Top Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software: What to Look For

Top Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software (What to Look For)

Peer-to-peer fundraising has the ability to bring any nonprofit (or school, higher education institution, etc.) to the next level in terms of fundraising, donor engagement, and more. And equipping a team with the right peer-to-peer fundraising software to get the job done can go a long way.

In this resource, we’ll guide you through the process of locating the perfect peer-to-peer platform, thus empowering your organization to grow its network, develop deeper supporter relationships, and increase fundraising revenue overall.

Specifically, we’ll cover the following:

Looking to locate optimal peer-to-peer fundraising software for your organization? We’ve been in the nonprofit fundraising and peer-to-peer space with thousands of clients⁠—including a majority of the top social fundraising events each year⁠—working with dozens of different platforms.

Here are a few insights that we’ve picked up on when it comes to choosing and buying the best P2P technology. Let’s begin!

Peer-to-peer fundraising software considerations

Key Considerations for Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software

When it comes to making software buying decisions, going into the process with a solid understanding of your organization’s needs and priorities is essential. Keep these top considerations in mind as you explore various providers and aim to locate the right peer-to-peer platform for your team.

Integrations

One of the best ways to substantially increase the functionality of your peer-to-peer fundraising software (or just about any software platform, for that matter) is by enabling technology integrations. These partnerships between separate solutions allow organizations to make the most of each tool they employ within their overall tech stacks.

For example, your organization likely leverages a donor management or CRM system to keep track of supporter information, engagement history, and more. Opting for a peer fundraising solution that offers a seamless integration with your donor database can streamline data syncing, reduce errors, and simplify efforts for your team. Thus, it’s certainly something you’ll want to look into in your software search.

Accessibility & Ease of Use

One of the most significant benefits of peer-to-peer fundraising has to do with its increased reach, allowing organizations and their supporters to engage with new donors near and far. In order to make the most of the opportunity, however, it’s important that nonprofits prioritize accessible fundraising tools that are simple for all supporters to utilize.

Not only do accessible and easy-to-use platforms result in increased funding for nonprofits, but they also ensure positive experiences for all donors and supporters utilizing the tools.

Here are a few areas to consider in your search:

Web accessibility standards ⁠— Ensure your existing or potential fundraising platform is highly accessible for everyone who might land on your giving pages, including those with disabilities. And one of the easiest ways to do so involves seeking out peer-to-peer fundraising software that prioritizes accessibility standards, such as sufficient color contrasts, image ALT text, and more.

Mobile optimization ⁠— You want your donors’ experiences to be quick and easy, regardless of whether they completed the transaction using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Be sure to communicate this need to your P2P provider, especially as many peer-to-peer donations are made from mobile devices.

Matching Gift Functionality

Corporate matching donations have the power to bring peer-to-peer giving success to the next level. And many peer fundraising providers have built-in solutions to simplify the process and amplify individual and corporate giving. With the right matching gift tools working smoothly alongside your peer-to-peer software, your organization can effectively utilize the power of corporate gift matching.

For example, 360MatchPro is Double the Donation’s leading donation-matching platform that helps nonprofits and other institutions raise more money, better engage donors, and save staff time. It also integrates seamlessly with many of the industry’s top peer-to-peer fundraising tools to simplify corporate gift matching for organizations across the globe. So as you make your P2P software buying decisions, be sure to keep matching gift functionality at the top of your mind!

Payment Processing Capabilities

Today more than ever before, optimizing the peer-to-peer giving experience involves diversifying the types of payments accepted from donors. This ensures that donors have multiple options for giving, increasing the likelihood that they’ll complete the transaction and simultaneously removing potential roadblocks.

Traditional forms of payment include debit and credit cards as well as ACH bank transfers, and you’ll certainly want a P2P provider that incorporates these giving methods. However, online fundraising tools are increasingly adopting innovative payment methods, such as digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay), financial services like Venmo and PayPal, and even cryptocurrency⁠—so keep an eye out for these capabilities as well!

Support Availability

Technology support typically falls into one of two categories: initial onboarding and ongoing support. And each can play a significant role in an organization’s overall success with the platform. After all, there’s no point in purchasing software if you don’t have the resources needed to get set up and make the most of it!

However, each company has its own offerings in regard to tech support, and you’ll want to locate a provider with the right assistance levels for your team. For example, if your nonprofit has its own well-built-out tech department with the capabilities to get set up and maintain effective software usage on its own, you may be able to locate a provider that offers minimal external support at a lower cost to your organization. On the other hand, an organization without its own dedicated technology experts may opt for additional assistance at a higher price point in order to ensure they have the support they need.

And don’t forget to consider the ROI of your support offerings, either! In some scenarios, it can be beneficial to select a provider with high levels of support that can help your organization in its drive to maintain high levels of fundraising success. In this case, opting for more hands-on tech support can ultimately result in elevated revenue, meaning that the cost is well worth the investment.

