Copied!
All fundraising ideas

Sports fundraising ideas

Need a great fundraising idea for your team? Whether you're involved in football, soccer, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, badminton—or any other sporting activity—this list of fundraising ideas for sports teams will help you rally your community and reach your goals to ensure the success of your program.

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and best practices right to your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Featured campaign
Northfield Football Cornhole Tournament Graphic
Northfield High School Football & Wrestling
Northfield Football Cornhole Tournament
Filter
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

5k walk/run

Map out your fundraising run route and have supporters donate to participate. Then, use peer-to-peer fundraising tools that allow supporters to make their own donation pages, set their own goals, and ask friends and family to contribute!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/5k-walk-run
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Ugly sweater 5k

Get festive by encouraging supporters to wear their ugliest sweater for a fun run (and award the best dressed)! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word about the cause, along with photos of them in their ugly regalia. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ugly-sweater-5k
All
Events

Team apparel sale

Sell custom team apparel like T-shirts and hats featuring your team's logo and colors—online, in person, or both! Be sure to collect key info—like size and color—using custom fields on your donation forms.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/team-apparel-sale
All
Events
Donation forms

Halloween costume run

Ask supporters to wear their spookiest Halloween costume during this fun run, walk, or roll. Be sure to use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word. 

At the end, award the winners of the race, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and, of course, the best dressed with special prizes. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/halloween-costume-run
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

T-shirt design contest

Encourage supporters to submit their best t-shirt designs to enter them into a competition. Set up team fundraising pages for each design and have supporters donate in order to cast their vote for for their favorite design. Each donation will appear on a leaderboard so everyone can watch the votes (and donations!) come in.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/t-shirt-design-contest
All
Fundraising page
Peer-to-peer

Cheer off

Invite dance, cheer, or pom squads to pay a small entry fee and battle it out for top spots like “Most Spirited” and “Best Routine.” Take this event to the next level by asking attendees to consider adding a donation to their ticket purchase, offering concessions, or even livestreaming the event. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cheer-off
All
Events

Coach dare

Challenge your coach to do something wild (like shaving their head!) if your team reaches their fundraising goal. Have supporters watch the fundraiser’s progress—and create some exciting anticipation—with an engaging fundraising page that features a live goal bar.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coach-dare
All
Fundraising page
Donation forms

Fan Combine

Invite family, friends, and fans to this ultimate sports fundraising event. Participants join in a series of challenges, such as football tosses, 50-yard dashes, and obstacle courses.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fan-combine
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Jersey auction

Auction off game-worn jerseys from your team or donated professional jerseys either online or in person. Take advantage of free silent auction software for simple and easy bidding, custom item descriptions, and more.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jersey-auction
All
Auctions

VIP cushioned seats sale

Create and sell custom VIP event tickets that offer access to front-row, cushioned seats (and maybe some special team swag) at your next home game for your biggest fans and supporters. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/vip-cushioned-seats-sale
All
Events
Auctions

Valet parking

Create and sell custom VIP event tickets that offer parking perks to donors who'd appreciate the convenience of getting dropped off right at the game entrance.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/valet-parking
All
Events

Players vs. parents game

It’s kids vs. grownups in this ultimate showdown. Ask for a small donation per participant or family or charge a small fee for supporters to come watch it all go down.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/players-vs-parents-game
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Touchdown sponsorships

Ask local businesses to sponsor your team for the entire season! Create a sponsorship proposal that outlines exactly what donors will get in return—like featuring their signage or logo each time you score! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/touchdown-sponsorships
All
Donation forms

Dance-a-thon

Using individual peer-to-peer fundraising pages connected to your central event page, participants gather donations and pledges based on how long they aim to dance—without taking a break! 

Supporters can donate, leave messages of support for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun all in one place. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-a-thon
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Mascot showdown

Join forces with your rival team for a good cause. Organize a race or other competition between your mascots during halftime at a big game, and ask supporters to vote for their mascot by donating on a team fundraising page. Use text-to-donate or a QR code to bring in even more funds from the stands during the event. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mascot-showdown
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Concession stand

Use an existing stand or create your own and sell items like popcorn, candy, and sunflower seeds. To boost sales, create custom tickets with mouth-watering pictures of available treats!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/concession-stand
All
Events
Donation forms

Baseball bingo

Create bingo cards featuring baseball terms, players, and teams. Sell tickets and show off prizes with a custom fundraising event page that makes it easy to purchase more cards during the event by accepting every kind of payment method—even Venmo.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/baseball-bingo
All
Events

Jeans day / Out of uniform day

Sell passes for a day out of uniform or a day in jeans. Allow parents to pre-pay ahead or donate on the day-of the event. For easy payments, use scan-to-donate or accept Venmo and other convenient options. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jeans-day-out-of-uniform-day
All
Events
Donation forms

Shoe-decorating

Source an array of paints and art supplies and invite community members to make a donation and bring a pair of sneakers to paint together for your good cause. 

To create a seamless event experience, set up custom ticket types, like an upsell ticket that provides a pair of shoes. Make sure to add a custom question to get the right shoe size!
Cost:
2
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shoe-decorating
All
Events

Principal challenge

Challenge your principal to do something wild (like dye their hair) if your team reaches their fundraising goal. Use a custom fundraising page with a live goal bar to drum up excitement and share updates (and photos!) as donations roll in.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/principal-challenge
All
Events
Fundraising page
Peer-to-peer

Pumpkin Games

Perfect for the Halloween season, challenge participants to a pay-to-play series of games like pumpkin races and decorating contests. Sell tickets in advance or on the day of using scan-to-donate or Venmo. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-games
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

School auction

Source quality school-related items, such as backpacks and shoes, and auction them off during a virtual, in-person, or hybrid event. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/school-auction
All
Events
Auctions

Virtual movie night

Use Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) to host a virtual family movie night fundraising event on the streaming service of your choice. Ask movie trivia questions throughout to make the evening more interactive! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-movie-night
All
Events

50-yard-line movie night

Hang a projector screen (or large, white sheet) from the goalposts at the football field. Charge a small entrance fee, sell popcorn, and enjoy an outdoor movie night together—football-themed film or not! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/50-yard-line-movie-night
All
Events

Grow-your-own garden kit

Ask local nurseries to donate herbs, seeds, and soil you can use to assemble gardening kits. Bring volunteers together to assemble everything and sell them on a custom fundraising page or donation form. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grow-your-own-garden-kit
All
Events
Fundraising page
Donation forms
Looks like we don’t have any fundraising ideas matching that criteria 🔎
We're always cooking up new ideas, so check back soon for fresh picks!
Dive into our list of best fundraising ideas in the meantime 

Frequently asked questions

Good sports team fundraising ideas are those that bring team members together with their community, such as car washes, bake sales, and tournaments. You can raise even more by partnering with a local restaurant to sponsor an event, selling team merchandise, and creating an online fundraising campaign to make it easy for more people to contribute.

Team fundraisers take many forms, but the most common falls under the category of peer-to-peer fundraising. Teams and/or individuals create their own fundraising pages and leverage their social networks to bring in donations from family members, friends, and other supporters. Introduce some friendly competition to see who can raise the most!

When asking for donations for your sports team, be clear about your goal and the impact that these funds will have on individual players and the program as a whole. Don’t forget to personalize your request by explaining what the team means to you and your community. You can also broaden your reach by asking through various channels, including social media, emails, texts, phone calls, and in-person conversations.

Subscribe to
The Butter Brief

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact

Subscribe to
The Butter Brief

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The most-loved fundraising platform