Tips for planning your team’s fundraising efforts
- Decide your fundraising needs and goals: Determine what your sports team is raising funds for (travel fees, equipment costs, new jerseys, etc.) and then estimate how much money is needed to cover these expenses. Having an idea of a goal will help motivate donors to give. Keep in mind that your fundraising goal can always be changed later.
- Gather the details for donor confidence: Be transparent and thoughtful in sharing information about your team as well as why your team is fundraising. In writing your fundraiser story, include additional details such as how the funds will be used and a request for people to share your fundraiser with their own networks.
- Set up your team’s GoFundMe fundraiser: Now that you know what you’re fundraising for and have the details you need, set up a fundraiser to help your team reach your goals. Many sports teams use crowdfunding either as their primary fundraising method, or as supplementary to other fundraising programs (such as T-shirt sales, takeaway night, etc.) because it is an easy and trusted way for people to donate. Starting the fundraiser takes only a few minutes.
- Share your fundraiser: Link to your club or association’s WhatsApp group as an immediate and high-reach first step, since this is how most sports clubs communicate with their members and supporters.
- Leverage GoFundMe’s tips for teams and discuss roles: Work together with other parents, coaches, and teammates in managing your fundraiser to help accomplish your goal. While assigning teammates to the fundraiser is not required, it’s a great way to collaborate on posting updates, thanking donors, and sharing the fundraiser.
- Save your fundraiser link and QR code for easy access: Keep the link to your fundraiser on hand so you can share it with others at any given moment. Additionally, consider making a QR code that links to your fundraiser so people can easily scan it with their phone or tablet. If you are planning a fundraising event, having a printed QR code that links to your GoFundMe fundraiser is an effortless way to collect donations.
Fundraising ideas for sports clubs
Fundraising together as a sports club can be a fantastic way of raising funds.
As a team, there are lots of group fundraising options that you can do and ways you can involve the community in your efforts.
Here are some of the more popular fundraising ideas.
1. Car wash
A simple yet effective way to raise money is to host a car wash. All your team needs to do to prepare is to pick a time and place, spread the word about your event, and gather the necessary car wash items. When you’re notifying people of your car wash and also during the event, tell people that you’ll be collecting donations to go towards your sports team. Make it fun by having the athletes interact with the guests and wash the cars.
2. Talent show
Does someone on your team play an instrument or have some magic tricks up their sleeve? Is your coach a secret magician? A talent show is the perfect opportunity to showcase those talents while raising money for your sports team. Throughout the event, share your fundraiser link with attendees and kindly ask them to make a donation to support your club.
3. Karaoke night
Get your community involved with a karaoke night. If you have access to a gym or clubhouse, these can provide a big enough space for attendees to gather. Your sports team can even work with a local business to help host this event. Be sure there’s a karaoke machine available and let the fun begin. Don’t forget to remind people that the reason for karaoke night is to raise money for your sports team and have the link to your fundraiser ready to go so guests can donate to your sports club.
4. Organise a pub quiz
As a team, you could also organise a pub quiz, with one teammate acting as the quiz master. Pubs are often central to the social life of sports teams and can be the meeting point for many teams up and down the country.
You could organise it at your local club and can also invite other teams to compete in events. As well as this, it’s a good chance to flex the contacts you have and partner with local businesses to offer free drinks, food and kit.
5. Club lotto
A club lotto is one of the most popular ways for Irish sports clubs, schools, and community groups to raise regular funds while keeping supporters engaged. Members buy tickets in person, through WhatsApp groups or online, and a winner is drawn each week or month, with the jackpot often rolling over until it is won. Promoting the draw across the club’s social channels and GoFundMe page helps reach local and overseas supporters, while GoFundMe can also be used to collect ticket payments digitally from people who cannot buy in person, making it easier for everyone to get involved.
6. Fitness challenge
Make achieving fitness goals fun by creating an exercise challenge that players, parents, and coaches alike can join in on. There are many different challenges you can do, ranging from running a 5k to completing a set number of push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. If someone doesn’t want to take part in the friendly competition, let them know that they can still show their support by making a donation.
7. Concession stand
Use a home game to your advantage by running a concession stand. Offer a variety of food and beverages such as sweets, crisps, popcorn, water, fizzy drinks, and any other snacks people can enjoy while they’re watching the game. When people are paying for their items, ask if they’d like to make an additional donation to your team’s fundraiser.
8. Local business collaborations
Local businesses are known for loving to give back to their community. Maximise your fundraising efforts by teaming up with a local business, such as a sandwich shop, café, or ice cream parlour, and ask if they would be willing to support. One fun idea is to have them offer an “item of the month” in honour of your sports team with a portion of the proceeds donated to your cause. Another popular choice is to ask local businesses to sponsor the team’s playing kit or training gear in return for having their name or logo displayed on the shirts, jackets, or training tops. It’s an easy way for businesses to support the community while getting local visibility in return. You can also ask if they’d be willing to put a stack of your fundraiser flyers at the cash register so customers can give their support.
9. Flyers around town
Speaking of fundraiser flyers, expand your reach wide and far by putting them up around your area. Consider posting the flyers on notice boards in community centres, tyre shops, cafes, or other local shops as well. Instead of just listing your fundraiser link on your flyers, add a personal note asking the community to help, and be sure to include a QR code for faster digital access.
10. Arrange a charity match with a rival team
Charity matches are a great way to get the community involved and a large group of people invested and interested in your fundraiser, especially when you involve local GAA clubs.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to get eyes on your fundraiser by organising an event that people can attend.
Why not make this more exciting by organising the match with a local rival? A charity, friendly match could bring a larger crowd of people from both teams.
Start raising money for your sports team today
Build camaraderie while having fun with these fundraising ideas for sports teams. The best part is that you don’t have to fundraise alone; parents, coaches, and athletes can all combine forces to reach your team’s fundraising goal. Start a fundraiser today and get your team on track for success.