In the P2P fundraising world, we often look to the spark of organic, supporter-led moments like the Ice Bucket Challenge as examples of what’s possible when passion meets purpose. But when lightning strikes, are you ready to catch it?

This episode dives into one such moment: when four friends, Pat Morissey, Brendan Cusick, Peter Durso, and Scott Forman, decided to row 2,800 miles across the Pacific Ocean to raise funds for The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research. With the right support, strategic partnership and a community rallying behind them, their effort transformed into a powerful campaign that inspired the Parkinson’s community worldwide.

Pat Morrissey, the first person with Parkinson’s to complete this journey, and Liz Deemer, Vice President of Community Fundraising at MJFF, join P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell to share the behind-the-scenes story of Team Human Powered Potential—recipients of the 2025 Cash, Sweat & Tears Award—and the incredible impact of this campaign.

In this episode, we’ll also explore:

• How to recognize and respond to bold, supporter-led fundraising opportunities
• What makes staff–fundraiser relationships thrive under high-stakes pressure
• Practical takeaways for activating your community in powerful and unexpected ways

Mentioned Links

www.michaeljfox.org

www.teamfox.org

www.humanpoweredpotential.org

On Instagram: @humanpoweredpotential

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (02:22) - Introducingt the Team
• (03:42) - Pat's Journey
• (10:53) - Liz's Journey
• (15:46) - The Story of the Numbers
• (28:30) - On the Water
• (33:57) - Organizational Challenges
• (37:28) - Advice for Professionals
• (42:14) - Learn More about MJFF

In the early days of the P2P industry, most nonprofits concentrated on one tentpole P2P event—typically a walk or cycling program—which allowed them to align staffing, branding, and resources around a single, large-scale initiative, focusing on broad market appeal. However, as the industry has evolved, so too has the need to diversify offerings—both to engage new audiences and to meet the changing expectations of existing supporters.

Expanding into new events definitely comes with its own set of challenges—especially without a clear plan—but it also opens the door to exciting opportunities. With strong internal alignment, consistent branding, and a collaborative approach, building out a mix of P2P campaigns can spark innovation, boost engagement, and drive real growth.

In this episode, P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell is joined by Steve Merker, VP of Corporate and Community Partnerships at the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Canada’s leading cancer fundraising organization, which was recently recognized as the 2025 Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum Organization Of The Year. They explore how Princess Margaret expanded its peer-to-peer portfolio from two events to eight, the growing pains and opportunities that come with that kind of scale, and how collaboration, brand clarity and a strategic mindset have fueled their success.

In this episode, we’ll also explore:

• Smart strategies for expanding your P2P event lineup without cannibalizing your audience
• How to foster internal alignment and reduce “turf wars” as your portfolio grows
• Ways to create synergy across events while keeping each program’s identity strong

Mentioned Links

Ride to Conquer Cancer

Walk to Conquer Cancer

Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer

Journey to Conquer Cancer

Northern Pass to Conquer Cancer

Cricket to Conquer Cancer

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:38) - Introducing Steve Merker
• (07:49) - The Spark of Expansion
• (11:38) - Navigating Challenges of Event Cross-over
• (16:13) - Branding
• (20:13) - Managing Complex Teams
• (22:56) - Advice for Growth
• (26:58) - Learn More

Peer-to-peer fundraising inherently involves a degree of vulnerability—sharing your personal story and hoping others will respond with support and donations. But what happens when the story is difficult to tell? When the cause itself is stigmatized? Or when you’re unsure how your loved ones will react?

This week on the P2P Soapbox, Shannon Greene, representing Shatterproof, joins us to explore these critical questions. She sheds light on the distinct hurdles nonprofits tackling issues like substance use disorder face in peer-to-peer fundraising and beyond. Shannon shares actionable strategies for breaking through societal biases, fostering safe and welcoming event environments and building trust with donors.

You’ll also hear insights on:

• Creating an engaging community experience
• Equipping your staff with the tools and confidence needed to build meaningful connections and navigate stigma effectively
• Understanding a participant’s motivation and goals for their support

Mentioned Links

https://www.shatterproof.org/

http://shatterproofwalk.org/

On Facebook (@ShatterproofHQ), X (@shatterproofHQ), and Instagram (@weareshatterproof).

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:34) - Introducing Shannon Greene
• (05:54) - About Shatterproof
• (07:30) - Shifting Approaches
• (15:30) - Getting Engaged, Feeling Safe
• (22:08) - Donor Trust
• (25:16) - Lessons Learned, Opportunities Ahead

The seasoned event fundraising professional knows that in-person events often bring unexpected challenges—whether it’s extreme weather, political unrest or medical emergencies.

While these worst-case scenarios can take many forms, the key to navigating them successfully lies in two essential elements: a strong external communication plan and an internal strategy to support your team during what can already be a high-stress time.

This week, Marcie Maxwell is joined by Ted McCartan of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation. Ted shares the extraordinary story of how his team faced a cybersecurity attack just three days before one of their largest peer-to-peer fundraising events. Ted dives into how his team shifted into problem-solving mode, the immediate and long-term impact on their fundraising efforts and the lessons they learned through the ordeal.

You’ll also hear insights on:

• Identifying alternate methods of communication.
• Harnessing the power of an empathetic and supportive community.
• Best practices for guiding and empowering your internal team during a crisis.

Mentioned Links

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | Pediatric Medicine

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (00:59) - Introducing Ted McCartan
• (05:14) - About the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation Fundraising Programs
• (08:52) - The Cyber Security Breach
• (31:46) - Learn More

As many P2P programs strive to expand, organizations often grapple with a core question: should they focus resources on deepening engagement with current supporters or invest in acquiring new ones?

