20+ Best Sports Fundraising Ideas

One of the biggest and easiest money-makers for sports teams is soliciting sponsors. Players, coaches, and parents can help identify and contact local businesses to ask for donations. Team sponsorships work best for sports that are highly visible within the community. For example, a soccer team that competes weekly at a community center where hundreds of parents, children, and locals are present gives businesses exposure to a large audience through logo presence on banners and team uniforms. There may be community bulletin boards or a community center newsletter where sponsors can post advertisements and coupons.

Establish Team Sponsorship Levels

If your team is soliciting sponsors, establish levels of sponsorship and outline the benefits sponsors will receive at each level before requesting donations. Businesses will be more likely to support a team, knowing they will receive promotions in exchange for their donation.

• A Title Team Sponsor can be $1,000+. This sponsorship level receives enhanced benefits such as their logo on team jerseys, a featured advertisement on the team website, and recognition on team plaques and trophies. If the title sponsor is a local restaurant, host team parties at their location. This is a great benefit as you’ll bring customers in and introduce parents and community members to their restaurant.
• A smaller sponsorship package requires a smaller donation (maybe $250). Sponsors receive benefits such as a link from your fundraising website, and a logo on the team banner. 

Be sure to thank sponsors for their contributions. Sending a thank-you letter at the end of the season, recognizing sponsor contributions on a team website or newsletter, and inviting sponsors to team parties are all great ways to show appreciation and possibly bring them back again in future years.

Parents are Key to Youth Sports Fundraising Success

One factor to consider with youth sports fundraising is that parents must be heavily relied upon for much of the workload, so gaining the support of the parents is key. It’s parent involvement that makes for the most successful youth fundraisers! Encourage parents to be proactive. Not only should children talk to friends, family, and neighbors, but parents can help by reaching out to co-workers, church groups, and other social networks.

Take the Time to Prepare the Team Participants

Part of youth sports is teaching and helping kids with their sales skills, so you don’t want to send them out unprepared. Not only will this help them raise money, but it will also help them build confidence. Here are some pointers:

• Be friendly: Make eye contact, smile, and introduce yourself.
• Provide a quick overview of why you are raising funds. Contributors will want to know what their money is going to support.
• Kindly ask for their support and explain how their contribution will help.
• Offer a sample item, catalog, or order sheet for them to look at so they know exactly what they are signing up for.
• Suggest bundles for larger sales.

Create a Donor Prospect List

Help the children participating in the fundraiser understand the planning process. After all, this will be something they do throughout their life. Work together to create a list of prospects (family, friends, neighbors, church groups). Have everyone share their lists, as it may spark ideas for other team members. Put together a fundraising game plan – share ideas about how children plan to reach out to their prospects. Encourage team members to commit to raising a certain financial amount. Set minimum amounts and encourage competition by offering prizes for various achievement levels.

Have Fun!

Remember to organize youth sports fundraisers that are fun for the kids. If they are smiling while cheerfully communicating the purpose of the fundraising event, then chances are good they’ll get a favorable response. A well-planned and enthusiastic fundraiser kick-off where you establish goals and rewards can motivate participants. Similarly, hosting a rewards party after the fundraiser wraps up is a great way to congratulate all participants and share success over team bonding and pizza.

Award Prizes to Top Performers

Children (particularly those involved in competitive sports) are motivated by prizes, so why not encourage some healthy competition? Offer prizes for the highest sales or donations earned, and you will see your fundraising sales increase significantly. Regardless of performance, remember to encourage all team members and recognize their efforts; even if they aren’t top performers, every contribution counts.