ANNAPOLIS, MD – METAvivor Research and Support, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), has officially announced a significant transition in its digital infrastructure. In a move designed to streamline donor engagement and enhance the efficiency of its grassroots fundraising efforts, the organization is migrating its Peer-to-Peer (P2P) fundraising operations from GoFundMe Pro (formerly known as Classy) to Bloomerang Fundraising.
This transition marks a pivotal moment for the organization as it seeks to modernize its technological stack to better serve its community of "metavivors," donors, and researchers. As of this fall, all fundraising pages previously hosted on the GoFundMe Pro platform will be deactivated, making the shift to Bloomerang a mandatory evolution for all active campaigns supporting the non-profit.
Main Facts: A Shift in Philanthropic Infrastructure
The decision to move to Bloomerang Fundraising is not merely a change in service providers but a strategic alignment with a platform specifically designed for non-profit growth and donor retention. METAvivor, which distinguishes itself by directing 100% of its net donations toward research grants, relies heavily on the efficiency of its backend systems to keep administrative costs at a minimum.
The Move from GoFundMe Pro to Bloomerang
For several years, METAvivor utilized GoFundMe Pro—a platform that gained prominence after GoFundMe’s acquisition of Classy—to manage its Peer-to-Peer campaigns. Peer-to-Peer fundraising is the lifeblood of METAvivor; it allows individuals, often those living with MBC or their family members, to create personal fundraising pages to honor loved ones or celebrate milestones.
However, the non-profit landscape is increasingly demanding more integrated solutions. Bloomerang offers a comprehensive suite of tools that combine donor management (CRM) with fundraising capabilities. By consolidating these functions, METAvivor aims to provide a more seamless experience for users, from the moment a donation is made to the long-term tracking of that contribution’s impact on cancer research.
Critical Deadlines and Migration Logistics
The organization has confirmed that the transition is already well underway. To ensure continuity, METAvivor has automatically transferred existing GoFundMe Pro fundraising pages to the new Bloomerang platform. This automated migration was designed to prevent the loss of historical data and to maintain the momentum of ongoing campaigns.
Donors and fundraisers are advised that the "Fall" window serves as the final sunset period for the old platform. After this time, any links associated with the GoFundMe Pro infrastructure will cease to function, and all traffic will be directed toward the new Bloomerang-hosted portals.
Chronology of the Transition
The timeline for this migration has been carefully managed to minimize disruption during the peak fall fundraising season, which often coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
- Late Q2 2023: Platform Selection and Data Auditing
METAvivor’s leadership and IT teams conducted an extensive review of fundraising platforms, ultimately selecting Bloomerang for its reputation in donor retention and user-friendly interface for Peer-to-Peer organizers. - July 27, 2023: Initial Stakeholder Notification
The first major wave of communication was dispatched on July 27. This email contained critical access information, including new login credentials and dashboard links for all active fundraisers. This date served as the "go-live" point for the migration of existing data. - August – September 2023: The Transition Window
During this period, fundraisers were encouraged to log into their new Bloomerang dashboards, update their personal stories, and familiarize themselves with the new interface. Support teams at METAvivor were placed on high alert to assist with any technical glitches during the data porting process. - Fall 2023: Final Deactivation of GoFundMe Pro
The final phase involves the total deactivation of GoFundMe Pro pages. By late autumn, METAvivor expects 100% of its digital P2P revenue to flow through the Bloomerang system.
Supporting Data: The Importance of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising in MBC
To understand the weight of this technological shift, one must look at the data surrounding metastatic breast cancer and the role of grassroots funding.
The Funding Gap in Metastatic Research
Metastatic breast cancer is the only stage of breast cancer that kills. While billions of dollars are raised annually for "pink ribbon" awareness and early detection, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance reports that only approximately 2-5% of overall breast cancer research funding is dedicated to Stage IV research.
METAvivor was founded to close this gap. Since its inception, the organization has awarded millions in research grants. Because the organization is volunteer-led and focuses on a 100% research-funding model, the efficiency of their fundraising software is paramount. Every dollar saved on platform fees or administrative manual labor is a dollar that can be redirected to a laboratory.
