What kind of year was 2013 for peer-to-peer fundraising? For the industry's biggest programs, the answer was it depends on where you worked, according to the results of the Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Thirty (formerly the Run Walk Ride Thirty.)  On average America's biggest programs were down 2.6%, but that really doesn't tell the tale. In fact, 17 or the programs had increased or flat gross revenue compared to 13 that were down. Three programs that suffered eight-figure contractions had an oversized impact on the group tally: Relay for Life (down $27.5 million), Race for the Cure (down $20 million) and the Komen 3-Days (down $15.5 million.)
The negative overall percentage shouldn't obscure a number of signs of vitality:
- Five programs reported revenue hikes of more than $5 million: Heart Walk, Walk to End Alzheimer's, Pan-Mass Challenge, Movember and Cycle for Survival. (Great to see some traditional walks expanding!)
- It took gross revenue of $12.1 million for the the National Down Syndrome Society's Buddy Walk program to snag the 30th spot on the 2013 list. That represents a $2.2 million or 22 percent increase from the amount needed to make the list in 2012.
As Jeff Shuck, CEO of Plenty, our partner on this annual study points out, double-digit growth by programs in the middle and lower rungs of the Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Thirty show that there is still substantial room for growth in this field. Two great examples: #27: Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center's Cycle for Survival Program, up 68.7% to $14 million, and #23: Movember, a mustache-growing program for men's health, which was tup 39.4% to $21 million.
Want to dig into the survey results? You can download a summary of the top 30 programs or obtain a copy of our data CD (free to members or available for purchase for $199.)
Here's to great numbers for everyone in 2014!
President
Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum
PS -- Got home last night from our largest and I think best ever conference. Thanks to all the speakers, sponsors, facilitators and attendees who made it such an exciting gathering. On Monday we start planning for 2015!
|
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is looking for an 
