10+ Stellar Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams and Clubs

10+ Stellar Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams and Clubs
Raise money for soccer.
Raise money for cheerleading.
Raise money for football.
Raise money with crowdfunding.

10+ Stellar Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams

Our Top Fundraising Idea

Matching Gifts

The Best Fundraising Idea for Sports Teams and Clubs


  • What are matching gifts?

    Matching gifts are a form of corporate social responsibility where employers will match their employees’ donations, usually at a dollar-per-dollar rate.

  • Why is it great?

    Matching gifts are an easy way for supporters to give more without straining their wallets. Plus, new technology like auto-submission allow donors to complete the process in just a few clicks.

  • How can I begin?

    Get started by partnering with a matching gift platform. Matching gift software allows you to add a search tool to your donation page that supporters can use to look up their employers’ matching gift information to check their match eligibility.




Crowdfunding

The Most Popular Fundraising Idea for Sports Teams and Clubs


  • What is crowdfunding?

    Crowdfunding is a fundraising method that helps individuals raise money for any cause through an online donation page.

  • Why is it great?

    Crowdfunding is a top fundraising option for sports teams and clubs because the whole team (and parents) can easily contribute to the campaign page and share it with others who would be open to donating.

  • How can I begin?

    First, you’ll want to pick a crowdfunding platform. Then, to begin your campaign, you simply set a fundraising goal, create your crowdfunding page, and promote your campaign. The better job you do of telling your sports team’s story on the page, the more money you’ll raise.

Use our most popular fundraising idea to raise money right now.

Our Most Engaging Fundraising Idea

Pledge Fundraising

Our Most Engaging Fundraising Idea for Sports Teams and Clubs


  • What is pledge fundraising?

    Pledge fundraising is a type of campaign in which individual fundraisers seek donations that are collected at a later date in response to the completion of a challenge or activity.

  • Why is it great?

    Pledge fundraising campaigns are simple to host for participants of all ages – and it’s easy to get everyone involved. From team members and coaches to families and friends, everyone can have an important role in the success of this fundraiser.

  • How can I begin?

    The first step is to select a pledge fundraising platform to work with, which will then provide individual fundraising pages to each participant. Have each fundraiser start sharing their donation page far and wide to bring in the most revenue!

    Consider turning the fundraiser into a contest to see which team member can bring in the most funds to leverage some healthy competition between players.

Other Great Fundraising Ideas

Shoe Drive Fundraiser



To hold a shoe drive, your team can have your sports club donate their gently used (or even new) shoes to an organization like Funds2Orgs. Bring a collection bin with you to your games to increase donations.

Funds2Orgs will actually come and pick up the shoes, weigh the shoes, and pay your organization based on a price per pound. 

Once Funds2Orgs has collected your shoes, they then sell the shoes to small business owners in countries such as Honduras and Togo with the goal of encouraging local economic growth.


Car Wash



Your team should consider organizing a car wash fundraiser. Host it in the parking lot near your practice facilities and bond with your teammates while raising money! This is an easy fundraiser for kids to get involved in because they can take on several roles, such as washing the cars or collecting donations.

As most people know, to host a car wash you’ll gather the supplies, set up shop in a high-traffic parking lot, and offer car washes to passersby.

To fundraise, you can either ask for donations for your handy-work or you can charge a small fee per wash. Either way, make sure you’re early to set up and put promotional flyers around the community.


Yard Sale



Yard sales are an easy way to raise funds and de-clutter your home, as long as you have the right mix of items to sell.

Pick a date, ask other members of the community to participate, promote around town, and get organized. Strong advertising, solid items, and reasonable pricing will be your keys to success.

See if your sports club will let you host the yard sale at the gym or practice facilities and have all your teammates and coaches participate for maximum profit.


Dog Walking



Put your athletes strong muscles to good use with a dog walk! There are two types of dog walk fundraisers, both of which can be lucrative. The first path is as simple as it gets, you can walk dogs in your neighborhood in exchange for donations.

The second option is to host a traditional walkathon with a twist by asking participants to bring their pooches.

For dog walkathons, you’ll have to put time and energy into ensuring the event is safe and fun for all involved. Mark out the course and set up water stations for people and pets alike.


Engraved Bricks



Engraved bricks are the best choice for teams looking to fundraise to cover construction or building costs. For instance, if your sports team needs new practice facilities, this fundraiser is ideal.

Sell engraved bricks to donors and either set up the bricks as an art installation or incorporate them into the actual structure you’re building.

Donors will love the permanence of your recognition and you can get creative with how you display them. There are even companies dedicated to providing this kind of fundraising brick.


Jelly Bean Count



Jelly bean count fundraisers are perfect for young kids, or rather, sports teams with young kids. To get started, you’ll need jelly beans, a jar, and a central location to place your full jar.

Then, fill the jar with jelly beans, but make sure to note the exact number in the jar. Next, have participants try to guess the number, and ask them to donate in exchange for a guess. 

After a set amount of time, review the guesses and reveal the winner. You get to keep the donations and the winner gets to keep the jelly beans. If you have an older crowd, you can follow this structure with other countable items.


Dance Marathon



Ideal for cheerleading teams and dance clubs, dance marathons are active and competitive fundraisers that don’t disappoint. Dance marathons are exactly as the name implies.

Participants sign up to dance and secure sponsors who agree to donate money according to how long the dancer lasts (i.e. $5 for every hour danced). 

Of course, you’ll have to put rules in place for what constitutes continuous dancing, and you’ll want to invite the whole community to come out and watch. For extra funding, sell concessions to spectators.


Walkathons



Get some exercise and raise money all at once! Walkathons pair well with sports teams because they allow the athletes to use their athleticism and fitness.

Usually organized by a specific community or organization, walkathons ask participants to secure donation pledges based on the distance they’re able to walk.

Pledges will be the driving force of the fundraiser, but make sure that your walkathon offers items for sale such as concessions and commemorative t-shirts that people can buy the day of.


Restaurant Partnership



Many local and national restaurants are open to partnering with charities and organizations for fundraising nights. To connect with a restaurant, reach out to restaurant owners who are fans of your sports team or have some kind of bond with you all.

Typically, the way restaurant partnerships work is straight forward. Restaurants will host a night in your honor, where a portion of all sales are donated to your cause.

The restaurant makes the donations and you work to promote the evening and ensure all the tables are full throughout the night.


Want to learn more about corporate giving programs?

Top Resources to Help You Fundraise

117+ Fundraising Ideas for all Causes


This comprehensive resource contains over 200 fundraising ideas.

Still looking for more fundraising ideas and inspiration? Good thing we’ve compiled a diverse list of over 100 fundraising ideas to help you! You’ll select a fundraiser in no time!


Crowdfunding: The Beginner’s Guide


This crowdfunding guide will help you plan your campaign if you choose crowdfunding as your fundraising idea.

Crowdfunding is one of our top fundraising ideas. If you’re interested in pursuing it but not sure where to start, this guide will give you all the necessary background.


Donation Requests: 45+ Companies That Donate


Check out what companies will fulfill your donation requests.

Have you requested donations from companies? There are many businesses in your community that might be open to donating. This guide shows you where to look!