Growth of Digital Philanthropy
According to recent industry reports, Peer-to-Peer fundraising has grown by over 30% in the non-profit sector over the last five years. For organizations like METAvivor, P2P is not just a revenue stream; it is a community-building tool.
- Donor Retention: Bloomerang’s internal data suggests that organizations using integrated CRM and fundraising tools see an average increase in donor retention of up to 15%.
- User Experience: In a survey of non-profit donors, 60% stated they would abandon a donation if the mobile experience was cumbersome. The move to Bloomerang provides METAvivor with a mobile-first design that aligns with modern donor behavior.
Official Responses and Organizational Support
METAvivor leadership has emphasized that while the platform is changing, the mission remains steadfast. In correspondence with supporters, the organization expressed gratitude for the patience of its community during this technical overhaul.
"Thank you for your continued support of METAvivor and metastatic breast cancer research," the organization stated in its official announcement. "We have transitioned… to Bloomerang Fundraising for our Peer-to-Peer fundraising efforts to ensure we are using the most effective tools available to support our mission."
Support for Fundraisers
Recognizing that technical transitions can be challenging for those who are not digitally native, METAvivor has established a dedicated support channel. Fundraisers who did not receive their July 27 notification or who are experiencing difficulties with their new dashboard are urged to contact the organization directly.
- Contact Point: [email protected]
- Assistance Available: Page recovery, data verification, and tutorial support for the new Bloomerang interface.
The organization’s proactive approach in sending individual emails on July 27 was an attempt to mitigate the "lost donor" syndrome often associated with platform migrations. By pre-emptively creating the pages in Bloomerang, they have lowered the barrier to entry for their supporters.
Implications for the Future of METAvivor
The migration to Bloomerang is a bellwether for how small-to-mid-sized non-profits are evolving. It carries several long-term implications for the organization’s operational health and its impact on the medical community.
1. Enhanced Data Analytics
Bloomerang provides more robust reporting tools than the previous iteration of GoFundMe Pro. This will allow METAvivor to identify trends in giving, such as which regions are most active or which types of events (e.g., galas, athletic challenges, or memorial funds) generate the highest engagement. This data is crucial for the board of directors when planning annual budgets for research grants.
2. Improved Donor Journey
With the new system, METAvivor can automate more personalized communication. When a donor contributes to a P2P page, the system can automatically acknowledge the gift and provide updates on how METAvivor’s research grants are progressing. This transparency is vital for maintaining the trust of a community that is often dealing with the life-and-death stakes of an MBC diagnosis.
3. Scalability for "The Metsquerade" and Other Events
METAvivor is famous for its "Metsquerade" events—locally organized galas that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Bloomerang platform is better equipped to handle the high volume of ticket sales and peer-to-peer registrations these events require, reducing the "friction" that can sometimes occur during large-scale fundraising drives.
4. Direct Impact on Research Funding
Ultimately, the most significant implication is the potential for increased funding. By optimizing the "conversion rate" of their fundraising pages—meaning the percentage of people who visit a page and actually complete a donation—METAvivor can maximize the output of its volunteer fundraisers. In the world of MBC research, where every grant can lead to a breakthrough in life-extending treatment, these incremental gains in fundraising efficiency are literally a matter of life and death.
Conclusion
The transition from GoFundMe Pro to Bloomerang Fundraising represents a sophisticated step forward for METAvivor. By prioritizing the user experience and backend data integrity, the organization is ensuring that its infrastructure is as resilient as the survivors it represents.
As the fall deadline approaches, the METAvivor community is encouraged to finalize their page setups on the new platform. With a more robust system in place, the organization is well-positioned to continue its fight against metastatic breast cancer, turning a terminal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition through the power of funded, focused research.
For those looking to start a new campaign or support an existing one, the new Bloomerang-powered portal is now the official gateway for all METAvivor Peer-to-Peer contributions. All inquiries regarding the transition should be directed to the METAvivor support team to ensure no donation or tribute goes unrecognized during this period of growth.
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