INSIDE an Overview of Leading Peer-To-Peer Fundraising Software Platforms and Their Functionality!
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INSIDE An overview of leading peer-to-peer fundraising software platforms and their functionality! THE PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE: An Introductory Guide for Nonprofits © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners Version 1.1: November 2016 ABOUT THIS GUIDE This guide was created for nonprofits as an introduction to some of the leading software platforms available today for peer-to-peer fundraising. It provides an overview of 18 products and their functionality in six areas: • Design capabilities • Engagement capabilities • User interface • Administrative interface • Integration with CRM systems/databases of record • Pricing The guide also covers nine additional tools worth mentioning that Cathexis Partners did not have the opportunity to review in detail. Important Notes This guide covers many of the leading platforms available for peer-to-peer fundraising as of the guide’s writing. The world of peer-to-peer fundraising technology is continually changing; vendors are continually updating and enhancing their platforms and introducing new features. This guide offers an introduction to each platform, and does not attempt to include every detail about every feature included in each platform. Cathexis Partners strongly recommends that organizations review their specific requirements to support their campaign(s), mission, and audience; request software demos; and closely review any contracts with software platform vendors before making a software purchase. Cathexis Partners has not received compensation for including any product or information in this guide. © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Technology Landscape 2 Software Platforms Highlighted: • Artez by Frontstream • FirstGiving by FrontStream • raisin® by A.K.A. New Media • Charity Engine® by BIS Global • Fundly • RallyBound • Classy • Giving Spirit • Salsa • Click & Pledge® Connect • Great Feats® • TeamRaiser by Blackbaud® • DonorDrive® by Global Cloud • Kimbia® • Engaging Networks • NeonCRM by Z2 Systems, Inc. • everydayhero by Blackbaud® • Qgiv Fundraising Tools Also Mentioned: • CauseVox • CrowdRise • Crowdster • Flipcause • FundRazr • Generosity by Indiegogo • Giveffect • iDonate • Razoo © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Technology Landscape 3 CONTENTS 5 Foreword 6 Types of Peer-to-Peer Campaigns 11 Design Capabilities 13 Engagement Capabilities 15 User Interface 17 Administrative Interface 19 Integration with CRM Systems/Databases of Record 21 Platform Pricing 22 Additional Details About the Vendors/Platforms 31 Additional Tools 33 Additional Resources © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Technology Landscape 4 FOREWORD My introduction to peer-to-peer fundraising was similar to many others: I lost Today, there are so many peer-to-peer fundraising software platforms out a loved one — my mother — to cancer. I was 16. there, presenting nonprofits with both more choice and the challenge of finding the right tool for their organization. That’s why I created this guide So when the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® came through Chicago a decade or — to provide insight into today’s world of peer-to-peer tools. I spoke with so later, I wanted to be involved. I volunteered for the next few years, helping companies/platforms and their clients, and spent many hours sitting through with anything the event production team, Pallotta TeamWorks, asked me demos, reviewing software sandboxes, and clicking through campaigns to to do. Over those years, I was impressed with how hard the Komen and better understand each tool. I want to thank both the companies and the Pallotta teams, and later, the event production company Event 360, worked. nonprofits served by them for their input. I couldn’t have created this guide And, seeing the looks on the walkers’ faces, and the bandages on their feet, without their support. inspired me. I find it important to mention that Cathexis Partners, the company I founded A few years later, I was working in corporate IT project management when I in 2008, has partnerships with a few of the platform vendors, and informal was laid off with over 200 people, ironically, due to efficiencies that resulted relationships with others. Some tools are new to us. Also, much of our work from a project we were working on. I visited the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for nonprofits to date has been with Blackbaud’s TeamRaiser. But, our goal website thinking I’d look for volunteer opportunities, and noticed that Event is to provide an unbiased overview of tools available today — offering facts, 360 was hiring a CRM Project Manager. Kismet, I thought. I joined Event 360, not preferences or opinions. Let me know if you think we succeeded (or not). where I worked for over four years. I’ve been supporting nonprofits, their CRM systems, and their fundraising and advocacy programs ever since; and my Whether you’re just getting started with peer-to-peer fundraising, or you’re passion for peer-to-peer fundraising has only grown stronger. looking to