaign calendar look like? How do you handle donor thank-yous and reporting? How do you approach state registration, raffle and gaming rules, and legal-defense-fund rules? Always confirm those details with your state's rules and a qualified professional.
The bigger picture
Asking others for money can feel uncomfortable, even for a cause you care about deeply. Peer to peer fundraising spreads that responsibility across a team, which may ease pressure on any one person and make the effort feel more like a community project.
Money questions can also affect peace of mind, so it helps to plan realistically and be kind to yourself and your volunteers. If you are a provider balancing a cause with your own work and wellbeing, Providers.plus may be a useful resource. No approach is better or worse; the best fit is the one your group can sustain.
Keep in mind
- Donations are not automatically tax-deductible. Only gifts to IRS-registered charities may be, so check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and speak with a qualified tax professional.
- Charitable-solicitation registration, raffle and gaming rules, and legal-defense-fund rules vary by state, so check your state's rules and consult a qualified professional.
- This directory is independent and educational, not legal, tax or financial advice, and no organizer can promise specific results.
- Keep your campaign focused on civic education, safety, sport and community, and do not use it to buy or sell firearms or ammunition.
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Frequently asked questions
What is peer to peer fundraising?
Peer to peer fundraising is when supporters set up their own personal fundraising efforts to raise money for a shared cause. They ask their own friends, family and networks to give. This personal approach is why many groups use it.
How does peer to peer fundraising work online?
An online fundraising platform lets each supporter share a link to a page tied to your cause. Donors give through that link, and the totals roll up toward a team or group goal. Here, the platform fee is 6% per donation, with payouts on the 15th for the prior calendar month.
Is peer to peer fundraising good for charity shoots and community events?
It may be a good fit, because supporters can invite their own networks to attend, sponsor or give. Many groups use it to extend the reach of an event beyond the people already on their list. Results vary and are never guaranteed.
Are donations through peer to peer fundraising tax-deductible?
Not automatically. Only gifts to IRS-registered charities may be deductible, and that depends on the situation. Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and ask a qualified tax professional.
Do I need to register to run a peer to peer fundraiser?
It depends on your state and your organization type. Charitable-solicitation registration, raffle and gaming rules, and legal-defense-fund rules vary by state. Check your state's rules and speak with a qualified professional before you begin.
How much does it cost to get help with peer to peer fundraising?
Plans here are Free, Grow at $99 per month, and Done-for-you outreach at $1,500 per month, plus a 6% platform fee per donation. The right level depends on how much help your group wants. An organizer can explain what each option may include.
Educational resource. 2A Support shares general information and connects people with independent organizers. It is not professional advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your own situation.