10 Booster Club Fundraising Ideas + Easy-to-Use Templates

According to Cheddar Up’s 2026 State of Booster Club Fundraising survey, 59% of the 125 booster club leaders surveyed say the programs they support are underfunded or have limited funding. That’s where booster club fundraising comes in.

Are you wondering “what are the best booster club fundraising ideas that will ACTUALLY work?” If so, you’re not the only one!

After all, most booster club leaders don’t want to waste their time with fundraising efforts that fall flat or cost more than they bring in. We get it.

To help you raise more, we’ve rounded up the top ten fundraising ideas for booster clubs based on what leaders say works best. From tried-and-true favorites to fresh ideas, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make your next fundraiser a success.

The best booster club fundraisers accomplish two goals:

1. They get families excited to participate
2. They help you raise money without overwhelming your volunteers.

This could mean selling spirit wear or gift cards, hosting an event, or securing local business sponsors. The goal is to support your program while keeping fundraising efforts manageable. (P.S. Are you new to booster clubs? Check out our guide to what a booster club is.)

For starters, the key to success is to pick an idea that matches your group. Before choosing a fundraiser, ask yourself:

• What fundraisers have worked well for us in the past?
• Would our supporters rather donate online, attend an event, or buy something?
• How much time and volunteer help can we count on?
• Are there local businesses or community members willing to pitch in?

Your answers can help narrow down the options. 

For example, a smaller club with strong community connections might have great luck with sponsorships, while a large marching band could bring in more through spirit wear sales or an athon. Remember, a simple fundraiser that’s easy to manage can be just as successful as a big event that takes weeks to plan.

We asked booster club leaders which booster club fundraiser ideas have worked best for their clubs. These were the most-cited answers:

• Local business sponsorships: 50%
• Concession stand sales: 46%
• Product and merchandise sales: 36%
• Online donation campaigns: 34%
• Events: 30%
• Athons and other peer-to-peer fundraisers: 14%

They also shared what makes fundraising hard. Most of them (82%) named limited family participation as a top challenge, and 60% said securing sponsors is tough. The ideas and tips below keep both in mind.

These ten fundraising booster club ideas are not only easy to run, but they are specific. Whether you’re aiming for fast funds or long-term momentum, each option below includes a clear use case and built-in potential for success, especially when powered by Cheddar Up.

Ideal for: Sports teams, school clubs, or spirit weeks

Set up an online shop for branded gear like hoodies and water bottles in your school colors. With Cheddar Up’s inventory tracking and item variations, it’s easy to offer multiple sizes and styles while managing orders like a pro. Add shipping or local pickup options to fit your crowd.

What booster leaders say: 36% named product and merchandise sales one of their most successful fundraisers.

Ideal for: Athletic boosters and event-based clubs

Offer local businesses prime exposure at your events in exchange for a donation. Use your collection page to accept sponsorship payments, collect logos, and track banner sizes or placement preferences.

What booster leaders say: Local business sponsorships were the most-cited success in our survey, at 50%. Securing sponsors was also a top challenge for 60% of leaders, so start with businesses already connected to your families. Our list of companies that sponsor youth sports teams can help you find more.

Ideal for: Athletic and arts boosters with strong ties to local businesses

Partner with local businesses to bundle exclusive deals, like 10% off a meal or a free drink with purchase, onto one card. Players or performers sell the card to family and friends. Supporters get savings they’ll use all year, and businesses get new customers in the door.

Ideal for: Athletic teams, music groups, or reading programs

Host a performance-based athon fundraiser like a walkathon or a shoot-athon, where participants collect pledges tied to their activity, like laps walked or free throws made. Supporters can give online and follow along as the team works toward a shared goal

Ideal for: Game nights and tournaments

Avoid over-ordering and long lines by selling food or snack bundles beforehand. Parents can choose from pre-set combos, pay online, and even select pickup times, all while you get precise totals for your order sheet.

What booster leaders say: 46% named concession stand sales one of their most successful fundraisers. New to running one? Read our guide on how to run a concession stand.

Ideal for: High schools with limited or competitive student parking

Sell a few reserved parking spots near the school entrance for the entire school year. Juniors and seniors love having a spot to call their own. Open sales online before the first day of school, and check with your administration before you start.

Ideal for: Booster clubs looking for a winter fundraiser between seasons

Offer a volunteer-run gift-wrapping station during the holiday season. Use time slots or sign ups on your collection page, accept payments for each wrapped gift, and make it a festive community tradition.

