Booster club fundraising is a fun and exciting process, especially once you build some momentum. However, you need to make every dollar count so you can do the most good for the students. After all, that’s what it’s all about. 

To maximize your resources, you’ll need a solid budget. The team at BoosterHub has created this budget example that you can use as inspiration for managing your finances. 

Gaming vs. Non-Gaming Activities

The IRS divides fundraising into two categories: gaming and non-gaming. Gaming activities include things like bingo, raffles, and even tip jars. All of these are common fundraising tools used by booster clubs. Non-gaming activities include things like running concession stands, selling banquet tickets, and selling merchandise. 

The IRS allows you to conduct these types of activities under your 501(c)(3) exemption, so long as you are following all applicable rules. However, gaming activities are often regulated at the state and local levels. Therefore, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with county and state laws on gaming-based fundraising. You should also track non-gaming and gaming revenue separately in your budget to make reporting easier.  

Booster Club Budget Example

Now, let’s get into our budget example, which includes multiple sources of revenue and a categorized list of expenses. Remember, this is a generalized budget. Feel free to omit and add line items as necessary to align the budget with your club’s needs.

Revenue:

• Gaming: $5,000
• Non-Gaming: $15,000
• Donations: $3,000
• Membership dues: $2,000
• Sponsorships: $5,000
• Total revenue: $30,000

Expenses:

Event Expenses:

• Venue rental: $2,000
• Food and beverages: $3,000
• Supplies: $1,000
• Total event expenses: $6,000

Operational Expenses:

• Insurance: $1,500
• Marketing: $500
• Utilities: $300
• Miscellaneous: $700
• Total operational expenses: $3,000
• Program expenses: $8,000
• Total expenses: $17,000

Net Income: $13,000

In this budget, revenue is broadly categorized into gaming and non-gaming activities, in line with IRS classifications. Donations, membership dues, and sponsorships are also significant revenue streams for the club. 

Generally, program expenses include things like paying for equipment or activities for student-athletes. This line item can also include auxiliary costs of training volunteers, such as sending concession stand workers to a food safety course. The key is to make sure that every expense is carefully tracked and itemized so that you can account for every dollar earned and spent. 

If your booster club is newer or has recently been overhauled, you probably won’t have much net income at the end of each reporting cycle. In these instances, you may want to scale back activities to build up a reserve. 

Set a Budget and See It Through

Budgeting isn’t just about tracking booster club expenses. A great budget will help you contribute to more activities and serve as many students as possible. 

You’ll also need to define your club’s mission and vision. A clear set of objectives will be your playbook for serving others, raising funds, and elevating the culture within the community. 

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