Agents of Nonprofit
A weekly podcast interviewing everyday superheroes and the services and technologies they provide to nonprofits. The goal is to inform nonprofit organizations about ideas, services, and products that can help.
Agents of Nonprofit
Cycling for a Cure with Billy Starr
•
Season 1
•
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
