JRS/USA Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Toolkit
07 October 2025|JRS/USA |Action Toolkits
Start a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser for JRS/USA
Empower your community to take action for refugees
When you create a peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraiser, you help Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) reach more families displaced by conflict, disaster, and persecution. By inviting friends, family, and colleagues to give, you amplify impact—and every dollar raised provides education, mental health care, and emergency support where it’s needed most.
What Is Peer-to-Peer Fundraising?
P2P fundraising lets supporters like you create your own mini-campaigns to benefit JRS/USA. You can host them directly through social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) or by creating a personalized campaign page through FundraiseUp, JRS/USA’s official giving platform.
Why It Works
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Trust: People give to people they know.
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Reach: Your network becomes JRS/USA’s network.
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Personal narrative: Your story becomes the campaign’s heart.
When to Fundraise
Start a fundraiser around moments that matter most:
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Personal milestones: birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, or confirmations
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Seasons of giving: Lent, Advent, World Refugee Day, or Giving Tuesday
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In times of need: after global emergencies or humanitarian headlines
How to Fundraise on Each Platform
| Platform | Steps to Create a Fundraiser | Tip for Success |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Go to the JRS/USA Profile → Fundraisers → Raise money. 2. Set a goal amount and end date. 3. Add a photo and a short story about why you’re raising funds. 4. Publish your fundraiser and share with friends. 5. Post updates halfway and in the final 48 hours. 6. Thank every donor with a comment or DM. |
Tag friends and family to boost visibility and early donations. | |
| 1. Create a Story. 2. Tap the Donation sticker. 3. Choose Jesuit Refugee Service/USA from the list. 4. Add a short message and post your Story. 5. Pin to Highlights to keep it visible beyond 24 hours. 6. For longer drives, add your Facebook Fundraiser link in bio. |
Use bright visuals and personal reflections to connect emotionally. | |
| 1. Write a post introducing your fundraiser and goal. 2. Add a Donate button linking to the JRS/USA Donate page or your FundraiseUp campaign. 3. Share a short story or reason for supporting JRS/USA. 4. Ask colleagues to reshare your post. 5. Post a thank-you update once you reach your goal. |
Include a personal story or workplace connection to inspire colleagues. | |
| FundraiseUp (Custom Page) | 1. Email communications@jrsusa.org to request a custom campaign page. 2. The JRS/USA team will help you design your branded page (goal, photo, and story). 3. Receive a unique donation link to share by email, text, or social media. 4. Track donations and progress in real time. 5. Share updates and thank your supporters along the way. |
Perfect for schools, parishes, and teams who want to track group impact. |
Use These Templates for Your Fundraiser
Instagram Image Templates
Facebook Image Templates
LinkedIn Image Templates
Best Practices for Your Fundraiser
- Set a clear, time-bound goal: Aim for $250–$1,000 over 7–14 days.
- Use strong visuals: Choose one compelling image with eye contact or a simple graphic.
- Stay consistent: Post 3–5 times total; add Stories daily in the last two days.
- Thank donors quickly: Comment, tag, or DM within 24 hours of their gift.
- Offer a match: Challenge others by matching the next $50–$100.
- Close the loop: Share your results and highlight the real-world impact.
Pro Tip: Pair each post with a brief personal reflection — why this cause matters to you. Authenticity drives connection and giving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes. JRS/USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donors receive tax receipts directly from the giving platform.
Will JRS/USA receive my donor information?
Social platforms share limited data, but donors may choose to share contact info so JRS/USA can thank them.
Are there fees?
Most platforms charge standard payment processing fees.
Can I fundraise as a team?
Yes! Coordinate a shared goal and hashtag—perfect for businesses, parishes, and schools.
P2P Fundraising Highlights
Running 200 Miles Across Florida
Alex is running across Florida to raise money and awareness for JRS/USA. You can read about her inspiration here, on a page she created and follow along her journey as she approaches race day.
Rugby Rivals Raise Money for Refugees
Students at Jesuit schools Georgetown Preparatory and Gonzaga College High used their long-time rivalry to raise money at rugby match. You can read about their experience here.
Fundraising for a Birthday
More than 20 birthdays have been dedicated to JRS/USA through Meta in 2025. Dedicate your birthday today!
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