Fundraising 101: It Doesn’t Have to be Painful!

For time-starved volleyball parents, fundraising for the season can sometimes be overwhelming. When factoring in tournament fees, travel, food, and other expenses, some parents in the United States could spend around $700- $1,000 a month on youth sports.

That’s why now more than ever, families are in need of helpful resources to make sure every young athlete has an equal opportunity to play this season. Fundraising is often the easiest and quickest way to make some extra team money – but where do you start?

Don’t fret! We’ve developed some creative ways for you and your team to help offset the season’s costs. At the end of the day, the key is to remember why you’re doing it, and everything will fall into place.

Traditional Fundraising Ideas

There are some fundraising ideas that seem like they have been around as long as sports themselves. When deciding which method is the best for you and your team, it’s important to consider all options, including the more popular ones below:

Car Washes
Pub Nights or Bowling Nights
Put on a play
Golf Tournaments
Selling Raffle Tickets
Community Barbecue
Bottle Drive
Bake Sales
Dances for Parents
Bingo Night

Online Fundraising Opportunities

It’s no secret that most people are becoming more reliant on digital means in all aspects of their life, and fundraising is no different. According to Crowd 101, 54% of donors worldwide prefer to give online with a credit or debit card. Among the many reasons why people are choosing to ditch in-person events, safety, travel costs and a lack of disposable time are driving factors for making the jump to online fundraising. For example, families now turn to cashback apps for teams (such as FlipGive) for these undeniable reasons:

● Raise money for your team when you purchase things you already need like gas, groceries, equipment and more
● Expect to earn an average of $2,000 in one season as a team, club or individual
● Fundraise directly from the sidelines or comfort of your own home on a phone or laptop

In addition to cashback apps, other digital efforts include receiving commission on products through special affiliate programs or selling unwanted items such as furniture, electronics and sports equipment through buy-and-sell sites

Seek Local Sponsorship

Involving the community in your fundraising efforts is a proven way to raise a significant amount for your team. Local businesses are often more than happy to donate or sell prizes at a cost for raffles, for example. Plus, it’s fantastic for the players to know that friends, family and even total strangers believe in the power of helping others. While this method may take a bit more planning than something like a bottle drive, there are endless possibilities of how local sponsorship could help you raise much needed money for your team.

Helpful Tips to Remember

When it comes to fundraising, volleyball parents should keep a handful of important tips in mind in order to raise as much as possible. We think it’s important to consider:

● Having a clear, concise plan before the season starts
● Using a variety of fundraising methods, such as those outlined above
● Getting your whole team on board to maximize efforts
● Not being discouraged if your fundraising event isn’t successful

Fundraising for your team doesn’t have to be difficult. Provide yourself with enough time to plan your strategy and utilize the tools and resources available to you to achieve the greatest amount of success. Whether you’re running in person events or fundraising solely online, your team will benefit from working together both on and off the court.