Tapping into donors’ competitive spirit through peer-based fundraising

Longtime supporters of other organizations, the Ruggieri family only knew the nonprofit world from the point of view of a donor. That changed on November 18, 2023, when 23-year-old Sophia Ruggieri passed away unexpectedly during the night from complications of Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing cells. Insulin is a crucial hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. 

After her death, there was an outpouring of support from loved ones and family. Knowing that Sophia would have wanted to direct that love and support to others in need, the Ruggieri family formed the Sophia Ruggieri Memorial Foundation and, after hearing about Give Lively from a friend, applied for membership and got acquainted with the world of digital fundraising.

Donors' competitive drive became the foundation’s competitive edge

The organization decided to organize its fundraising around an annual event called Sophia’s Stroll, in memory of Sophia’s love of hiking, travel and exploration. Anyone can participate – from walking the dog to an extreme challenge.

“Again, no familiarity [with fundraising] aside from being a donor,” recounts Frank Ruggieri, Sophia’s father and President of Sophia Ruggieri’s Memorial Foundation. “We knew the old-fashioned way – maybe you have a banquet or you have a silent auction, a live auction, you play golf the next day.… That’s the way we did it 20, 30 years ago. And it still works, but we’re in a new world, a virtual world.”

A close friend of the Ruggieri family had used Give Lively and recommended us based on the platform’s simplicity for donors, ease of use behind the scenes and the Peer-Based Fundraising tools that tap into donors’ competitive spirit.

The Sophia Ruggieri’s Memorial Foundation donors' competitive drive became a competitive edge. Using a combination of Give Lively–powered Peer-to-Peer Fundraising and Team Fundraising, the newly formed foundation raised just over $56,000 during the inaugural Sophia’s Stroll event.

Although Sophia’s Stroll itself is not a timed event and does not have a particular distance requirement, fundraising team leaders tapped into their circles’ competitive spirit as they raised funds for Type 1 diabetes education and scholarships. 

“We’re all about competition because all of us came from a sports background,” explains Frank. “Our daughters all played soccer. Sophia was a great athlete. So we bought right into the competition part [of Team Fundraising]. ‘Oh, my buddy’s beating me, I’ve got to raise another $100 to beat him or her.’”

Here, there and everywhere: combining in-person and virtual elements

Sophia’s Stroll has both in-person and virtual elements. The event can take place anywhere in the world and can be any length. Team or individual activities may include walking, running, biking, hiking, swimming or skating. Donations may also be contributed directly to the foundation, no stroll required. 

To offer more flexibility for actions in other states or countries, teams can organize around any day, although July 20th was the date Sophia's family and friends gathered in Brevard, North Carolina, for their team stroll.

For the 2024 Sophia’s Stroll, teams met in England, Italy, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. states of California, Wisconsin, Wyoming, North Carolina, New Jersey and Florida.