If you’re on a sports team, you know that the cost of equipment, uniforms, travel, and renting space adds up fast.
Without solid fundraising, teams struggle to provide everything athletes need. That’s why creative fundraising is so important. If you keep asking parents and donors to do the same old thing, they’ll get bored and participation will drop off.
We’ve compiled a list of fundraising ideas for sports teams, including tried-and-true methods and some fresh, innovative approaches. We hope this list helps your team reach its financial goals and keeps everyone engaged!
Traditional Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams
Sometimes, the tried-and-true methods are the best. Here are some classic fundraising ideas that work well for sports teams:
Car Washes
A car wash is a hands-on fundraiser that lets your team get out in the community and show their spirit. Charge a set price per car (like $20 or $30), and be sure to advertise heavily around town. You could even offer add-ons like interior vacuuming for an extra fee. Set up a fundraising thermometer so everyone can track your progress!
Bake Sales
Bake sales are a simple way to raise money, especially if you set up shop at games or school events. Ask team members and their families to donate baked goods, and offer a variety of treats to appeal to everyone’s sweet tooth. A sports-themed bake sale could be a fun way to add a unique twist.
Walk-a-Thons
In a walk-a-thon, participants collect pledges for every mile they walk. To maximize revenue, you could organize a walk-a-thon and coordinate it with a shoe drive. Encourage participants to seek sponsorships from family and friends, and make it a fun, family-friendly event with music and refreshments. You could even offer prizes for the participants who collect the most pledges.
Product-Based Fundraising Ideas
If your team or organization is looking for a way to make money, you may want to consider selling a product. Here are some ideas for a product-based fundraiser:
Team Merchandise Sales
Is there anything more fun than sporting a t-shirt or hat emblazoned with your team’s logo? Probably not. Design some team-branded merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, and scarves. To make it easy for people to order, create an online store. Offer a range of sizes and styles so that everyone can find something they like. You might even consider letting people customize their gear with a player’s name and number.
Discount Card Sales
Another way to raise funds is to partner with local businesses to offer discounts on goods and services. Sell discount cards for a reasonable price (say, \$15-\$20), and then give half of the proceeds to your team. You could create a seasonal coupon book for businesses to offer deals that would be relevant to that time of year.
Calendar Sales
Why not create a team calendar featuring photos of the players and team events? You could include scheduled team and community events in the calendar, as well as national holidays. To make sure you sell enough to make it worth your while, you could pre-sell the calendars before you have them printed.
Event-Based Fundraising Ideas
Sometimes the best way to raise money is by hosting an event that’s fun for the team and the community. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Sports Tournaments
Organize a sports tournament and invite other teams to come and compete. You can charge an entry fee for each team that participates. Be sure to offer concessions and team merchandise for sale during the tournament.
To attract the largest audience, consider hosting tournaments for different sports or age groups.
Restaurant Percentage Nights
Team up with a local restaurant for a percentage night. The restaurant donates a percentage of its sales to your team for a specified timeframe. You’ll want to promote the event heavily to encourage people to come out and support the team (and the restaurant!).
Planning the percentage nights and the promotional efforts well in advance can help make the event a success.
Trivia Nights
Host a sports-themed trivia night at a local bar or event space. Charge an entry fee per team and offer a prize to the winning team.
To make it a truly local event, include trivia questions about the team, the sport, and local sports history.
Field Days
Organize a field day with various games and activities. You can charge an entrance fee for the field day, or let parents purchase tickets their children can use to enter each race or activity.
Partnering with local nonprofits for volunteer opportunities can help you staff the event, and offering food and drinks for sale is sure to increase revenue.
Online Fundraising Strategies
In today’s digital age, online fundraising is a must for any sports team looking to boost their funds. Here are some effective strategies to consider:
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms can be powerful tools for raising money online. The key is to create a compelling fundraising page, complete with photos and videos that tell your team’s story and showcase your needs. Then, share that page far and wide on social media and via email.
It’s also helpful to set a clear fundraising goal and keep your supporters updated on your progress. People are more likely to donate when they see momentum and understand exactly where their money is going.
Online Donation Pages
If your team has a website, setting up an online donation page is a no-brainer. Make it easy for people to donate securely, and consider offering various donation tiers with different perks or recognition levels.
Once your donation page is live, share the link everywhere you can – on social media, in email newsletters, and even in printed materials.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Peer-to-peer fundraising can be incredibly effective because it leverages the personal networks of your team members. Encourage players, coaches, and even parents to create their own fundraising pages and reach out to their friends and family for support.
To incentivize participation, offer prizes or recognition for those who raise the most money. Provide training and support to help them succeed, such as templates for emails and social media posts.
Paid Ad Campaigns
Consider utilizing paid ad campaigns on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram to reach a wider audience. Tools like Google’s Keyword Planner can help you select relevant keywords for your campaigns.
Craft compelling ad copy and optimize your landing pages to encourage donations. Be sure to target specific demographics and interests to maximize your reach and get the most bang for your buck.
Fundraising eCards
Fundraising eCards can be a fun and creative way to engage your supporters. Design eye-catching eCards with your team colors and logos, and use a platform that makes it easy to distribute them.
Offer different eCard designs for different occasions, such as game day invitations, player cards, or holiday greetings. You can even personalize the eCards with individual player photos or messages.
Creative and Unique Fundraising Ideas
If you’re looking for something a little different, consider one of these creative fundraising ideas:
Shoe Drive Fundraisers
You can partner with an organization like Funds2Orgs. They’ll provide you with collection materials and marketing tools to help you collect shoes.
You can coordinate a shoe pick-up yourself, or Funds2Orgs can provide you with prepaid shipping bags.
Consider combining your shoe drive with other events, like a walk-a-thon.
Talent Shows
A talent show is a great way to showcase the hidden talents of your team members, coaches, and parents.
Charge an admission fee to raise money. You can also offer prizes for the best performances.
Be sure to make it a fun and entertaining event for the whole community.
“Rent-a-Team”
Offer your team’s services for odd jobs like yard work or car washing.
Advertise the service, get customer feedback on the tasks they need completed, and use equipment that team families already own.
Set a reasonable hourly rate and promote the service widely through your network.
Viral Video Challenges
Create a viral video challenge and encourage people to donate to participate.
Promote the challenge on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Offer prizes for the most creative videos.
Just be sure the challenge is safe and appropriate for all ages.
In Summary
Successful sports team fundraising takes a multifaceted approach. It combines tried-and-true methods with innovative online strategies, and it recognizes that different teams have different needs and resources. It also depends on deep community engagement that attracts both sponsors and individual donors.
The most important thing is to plan ahead. Make sure to promote your fundraising events effectively. Engage your team members and the wider community in the process. And keep your fundraising ideas fresh and exciting so that people won’t get tired of supporting your team.
Don’t hesitate to partner with local businesses and leverage community support to maximize your reach and resources. A little creativity can go a long way!
By implementing these fundraising ideas, your sports team can ensure it has the resources it needs to thrive. You can create more opportunities for your athletes to learn, grow, and succeed, both on and off the field.