It doesn’t matter what the sport, sometimes a school team needs some funding. This is a great way to raise money while supporting your team. All you need for this fundraiser is a game, parents, and a marker to tell how much each parent pledged. Don’t limit yourself to parents, though. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends will work just as well! This fundraiser focuses on team spirit and the excitement of the game to keep the cash coming in.
Send a notice to parents far enough in advance of the game so they can bring cash or the checkbook to cover their pledges. This will also give them time to spread the word and bring as many others as possible to participate in the fundraiser and cheer the team on to higher scores! You could also put a space on this form for them to record their pledges and bring to the game.
Each person wishing to participate can pledge a certain amount of money per point scored. If the event requires tickets, record the pledges and hand out the markers at or near the ticket window. When no tickets are required, set up a table where people enter the stands. Be sure to staff this area adequately to prevent people from waiting in line to make their pledges. You want to keep the line flowing freely as they enter to watch and cheer.
It’s easy to write the amount pledged on a wristband, or you can use a peel and stick label for their shirt or a pin on ribbon they can keep later as a memento. As they cheer for their team to score, people will be pushing up the amount of money they will donate as they leave! Offer a free soft drink or bottled water (donated by a local sponsor) to all those who pledge as an incentive.
At the end of the game, have plenty of staff waiting to catch people on their way out to tally their pledges and collect the donations. Multiply the number of points scored and the amount of money pledged per point to find the total donation from each person. The more points the team scores, the more successful the fundraiser. Remember to bring calculators! Even people who didn’t formally pledge can be encouraged to make a contribution!
This fundraiser can be expanded if you like, to include more complex pledges besides home team points. People can sponsor a specific player, giving an amount for each point that player makes in addition to their standard pledge, or to pledge a bonus amount if the team wins the game, or wins by over a certain number of points.
This fundraiser is an easy and fun way to bring people together to cheer for the home team and make some money to help support them at the same time!
