Search for topics or resources
Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon.
Client Success Story
How a small STEM program utilized alumni networks to launch a record-breaking peer-to-peer campaign.
PGSS Campaign, Inc. is a small, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization supporting the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS), a STEM education program at Carnegie Mellon University. For over 13 years, the organization raised funds to keep this summer program running after state funding was cut. With limited staff resources, PGSS relies heavily on its dedicated alumni base and board members to drive fundraising efforts.
When their previous CRM provider was acquired, PGSS Campaign, Inc. faced a crucial decision. They had to choose between migrating to a new system or finding a better-suited platform.
A key requirement was an all-in-one solution that combined fundraising capabilities with donor management. They also needed a system that could handle the complexities of their major annual fall fundraiser, which uses a peer-to-peer campaign to solicit donations from former classmates and their peer network.
After thoroughly evaluating various platforms such as Classy and EveryAction, PGSS Campaign, Inc. chose CharityEngine due to its comprehensive suite of built-in fundraising tools, including its native peer-to-peer functionality.
PGSS Campaign, Inc. approached its P2P fundraising campaign a bit differently. Instead of the traditional method of team captains creating their fundraising pages, PGSS Campaign, Inc. created dedicated fundraising pages for each graduating class.
This strategic decision minimized the effort required from team captains and leveraged the shared experience of alumni from the same graduation year.
PGSS Campaign, Inc. set specific participation and monetary goals for each class, tailoring these targets based on past engagement and giving levels. More recent graduates had lower goals than older alumni classes that had historically contributed more.
This approach streamlined the fundraising process significantly and fostered a sense of community and competition among alumni, driving higher participation rates and donations.
In their first year utilizing CharityEngine, PGSS Campaign, Inc. surpassed their fundraising goal, raising $250,000 compared to $220,000 the previous year—a remarkable 13.6% increase.
Key elements of this successful campaign included:
Recruitment of team captains for each graduating class to lead fundraising efforts among their peers.
Setting individual participation and financial targets for each class year based on historical data and engagement levels.
Creating customized fundraising pages for each class to track progress and foster a sense of collective achievement.
When you ask donors to share your mission through social and community platforms, your reach increases and support for your cause grows.
