For many families, a peer-to-peer event is more than a fundraiser, it’s their first step into a community that understands and supports them. When organizations show up with care in those early moments, they create a foundation for trust, connection, and long-term engagement.
In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Christie Godowski, Vice President of Community Engagement at Autism Speaks. Christie shares how her team connects with individuals and families right after diagnosis, offering support while inviting them into a broader community experience through peer-to-peer.
Christie reflects on what it takes to create a seamless journey across program and fundraising teams, so families feel supported rather than segmented. She also shares how Autism Speaks equips frontline fundraisers to approach sensitive conversations with confidence, along with the nuances of engaging adults newly diagnosed with autism alongside parents navigating a child’s diagnosis.
Learn how early outreach shapes long-term connection and what small, intentional actions can help teams build trust from the very first interaction.
Together, we’ll explore:
- Connecting families to support and community from the earliest moments after diagnosis
- Strengthening collaboration between program and fundraising teams to create one cohesive experience
- Equipping fundraisers to lead thoughtful conversations that build trust and lasting engagement
Mentioned Links
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- (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box
- (02:20) - Introducing Christie Godowski and Autism Speaks
- (03:50) - The First Walk
- (06:40) - Breaking Down Barriers
- (11:10) - Front Line Fundraisers
- (14:34) - Adults & Children in Diagnosis
- (22:44) - Making Change toward Building Trust
- (24:25) - Get Involved
What is The P2P Soapbox?
As peer-to-peer fundraising professionals, we are inherently passionate people. Passionate about our missions, our fundraisers, our events, and our campaigns. We barely shy away from sharing our opinions. Whether it's the debate between back-to-basics, or searching for the next big idea, the battle of retention versus recruitment, or even our very strong feelings about T-shirts and registration fees.
Welcome to The P2P box, a brand new podcast that amplifies the voices of our peer-to-peer fundraising community and gives us a platform — a box, if you will — to discuss the hot topics facing our industry.
Join your host and P2P BFF, Marcie Maxwell, the Managing Director of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum, as she sits down with industry peers and leaders, delving deep into their box issues, sharing best practices, and celebrating success stories.