How CABBA Doubled It's Impact: 100% Year-Over-Year Growth For Collegiate Booster Club Through Digital Transformation

THE PROBLEM

Clark Atlanta Athletic Booster Association (CAABA), established in 1989 to support Clark Atlanta University athletics, struggled with outdated operational systems that undermined their effectiveness. The organization faced inconsistent record-keeping, relied on cash and check payments, and suffered from poor knowledge transfer between changing administrations. Document management had become chaotic with records scattered across various locations, while technology barriers prevented older members from fully participating. 

THE SOLUTION

CAABA's treasurer discovered BoosterHub, a platform designed for managing non-profit booster clubs. After careful evaluation, the platform emerged as ideal because it addressed their full spectrum of needs with tools specifically designed for booster clubs.

The implementation proceeded methodically, with CAABA adopting key features:

• Integrated membership management systems
• Digital financial processing capabilities
• Professional website building tools
• Centralized document storage
• Streamlined communication tools

The BoosterHub-powered website established a professional digital presence that impressed university administrators: “The quality of the BoosterHub-powered website was so impressive that it motivated the university's athletic department to improve their own digital presence. It kind of made our athletic department step up their game a little.” The implementation process itself strengthened the organization by connecting members across generations in a common purpose.

‍THE RESULTS

BoosterHub transformed CAABA's ability to support Clark Atlanta University athletics:

• Financial Growth
  
  • “There's been an increase in levels of giving. A person that may have given $100 or $250 for their dues is now saying, 'I think I'm going to go ahead and do $500 this year.’”
  • Online payments substantially increased donation amounts
  • Many supporters established recurring monthly contributions
• Athletics Program Enhancement
  
  • The booster club was formed to find a way to bring in more full-time coaching staff and obtain resources for the athletic program.
  • Improved equipment, facilities, and travel accommodations
• Community Engagement
  
  • “We've seen 100% year-over-year growth in team support.”
  • Doubled participation in game attendance initiatives
• Communication Effectiveness
  
  • The email templates and messaging capabilities have improved outreach to members.
  • Streamlined outreach: reduced planning time from weeks to days
• Operational Efficiency
  
  • Having this tool and being able to pay with a credit card online has increased the amount of giving.
  • Improved financial reporting and documentation preservation
• Strategic Initiatives
  
  • Expanded merchandise offerings without inventory challenges
  • Organized successful travel buses for away games
• Institutional Impact
  
  • Established reputation for reliability and transparency

As the CAABA president observed when advising other collegiate booster clubs, "For smaller schools like ours without massive resources, it's an excellent tool that has fundamentally transformed how we fulfill our mission." Their experience demonstrates the profound impact that the right technological platform—tailored to collegiate athletic support—can have on a booster club's ability to create meaningful change for student-athletes and the university community.

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