Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams

Whether your team needs funds for traveling or new gear, plenty of fundraising ideas will help you meet your fundraising goals.This article covers 10 fundraising ideas for sports teams of all ages that are guaranteed to bring your supporters together. 

1- Exercise Class

An exercise class is a great way for the community to get active alongside local athletes. What’s more, an exercise class can be tailored to fit the needs of any sports team. For example, if you are fundraising for a basketball team, you can incorporate dribbling into the class! Team members can lead the exercise class and provide expert guidance throughout the lesson. 

2- Bingo Night

A sports-themed bingo night can be perfect for your sports team to fundraise. Planning is easy and allows supporters to enter the competitive spirit while supporting their local sports team. Having themed prizes available for winners fundraising ideas for youth sports teams to increase engagement and bring in more supporters. 

3- 5k Walk Or Run 

While a 5k Walk or Run requires a lot of planning and helping hands, this tried, true fundraiser is perfect for an active audience. Promoting healthy lifestyles while supporting a local sports team is a great way. Moreover, you will not have to search hard for volunteers, as your team members can fulfill those roles!

4- Karaoke Night 

A karaoke night is the perfect fundraiser for sports teams looking for an unconventional way to raise funds. It is a fundraising event that any supporter can participate in, as it does not require participants to get active. You can also sell refreshments or partner with a local restaurant to increase your fundraising potential. 

5- Field Day 

Let your supporters showcase their athletic skills by hosting a Field Day fundraiser. You can set up games, including tug-of-war, sack race, and obstacle course, for participants to enjoy. Your sports team members can also take the sidelines by running the events and playing referee. Having prizes for winners can build excitement and bring in a larger crowd. 

6- Car Wash 

Perfect for warm weather, a car wash is a tried and true fundraiser that can bring in profits while making a splash. Your team can set up at your school parking lot so community members can easily stop by and show support. Don’t forget to make signs and have team members stand on the street to grab drivers’ attention!

7- Pancake Breakfast 

Like a barbeque, pancake breakfasts are great fundraising ideas for sports teams. Ask your school or local fire hall to host your pancake breakfast and spread the word on social media. Team members can put their cooking skills to the test by serving pancakes and other refreshments to the community. 

8- Football Tailgate 

In exchange for donations, supporters can attend a tailgate before the big game, which includes music, games, and refreshments.

Your team can also sell merchandise and have raffle baskets available to increase profits. 

9- Mow Lawns for Donations

If you want to raise funds for a male high school sports team, consider mowing lawns for donations! This fundraising idea benefits both the sports team and the community. Older community members will love supporting their local sports team while crossing something off their to-do list. 

10- Bag Groceries For Donations

This is a simple fundraiser that any sports team can do. Ask your local grocery store if your team can bag groceries in exchange for donations. This allows your team to interact directly with the community and reach a wide range of people. The busier the local grocer, the better!

Fundraising Ideas for Schools

Whether you are a school looking to raise money or on a fundraising journey for a school you love, you’ll need to know the best fundraising ideas for schools in 2025 to maximize your funding. Hosting a fundraiser for schools is an excellent way for staff, parents, students, and teachers to come together for the good of the community and its school.

However, getting people excited about a fundraising event can be challenging when you have the same ideas each year. Since the pandemic swept through in 2020, fundraisers have had to think outside the box for unique ways to make money with exciting virtual fundraising ideas. This shift from in-person to virtual became a huge success, but you need the best fundraising ideas for schools to get the job done.

Explore the many profitable school fundraising ideas and why you need them!

1. Bake Sale
Who doesn’t love a bake sale? Bake sales are one of the most popular—and delicious—ways to raise much-needed funds for schools. They’re also a great opportunity to creative fundraising ideas get the parents involved and to show off their baking skills.

To raise money for your cause, ask the parents at your school to prepare a yummy treat to sell. Children can participate by helping their parents bake these treats or selling baked products at lunch or recess.

You can take it a step further with a raffle, where one prize winner can win a beautifully designed and baked cake of their choice from a local bakery willing to provide a voucher.

