Miami Dolphins Foundation Shares How Its Hybrid Event Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Fundraising Levels

The Miami Dolphins Foundation, last year, committed to raising $75 million to fund innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System. Its annual peer-to-peer event has raised $45.5 million thus far toward the largest philanthropic pledge in sports.

The Dolphins Challenge Cancer has grown seven times over from slightly more than $500,000 with 411 participants at its inaugural event, then Dolphins Cycling Challenge, in 2010. It has since become a year-round movement, but, not unlike other nonprofits, it faced pandemic-related challenges when it came to holding its signature fundraising event.

In its last fully in-person event in February of 2020 — just weeks before pandemic-related shutdowns changed the way nonprofits fundraised — the foundation welcomed nearly 4,000 participants and raised $6.2 million.

For this year, the foundation delayed until April for a hybrid version of the largest NFL fundraiser. While overall participants decreased by about 500, revenue increased by a million. That $6.3 million raised became the most successful event to date.

"We are extremely appreciative of the incredible commitment shown by all of the DCC participants, as well as our sponsors and of course, the Miami Dolphins," Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., Sylvester director and DCC XI 100-mile ride participant, said in a statement after this year’s event. "The consistent DCC funding continues to fuel our efforts to develop new and better therapies for our patients, and to continue to recruit the best and brightest physicians and scientists to make those discoveries."

The event will return Feb. 26, 2022 — once again taking advantage of a hybrid format. As of publication, more than $238,000 has been raised so far. To learn more about the foundation’s hybrid event success this year as well as plans for next year's event, check out Peer-To-Peer World’s session, “The Next Play with Peer-to-Peer: How the Miami Dolphins’ DCC Is Driving Forward With Hybrid Fundraising Experiences,” at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8.

Editor’s Note: NonProfit PRO is the exclusive media partner for Peer-to-Peer World.