Make an Impact Through Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Peer-to-peer fundraising amplifies the impact of your generosity. By rallying your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors, you can help raise critical funds to support programs that strengthen kids, families, and communities across our region.
Every participant becomes a voice for the YMCA’s mission, helping to:
Expand access to youth programs, swimming lessons, and after-school care.
Support health and wellness initiatives for all ages.
Ensure families in need can benefit from YMCA programs regardless of ability to pay.
When you fundraise on behalf of the YMCA, you’re not just donating — you’re inspiring others to give, too. Together, small efforts combine into big change.
How You Can Get Involved
Getting started is easy, and there are opportunities for every level of involvement:
Start Your Own Fundraising Page
Create a personal campaign to support a cause you care about and share it with your network.
Join an Existing Event
Participate in YMCA events like runs, walks, or challenges, and fundraise alongside fellow community members.
Team Up with Friends or Colleagues
Form a group to raise awareness and funds together, making the experience fun and collaborative.
Share Your Story
Inspire donations by sharing why the YMCA is important to you and how it impacts your community.
Hello, and thank you for your interest in supporting the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh through peer-to-peer fundraising!
I’m Brett Smith, Director of Annual Giving, and I want to personally express my gratitude for your willingness to step up and make a difference in our community. By sharing your story, rallying your friends and family, and raising funds on behalf of the Y, you’re helping ensure that children, families, and neighbors across our region have access to programs that foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Your efforts — big or small — create real impact. Together, we can strengthen our communities, provide opportunities for everyone, and continue the Y’s mission of building a healthier, stronger Pittsburgh. Thank you for joining us and for being a champion for the causes that matter most.
Let’s get started!
Brett Smith | Director of Annual Giving | bsmith@ymcapgh.org
Share the Y. Strengthen Your Community.
When you share the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh on your social media, you’re doing more than posting a story — you’re helping your community thrive. Every share, post, or shout-out raises awareness about the programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
By telling your friends, family, and followers about the Y, you help connect more people to life-changing opportunities: afterschool programs, summer camps, swim lessons, wellness initiatives, and food security support. Your voice can inspire others to get involved, volunteer, or give — creating a ripple effect that strengthens our neighborhoods and changes lives.
Sharing is caring — and when you share the Y, you help build a stronger, healthier Pittsburgh for everyone.
EXAMPLE 1
My Y has an annual campaign to ensure that everyone in our community has access to vital programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Every day, the Y works to support the people and neighborhoods that need it most by addressing community issues, youth development, chronic disease prevention, and teen leadership and academic enrichment.
Across the nation countless people know the Y, but my Y is more than you think. Visit pittsburghymca.org/give for more information.
EXAMPLE 2
This year, I hope to raise [INSERT FUNDRAISING GOAL] for my Y. Funds raised will support programs like: [INSERT NEW OR EXISTING PROGRAM EXAMPLES].
Last year, charitable gifts from YMCA donors made it possible for kids to have a safe place to learn and build confidence after school, for families to reconnect and grow together, and for people to access health education and training to reach their full potential.
To learn more about how you can support the Y, please contact me at [EMAILADDRESS], or visit pittsburghymca.org/give.
EXAMPLE 3
I’m helping my Y raise ___ dollars to make our community stronger. My personal fundraising goal is ___. Will you help me? pittsburghymca.org/give
FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 4
Are you a working parent? The YMCA Afterschool program offers financial support to families in need. Will you join me in giving kids a safe place to grow and learn? pittsburghymca.org/give
EXAMPLE 5
Did you go to summer camp as a kid? Many kids in YMCA summer camps benefit from financial assistance provided through our community’s support. Please consider making a gift that will give a kid an experience that will last a lifetime. pittsburghymca.org/give
EXAMPLE 6
Do you know how to swim? Drowning is one of the leading causes of injury and death for kids under the age of 15. Please join me in making a gift to the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Annual Campaign and help provide swim lessons to a child — potentially saving a life. pittsburghymca.org/give
EXAMPLE 7
The need for food security support continues to grow, and households in our community rely on the YMCA for critical resources. Please join me in making a gift to feed our neighbors. pittsburghymca.org/give
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Strategies for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
Set a Personal Goal
Define a clear, achievable fundraising target. Sharing your goal helps motivate friends and family to support you.
Share Your Story
Explain why the YMCA is important to you — whether it’s summer camp, afterschool programs, swim lessons, or community health initiatives. Personal stories inspire others to give.
Leverage Social Media
Post regular updates about your fundraising progress, share photos, and highlight programs supported by donations. Tag friends, use relevant hashtags, and include pittsburghymca.org/give so supporters can give directly.
Email Your Network
Send personalized emails to family, friends, and colleagues explaining your fundraising goal and how their support makes a difference.
Host a Virtual or In-Person Event
Organize a small gathering, bake sale, or online challenge to encourage donations while engaging your community in a fun way.
Offer Incentives
Celebrate milestones with small rewards, shout-outs, or thank-you posts to recognize supporters and encourage continued giving.
Engage Your Workplace or Groups
Rally your coworkers, sports teams, or social groups to create a team fundraising page. Team challenges foster friendly competition and increase donations.
Highlight Specific Programs
Show donors exactly how their gifts will be used — for example, funding swim lessons, youth sports, or food security programs. People give more when they see tangible impact.
Regularly Update Donors
Share your progress, thank contributors publicly (with their permission), and highlight the community impact their donations are making.
Follow Up and Say Thanks
After the campaign, send personalized thank-you notes or messages. Expressing gratitude strengthens relationships and encourages future participation.
Mark Your Calendar: Major Giving Days at the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh hosts several special giving days throughout the year, offering supporters unique opportunities to make a big impact in our community. Mark your calendar and join us in helping kids, families, and neighbors thrive!
1. #GivingTuesday
When: Annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving
Purpose: #GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity, inspiring people everywhere to give back. Contributions to the YMCA on this day support programs that strengthen youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility across our region.
How to Participate: Make a donation online at pittsburghymca.org/give, share your support on social media, or help spread the word to friends and family. Every gift matters!
2. Y Day of Giving
When: Annually in the spring
Purpose: Y Day of Giving is our dedicated 24-hour online fundraising event. This day celebrates the collective power of our YMCA community, helping us raise funds for programs that benefit kids, families, and communities in need.
How to Participate: Create a peer-to-peer fundraising page, donate directly online, or share our stories on social media to help us reach our goals. Visit pittsburghymca.org/give to learn more.
3. Critical Needs Alert Day
When: First Week in August
Purpose: Critical Needs Alert Day focuses on addressing urgent needs in our community, such as food insecurity, youth program funding, and health and wellness initiatives. Donations on this day provide immediate impact where it’s needed most.
How to Participate: Make a gift online, participate in special events, or encourage others to give. Your support ensures that no neighbor is left behind. More info at pittsburghymca.org/give.
Ready to make an impact?
Start your peer-to-peer fundraising today and inspire your friends, family, and community to support the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. Together, you can create a lasting difference for the people and programs you care about most.