2. Talent Show
Showcase your school’s many talents with a talent show! Let there be various categories, such as singing, dancing, and comedy. Get local businesses to sponsor prizes for each category and the grand prize of the best winning act at the night’s end.

Prizes can range from:

A local pizza restaurant sponsored a pizza for the winner and 2 of their friends
Tickets to see a movie at the theater
Mall vouchers
Charge a small participation fee and a spectator entry fee. And don’t forget to put together a panel of judges!

3. Guessing Jar

Guessing jars is a cost-effective and easy fundraising idea for schools. All you need is a clear jar, which you can fill with candy, beads, marbles, paper clips, or anything else that will fit in the jar. To increase your potential fundraising opportunities, have several jars in various sizes and allow participants to pay to guess each jar’s contents.

Keep the jar in a busy school area like the primary office for a few weeks. Parents, teachers, and students should be encouraged to enter their estimates into the competition for a small cost.

Allow multiple entries per person, with each try costing them. Let participants pick up the jar and turn it around to look closer.

Ensure you have enough prizes for each winner and runners-up for each jar you have. When the fundraiser ends, the closest guesser receives the candy jar.

4. Virtual Parents Party
Sometimes, parents and guardians need adult time, too! A virtual parent’s party involves virtual cooking classes, happy hour, or live streaming of a local musician’s concert. In addition, you can host an art party, such as painting with a twist. These events are hosted online via Zoom, and parents purchase the tickets. You will mail the items to the attendees’ homes a couple of weeks before the event and have a scheduled itinerary.

To prevent the virtual parent party from getting too crowded, you can set up virtual rooms and divide the groups. After a specific time, switch up the people in the room and keep the entertainment going.

5. Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands takes high school fundraising ideas to the next level. There may be many talented students in your school who would love the opportunity to share their talents. This fundraising idea is easy because you have all the means to host the event: the PA system, venue, and teachers and volunteers who can help.

Charge a small fee for each band to enter and an admission fee for attendees. Involve local celebrities to be judges for the event, such as the local weatherman or radio host, to participate. In addition, you could ask local business owners to be judges and help sponsor the event. There are countless opportunities to reach your fundraising goals.

6. Dog Wash

Not everyone takes their pups to the groomers, and many find bathing their dogs tedious. So why not host a dog wash fundraiser? The kids will love spending time with your furry best friend, too. Post about the fundraiser to local groups and encourage parents, guardians, teachers, and community members to bring the pups for a good wash by student volunteers.

Purchase all the supplies and use the school’s parking lot as the venue. Ensure plenty of kiddie pools to bathe the dogs, hoses, towels, and tasty treats. To take your fundraiser a step further, have music, some food trucks, and sell drinks.

7. School Dance

School dances are just as exciting as prom or homecoming. Students get to go out and shop for new outfits and let loose with their friends. It’s a simple fundraising idea that everyone will love, and almost all the proceeds go back into the school. In addition, students pay a small attendance fee, and you can request donations for décor, food, and drinks from parents and guardians.

Put together a student committee for the dance and have them select a fun theme, such as a masquerade ball, under the ocean, or a Hollywood theme. There is no need to spend a fortune on expensive photo booths or décor. Instead, the committee should be tasked with finding an inexpensive solution.

8. Discount Card Fundraiser

A discount card fundraiser can involve the entire community. Students sell discount cards in their neighborhood, and the donors receive coupons or special offers from local businesses, such as restaurants. These discount cards cost around $10-$20 but can save the purchaser hundreds of dollars.

Making discount cards to sell for a school fundraiser is reasonably straightforward. In addition, it draws a lot of attention to small businesses, and many business owners are happy to get exposure.

9. Car Wash

Car wash fundraisers have proven to be excellent ways to raise funds for local charities, including schools. They are also a fantastic way to get the community involved while students have fun washing cars. The school’s parking lot can be used to set up the car wash.

Partner with local businesses to sponsor cleaning materials and supplies in exchange for free advertising on the day of the car wash.

Get your local radio station to advertise the school’s fundraising efforts. Have loud music for entertainment and snacks available for individuals to purchase while they wait for their cars to get cleaned.

