Start your campaign
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Turn a birthday, a race, a workplace campaign, or a class project into safe water for a community. Rally your people for WaterStep’s mission and we will help you every step of the way.
The power of your network
Your people. Our mission. Their water.
Some of WaterStep’s strongest supporters are people who decided to do something they were already going to do, and rally their network around a cause at the same time. A birthday becomes a fundraiser. A race becomes a pledge drive. A shoe drive in a high school hallway becomes money for a deployment.
Peer-to-peer fundraising means you do not have to wait for us to ask. Pick a moment that already matters to you and invite your people to join in. We provide the platform, the materials, and the cheerleading. You bring the story only you can tell.
fundraise your way
Pick a theme. Leverage your network.
Birthday or milestone
Instead of gifts for your birthday, anniversary, or wedding, ask friends and family to give to WaterStep. Your celebration becomes safe water for someone else.
Workplace or team
Run a campaign at work, in a volunteer group, or with a team. Friendly competition, matching programs, and company-wide drives all build momentum fast.
Athletic challenge
Running a 5K, cycling a century, climbing a peak, or training for a marathon. Turn your goal into pledges per mile, per peak, or per finish line crossed.
School or community
A school drive, faith group project, or neighborhood event. Host a shoe drive, run a bake sale, or put together a benefit night. Every dollar raised reaches the field.
How it works
Four steps from idea to impact
01
Pick your reason
A moment, a cause, an event, a habit. Something that already matters to you and to the people around you.
02
Set a goal
Create your page, pick a dollar target, and tell the story of why you care. Our team can help you sharpen the pitch.
03
Share with your people
Post it, email it, text it, bring it up. We send a supporter toolkit with assets, copy, and talking points so you are not starting from a blank page.
04
Celebrate the impact
Thank your supporters, share the total, and hear back from us about where your dollars went and what they made possible.
Ready to get started
Your moment. Their safe water.
Launch a fundraiser in a few minutes. If you would like help before you start, or want us to send the supporter toolkit, we are glad to talk first.
“I started a fundraiser for a friend halfway around the world. What’s so remarkable to me about Philip is how much of his time, labor, and reputation he has directed not toward improving his own life, but toward expanding opportunities for others. He is an inspiration to me, and I hope you find him inspiring, too.”
Elan Head, New Mexico
Good questions
What people ask before they start
What platform do I use to set up my page?
WaterStep uses JustGiving for peer-to-peer fundraising .
Can I host an in-person event instead of an online page?
Yes. In-person events, drives, bake sales, benefit nights, and challenges are all welcome. Pair your event with an online page so donors who cannot attend in person can still give. Our team can send event materials, talking points, and a physical collection plan if useful.
Will my donors get a tax receipt?
Yes. WaterStep is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so gifts made through your fundraising page are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors receive an automated receipt from the platform at the time of their gift.
What support will I get from the WaterStep team?
A fundraiser toolkit with brand-safe graphics, suggested social posts, story prompts, and an impact-language guide. We can also help you sharpen your appeal and brainstorm creative campaigns. Reach out through the contact form and we will set you up.
Can my company match donations?
Often, yes. Many employers match charitable gifts dollar for dollar. Ask your HR or CSR team whether WaterStep is an approved recipient, and encourage donors to ask the same. Matching can double the impact of a campaign without doubling the asks.
What happens if I don’t reach my goal?
Every dollar raised still goes to WaterStep and still funds the mission, whether or not you hit your number. Goals are a motivator, not a threshold. The only failed fundraiser is the one that did not happen.
