Every booster club has the same problem: the bills keep growing, and the same few volunteers end up doing all the work. The best fundraiser isn't the one that sounds fun. It's the one that raises the most money for the fewest volunteer hours.
Seven ideas, compared
Custom team gear store
Blankets, hoodies, knit hats, scarves and caps with your logo, sold through an online store. Made to order, so there's no inventory. The gear keeps showing your club's name around town long after the sale ends.
Volunteer effort: Low · Profit: High
Popcorn or chocolate sale
An easy yes for supporters at a low price. Works well as an add-on to a gear store, or for a quick campaign where every family can take part.
Volunteer effort: Low · Profit: Medium
Local sponsor program
Sell a sponsor's logo on a banner, a program, or the gear itself. A sponsor mark on blankets or hoodies gets seen all season, not just one night.
Volunteer effort: Medium · Profit: Medium to high
Concession stand
Steady money, but it needs volunteers every home game and someone to manage stock.
Volunteer effort: High · Profit: Medium
Raffle or 50/50
Quick and popular at games. Check your state's gambling rules first; many require a license.
Volunteer effort: Medium · Profit: Low to medium
Golf outing or dinner event
Can raise a lot in one night, but takes months of planning, sponsors and a big volunteer team.
Volunteer effort: High · Profit: High
Car wash or bake sale
Familiar and fun for players, but a full day of work usually brings in a few hundred dollars.
Volunteer effort: High · Profit: Low
The math on a gear fundraiser
Three numbers decide the result: how many families you have, how many items each family sells, and what the club keeps per item. The examples below assume about $15 kept per item, a mix of blankets, hoodies and hats.
| Families | Items per family | Kept per item | Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4 | $15 | $3,000 |
| 150 | 4 | $15 | $9,000 |
| 300 | 4 | $15 | $18,000 |
Illustrative numbers, not a promise. Try your own on the fundraising calculator.
Raise money and get seen
A candy bar gets eaten. A blanket in the stands gets seen every game for years. Gear with your logo keeps promoting your club around town after the sale closes, and that visibility helps bring in new families and sponsors.
A simple plan for this season
- 1
Pick your products
Four to six items your families actually want. Fewer, better choices sell more.
- 2
Set your goal and dates
Name what the money is for and set a hard closing date. Short windows sell better.
- 3
Share one link
Every family shares the store with grandparents, neighbors and coworkers. Send a launch message, a midpoint reminder and a final push.
- 4
Hand out the gear
Everything is made to order after the store closes and delivered ready to hand out.
Running a youth sports club in Minnesota or Wisconsin? Read our Minnesota youth sports fundraiser guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest booster club fundraiser to run?
A made-to-order online store. Supporters order and pay online, nothing is bought up front, and nobody handles cash or order forms. With In Play, we build the store, prepare the marketing and handle production and shipping.
How much does a booster club keep per item?
With In Play, the club keeps $15 per blanket, $20 per hoodie, $10 per knit hat, scarf or cap, $5 per towel, and $2 per bag of popcorn or chocolate. These are illustrative numbers; your campaign's numbers are confirmed when we set it up.
Do we need to buy inventory or pay setup fees?
No. Everything is made to order after the store closes, so there is no inventory to buy and no leftover boxes.
How long does a gear fundraiser take?
Usually one to two weeks to pick products and build the store, two to three weeks of selling, then a few weeks for production and delivery.
Can we add a sponsor logo to the gear?
Yes. Many clubs sell a sponsor spot on a sleeve, cuff or blanket corner. We handle the artwork, and the sponsor money can cover costs or add to your profit.