Put the "FUN" into fundraising!

Fundraising is the essential ingredient of any booster club. The funds raised are the means by which a booster club provides new equipment, banquet, a trip, scholarship, etc.

Check out our list of fundraising ideas and our list of fundraising companies.

Then, pick a fundraiser from categories below and get started:

1. Membership Drives- The initial yearly fundraiser collects dues from all booster club members, usually parents.  Member dues usually range from $25 in middle school to $100 or more in college, depending on the function of the booster club.

2. Sponsorships- Local sponsors can be solicited for support in exchange for advertising on stadium signs, stadium sear cushions, program ads, flyer distribution, etc.

3. Events- Generally booster clubs have 1 or 2 major fundraisers per year.  This might be a pancake breakfast, a drill team or cheerleading clinic, a golf tournament, etc. These events require an upfront investment but have a higher return. Fundraising events usually have the goal of providing one thousand to several thousand dollars to the club.  

4. Direct Sales- The most popular direct seller is spirit wear and school spirit items.  Booster club members usually get shirts and hats at cost but these items can be sold at schools, clubs or sporting events for a profit.  Candy sales and discount card sales are also in this category.  These fundraisers are popular but require an upfront investment.  Shoot for a 50% profit on these items and a goal of one to several hundred dollars.

5. Catalog Sales- This fundraiser is very similar to direct sales but requires no up front investment.  Customers order direct from a catalog and pay up front.

6. Ongoing- Ongoing fundraisers provide the lowest return but they are easy to set up and require no labor to keep them going.  Ongoing fundraisers might include setting up a web store on your booster club or team web site, collecting box tops, or getting the local grocery store to provide cards that trigger a small donation when groceries are bought.

Decide early on as a booster club what your year-end goals are and make plans to reach those goals!