North Texas Food Bank Taps Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Power

North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) faced more demand for food than ever when the COVID-19 crisis spiked, making donations critical. As the food bank sought to nourish its bustling 13-county area, it also adapted to social distancing norms for volunteers and steered supporters to become virtual fundraisers, tapping into the abilities of JustGiving® from Blackbaud®. Annual Campaign Manager
Lexi Kay explains how NTFB virtual supporters raised $57,000 in the first eight weeks with this flexible, donor-focused peer-to-peer solution.

Q: What attracted you to adopt JustGiving from Blackbaud as part of your fundraising strategies?

A: During this critical time, our supporters are looking for ways to give back
and make an immediate impact. Since hosting food drives are typically a
volunteer opportunity, the pandemic makes this difficult. So, we created a
Virtual Food Drive campaign through JustGiving. This allows our donors to
fundraise with their peers and raise funds when they are needed most.

Q: What aspects of JustGiving have you found valuable?

A: Through JustGiving, our supporters can customize their campaign and
their page to their liking. This allows them to connect their own beliefs to
our mission and their personal fundraising pages become a way for them to
express their story to others. It generates brand awareness and allows new
supporters to get connected to the important work we do at the North Texas
Food Bank.

Q: Speak to the value of your supporters pointing others to your cause.

A: By using JustGiving, we are engaging existing donors and bringing in new supporters. This type of networking and fundraising is incredibly powerful and supports relationship-building. When new fundraising pages are set up, we reach out to cheer them on and help get them started. Having that
personal connection is important to us at the North Texas Food Bank. Every gift makes a difference.

Q: Tell us more about some of your successful virtual fundraisers.

A: Tech Mahindra, a global company with an office in Plano, Texas, is partnering
with the North Texas Food Bank to raise funds and provide positivity during
this difficult time we are facing. Their initial goal was $10,000, and by the end of
April, they had surpassed their new goal of $20,000.
Amy Abney with AKA Photography launched a Front Steps Project Virtual
Fundraiser, in which she is photographing family photo sessions and
collecting donations for the North Texas Food Bank. She has raised more
than $11,000.

Q: Talk about ease and flexibility of JustGiving and how it integrates with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.

A: JustGiving is an easy-to-use platform that makes for strong peer-to-peer
campaigns, turning supporters into champions of our mission. Donations
easily integrate with our Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT database to provide a
seamless experience overall.