Blackbaud has released two new groundbreaking research studies that reveal insights about peer-to-peer event fundraising. The research was unveiled at at the Run Walk Ride 2011 Fundraising Conference.
The first study is the “Peer-to-Peer Event Fundraising Consumer Survey” which was developed by Blackbaud and the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council.
An online survey of individuals who have participated in at least one walk, ride, or run event in the last two years was conducted. Here are just some of the key trends revealed in the study:
- 47% of participants support Health/Medical causes
- 39% of participants are between 30-39 years old
- 40% of participants between the aged 40-49 use online tools
- 69% of participants felt a personal connection to the cause
- 40% of team members exceeded their fundraising goals vs. only 29% of non-team participants.
- 80% of participants used in-person asks and 73% used email to raise funds
The second study is “Understanding the Value of Team Captains” based on research from the donorCentrics Events Benchmarking Group by Target Analytics, a Blackbaud company. In December 2010, Target Analytics brought together six national nonprofit organizations to discuss event fundraising and compare fundraising performance of team captains, team members, individuals (non-team participants), and donors.
The donorCentrics Events Benchmarking Group was the first time research of this kind has ever been conducted. Six self-selected nonprofit organizations agreed to contribute their fundraising performance data from 2007 through 2009, including: Alzheimer’s Association, Arthritis Foundation, Autism Speaks, LIVESTRONG, March of Dimes, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The research identified that while only 13% of event participants are team captains that they play the most important role in peer-to-peer event fundraising. Team captains raise 33% of overall participant revenue, get larger gifts, and receive more gifts than other participant types.
The report revealed on average 41% of participants who raised funds are retained from one year to the next. Across the group, retained participants account for about 53% of the current year revenue.
Multi-year team captains raise two to three times more than new team captains and retain about 86% of their prior year revenue. Team captains also help to lift the retention rates of their team members compared to individuals.
For more insights about peer-to-peer fundraising events check out Amy Braiterman’s blog Friends Asking Amy [defunct link removed].
Blackbaud continues to partner with organizations and groups serving the peer-to-peer fundraising needs of the nonprofit sector. New and important research like these studies is one way we can help nonprofits improve their results.
By Steve MacLaughlin on Mar 7, 2011
Tagged: donorCentrics online giving peer-to-peer