The answer isn’t always one strategy over the other—it’s important to consider your mission’s scope. For causes that directly impact millions, investing in participant acquisition can also help drive broader awareness and connect more people to essential services and support. For missions affecting a smaller community, creating deeper connections and boosting engagement may be more effective.

In today’s episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with industry veteran Megan Gavin, Vice President of Field Campaign and Community Initiatives at the American Diabetes Association. They dive into how her team developed a strategic plan to drive exponential growth for their flagship P2P event, Step Out Walk, aiming to engage more of the 38 million people living with diabetes in the U.S.

Tune in as they also discuss:

- Using data to guide staff toward high-impact activities

- Leveraging AI tools for lead generation

- The critical role of effective event leadership

Mentioned Links

www.diabetes.org

On Facebook (@American Diabetes Association), X (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn)

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:24) - Introducing Megan Gavin
• (04:26) - Tour de Cure and Step Out for Work
• (07:45) - Building New Networks
• (10:22) - ROI on Marketing Investments
• (15:04) - Results
• (19:18) - Learn More

Have you ever stopped to question if your fundraising messaging is ethical? Despite our best intentions as professional fundraisers, it is crucial for us to recognize that certain traditional fundraising methods no longer hold up under scrutiny in 2023.

In our efforts to showcase the serious need for donations with often sad, evocative imagery, we run the risk of contributing to a negative stereotype or, even worse, retraumatizing those we are trying to help. Or we paint a picture of perfect success stories, only to discount the very real challenges our organizations are trying to solve.

While facing financial targets, it can indeed be tempting to prioritize the preferences and desires of donors. However, it is crucial for us to pause and reflect on whether such prioritization is being done at the expense of our mission and the well-being of our community.

In this rebroadcast from Season 1, P2PPF’s Marcie Maxwell sits down with Covenant House International’s Associate Vice President of Site Development, Meghan Coan, and Associate Vice President of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising. Meghan and Colleen share a passion for ethical storytelling, which informs their work with their signature Sleep Out program. We sat down with them to discuss pivotal moments that triggered transformative change within their team and how they are reevaluating messaging and event experiences to ensure alignment with their mission of providing housing for youth facing homelessness.

In today’s episode, we’ll explore:

• How Covenant House is continuously evaluating and evolving its fundraising events to ensure mission alignment
• How they are reframing their messaging and responding to feedback from supporters
• The importance of respecting personal boundaries in storytelling

Mentioned Links

Covenant House International

Sleep Out

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (02:03) - Introducing Colleen Veldt and Meghan Coan
• (07:44) - Sleep Out at Covenant House
• (11:50) - Evaluating Ethics & Mission
• (23:55) - Ethical Storytelling
• (28:04) - The Public Response
• (32:10) - Learn More

One of the most pressing questions facing the peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising industry is, "How do we better engage the next generation of fundraisers?"

With each generational shift, it can be daunting to understand the motivations of the emerging group and adapt to their preferences. Gen Z and young Millennials, now aged 12 to 30, are no exception. Their expectations for transparency, community and social responsibility demand that P2P programs move beyond cookie-cutter fundraising approaches, focusing instead on building trust, fostering meaningful connections, and empowering personal autonomy.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Laurie Benner, the Interim VP, Signature Programs at the Canadian Cancer Society, to chat about the organization’s fastest growing P2P campaign, Relay For Life Youth Program. Together, they discuss how and why the organization has placed a strategic emphasis on the Gen Z & Young Millennial demographic and dig into the unique lessons learned about youth volunteers, including communication preferences and messaging.

This episode also covers:

• Building trust with youth volunteers
• How to harness unique skills of unique volunteers
• Identify the right staff partners to work with this demographic

Mentioned Links

Relay For Life Canada

Canadian Cancer Society

Instagram: @YouthRelay

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:21) - Introducing Laurie Benner at the Canadian Cancer Society
• (05:32) - Addressing the Youth Market
• (20:30) - Finding the Right Staff
• (23:24) - Learn More and Get Involved!

Champions of the peer-to-peer industry understand that P2P events go far beyond just fundraising, raising awareness or building community. For those directly affected by our causes, these events can provide a powerful outlet for emotional healing—a meaningful way to take action, mourn, celebrate and feel less isolated in their struggles.

However, this critical component can often be overshadowed by broader fundraising and marketing strategies. In our efforts to design events that attract the widest possible audience, we can lose sight of creating experiences that truly center those most directly impacted.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell of P2PPF is joined by Chelsea Edwards, Senior Director of Peer-to-Peer Giving at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, to discuss the recent transformation of the organization’s flagship event from the Undy Run to the Walk To End Colon Cancer. Together, they explore the motivations behind this shift and the strategic decision to redesign the event to better serve those diagnosed with colorectal cancer and their loved ones, rather than just the general public. Chelsea delves into how their new signature experience, “A Moment of Unsilence,” was developed and the profound impact it has had on the community.

This episode also covers:

• Emotional healing as a cornerstone of P2P events
• Securing buy-in from leadership and local communities for change
• The non-revenue benefits of P2P communities

Mentioned Links

Colorectal Cancer Alliance

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Connect with Chelsea

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:41) - Introducing Chelsea Edwards
• (06:36) - The Undie Run Transformation
• (14:06) - The Moment of Unsilence
• (22:24) - Training For Impact
• (30:54) - Get Involved