Recognition is no longer just about t-shirts or medals - it’s about meaning. Thoughtful, mission-driven recognition strategies can deepen fundraisers’ emotional connection and inspire long-term loyalty.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Meredith Perkins, Director of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Meredith shares how her team has evolved recognition from transactional to transformational, creating experiences that honor fundraisers’ motivations and celebrate their impact.

From weaving MD Anderson’s mission to eliminate cancer into every recognition moment to reimagining branded products with purpose, Meredith offers practical ways to make participants feel valued and connected. She also dives into how feedback and metrics guide continuous improvement, ensuring each recognition effort aligns with participant expectations and program goals.

Together, we’ll explore:

• How to design recognition programs that strengthen mission connection and emotional engagement
• Creative ways to recognize and reward fundraisers across participation levels and years
• Practical methods for measuring impact and evolving recognition strategies for sustained success

​Mentioned Links

www.MDAnderson.org/Fundraise

www.MDAnderson.org/BootWalk

www.MDAnderson.org/DIY

www.MDAnderson.org/Remember

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box

Many large nonprofits struggle with the tension between standardization and localization in their fundraising programs. When national organizations move toward centralized models, they risk losing the authentic community relationships that make peer-to-peer events successful. Yet operating entirely through local structures can create inefficiencies and inconsistent donor experiences.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Andi Hughes, Vice President of Signature Peer to Peer Programs at Susan G. Komen. With deep experience in nonprofit fundraising transformation, Andi shares how Komen navigated the complex transition from decentralized to centralized program support while maintaining the local flavor that makes their events resonate.

Andi discusses the strategic decision-making behind Komen's organizational shift and the practical challenges of managing change across field and national teams. She explores how they determine which decisions require consistency and which benefit from local autonomy, and shares the metrics that demonstrate success beyond just revenue numbers.

Together, we'll explore:

• Strategic rationale and phased approach for centralizing peer-to-peer program support across a national nonprofit
• Preserving local community connections and authenticity within standardized national event frameworks
• Impact on operational efficiency, fundraising outcomes, and brand presence when balancing autonomy with consistency

Mentioned Links

www.komen.org

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (01:03) - Introducing Andi Hughes

While many healthcare organizations treat major gifts and peer-to-peer as separate fundraising channels, some forward-thinking institutions are discovering the power of integration. When these strategies work in harmony rather than competition, both programs can amplify each other's success and create deeper donor relationships.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Jamie Lamont, Vice President of Events at Sinai Health Foundation. With extensive experience in healthcare philanthropy, Jamie shares how Sinai has successfully bridged the traditional gap between major donor cultivation and community-driven fundraising, creating a collaborative approach that serves donors holistically.

Jamie discusses how breaking down internal silos has transformed their fundraising outcomes, from event ideation through execution. She explores how peer-to-peer events provide invaluable insights into donor motivations and preferences, intelligence that enhances major gift strategies. The conversation reveals practical approaches for fostering genuine partnership between teams and ensuring all fundraising efforts ladder up to mission-driven priorities.

Together, we'll explore:

• Strategic integration of peer-to-peer and major gifts within hospital philanthropy programs
• Practical collaboration methods from event planning through donor stewardship and relationship building
• Leveraging event insights to inform broader philanthropic strategy and enhance donor engagement across all giving levels

Mentioned Links

https://www.sinaihealth.ca/foundation

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (02:18) - Introducing Jamie Lamont
• (05:28) - The Sinai Health Portfolio
• (09:56) - The Major Gifts/P2P Approach
• (12:34) - Team Integration
• (20:40) - Linking Strategy to Priorities
• (24:32) - Advice for Engagement

When life-saving treatments transform a terminal diagnosis into a chronic condition, everything changes — including how communities fundraise. The peer-to-peer landscape isn't just evolving with technology and trends; it's being reshaped by the very success of the causes we support.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Robin Paterson, Senior Director of Special Events and Peer-to-Peer Campaigns at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With nearly two decades of nonprofit experience, Robin shares how medical advances that have extended and improved lives for CF patients have fundamentally shifted community engagement, fundraising motivations, and program strategies.

As CF patients live longer, healthier lives, their relationship with fundraising has evolved from urgent survival to long-term advocacy. Robin discusses how this transformation has influenced everything from campaign messaging to participant recruitment, and how her team is adapting to serve a community that includes thriving teens with CF — a generation that wasn't expected to exist.

Together, we'll explore:

• How medical breakthroughs change fundraising psychology and community dynamics
• Strategic approaches to messaging when your cause story evolves from crisis to hope
• Practical methods for engaging emerging demographics, including teen patients as active fundraisers

Mentioned Links

Great Strides

cff.org

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (02:26) - Introducing Robin Paterson
• (05:08) - The Portfolio
• (08:04) - The Shifting Treatment Landscape
• (19:22) - Staffing
• (22:32) - Advice for Those on the Tipping Point
• (24:18) - Learn More

Leading a P2P campaign means managing multiple moving pieces—fundraisers with different experience levels, corporate partners with varying expectations and internal staff with diverse skill sets. But the most successful leaders know that underneath all this complexity lies a simple truth: understanding what drives each person is the key to keeping everyone aligned.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Javier Sanchez, Executive Director of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge. With over 20 years of experience spanning mass-participation sports, philanthropy, and entertainment, Sanchez has mastered the art of identifying different personas within his ecosystem and tailoring his approach to meet each group's specific needs.

