Sports Team Fundraiser Help

[princesspaige]

My 12 y/o daughter is wrapping up her first year of travel softball with a brand new team (this was their first year as well). The parents want to grow this team so are looking to have a fundraiser for next season (which will start in August/September time frame) to help offset some costs and allow the girls to play in more tournaments.

I am in need of suggestions for good fundraisers that will help raise some money for these girls. There is a local company that does laundry detergent and another that does pies that we are looking into but would like to have different ideas. We are also thinking about doing a corn hole tournament to help raise money as well.

If you could share what has been successful for your teams I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[marthachick]

I like the corn hole tournament. Also sell hot dogs or something easy. Be sure the kids are involved in getting ready & day of event. Have them there in uniforms.

Also maybe a car show or a running event like a 5k.

 

[kymom99]

Chipotle night is the easiest fundraiser ever, and around here they give 50% of sales on the fundraiser night. They don't even require that people bring a flyer. Just mention the name of the team.

you have to be careful about gaming laws if you do anything considered gambling.

 

[afan]

My alumnae chapter did a fundraiser with Yankee Candle in the fall when they have their fall/winter catalog so it included Halloween and Christmas stuff. If it's still the same we got 50% and it was nice because we collected all of the money and then only had to send them their half. They may have online ordering now which would change how that works though. If you have the type of people that buy that stuff or know people that do, it can be an easy fundraiser.

 

[Narnia_girl]

I like fundraisers that the entire community can be a part of even if they don't personally know anyone on the team. Things like garage sales, car washes, and restaurant events means the general public gives the group an injection of funds; assigning each child something to sell means they are asking the same circle of friends and family--probably the same people who they've asked to support their school, church, band, etc... Just my personal preference.

If you know someone who works for a grocery store, see if they can get the Johnsonville Brat Grill to come to their store. I know two local groups that did this and it was a big fundraiser. They show up with an enormous truck grill and cook brats for lunch in the grocery store lot. The team would be responsible for helping out the grillmaster, cleaning tables, setting up, etc... Our local event was a brat, chips and drink for $3 and we kept all proceeds.

Restaurants that also do fundraisers that we've used are Zoup, Culvers, Applebee's and Panda Express.

 

[princesspaige]

I like the corn hole tournament. Also sell hot dogs or something easy. Be sure the kids are involved in getting ready & day of event. Have them there in uniforms.

Also maybe a car show or a running event like a 5k.

We have talked about having the girls be "runners" in that they report the winners of each round to the official scorekeeper, help man the concession stand, etc. We didn't think about a car show. I'll definitely bring that up.

Chipotle night is the easiest fundraiser ever, and around here they give 50% of sales on the fundraiser night. They don't even require that people bring a flyer. Just mention the name of the team.

you have to be careful about gaming laws if you do anything considered gambling.

I've seen schools do this but never a sports team. I'll have to check into this as it seems pretty easy.

My alumnae chapter did a fundraiser with Yankee Candle in the fall when they have their fall/winter catalog so it included Halloween and Christmas stuff. If it's still the same we got 50% and it was nice because we collected all of the money and then only had to send them their half. They may have online ordering now which would change how that works though. If you have the type of people that buy that stuff or know people that do, it can be an easy fundraiser.

I like that you got to keep 50% and it didn't cost you anything up front. Plus, who doesn't like the Halloween and Christmas items!!!

you know someone who works for a grocery store, see if they can get the Johnsonville Brat Grill to come to their store. I know two local groups that did this and it was a big fundraiser. They show up with an enormous truck grill and cook brats for lunch in the grocery store lot. The team would be responsible for helping out the grillmaster, cleaning tables, setting up, etc... Our local event was a brat, chips and drink for $3 and we kept all proceeds.

Restaurants that also do fundraisers that we've used are Zoup, Culvers, Applebee's and Panda Express.

I LOVE this idea! I definitely like that it gets people outside of our "circle" to participate.

Thanks for all the great ideas so far!

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Not sure where you're from but if you aren't too far from an MLB team you could sell tickets. Some teams may work with you more than others. You could buy $16 tickets for $8 from the team and then mark them back up to whatever price you see fit ($16, $20 etc.) When selling the tickets, express that it's a fundraiser. Our school has done this and one game made $8,000 in profit - granted that's among close to 600 students. You could require each girl sell at least 20 tickets (20(tickets sold)x12(girls)x8(profit)=$1,920). It ends up being a fun night of baseball also! My boys would sell anywhere from 30-60 tickets each time - imagine if each girl did that many!

 

[Alexle2007]

I personally dislike fundraisers that make my child into a "salesperson." While I was on PTA board we stopped those type of activities and went with Coach Purse Bingo, Fun Runs, Restaurant Nights and Penny Wars. These activities were much better received. I also dislike activities/sports that require a child to fundraise. I much prefer the activity/sport tell me what the real cost is so I can pay it upfront. First and only year we did baseball $150 for season but then at the first practice I learned I also had to sell 5 $10 raffle tickets. Just tell me it's $200 so I know that going in.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I personally dislike fundraisers that make my child into a "salesperson." While I was on PTA board we stopped those type of activities and went with Coach Purse Bingo, Fun Runs, Restaurant Nights and Penny Wars. These activities were much better received. I also dislike activities/sports that require a child to fundraise. I much prefer the activity/sport tell me what the real cost is so I can pay it upfront. First and only year we did baseball $150 for season but then at the first practice I learned I also had to sell 5 $10 raffle tickets. Just tell me it's $200 so I know that going in.

Your child is very fortunate that you can so easily hand over $200 if that was the case. Not all children have that luxury. Should a child not participate in certain activities because their parents can't afford it?

