Peer-to-peer fundraising can be a great way to get donors plugged into your organization, because it not only involves your supporters, but also their friends and family. But there’s more to peer-to-peer fundraising than fun runs and bake sales. How can you make it work for your organization?

Here are three unique case studies of peer-to-peer fundraising to get you inspired.

Boston Red Sox Foundation

A lot of charities conduct running-related fundraisers such as “Fun Runs”,but the Boston Red Sox took a unique approach to the idea: they held a marathon inside Fenway Park. To help drive interest and exclusivity, participants were limited to those who raised $5000 or more. The event was a great success, with participants raising a total of $320,000 dollars.

Mick Blume, a program specialist for the Boston Red Sox Foundation said of the event:

To have the entire race inside the park was a unique opportunity for the runners—and it made for a memorable and successful event.

American Cancer Society

In the past, the American Cancer Society conducted a fundraising program called the 3-Point Challenge. Participating college basketball teams invited fans to pledge a certain amount for each 3-point shot they made. Although very successful, the program was difficult to manage, because it was done using paper forms.

But in 2016, they were able to revolutionize the program by taking it all online. Now teams can ask easily their friends and family for pledges and manage donations online. Additionally, they can challenge other teams on social media, and track their progress on a virtual leaderboard, building excitement for their fundraising efforts as well as awareness for the Cancer Society.

The revamped program has raised $350,000, and now, the American Cancer Society is considering expanding to high school basketball –something that never would have been possible with the old paper form program.

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation has a unique program called Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma. The campaign involves small groups of supporters in adventure excursions to raise money for the cause. Participants in the program have done intense hikes including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mt. Fuji, and Machu Picchu, fostering deep relationship between the foundation and donors.

Alicia O’Neill, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s director of partnerships and research development, says,

This is a very different type of program. You have to set up each group to be high touch. This is almost like stewardship of major donors in a development office.

The program has been very successful, however; its first six events have involved 112 participants and raised $1.2 million for the foundation.

Now it’s your turn! How can you use peer-to-peer fundraising to involve your donors and their networks of friends?