Get your fundraiser moving

Whether planning an extreme challenge to raise awareness of your cause or holding a more laid-back event, sports fundraising can help you access the funds you need to improve your life or someone else’s. Some information on sporting fundraisers are:

  • Fundraising for sports teams is a billion-dollar industry, according to IBIS World.
  • A National Association of Elementary School Principals study revealed that 94% of schools use fundraisers to supplement funding, including sports programs.
  • According to a recent survey by LendingTree, 59% of families experience financial strain due to their children’s sports, with some spending between $500 and over $1000

Ten popular fundraising ideas for teams

1. Host a clinic

Athletes can share their skills with others by teaching them to perfect their dribble or master their bat swing. Teaching is an excellent way to enhance one’s abilities, so a clinic can also benefit athletes. One of the most creative fundraising ideas for sports teams is hosting a clinic. Whether it’s a soccer club or school robotics, your team has specific skills that others want to learn. For example, Darin organized a community baseball clinic to raise donations for his friend Robert’s cancer treatment. You can also ask friends or businesses to sponsor scholarships.

2. Organize an exercise class

Get people moving for a good cause. Organize a fundraising event exercise class and ask participants to donate at the door. If you ask a venue to host your class, tell them of your team’s fundraising ideas and why you’re raising money—they may be inclined to sponsor the event and give you the space for it. Spread the word on social media, from TikTok to Instagram, for higher attendance numbers. From CrossFit to SoulCycle to yoga, the team fundraising ideas are endless to sweat for a cause.

3. Host an -a-thon

Most of us are familiar with walkathons, but why not put your own spin on it? For one of the more exciting sports fundraising ideas, you can tailor-make an event that fits your cause and team, find a venue, plan the details, pick a day and time, and ask participants to secure pledges. If people don’t want to pledge a certain amount, give them the option of a flat-fee donation. On GoFundMe, we’ve seen teams host some very creative fundraising ideas for sports teams, from a Swim-A-Thon and Read-A-Thon to a Skate-A-Thon and Spin-A-Thon.

4. Hold a competition

Sometimes, a little friendly competition motivates people to donate more. There are endless sports fundraisers with games you can play. It can be as intense as bodybuilding for a good cause or as laid back as a gingerbread build-off challenge for charity. Have people donate a fixed amount to participate in the competition and have a fun trophy for the winner—along with bragging rights.

5. Take on a challenge

What better way to show dedication to a cause than by simultaneously taking on a major challenge that raises money? After his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Stu dreamed of running long-distance races with his family to raise awareness of the disease—and with his GoFundMe team fundraising idea, he was able to do just that.

6. Offer unusual rewards

If you’re looking for creative fundraising ideas for sporting clubs, you may want to consider offering unique prizes. Sometimes, we see teams reward their supporters as an incentive to donate. For example, the JFK Library offered custom calendars.

7. Create something you can give

To implement a creative twist when designing fundraising ideas for sports teams, you can gather your team members to work towards something related to your cause. Consider asking a local business or restaurant for in-kind donations and resources you can incorporate. A few examples on our site are a can sculpture for your local food pantrybrown bags full of food, personal care items, clothes, and hygiene products for homeless people.

8. Host a clinic

Athletes can share their skills with others by teaching them to perfect their dribble or master their bat swing. Teaching is an excellent way to enhance one’s abilities, so a clinic can also benefit athletes. One of the most creative fundraising ideas for sports teams is hosting a clinic. Whether it’s a soccer club or school robotics, your team has specific skills that others want to learn. For example, Darin organized a community baseball clinic to raise donations for his friend Robert’s cancer treatment. You can also ask friends or businesses to sponsor scholarships.

9. Long term sports challenges

You don’t need to be a superhero to raise funds through sports. Even less intense activities can gain social media attention in groups through Instagram and TikTok. A charity run, bike ride, or swim can inspire regular people to exercise while contributing to a good cause. Remember that more participants means more social media shares—for more donations.

Lucas, a 4th-grade student, had no prior experience with skateboarding when he initiated a GoFundMe fundraiser for a class project to assist nonprofit Skateistan. This organization provides education to underprivileged children in developing countries through skateboarding. Thanks to the generosity of his contributors, Lucas successfully raised funds for the organization, decorated a few skateboards, and even acquired a new skill.

10. Host a clinic

This classic sports fundraiser is less cruel than it sounds. If the price is right, an easygoing coach might agree to sit in a dunk tank, take a pie to the face, or even dye their hair. After a grueling practice, players themselves might also want to donate to this fund.

Successful examples of teams fundraising on GoFundMe

28th Annual Beta Omicron Bike-A-Thon

The men of the Beta Omicron fraternity of Tennessee State University have been organizing charity bike-a-thons for 28 years. During the event, they ride their bicycles 250 miles from Nashville to Memphis by way of Highway 70. For their most recent charity bike-a-thon, the brother raised more than $1,400 to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Katie Heintz Memorial Basketball Tournament

Northern Michigan communities have been coming together for more than 12 years to organize a benefit basketball tournament to honor the memory of Katie Heintz, a 16-year-old student who passed away from leukemia. All proceeds and sales from the GoFundMe and other fundraising events go to the Munson Healthcare Pediatric Infusion Clinic.

Let’s go, sporting fundraisers!

Your team might be surprised at the power of your combined social networks and fundraising skills to make a profit toward your cause. Hold a team meeting, brainstorm ideas, and assign fundraising roles. And if you haven’t already, start your fundraiser today and get your team on track for success. Check out our team fundraising page for more information about team fundraising ideas.