{"id":30585,"date":"2024-11-20T12:30:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T20:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro-migration.local\/?post_type=resource&p=30585"},"modified":"2025-06-16T14:24:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T21:24:02","slug":"special-olympics-michigan","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/gofundme.to\/__proxy\/pro.gofundme.com\/c\/case-studies\/special-olympics-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Olympics Michigan\u2019s Polar Plunge raised 15% more YoY with GoFundMe Pro and Mittun"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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2024 Polar Plunge results with GoFundMe Pro and Mittun:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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15% <\/span>more <\/span><\/h3>\n

raised YoY<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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7,776<\/h3>\n

Plungers<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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70%+<\/h3>\n

fundraiser retention rate<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

A unified fundraising events solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every year, Special Olympics Michigan<\/a> (SOMI) hosts a series of fundraising events<\/a> called the Polar Plunge, where people go to great lengths to show their support by donating, fundraising, and jumping into freezing cold water. The Plunge is the biggest fundraiser of the year for SOMI, with 26 events taking place statewide. All funds raised go to provide year-round training and services to over 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a nonprofit, time and resources are frequently stretched thin. So when an opportunity to take something off SOMI\u2019s plate came up, the team jumped at it. As a part of the GoFundMe Pro community since early 2019, SOMI was introduced to Mittun<\/a> to design and build its Polar Plunge microsite. In 2024, SOMI wanted to not only increase the number of Plungers but also activate supporters to participate in the Plunge and fundraise on its behalf. With GoFundMe Pro and Mittun<\/a>, SOMI did just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and activating fundraising through gamification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Powered by GoFundMe Pro API and Mittun\u2019s WordPress integration, the Mittun team designed a microsite that exemplified the fun and excitement of the Polar Plunges. This new setup provided a seamless way to visualize GoFundMe Pro fundraising data while boosting donor engagement through integrated fundraising experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directly from the microsite, each fundraiser can create a GoFundMe Pro fundraising page<\/a>, set a fundraising goal, share this page with family, friends, and co-workers, and encourage the same people to donate or join their team. Going one step further, supporters can also register for a Plunge and make a donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2024 Polar Plunge microsite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 Polar Plunge microsite includes:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Leaderboard<\/strong> where fundraisers can unlock snowglobe badges when they reach a certain goal, like raising a certain amount or referring another fundraiser.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Challenges <\/strong>that gamify the fundraising process, recognize top individual and team fundraisers, and motivate others to work towards a goal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Interactive map<\/strong> to help find a local Plunge location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Progress bars <\/strong>to track progress toward a goal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Incentives<\/strong> to get Plungers excited about participating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    We wanted the Plunge microsite to be as user-friendly as possible, and that\u2019s what Mittun delivered. From creating a GoFundMe Pro fundraising page to donating to a specific Polar Plunge team, finding a local Plunge site, and getting real-time updates, all from one page, our Plungers have all of the tools they need to succeed. And the success shows in our fundraising numbers.<\/p>\n\n \n