Assign shifts to students to wash cars, and designate a few students to collect money for the car washes and any extra donations. Set up an online donation page on the school’s website to receive additional contributions.

10. Auction off Parking Spots

Ask every high school or college student what their worst nightmare is, and they will all say that parking at school or on campus is the worst! On a busy day, students are likely to circulate the parking lot in the hopes of a spot becoming available.

For a successful fundraising idea, select a few parking spots the school won’t mind reserving for the winning students. Host a live auction or an online bidding war, and see how far students are willing to go for a parking spot reserved for them for the semester or school year.

11. AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is a minimum-effort way to raise funds for your school. The process is simple:

Register your school with AmazonSmile
Once your school has been accepted to the program, notify your student’s parents and the local community.
Shoppers can add your school as their chosen charitable organization and shop items that are eligible for AmazonSmile.
That’s it! Your school will then receive 0.5% of every eligible purchase they make. No fees or costs exist for your school and shoppers donating to you.

Best Fundraising Sites for Fundraising 

– DonorBox

Donorbox is a fundraising website that allows nonprofit organizations to set up a crowdfunding campaign. It offers a simple and effective way for nonprofit organizations to raise awareness online while increasing their funds. All your nonprofit has to do is sign up for a Donorbox account, and they will guide you through the rest of the process. You can create a donation button, form, or page and share it virtually anywhere. Since 2014, DonorBox has connected nonprofits across over 30 countries. 

– Gofundme

Gofundme is a popular fundraising site for nonprofits and individuals alike. It allows people to set up fundraising websites for nonprofits powerful fundraising sites and reach a broad audience. What makes Gofundme such a popular crowdfunding site is its accessibility and simplicity. All your nonprofit needs to do is set up a fundraising goal, tell your story (including photos or videos), and share it online. The online fundraising platform makes it easy to spread awareness and collect money. To this date, Gofundme has helped organizers raise over $5 billion. Individuals and organizations use Gofundme to help individuals and organizations raise money. 

– Fundrazr

FundRazr is another fundraising website that allows nonprofit organizations to create a crowdfunding platform. What makes Fundrazr unique is that it provides tools to nonprofits so that they can get the most out of their crowdfunding campaign. Some of the perks of using Fundrazr include expert coaching, an interactive onboarding process, improvement tips, performance analytics, and human response support. If your nonprofit is new to crowdfunding, Fundrazr is a good option because it will guide you through the entire fundraising process. 

– Fundly

Fundly is a website that allows nonprofit organizations to set up a successful crowdfunding campaign. Nonprofits can set up and publish their campaign, send emails, post updates, and thank new donors for using the free Fundly app. In addition, Fundly’s user-friendly features allow users to upload their campaign directly onto their Facebook page and showcase live updates. 

– Bonfire

Selling customized t-shirts is an excellent way for nonprofits to raise money, and Bonfire is the best t-shirt platform. Bonfire is a website that allows nonprofit organizations to make their profile page and sell customized t-shirts. Your nonprofit can use Bonfire to tell your story and design t-shirts that show your organization’s mission. In addition, Bonfire gives nonprofits a verified badge to showcase on their profiles. T-shirt fundraising is a great way to raise charity money and build awareness when people wear t-shirts. Apparel fundraising is one of the most popular ways to raise money and spread awareness about a cause.

What are the Best Crowdfunding Sites?

Consider using a crowdfunding site if you need help planning your next fundraising campaign. These donation pages are designed to help small businesses and organizations reach their goals. Crowdfunding sites have become popular tools that empower nonprofits by raising awareness and collecting money from many people. The best crowdfunding websites will boost your fundraising efforts and help your organization reach its fundraising goal quickly. You can use these types of sites to help raise money for your specific cause. A crowdfunding site is a great option for individuals who want to help nonprofits build awareness and raise money from many people.

Do Crowdfunding Sites Charge Platform Fees?

Yes, most crowdfunding sites use third-party processing companies that charge a small payment processing fee.