Sample peer-to-peer fundraising software pages

Sample Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Pages to Be Inspired By

Each peer-to-peer fundraising platform offers a unique donation flow that impacts the ways in which donors and fundraisers interact with your organization’s efforts. If you’re looking to make the most of your upcoming initiatives with optimal technology, consider these three sample social fundraising pages to be inspired by.

As we walk through the giving experiences, be sure to note what the organization does well and which pieces can be emulated in your own fundraising efforts!

The George Washington University

*Uses GiveCampus and Double the Donation

The George Washington University is a private research university located in Washington, D.C. This institution participates in a range of fundraising initiatives, backing scholarship opportunities, student life, athletics, and more.

Here’s a look at the university’s peer-to-peer giving experience using innovative social fundraising technology:

Step 1: An individual navigates to a peer-to-peer campaign landing page.

Landing page using peer-to-peer fundraising software

The George Washington University hosts a wide range of peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities, and each one is provided with a campaign landing page from which to give, track progress toward objectives and deadlines, share the fundraising site, and more. Not to mention, it incorporates a brief video outlining the campaign efforts and goals.

Step 2: The individual selects their intended donation amount on the giving form.

Donation selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Once the donor has navigated to the donation form from the campaign landing page, they are encouraged to choose their donation amount, determine recurring status, select a designation, and even add an additional gift.

Step 3: The individual provides employment information and submits their gift.

Employer selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

On this final page of the GWU peer-to-peer giving process, donors are encouraged to enter their employer name to uncover employee matching gift information using Double the Donation’s embedded search tool. From there, they are prompted to review their gift selection and finalize their contribution using the payment method of their choice.

Step 4: The individual is thanked and provided with matching gift information on the confirmation page.

Confirmation page using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Once a donor has submitted their donation via the peer-to-peer giving form, they are automatically redirected to visit a dedicated confirmation page. On this page, GWU thanks its donors for supporting the campaign and provides detailed matching gift information. When available, the information provided is specific to the individual’s predetermined employer for the most relevant next steps, guidelines, and forms.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

*Uses Classy ⁠and Double the Donation

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit organizations dedicated to breast cancer research, offering some of the most innovative advancements toward the prevention and curing of breast cancers.

Since its inception in 1993, BCRF has raised over $500 million for breast cancer research, funding nearly 300 researchers across 15 different countries⁠—much of it through social fundraising efforts.

Here’s a brief overview of this organization’s peer-to-peer giving process using dedicated P2P fundraising software:

Step 1: An individual selects their intended donation amount on the P2P giving form.

Donation selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Once an individual lands on a BCRF peer-to-peer donation form, they are met with a brief description of the organization and its mission⁠—and how individual donors can help. From there, they are encouraged to select their gift amount from a number of suggested donation sizes (or select an alternative amount from the fill-in-the-blank box) and determine whether their contribution will be a one-time or recurring gift.

Step 2: The individual assigns their gift to a particular fundraiser or team.

Fundraiser selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Next, the individual is able to credit their donation to a specific person or team participating in the campaign by typing a name in the auto-completing search box. Once they’ve selected a fundraiser, that individual or group’s progress is displayed using a real-time goal thermometer.

Step 3: The individual provides current employment information.

Employer selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

At this stage in the giving process, the donor is prompted to “see if [their] employer will match [their] donation.” BCRF has embedded a matching gift search tool within their peer-to-peer giving form, which instructs individuals to enter their employing company in the search box below. The individual is also informed that they may receive follow-up emails from Double the Donation with detailed instructions regarding how to submit their match request.

Step 4: The individual reviews and submits their donation.

Gift submission using peer-to-peer fundraising software

From there, each donor is encouraged to review their donation information and select a payment method to complete their gift. BCRF currently accepts donations through PayPal, Venmo, credit card, and bank transfers!

Step 5: The individual receives an email follow-up prompting them to submit their matching gift.

Matching gift follow-up email using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Mere minutes after clicking submit on their peer-to-peer donation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation donors receive a customized email follow-up straight to their inbox providing matching gift information and communicating gratitude for the individuals’ support. When the donor had previously provided employment data within the giving form, the email content is company-specific, providing targeted details on matching gift eligibility and actionable next steps for submission.

Soles4Souls

*Uses Fundraise Up and Double the Donation

Soles4Souls is a Tennessee-based nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting and redistributing shoes, clothing, and other apparel. By partnering with individual supporters, retailers, and community organizations, Soles4Souls gathers new and gently used shoes and provides them to people who need them across the globe.

And while Soles4Souls greatly benefits from in-kind product donations, they also participate in additional fundraising activities such as peer-to-peer giving campaigns. Let’s take a look at the basic process using this organization’s fundraising software:

Step 1: An individual selects their intended donation amount on the P2P giving form.

Donation selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Similar to the previous donation flow, the first step in Soles4Souls’ peer-to-peer giving process begins with a donation selection. An individual donor is prompted to select a recommended gift amount or enter their preferred number and opt to give once or to make it a monthly donation. Donors can also choose to dedicate their donation or provide an additional comment alongside their gift.

