Truth time: I hate team fundraising.
As an introvert, my palms sweat at the idea of passing around the signup sheet for that wrapping paper that no one really wants or needs. I will be the LAST person to sign up to stand in front of any grocery store to solicit people to buy pre-packaged goods for any cause. Our communities are absolutely inundated with fundraisers on every corner, and I just feel bad for adding to the noise.
And let’s not even get me started on those “fun” and “unique” fundraisers where everyone wants to buy the thing, but it’s MY job to pick up the thing and arrange for delivery to all ten people who bought the thing from me; all because I’m the one with the car, or whatever. I appreciate the support from our community, but again, #introvertlife, and I just hate it.
However, I know that team fundraising is something many people not only need to do, but they want to do as a way of bringing the team athletes and parents together.
One thing many people don’t know about me is that I used to be a professional fundraiser. I’ve raised millions of dollars to fund medical research and services to the community for two different well-known national nonprofit organizations. I know a thing or two about how to do a fundraiser creatively and effectively. I also know a thing or two about nervous breakdowns in ballrooms where fundraisers are held, but that’s a story for another day.
I’ve seen so many creative suggestions for team fundraisers from fellow cheer moms: anything and everything from selling t-shirts to bed sheets. There are dozens and dozens of different fundraising organizations and networks to use. Just make sure you do your research on what their take of the money is, their requirements, and what’s legal in your area. Some places require a 501(c)3 status just to fundraise at all, which means you have to set up a Booster Club that benefits your program, but is totally separate from the business side, and requires a membership fee and a lot of work from volunteers.
Here are a few ideas that your team can use to put the “fun” in fundraising (see what I did there?)
HAVE A GIFT BASKET AUCTION
Have families donate items and services and hold a silent auction or basket raffle. Put together “themed” baskets and auction them off using a bid sheet. You can set them up for a week and have people bid as they are at the gym for practice.
EXAMPLES OF THEMED BASKETS:
Tailgate (sports memorabilia, event tickets, gift cards for restaurants that sell wings, bbq, etc)
Date Night (wine, glasses, gift cards to nice restaurants, experiences)
Game Night (board games, gourmet popcorn sets, game subscription memberships)
Spa Day (beauty products, mud masks, slippers, essential oils)
HOLD A BREAKFAST EVENT
This is a fun one to really get the athletes involved! Get everyone together to make a huge batch of breakfast burritos or pancakes. Sell them at a coach training or after a parent meeting. You can even hold your own private event and charge a ticket fee to get in. People LOVE a good pancake cooked by a local athlete.
Pro tip: some restaurants may even help you out by holding a pancake breakfast event before they open. Applebee’s used to do this. It’s worth looking into.
ORGANIZE A TEAM GARAGE SALE
Have families donate their practice wear, shoes, tumble mats, stunting blocks and other useful items that no longer fit their athlete or that they don’t use anymore and have a gym-wide garage sale of just cheer stuff! You could even hold this one virtually in a private Facebook group.
PARTICIPATE IN A GROCERY STORE POINTS PROGRAM
Chances are, you have a little card that gives you discounts at your local grocery store. Many grocery chains like Kroger, have a system where you can apply your rewards points to your team’s fundraising efforts. Parents just need to associate their rewards card with your organization and the grocery store pays cash, based on how many points you’ve accrued each quarter.
How do you raise money for your team? Post your ideas below!
(PSSSST: If team fundraising isn’t your thing, check out these ways to offset the cost of cheer on your own time!)