Best Online Fundraising Websites to Raise Money

Whether your next fundraiser is an auction, virtual campaign, or t-shirt sale, these best fundraising sites can help your nonprofit organization maximize its proceeds. In addition, using fundraising websites can save your nonprofit valuable time and resources so that you can focus on the most critical work. Creating a crowdfunding page is one of the most well-known ways for personal fundraising to cover medical bills and other costs associated with injuries and deaths. It has become increasingly popular for nonprofits to raise money for charity. If you need to raise money for your charity, get your fundraising goal in order and use a fundraising website to help achieve it.

Choosing the Right Fundraising Platform

If you are wondering how to choose the best fundraising platform for your specific circumstances, you must do some research. The good news is you can’t go wrong with the world-class fundraising platforms we listed above. Boost your financial efforts quickly and begin fundraising today! Whether you’re fundraising for yourself or for a charity, using a fundraising company will make it easier to track fundraising efforts and reach your goals. Nonprofits looking to raise money and spread awareness to large groups of people should look into the suite of fundraising sites available.

Donation Requests

A well-known fact about Americans is that they are givers. This is particularly true regarding giving to nonprofits, charitable organizations, and worthy causes.

Throughout the USA, companies are willing to donate to fundraisers through online requests on their websites. Below, we list 7 companies eager to grant your donation requests in 2025. Reach out to them and be amazed at their generous offers to assist your fundraiser!

Charity Safaris

Charity Safaris accepts online companies with online donation requests requests for donations and gives 100% safari hunting to qualifying nonprofits, charities, and worthy causes. The gifting is in the form of hunting safari trips to Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. The gifted trips may be sold in live, silent, and online auctions and raffles, and the organization gets to keep all the profits for their cause.

Access their online request form by visiting the Charity Safaris website.

Elite Island Resorts

Elite Island Resorts offers a no-cost donation of Caribbean Vacation Certificates to exotic beachfront destinations such as Antigua, Barbados, Panama, and the Grenadines. Your nonprofit organization can use these in live, silent, or online auctions and raffles to raise 100% profit off sales for your cause and provide a memorable lifetime holiday for a lucky person.

Click here to see if your organization qualifies to complete an online donation request form and raise significant funds for your nonprofit.

 The Walt Disney Company

Disney partners with nonprofits and charitable organizations to bring affirmative, relevant, and measurable impact to communities through in-kind contributions and employee volunteers who raise funds for a given cause. They support health, social empowerment, and conservation.

See if your organization qualifies by filling out their online donation request form.

The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton has a program called Community Footprints, which zeroes in on relief for hunger and poverty, children’s well-being, and the restoration and maintenance of the environment. They proudly partner with nonprofit organizations that support these aspirations. Requests for donations may be made here.

Coca Cola

Coca-Cola provides aid to 501(c)(3) compliant nonprofit organizations in the USA through monetary donations, sponsorships, and product donations. To determine if your organization is eligible, complete the online donation request form here.

Cisco

This company offers donations to nonprofits through its philanthropic arm, the Cisco Foundation. They donate network technology through the Product Grant program to improve set-up and productivity. Global Impact Cash Grants are awarded to struggling communities with dire human needs, economic power, and education, specifically for community-based grants for the Bay Area in California. Click here to make online requests for donations.

Ben and Jerry’s

Ben and Jerry’s offers grants nationally and at the state level in Vermont. The donations are directed explicitly to community organizations across the USA. Ben and Jerry’s are big on human rights and social justice. Check their website for more information about the donation request criteria.

American Electric Power

American Electric Power, through its foundation, offers donations to nonprofits nationally and those located within the AEP service area. They specifically support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, housing, and hunger assistance. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) certificates must secure an invitation to apply for grants from their local AEP and will then be directed to apply online. You can find more details on their information page.

Dunkin’ Donuts

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation supports organizations that have hunger relief as their cause.

Grants are made to food pantries and banks, grocery delivery programs, community gardens, and other food-based philanthropic causes.

Request a donation for your nonprofit organization directly on their website.

General Motors

General Motors aids 501(c)(3) compliant organizations focusing on STEM education and community development. They also support road and vehicle well-being initiatives and education. Eligible nonprofit organizations can visit the company’s website and follow the steps for securing a donation request.

Donation Requests

A well-known fact about Americans is that they are givers. This is particularly true regarding giving to nonprofits, charitable organizations, and worthy causes.

