Posted by Ally Patterson
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Your Headline Your Personal Message Your Fundraising Goal Your Photo How to Share Your Page Common QuestionsWhen your organization runs a peer-to-peer fundraiser, every participant gets their own page. That page has your name on it, your goal, and a place for donors to give directly to you. It's personal — and that's exactly what makes it work.
Donors who know you are far more likely to give than strangers browsing a general campaign page. But a blank page with no message and no photo doesn't do that work. This guide walks you through each piece of your page so you can fill it in quickly and start sharing.
Your headline is the first line of text on your page. It doesn't need to be clever. It just needs to answer one question: why are you raising money?
Keep it short — one sentence is enough. Think of it as the subject line of an email you'd send to a friend.
A few examples that work:
Avoid vague openers like "I'm so excited to share this with you" or "As many of you know..." Jump straight to the point. Donors scan fast.
This is the main body of your page. Two or three short paragraphs is plenty. Your goal is to help the reader understand who you are, what you're raising money for, and why it matters to you personally.
Start with who you are and what you're doing.
You don't need a long introduction. A sentence or two is enough: "I'm a 4th grader at Maple Elementary and I'm participating in our school's read-a-thon this month" tells the donor everything they need to know.
Explain what the money supports.
Be specific. "Funds go to new books and classroom supplies for our school" is better than "Funds support our school." The more concrete you are, the more confident donors feel about giving.
Add something personal.
This is where you stand out from every other page in the campaign. Maybe you've been part of this team for three years. Maybe this cause hits close to home. Maybe your kid came home excited to participate. One personal detail goes a long way.
Genius Tip
Write your message like you're talking to one person, not a crowd. Imagine a neighbor or coworker reading it. Would they understand what you're asking and why? If yes, you're done.
Keep it short.
Most donors spend less than 30 seconds on a fundraising page before deciding whether to give. Three short paragraphs will outperform a long essay every time.
Here's a simple template you can copy and adjust:
Hi! I'm [name] and I'm participating in [campaign name] for [organization]. This year, we're raising money to [what funds support].
[One personal sentence — why this matters to you or your family.]
Any amount helps. Even a small donation brings me closer to my goal and makes a real difference for [group/cause]. Thank you so much for your support!
Your page displays a progress bar that updates in real time as donations come in. That visual is one of the most effective motivators for donors — seeing that you're 60% of the way to your goal makes people want to help you get there.
Set a goal that is realistic but specific. Round numbers like $100 or $250 are easy to understand and easy to rally around. If your organization suggested a goal amount, use that as your starting point.
A few things to keep in mind:
Don't leave the goal field blank. A page with no target gives donors no sense of momentum.
Add a photo. Pages with photos get more donations than pages without them. That's not a theory — it's consistent across every kind of peer-to-peer campaign.
Your photo doesn't need to be professional. A clear, recent photo of you (or your child, if you're a parent fundraising on their behalf) is all you need. If you're on a team, a photo from a recent game or event works well too.
A few options that work:
Avoid using your organization's logo as your personal page photo. Donors want to see a person, not a brand.
Genius Tip
Donors can leave a personal message when they give. Once you get your first few donations, those messages can become part of what you share — nothing motivates new donors like seeing that others have already jumped in.
Once your page is set up, share the link. Your page on SignUpGenius has a unique URL you can copy and paste anywhere.
The most effective places to share it:
| Where to Share | What to Say | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Text message | Short, personal ask with your link | Highest open and response rates of any channel |
| Use the template from your personal message section | Good for reaching family and coworkers | |
| Social media | Post your page link with a photo and your goal | Reaches your full network at once |
| Group chats | Drop your link in existing chats (work, family, neighborhood) | You're already in the conversation |
| In person | Ask directly — then follow up with your link | Personal asks convert at the highest rate |
One share is rarely enough. Most peer-to-peer fundraisers see a wave of donations right after they share, then a slowdown. A follow-up message one or two weeks in — especially when you're close to your goal — can push you over the finish line.
Running the campaign? Here's what to tell participants.
If you're the organizer, share this article with everyone who joins your campaign. A quick message like "Here's how to fill out your page" removes the biggest friction point between signup and first donation.
Learn more about peer-to-peer fundraisingWhat if I don't know what to write? Start with the template in the personal message section above. Fill in the three blanks, read it out loud, and adjust anything that doesn't sound like you. That's all it takes.
How long should my personal message be? Two or three short paragraphs. Donors don't read long pages. If you can say it in fewer words, do that.
Can I update my page after I share it? Yes. You can edit your message, update your photo, and adjust your goal at any time. If you hit your goal early, raise it and share the update with your network.
Do donors have to give on my personal page? No. Donors can give through your page or through the main campaign page. Either way, your organization receives the funds. Giving directly on your page shows in your personal progress, which can motivate your specific donors.
What happens when someone donates? Donors can leave a personal message when they give. You'll see donations come in through the campaign dashboard in real time. Your progress bar updates automatically.
What if I'm a parent setting up a page for my child? Write the message in your child's voice, or in your own voice as a parent. Either works. Just be clear about who is participating — "My daughter Emma is in the 3rd grade read-a-thon" is perfectly fine.
Can I see how other participants are doing? If your campaign has a leaderboard, yes. Your organizer can set up team fundraising and a live leaderboard so participants can see how they rank. A little friendly competition goes a long way.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Ideas
Not sure what kind of campaign to run? Read-a-thons, team challenges, pledge drives and more — find the format that fits your group.
Read moreHow to Write a Fundraiser Page
Advice for organizers setting up the main campaign page, including goal-setting, donation levels, and descriptions that drive giving.
Read moreSignUpGenius is a truly fantastic website that has been incredibly useful in helping organize participants for an undergraduate project. It is simple and intuitive to use, and I would certainly recommend it for use in similar projects.
James Hall
