Fundraising is perhaps one of the most important functions of your booster club. However, it can be tough to build momentum, especially if you are new to fundraising as a whole.

You can also get stuck in a rut and feel like you are running the same two or three events on repeat. That’s when it’s important to mix things up to keep club members and donors engaged, ensuring a steady stream of support for your student-athletes. 

With that in mind, here are a few ways to raise more money for the student-athletes you support:

Use Peer-to-Peer Tactics

Peer-to-peer fundraising relies on a large volume of small donations. It’s an extremely powerful form of fundraising because you won’t need to find any super donors. If student-athletes reach out to their own connections, they can rack up a lot of small donations that can make a big impact on the club. 

One tip to motivate your members is to encourage them to set personal and shared goals. For example, a friendly competition between players or teams to see who can raise the most funds can add excitement to your fundraising efforts and bring in even more donations. Consider providing small incentives for top fundraisers to amp up the competition.

Network

Booster members also need to be working their networks, talking to their friends, family members, and neighbors to secure donations. These connections are typically the people most invested in your club’s success and the ones most willing to part with their resources.

Networking with local businesses can also be a good use of your club’s time. You might find business owners who are interested in donating funds, giving away items for an auction, or even sponsoring an event. Others may offer discounted services that your club can save on.

Hosting networking nights or inviting local businesses to booster meetings are other great ways to open the door for ongoing partnerships. Make sure you highlight why donating to the club is important and how you use those contributions to benefit student-athletes.

Host a Big Event

Consider kicking the new year off with a bang by planning a major event (like a walk-a-thon) to get the community involved and get the word out about your cause. Other popular events include galas, auctions, and concerts. A well-organized event could attract hundreds of attendees and lead to thousands in donations. You might even land a few big sponsors!

Consider adding exciting amenities to your events, such as food trucks, games, and raffles, to keep attendees engaged and create additional opportunities for fundraising. You can also partner with other local organizations to boost attendance and make your event feel like a true community gathering.

Take Things Digital

With a platform like BoosterBucks, you can create digital rallies, promote your events, and give donors peace of mind through the use of our secure platform. BoosterHub keeps track of donations, handles reporting, and provides accounting capabilities, all in a single user-friendly interface. 

Digital platforms also make it easier to reach supporters beyond your immediate area, allowing you to seamlessly share your digital campaigns on social media or email them to alumni, friends, and family. Running an online auction or virtual raffle through a platform like BoosterHub is another way to engage potential donors who can’t attend in person but still want to contribute. 

Get Out There and Start Fundraising

None of these strategies will work unless you do, so there’s nothing more to say other than get your club together and start fundraising! Before you know it, you’ll be crushing your club’s fundraising goals.