Amy’s Kitchen

Amy’s Kitchen is a producer of organic foodstuff. They aid nonprofits and food banks that give to the neighborhoods where they are located. Their choice of organizations stores that donate to nonprofits to support are like-minded and focus on organic agriculture, racial equality, and disaster relief. Visit the company’s website for further information on whether your organization qualifies.

Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble freely gives to nonprofit organizations that align with its giving criteria. It offers grants to organizations focusing on art, literacy, and education. The company manages donations and fundraising events via its stores.

The company’s website has more information regarding sponsorships and donations.

BMW

BMW makes donations to 501(c)(3) organizations in South Carolina in alignment with the value system supporting STEM education, sustainability, road safety, and cultural engagement. They give cash and in-kind donations. More information and application requirements are on their online donation request form.

Burger King 

Burger King’s philanthropic wing, The Burger King Foundation, is a global foundation in partnership with select nonprofit organizations that concentrate on literacy, scholarships, and a workable ongoing learning culture.

They also offer food donations, coupons, and gift cards in areas where they are located. Online donation requests can be found on Burger King’s website. 

Casey’s General Store

Casey’s General Store happily partners with nonprofit organizations in the areas where their stores are located. Their funding is geared towards eligible 501(c)(3) organizations focusing on hunger, education, and community—particularly healthcare workers, first responders, and vets. Make your application for help by clicking here for more information.

Chesapeake Energy

Chesapeake Energy only donates to organizations and schools with a 501(c)3 certificate whose causes support STEM education, disaster relief, environmental issues, and community development. They only give to counties serviced by their company in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. Applications are considered from their online donation request form at the beginning of February, May, and August.

Build-A-Bear

online donation request The Hearts ‘n’ Hugs fund donates furry friends to children suffering through critical illness, in foster care, in the wake of disaster, and facing other unimaginable hardships. They provide in-kind donations to U.S., Canadian, and U.K. organizations. submit a donation request to ascertain eligibility.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines invites registered 501(c)3) nonprofits to request aid for their fundraising events. Donations take the form of airline vouchers and may be used for auctions, raffles, and to fly in special staff or entertainers for events. Cash donations are also given, and any funding requests can be made on Frontier Airlines’ website.

LEGO donation request

Lego is another company willing to donate to fundraisers. Lego donates products to projects that are 100% charitable and promote children’s play, learning, and creativity, as well as philanthropic organizations that support vulnerable and marginalized children. To inquire about donations, visit the LEGO product donations page.

Target

The Target Foundation has several grant programs focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion, the environment, human rights, safety and preparedness, and community engagement. They support organizations locally in Minneapolis, St. Paul, nationally, and globally. To learn more, visit their grants page.

Johnson & Johnson Vision

Johnson & Johnson Vision makes cash contributions to support nonprofit organizations focusing on healthy vision, healthcare access, STEM education, and healthy communities. They provide cataract surgery supplies to physicians who volunteer their time and expertise to serve in overseas medical missions. Information about all their charitable work can be found on their website.

SalesForce

The Salesforce Foundation is passionate about education, workforce development, and thriving community programs. They focus on supporting nonprofits that provide STEM education, educator support, college and career readiness, climate and community resilience, and racial equity. Learn more at Overview-Salesforce.com.

CitiGroup

donation request for nonprofit The Citi Foundation promotes economic progress and works to improve people’s lives in low-income communities worldwide. Their programs include the Community Finance Innovation Fund, Community Progress Makers, Global Innovation Challenge, and Pathways to Progress. To learn more, visit their website at Citi Foundation.

Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods chooses to support causes that positively impact the world. Through its Better to Give program, it provides BIPOC entrepreneurs with market opportunities and resources, advances the conservation of forests in America, and helps those whose lives have been destroyed by conflict and disaster. Learn more here.

Gilead

The Gilead Foundation has three pillars of giving. Giving Together matches employees’ donations to causes that are important to them. Community Donations contribute locally to community needs, historical funds, and STEM education. Creating Possible Fund seeds innovative solutions to social issues, focusing on achieving health equity through educational equity.

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