Youth Sports Administration 101: Ramp Up Revenue

Tips for fundraising and finding ways to offset expenses

By Jason Schaitz

 Fundraising is a large part of any youth program, especially in the non-profit sector. It is important to get creative with fundraising and find additional ways to generate revenue to make sure that necessary funds are available to keep the program afloat. Here are some additional tips and suggestions:

© Can Stock Photo / dolgachov

1. Have a plan. This is the first step in fundraising. Outline your goals and how you intend to achieve them.

2. Just ask. Many times, the most difficult part of fundraising is asking someone for money, but sometimes that’s all it takes.

3. Show the value. Show donors and sponsors where the money is going and how it impacts the program. Put together informational packets as well as end-of-season reports. Keep a list of everyone you have asked to donate. Keep track of when you spoke with them, what was the result, when you need to follow up, what they donated, etc.

4. Tell your story. To really show value, tell your story. Let potential donors and sponsors learn about you, the organization, and its impact on the community. A great story will build trust and make donors feel they are part of an organization and make a difference.

5. Say “thank you” a lot. Just like thanking volunteers, donors need to be thanked as well. If you have the ability, send something like a picture of the team they sponsored or a nice framed picture of the ballfield with their banner on it. 

Here are 10 ideas to raise additional revenue for an organization:

1. Provide concessions. Offering a concession stand at games is the most common way to raise money without asking for sponsors or donations. You can either run your own stand or contract it out and take a percentage of sales or charge a flat-rate vendor fee. Having food, drink, and snacks at games not only provides a service to spectators, but also brings in another valuable revenue stream.

2. Hold an event. Hold a car wash or set up shop in front of a retail store to solicit donations. Take it to the next level with events like casino nights, dinners, 5K races, tournaments, luncheons, or food truck events. Invite an entire league to attend, plus the local community.

3. Get creative with sponsors. The easiest way to get a sponsorship is to place the name on jerseys or on a banner at the field. Research the company you want to sponsor and be creative, based on something that gives them more value. This can bring in bigger sponsors. Also consider in-kind sponsors who will provide a service for free to save a program the expense.

4. Hire a photographer or videographer. Most, if not all of us, have photographers that do league team pictures. The program then takes a cut of those revenues. Also, look for a photographer to do action shots or videos of the kids to sell.

© Can Stock Photo / FotoHijinx

5. Sell multimedia. To take pictures and videos to the next level, create a highlight reel on a CD to sell at the end of the season. This can be done in-house or a company can do it and take a cut of the revenue.

6. Sell merchandise. There are websites available by which you can set up a team or league store. The site will do all the work and provide you a percentage of each sale. It will also help market a program if participants are seen in the community wearing your apparel!

7. Sell goods. It is common for teams or leagues to sell items like candy bars, popcorn, or coupon books to the community. Girl Scouts selling their cookies is the most well-known example of this. Each child can sell to friends and family to raise money. You can also hold contests within a program for those who sell the most and then offer an incentive to raise more funds.

8. Host silent auctions. Obtain donations from local businesses and hold a silent auction. This can be a one-time event, on a game day, or throughout the season. Use a website for the bidding or do it in person.

9. Host raffles. Similar to the suggestion noted above, you can receive donated items and raffle them off throughout the season, at an event, or on game days. You can also hold a 50/50 raffle where 50 percent of the proceeds are paid to the winner, and your organization keeps the other 50 percent. This is a great way to raise money for an organization or a specific cause, like sending a team to a tournament.

10. Seek more vendors. Most of us have concessionaires for programs. If there is a large program with plenty of people at a park or gym, invite vendors to set up a table to either sell or promote something. Charge a vendor fee in order for them to promote their product or service. This can be an add-on to current sponsors, or a way to recruit additional businesses to be part of a program.

Having a plan and being creative with fundraising will ensure you work like a pro and have the necessary funds to keep a program flourishing for the long haul.

Jason Schaitz is a Parks and Recreation Director with 15 years’ experience managing youth sports and recreation programs. He also created and manages www.leaguesource.com, with the goal of providing free resources for any type of youth-sports program. Take your league to the next level by visiting League Source to check out our League Management App, League Resources, Youth Sports News, and Youth Sports Administration 101 educational series.