Cheerleading Fundraising Ideas for a Winning Season

Online fundraising is an effective way to raise funds for your team. In our guide, we’re going to cover some cheerleading fundraising ideas to start your team off right.

Starting a GoFundMe for your cheer team or your own cheerleading expenses is a great way to offer people an easy way to support you. Having an online fundraiser you can point people to during any fundraising event or general fundraising efforts has proven to help people collect even more donations than if they were to run an event alone.

GoFundMe is a popular, safe fundraising platform used by lots of sports teams and individuals to raise funds for good causes.

Why fundraising is essential for cheerleading squads

There’s no question that cheerleading is a wonderful team sport that fosters a sense of camaraderie, but with it can come some heavy costs. Effective fundraising activities can help you reach your fundraising goals.

Common financial challenges cheerleading teams face

When you prepare to begin a GoFundMe crowdfunding fundraiser for your cheerleading financial needs, set your best effort toward figuring out in advance where the funds will go to bring value. Oftentimes, teams realize during the planning process just how many costly expenses they have. For example, it might be:

• High costs of uniforms and accessories: Cheerleading uniforms, shoes, pom-poms, and other accessories add up fast. These are basics all cheerleaders need to look good and perform great.
• Travel expenses: You have to travel, often to other cities or states, to compete in local, regional, and national competitions. Transportation, accommodations, and meals costs are constant expenses.
• Coaching and training fees: Good coaching and participation in cheer camps are essential to develop the skills necessary; however, they, too, can be pricey.
• Competition fees: Entering various competitions requires paying entry fees, which can be a significant expense.

Benefits of fundraising for cheerleading teams

The advantages of team fundraising often go beyond the dollar amounts you bring in. Successful cheerleading fundraisers are made better by:

• Inclusivity: Allows all team members to participate regardless of personal socio-economic status.
• Quality training: Assists in the continuation of a high level of training and performance.
• Team bonding: Develops team unity and attracts support from the community.
• Skill development: Provides opportunities for team members to develop organizational and leadership skills.

Top cheerleading fundraising ideas

Whether you’re on the cheer squad or not, or if you’re a dedicated booster club fan, there are oodles of fundraising opportunities to raise money for your squad.

1. Community events and peer engagement activities

• Car wash and dog wash events: Schedule car or dog washes in a school parking lot. Get the entire cheerleading team, along with their families, on board. Advertise these events through social media and local advertising to attract more of the community. Hold a car wash fundraiser during a fun block party and don’t skimp on the sponges.
• Spirit nights: Partner with local restaurants to hold fundraising nights. Spread the word through school and on social media. Include performances or mini cheer clinics during the event to drum up even more attendees. These kinds of events can help foster team spirit and increase community participation.
• Pep rally: Sponsor a pep rally before a big sporting event, like football, to spark interest, participation, and donations.
• Talent show: Show off your best moves! Ask for donations or charge a small entry fee. Having a concession stand would complete the event.

2. Cheerleading telegrams

• Give community members, students, local businesses, or senior centers the chance to buy a “cheerleading gram,” to be sent to someone or received.
• Popular times for these might be seasonal holidays, like Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Candygrams are a favorite, with the cheer squad delivering personalized candy gift boxes to the fortunate recipients.
• For safety or security reasons, just make sure you set up telegrams in a public location.
• Make a poster with a QR code or a link to your GoFundMe that you can show during the activity so that people watching can donate in support.

3. Sales-based fundraisers

• Food sales: Sell popular items like popcorn, pretzels, candy bars, and gourmet snacks. Set up booths at school events and local fairs. Make online ordering available for added convenience. A cookie dough fundraiser can be particularly successful.
• Branded merchandise: Design and sell team swag. Think DIY T-shirts, mugs, and water bottles all branded with your team’s logo. Use print-on-demand websites for low-cost seasonal products and personalized product ideas to sell. Consider starting an online store, so that you can go beyond your local area.
• Discount cards and coupons: Team up with local businesses or nonprofits to make discount cards and coupons that fans can buy. It’s an easy fundraiser that helps the community.

4. Educational and skill-based fundraisers

• Cheer clinics: Run training sessions for younger cheerleaders. Provide instruction on tumbling, stunts, and choreography. Charge entrance fees and hand out certificates or souvenirs.
• Hair and makeup lessons: Capitalize on the expert knowledge and have team members instruct others on how to do hair and makeup for performances. Include workshops and one-on-one sessions, as well as instruction on “how to look professional” during competitions.
• Gift wrapping services: Provide gift wrapping during the holidays. This can be accomplished at local malls or at school functions, providing a convenient service to your community members.

5. Interactive and event-based fundraisers

• Scavenger hunts: Organize a scavenger hunt inside your school or throughout your community. Charge entry, with prizes for winning. Publicize it on local media and social platforms.
• Monthly giveaway box: Ask local businesses and community members to donate items. For prizes, choose anything from gift cards to experiences to cheer swag. Provide both virtual and in-person activities to motivate engagement.
• Bake sales: Host bake sales full of goodies. Team members can bake cupcakes or other sweet treats and sell them at local events or outside of local businesses.
• Fashion shows: Hold a fashion show of the newest cheer and spirit wear. Charge an entrance fee for additional fundraising.
• Movie nights: Plan to have a movie night at a high school gym or other facility. There should be a small fee for admission and sales of drinks and candy bars, and other refreshments.
• Pancake breakfasts: Host a pancake breakfast at a local restaurant or community center. Charge for entrance, and set up other fundraiser items such as spirit wear for purchase.

6. Community or alumni cheer performance

• Arrange for some community members (youth, the elderly, or even some of the cheer team alumni) to participate in a half-time performance.
• Ask members to donate what they can to your GoFundMe fundraiser.
• You could also offer them the chance to buy pompoms, t-shirts, hair ribbons, or other accessories for a markup and donate a part of the proceeds to your cause.

Start fundraising for your cheerleading team today

Fundraising is an essential component if you want your cheerleading team to be successful. And it doesn’t just help pay for uniforms, travel, and competitions, but it also closes the gap between the team and the community. From sponsorships to school fundraising events to cheering telegrams, there are several ways to help make your fundraiser a success.

With the proper fundraising program and a template for success, you can easily raise a substantial amount of money, which can be put toward the most rewarding cheerleading experiences possible.

Find a cheer activity that’s both fun and effective with these cheer fundraising ideas, and leverage GoFundMe to maximize your fundraising results.