Ideal for: End-of-season celebrations or awards nights

Sell event tickets for your banquet while offering an optional donation field. Parents can RSVP, select meal preferences, and add extra support, all in one checkout experience.

What booster leaders say: 30% named events one of their most successful fundraisers.

Ideal for: Any group looking for a fun, low-effort way to raise money

Partner with a local donut shop to sell dozens for pickup or delivery. Create an online order form, set pickup times, and collect payments in advance. It’s a sweet, simple fundraiser that families love — and you won’t have to bake a thing.

Ideal for: Any booster club looking for a quick, flexible fundraising option

Sometimes, the most straightforward approach is the most effective. Set a fundraising goal, explain how the money will be used, and invite your community to chip in.  No events, no sales, just support. Add suggested giving levels or let donors choose their amount, and keep the momentum going with updates and thank-yous.

What booster leaders say: 34% named online donation campaigns one of their most successful fundraisers.

Ideal for: Booster clubs that want year-round funds without selling extra products

Your families already buy groceries, fill up on gas, and grab takeout after games. A gift card program (often called scrip) lets them do that same shopping while raising money for your team!

Here’s how it works: Families buy gift cards at face value for stores and restaurants they already use, and the retailer gives your club a percentage back. Rebate rates vary by retailer, so share a short list of the best options up front.

Gift card fundraising for booster clubs works well during the holiday season, when cards double as gifts for coaches, teachers, and relatives. It keeps going all year, too, since nobody has to store, sort, or deliver boxes of product. Pick one or two order windows a season, like before Thanksgiving and before spring sports start, so your volunteers can place orders on a set schedule.

Now that you have some ideas to choose from, you need an easy-to-follow plan to make sure you run your event successfully. Take these tips into consideration. 

Start with a Clear Fundraising Goal

Before you decide whether you’re selling cookie dough or running an athon, start with your “why.” How much money do you need to raise? What will it fund?

Clear goals make it easier to rally support and communicate impact. It also helps volunteers stay aligned and focused. Instead of saying, “We’re raising money for the team,” try: “We’re raising $5,000 to buy new warm-up jackets for every player.”

Bonus: With goal-tracking features, you can inspire your community by showing real-time progress.

Let Your Community Lead the Charge

Some of the most successful booster club fundraisers happen when your community members become active participants. Think beyond traditional giving.  What if each athlete or student could invite their own network to join the cause?

That’s where peer-to-peer fundraising comes in. It’s perfect for merchandise sales, athons, events, or even flat donations. Everyone gets a shareable link tied to the same fundraiser, and every contribution flows into one total. It’s a great way to expand your reach without doubling your workload and it gives participants a sense of ownership that can really energize your campaign.

Fundraising Has Gone Digital (And That’s a Good Thing)

Forget the clipboards and cash boxes. Today’s fundraisers live online and that’s where your community is, too.

Digital fundraising doesn’t just make life easier for organizers. It also gives supporters a faster, more flexible way to give. They can donate, buy tickets, order merch, or sign up to volunteer from their phone or computer. No apps are required, and no accounts to create.

Share Your Story

When people know exactly why you’re raising money, they’re more likely to give generously.

Use your fundraiser page to tell a story. What’s the goal? Who benefits? Why does it matter now? Add a photo from last season, a short team video, or a student or coach message. These little touches bring your mission to life and help people feel part of something bigger.

Collect Everything You Need All in One Place

Money isn’t the only thing a booster club fundraiser requires. You also collect t-shirt orders, volunteer sign-ups, contact forms, waivers, and meal preferences. Coordinating all of that across different platforms like email, spreadsheets, sign-up forms, and payment apps can make it challenging to stay organized and up to date.

When you can collect everything in one place, it’s easier to keep track of details, reduce errors, and ensure nothing gets missed. A centralized system helps your team stay aligned and keeps the fundraiser running efficiently from start to finish.

Keep Everyone Connected and Informed

Great fundraisers go above and beyond to keep people in the loop.

It starts with the first ask but doesn’t end until the last thank you. Along the way, your team will want updates: 

• How close are we to our goal? 
• Can we share this one more time? 
• What’s the latest?

When you keep communication flowing through updates, reminders, or even a quick note to say, “We’re getting close!”, you create a sense of momentum that keeps people invested. And if you’re working with a team of volunteers, shared access and clear roles make it easy to stay coordinated without stepping on each other’s toes.