From uncovering hidden motivations in fundraisers to adapting leadership styles for different team members, Sanchez shares practical strategies for building stronger connections that translate into better outcomes. Whether you're supporting a cancer survivor taking on their first fundraising challenge or coaching your staff to have deeper conversations with participants, this conversation offers actionable insights for anyone leading mission-driven teams.

Together, we'll explore:

• How to identify and support different personas across your fundraiser base, staff, and partner network
• Proven techniques for uncovering what truly motivates people—and coaching your team to do the same
• Practical strategies for adapting your leadership style to drive alignment across complex stakeholder groups

Mentioned Links

Dolphinscancerchallenge.com

On X, Instagram & Facebook

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (00:49) - Introducing Javier Sanchez
• (05:26) - About the Dolphins Cancer Challenge
• (06:56) - Managing Complexity
• (19:12) - Adapting a Leadership Style
• (22:12) - Learning What Drives a Staff
• (24:09) - Uncovering the Values Based Approach
• (32:00) - Learn More

Crisis fundraising operates on a different timeline than traditional campaigns. When disaster hits, organizations have a critical 24-hour window to mobilize resources and activate their networks. But what separates organizations that thrive in crisis from those that scramble?

The difference lies in preparation—having systems, messages, and community relationships ready before the emergency unfolds. It's about building infrastructure that can pivot quickly while maintaining donor trust and emotional resonance throughout evolving circumstances.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Jessi Woomer, Director of Digital Fundraising for the American Red Cross. With ten years of experience leading national digital fundraising strategy, Jessi shares how organizations can prepare for crisis moments and deploy peer-to-peer strategies that turn urgency into sustainable support.

Together, we'll explore:

• Why the first 24 hours of crisis response are make-or-break for fundraising success
• How to build donor targeting strategies that balance local impact with broader community engagement
• Practical systems for transitioning from emergency response to long-term donor stewardship

Mentioned Links

American Red Cross

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (02:27) - Introducing Jessica Woomer
• (06:58) - Resources when Skies are Clear
• (15:07) - Messaging in Crisis
• (25:42) - Assessing Success
• (29:39) - Learn More... Get Involved!

There's a fundamental difference between inheriting a well-oiled P2P machine and building one from scratch. When you're tasked with creating systems, culture and infrastructure that need to scale alongside explosive organizational growth, you're not just managing programs - you're architecting the future.

But here's what most people don't realize: the "builder’s mindset" isn't just about launching new initiatives. It's about thinking three steps ahead while solving today's problems. It's about maintaining the heart and soul of grassroots programs while constructing the professional backbone they need to thrive at scale.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Kayln Henkel, Chief Advancement Officer at the Parkinson's Foundation, who's made her career out of building sustainable fundraising programs from the ground up. As employee #44 at the Parkinson's Foundation, Kayln has had a front-row seat to the unique challenges that come with rapid growth - scaling from three walk events to 50+, navigating mergers, launching new program formats and preparing leadership for the kind of transformation that changes everything.

Together, we'll explore:

- Strategic staffing evolution and emerging P2P roles

- Preparing leadership for growth through change management and ROI demonstration

- Maintaining program culture while building scalable infrastructure

Mentioned Links

parkinson.org

movingdaywalk.org

parkinsonsrevolution.org

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (02:39) - Introducing Kayln Henkel
• (07:08) - Growing Up with the Organization
• (16:31) - Setting the Long-Term Vision
• (22:08) - Staffing
• (27:00) - Preparing the Team for Growth
• (31:50) - Learn More

In P2P fundraising, there can often be a disconnect between the excitement marketing generates and the direct recruitment strategies implemented by local field teams. The result? Frustrated participants, overwhelmed staff and missed opportunities to achieve participation goals and build lasting relationships with supporters.

But what if marketing and recruitment worked hand-in-hand instead of in silos? What if the goal wasn't just filling the funnel, but ensuring every person who enters it has a meaningful experience?

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Brandi Glover from Wounded Warrior Project, a Marketing Specialist who brings a unique perspective to P2P strategy. Having started as a fundraiser herself before moving into marketing, Brandi understands both sides of the equation—and why trust and alignment between these teams is critical for program success.

We’ll also discuss:

• The crucial difference between marketing and recruitment—and why that distinction matters for program outcomes
• Practical strategies for balancing lead generation with sustainable participant experiences
• How to set field teams up for success when marketing campaigns exceed expectations

Mentioned Links

Wounded Warrior Project

Carry Forward 5K

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• (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
• (03:21) - Introducing Brandi Glover
• (05:48) - The P2P-Marketing Handshake
• (28:18) - Learn More