BoosterHub

There are few things more fun than a night of games and gambling. A booster club casino night fundraiser can be a fun way to get people involved and raise a little (or a lot of) money. Even if your booster club has no intention of setting up a roulette table, you might still need to take a few additional steps to legally prepare for this event. If you want to host a casino night, your booster club must meet certain criteria to host one of these events.

IRS Rules

While a casino night is one of the more creative booster club fundraiser ideas, you should know that there are strict rules from the IRS about what is gambling and what is not. Gambling, also referred to as gaming by the IRS, can encompass many activities, including:

Bingo
Lotteries
Raffles
Punch boards
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As you can see, even simple things like Superbowl Squares can qualify as gambling and require a special license from the state or your local agency. To ensure that your booster club is covered by the law, you need to inquire with the state about what requirements you must uphold to host a fundraiser like this.

Check Your State Rules

Each state has various rules on how and when gaming fundraisers can be done. In some states, it may require a license.

Check with Tax Professionals

Some additional rules go along with casino night fundraisers. For example, the booster club may be required to submit a notice of winnings over a certain amount to the IRS on a W-2G form. Alternatively, you might be required to withhold income tax or pay a wagering excise tax to the IRS. A qualified tax professional can help you parse out the details of exactly what needs to happen for you to legally operate a casino night fundraiser. Make sure to talk with them early in the process to have things run as smoothly as possible.

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Ways to Fundraise for a Booster Club

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:

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Non-Profit Donation Receipt

Whenever someone donates to your club, you must ensure that you send them a clear receipt so they can take advantage of their tax deduction. These receipts are your club’s way of saying, “Thanks for being on the team,” and they’re essential for keeping records organized. Providing a timely and well-documented receipt also makes your club appear professional and organized. In turn, you’ll be able to more easily build trust with donors and encourage them to give again in the future. After all, donors need to be confident that you’re acknowledging and managing their contributions properly. On that note, here are a few tips to help you create compliant receipts:

Booster Club Best Practices

Booster Club Rules

You certainly wouldn’t sign up for a sports league without knowing the rules of the game, so why would you attempt to run a booster club without a clear set of guidelines? In a booster club, the rules take the form of bylaws, which are policies and procedures that are vital in keeping everyone on the same page, helping to avoid misunderstandings, and ensuring that each member understands their part in supporting the club’s mission. In some cases, these bylaws will spell out who can and can’t be members, as well as who is eligible to serve on the board. Some states even have standardized playbooks that you need to follow. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) in Texas, for instance, has a playbook of its own, covering specific bylaws for booster clubs that support school programs. In any case, here are some tips for ensuring everyone in your booster club plays by the rules so you can have a productive year: