Agents of Nonprofit
A weekly podcast interviewing everyday superheroes and the services & technologies they provide to nonprofits. The goal is to help nonprofit organizations become aware of ideas, services, and products that can help them.
Agents of Nonprofit
Cycling for a Cure with Billy Starr
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Season 1
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Episode 116
In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Billy Starr, the visionary founder of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). Billy shares his heartfelt journey from personal loss to creating one of the most successful cancer fundraising events in history. Discover how a small bike-a-thon with 36 participants evolved into a monumental event with over 6,000 riders and $1 billion raised for cancer research.
Topics We Cover:
- Billy Starr's motivation rooted in personal loss and the Appalachian Trail
- The first PMC ride and its unexpected success
- Expansion from one route to 16, involving thousands of participants and volunteers
- Unique approaches like the fundraising minimum and corporate partnerships
- Building a dedicated, multigenerational participant base
- Managing routes, weather, and volunteer coordination
- Expansion plans, higher fundraising targets, and new event formats
To Learn More and Connect with Billy:
Pan-Mass Challenge Website
Billy Starr Talk at TedxBoston