And if you're speaking of Little League or the sort, travel ball is A LOT more expensive than recreational baseball. I'm talking possibly thousands of dollars per year.

 

[kymom99]

I've seen schools do this but never a sports team. I'll have to check into this as it seems pretty easy.

I set this up the first time we did it. I just went in at a not busy time and asked one of the workers. She sent a manager out to talk to me. I texted the coach about the date and that's all there was to it. The assistant coach had to send a tax exempt number I believe. Close to the date they sent me an email with a flyer attached that we could send out and post on FB etc. It was super easy.

 

[princesspaige]

I set this up the first time we did it. I just went in at a not busy time and asked one of the workers. She sent a manager out to talk to me. I texted the coach about the date and that's all there was to it. The assistant coach had to send a tax exempt number I believe. Close to the date they sent me an email with a flyer attached that we could send out and post on FB etc. It was super easy.

Thanks! It's nice to know that it doesn't require a lot of work.

 

[teller80]

Could the team do a week long skills camp for younger children in softball? If not this summer, maybe consider it for next year?

Does your community have a carnival? Ours allows local organizations to run booths, but I wouldn't do it unless you have a lot of parent support.

 

[virge]

Are there other travel teams in your area that you can check with to determine what has been successful and make sure you don't overlap with the same fundraiser?

Where I live, none of the local travel sports teams seem to "sell" things. The local travel soccer organization appears to do a lot of Wendy's nights where they receive a % of the night's profits. We have several local travel softball & baseball organizations. Our baseball organization recently did a raffle (Yeti cooler & 2 decent size cash prizes). I thought the tickets were high priced at $20 but it went well & we donated some of the profits to the local rescue squad & fire dept. I've seen other teams sell $1 & $5 raffle tickets for smaller prizes (sporting/hunting equipment & cash). 2 local travel teams have hosted golf tournaments. Almost all the teams ask players to find at least one business sponsor. Some make really nice banners that hang in the dugout listing the season's sponsors.

In my experience, the most important component for a successful fundraiser is making sure the parents are on board & will actively participate/promote.

 

[pklein09]

I like fundraisers that the entire community can be a part of even if they don't personally know anyone on the team. Things like garage sales, car washes, and restaurant events means the general public gives the group an injection of funds; assigning each child something to sell means they are asking the same circle of friends and family--probably the same people who they've asked to support their school, church, band, etc... Just my personal preference.

If you know someone who works for a grocery store, see if they can get the Johnsonville Brat Grill to come to their store. I know two local groups that did this and it was a big fundraiser. They show up with an enormous truck grill and cook brats for lunch in the grocery store lot. The team would be responsible for helping out the grillmaster, cleaning tables, setting up, etc... Our local event was a brat, chips and drink for $3 and we kept all proceeds.

Restaurants that also do fundraisers that we've used are Zoup, Culvers, Applebee's and Panda Express.

This is a neat idea, so I just went over to their website. It looks like they only do "big" things. I actually saw this truck at Andrews Air Force Base a number of years ago. Will they really come out for a sports team fundraiser?

 

[poohfriend77]

I hate selling stuff!

I do like the restaurant ones, or something active the kids can do, like a car wash or raking leaves or wrapping Christmas presents for a donation.

I live in a college town, and groups can apply to run concession stands or serve as parking lot attendants for football and basketball games. That's good money, but requires a LOT of parents' time (12-year-olds can't help with those). But it might be a possibility if you have a large venue in your area.

 

[Narnia_girl]

This is a neat idea, so I just went over to their website. It looks like they only do "big" things. I actually saw this truck at Andrews Air Force Base a number of years ago. Will they really come out for a sports team fundraiser?

Two groups in my town have used them: the local food pantry/soup kitchen used them as a fundraiser, and our band boosters used them last summer. Both times, they were in the parking lot of a grocery store. So I think you have to get the store on board with the event. They may have to do the actual requesting; it's good business for them too as all the buns, etc... come from their store.

 

[pklein09]

Two groups in my town have used them: the local food pantry/soup kitchen used them as a fundraiser, and our band boosters used them last summer. Both times, they were in the parking lot of a grocery store. So I think you have to get the store on board with the event. They may have to do the actual requesting; it's good business for them too as all the buns, etc... come from their store.

Thanks!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I'm another parent who HATES selling things. I would rather just write a check (I realize that's not an option for everyone). My kid's teams have done the fundraiser nights with local restaurants and they are so easy it's a no-brainer. We have done Chipotle, Panda Express, Stevi B's Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, A&W, and Bagger Daves (just to name a few). All you have to do is call the restaurant to pick a date, then distribute the flyers.

We have also done a casino night where you rent a big tour bus and charge around $30/person. The bus drops off at the casino and each player receives some amount of player cash. The casinos will provide that for free as an incentive to bring your group in. You could also do a spaghetti dinner, euchre/poker tournament, car wash, or comedy club night.

 

[princesspaige]

I'm another parent who HATES selling things. I would rather just write a check (I realize that's not an option for everyone). My kid's teams have done the fundraiser nights with local restaurants and they are so easy it's a no-brainer. We have done Chipotle, Panda Express, Stevi B's Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, A&W, and Bagger Daves (just to name a few). All you have to do is call the restaurant to pick a date, then distribute the flyers.

We have also done a casino night where you rent a big tour bus and charge around $30/person. The bus drops off at the casino and each player receives some amount of player cash. The casinos will provide that for free as an incentive to bring your group in. You could also do a spaghetti dinner, euchre/poker tournament, car wash, or comedy club night.

I never thought of doing a casino night. I'll bring it up to the parents and see what they think.