Meanwhile, in the left panel, the donor is met with compelling imagery and a brief overview of the purpose behind the organization’s mission and fundraising efforts.

Step 2: The individual provides current employment information.

Employer selection using peer-to-peer fundraising software

In the next step of this multi-page peer-to-peer giving experience, Soles4Souls donors are encouraged to double their donation impact with a matching gift. To drive this process forward, each individual is asked to provide the name of their current employer. From there, the P2P software searches Double the Donation’s extensive database of corporate matching gift information to provide eligibility details.

Step 3: The individual reviews and submits their donation.

Gift submission using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Finally, donors reach the payment screen, where they are led to multiple options, which include credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, and bank transfer, to finalize their gifts. Individuals are also given the option to cover their transaction costs, thus ensuring 100% of the contribution goes to the organization they’re supporting.

Step 4: The individual receives an email follow-up prompting them to submit their matching gift.

Matching gift follow-up email using peer-to-peer fundraising software

Once an individual finalizes their Soles4Souls donation using the organization’s peer-to-peer fundraising software, a personalized email is automatically triggered to their inbox. The follow-up messaging contains additional matching gift resources, including direct links to donors’ matching gift submission portals, as well as an easy way to communicate status updates with the nonprofit team.

Smart tips for peer-to-peer fundraising software

Smart Tips for Choosing Your P2P Software

Ready to begin making buying decisions for your organization’s peer fundraising software? Here are a few additional practices to keep in mind as you do so.

1. Consider scalability.

When purchasing peer-to-peer fundraising technology for your cause, it’s important to look to the future in terms of whether the software has the ability to grow alongside your organization. If your team is on the smaller side at current, it might be tempting to opt for a free or low-cost solution, often with limited functionality. However, you don’t want to be back at square one in the buying process just a few years from now when you determine that the platform was unable to meet your needs as you grew.

Thus, consider a software provider’s potential for scalability as you search. You’ll want to locate the right technology that meets your needs now and in the future, growing seamlessly alongside your organization in order to produce the best and smoothest results.

2. Consider integrations in your overall tech stack.

Before making any software buying decisions, it’s important to keep your overall technology ecosystem in mind. For example, does that donation tool offer a built-in payment processor or does it integrate with one that you’re open to using? Does your fundraising platform have a native integration with your existing CRM, enabling peer-to-peer giving data to flow seamlessly into your donor database? Does the system partner with your matching gift fundraising tools through Double the Donation to identify and follow up with potential matches?

You’ll want to be able to consider these questions ahead of time and be satisfied with the answers prior to making your investment. Otherwise, you may end up with limited functionality and have a difficult time expanding your tech system without easy, ready-built integration options.

3. Rate your highest and lowest priorities.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to locate a peer-to-peer fundraising tool that meets all of your organization’s desired criteria. Perhaps you’ll be drawn to Feature A from Provider B, though Provider C offers innovative Feature D⁠—all the while, Provider E has a significantly reduced price point.

Simplify things going into the process by first determining your organization’s highest and lowest priorities and finding a solution that coincides. For example, one group may order things like this⁠—functionality → accessibility → integrations → cost⁠—while another prioritizes like this⁠—cost → accessibility → functionality → integrations.

4. Get personalized demos to see the tools in action.

Before buying a car, you’ll usually take it out for a test drive to see how it runs and determine whether it would be a good fit. That’s essentially what a software demo is, and it’s a critical step in the buying process⁠—especially when it comes to peer-to-peer and other types of fundraising technology.

Getting a software demo will allow your team the opportunity to see the fundraising tools in action and ask any questions before making a buying decision. We recommend narrowing your choices to two or three solutions and getting personalized demos of each one.

5. Keep your fundraisers and end donors in mind.

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a unique form of engagement in that it encapsulates an additional key player that you’ll want to consider when making software decisions. For example, in a typical fundraiser, those experiencing your giving platform tend to be your behind-the-scenes team in addition to those contributing through the platform. P2P technology, however, must account for your organization’s internal team, the end donors contributing, and the new “middle-man” in the situation⁠—your volunteer fundraisers.

As you go through the buying process, it’s important to keep each of these players in mind. Consider the experience from each possible perspective. Is it easy to set up a fundraising page and share it with family and friends? How about updating the online hub with personal stories, images, and progress toward goals? And then, from the giver’s point of view⁠—how simple is it to go through and make a donation to their loved ones’ campaigns?

Asking these questions beforehand can equip your team with the knowledge to make the best peer-to-peer fundraising software decisions, keep an eye out for potential roadblocks, and help troubleshoot concerns along the way.


Next Steps

Double the Donation works closely with over 70 of the sector’s top fundraising technology providers. When looking for a best-in-class peer-to-peer fundraising software platform, we recommend getting started with our integration partners.

Navigate to our integrations page here to explore the solutions we work with, filter by industry and functionality, and determine whether one is right for your needs.

Want to learn more about nonprofit fundraising technology and how you can provide your team with the right tools? Check out these additional Double the Donation resources:

Explore top peer-to-peer fundraising software with our integration partners