take your peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns to a new level, I hope this guide helps you to narrow the list of tools so you can dig into demos, It has been exciting to watch peer-to-peer campaigns become more negotiate contracts, and find the tool that best supports your team, your sophisticated as the Internet and technology continue to evolve. And, participants, your donors and, most importantly, your mission. while I haven’t worked for any of the vendors/platforms included in this guide, I’ve worked with crazy-smart people at many of these companies Sincerely, and hundreds of nonprofits. At the same time, I’ve watched as companies like Kintera, Convio, and Artez have come and gone, and some of the crazy-smart people there have joined companies including Blackbaud and FrontStream, or have created new tools, like Great Feats and Kimbia — to Mark Becker, Founding Partner name a few. Plus, nonprofit staffers, such as Jeff Gordy, former IT director at Cathexis Partners, LLC the Kidney Cancer Association, didn’t see what he was looking for in available 773-274-0769 | [email protected] tools and went on to co-found NeonCRM by Z2 Systems, Inc. © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Technology Landscape 5 TYPES OF PEER-TO-PEER CAMPAIGNS Peer-to-peer fundraising has been a powerful tool in the fundraiser’s toolbox for years. It’s all about engaging supporters to raise funds on your nonprofit’s behalf. It lets your supporters translate their enthusiasm for your mission into dollars to help your organization thrive, and it can be associated with anything from a large event — like a walk-a-thon, to a year-round campaign — like a tribute or memorial campaign. Before selecting a product, it’s important to have a clear definition of the type of campaign(s) your organization is looking to support so you can keep in mind what functionality you will need in an online peer-to-peer fundraising platform. Following are descriptions of five campaign types and some of the functionality they may require. Proprietary Physical Events Proprietary physical events are nonprofit-hosted events in which participants sometimes pay a fee to sign up and also raise additional funds from their friends and family. This campaign type includes standard walks, 5ks, and bike rides, and also unique campaigns like stair climbs, rappelling, and other campaigns that are coordinated by the nonprofit. They require the ability to collect registration information and potentially a registration fee, have participants sign a waiver, and ask additional questions about the participant (see Event Registration in the User Interface section on page 15). Some also may require the ability to sell additional optional items, like t-shirts, jerseys, or other campaign-related items, during the registration process. Examples include: • Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the DarknessSM Walks • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Cycle for Survival • Kelly Brush Foundation’s Kelly Brush Ride Note: The examples provided may be seasonal campaigns, and links may not work in the future. © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Technology Landscape 6 TYPES OF PEER-TO-PEER CAMPAIGNS Challenge/Endurance/Destination Events Challenge/endurance/destination events (for example, the Chicago Marathon or any of the Run Disney events) are hosted by an entity other than a nonprofit, with potentially multiple beneficiaries. These campaigns sometimes require participants to register for the event directly and then fundraise, while other events provide nonprofits with a set number of hard-to-get registrations that the organization can then offer to their constituents in exchange for a commitment to raise funds for the nonprofit. These campaigns may require the ability to process a credit card — either during the registration process or leading up to the event itself — as a way of allowing participants who haven’t reached their fundraising minimum to continue soliciting donations. That way, they can attend the event based on their commitment to raise a minimum amount or be charged the difference at a set time (see Credit Card Guarantee in User Interface section beginning on page 15). Note that other campaign types sometimes use this feature as well. Examples include: • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training • Team Fisher House’s Athletic Events • American Brain Tumor Association’s Team Breakthrough • Girl Power 2 Cure’s Disney Princess Race Weekend Note: The examples provided may be seasonal campaigns, and links may not work in the future. © Copyright 2016 Cathexis Partners The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Technology Landscape 7 TYPES OF PEER-TO-PEER CAMPAIGNS Virtual Campaigns Virtual campaigns are organized by the nonprofit — but without the porta- potties and logistics of physical events. With these campaigns, an organization provides an online environment for supporters to set up their own fundraising page in support of a campaign created by the nonprofit. The organization often will establish fundraising categories such as “workplace giving,” “athletic,” “in memory/honor,” or “special occasion” to help participants get started.