For more than 21 years, Dairyland Donkey Ball has delivered high-energy fundraising events to rural communities across 26 states. From donkey basketball during the school year to summer donkey baseball and celebrity races, their events bring entire towns together.
Most of the communities they serve have fewer than 1,500 residents. Some have fewer than 200. When 10 donkeys arrive, it is not just another event. It is THE event.
Each fundraiser operates as a partnership. A local school group, FFA chapter, or civic organization pays a booking fee and promotes the show. Ticket revenue is split, so strong turnout benefits everyone involved.
With dozens of events happening across multiple states, consistency matters. Every town runs a little differently. Every volunteer team has different experience levels with online tools. And when your business operates on the road, you need a system that works the same way everywhere.
When CJ first discovered Cheddar Up, he saw how smoothly the platform handled dues and registrations. That experience made the decision easier when it came time to modernize ticket sales for Dairyland Donkey Ball.
Sports
Cheer Bow Fundraiser Template: How to Run a Bow Sale That Actually Makes Money
Cheer bows are one of the most popular and profitable fundraisers a cheer program can run. Families love them, they sell at every level from youth leagues to high school varsity, and the margins are solid. The catch? Managing custom bow orders without a system in place can turn a fun fundraiser into a spreadsheet nightmare fast.
This guide walks you through everything you need to set up a cheer bow fundraiser that runs smoothly from the first order to the last pickup, including a free template to get you started.
A cheer bow fundraiser is a spirit wear sale where a cheer program sells custom bows (typically personalized with team colors, a school name, or a logo) to families, fans, and supporters to raise money for the program. Orders are collected up front, bows are produced in bulk by a vendor, and proceeds go directly toward team expenses such as uniforms, competition fees, and travel costs.
10 Cheer Fundraising Ideas Your Squad Will Be Excited About
In 2026, cheer fundraising ideas have become more creative, more community-driven, and a whole lot more fun. Today’s teams are finding new ways to raise money, build anticipation for the season, bring families together, and give athletes a bigger role in reaching team goals.
This guide covers 10 cheer fundraising ideas your squad will really get excited about, plus simple tips to help you raise more while making every fundraiser easier to manage.
Cheerleading is a competitive sport that demands time, talent, and real financial investment from families and programs alike. A well-run cheer fundraiser can cover competition entry fees, travel and hotel costs, new uniforms or accessories, summer camp tuition, and end-of-season celebrations.
The key is choosing cheer fundraiser ideas that match your team’s energy, your community’s interests, and your capacity to organize them well.
How to Plan a Cheer Banquet: Ideas, Themes + Awards
Planning a cheer banquet is the ultimate way to celebrate your squad's dedication, energy, and accomplishments. From sparkling decorations to memorable awards, every detail can make the night special. Here's how to create an unforgettable event with help from Cheddar...
How to Plan a Field Day: Easy Games & Planning Tips
Most people who get asked to plan a field day have about two seconds of excitement followed by a wave of “wait, how do I actually do this?” If you are wondering how to plan a field day for your school, workplace, or community group, the good news is you don’t need to have a degree in event-planning or a big budget to get started.
What you do need to succeed is a clear checklist and the right approach. From coming up with easy field day games for kids to recruiting volunteers and managing group communication, running a field day is all about preparation and a positive attitude.
This guide will teach you what a field day is, why it matters, and simple steps you can take to stay on budget and handle all of the logistics of your activities.
A field day is an organized outdoor event built around physical activities, games, and friendly challenges.
Schools typically hold them in the spring as a capstone celebration, but community groups, summer camps, corporate teams, and neighborhood associations also run them year-round.
When most people think of field day activities, pictures of stations scattered across a field, relay races on a track, and bean bag tosses under a shade tree come to mind.
But, what is the purpose of a field day and why should you take the extra step to make sure your field day is planned properly for your group?
Volunteer Burnout: Why It Happens and 6 Ways to Prevent It
Volunteer burnout shows up in quiet ways. One person starts taking on extra tasks. They manage event registrations, answer questions in the group chat, track payments, and organize the next fundraiser. It works for a while, until the workload keeps growing and the messages keep coming. Eventually, that volunteer steps back. Most community groups know this story well. Burnout rarely happens because someone stops caring. In many cases, it affects the volunteers who care the most. When groups recognize the signs early, they can take simple steps to make volunteering manageable again. Volunteer burnout is physical and emotional exhaustion that happens when volunteers feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
Instead of feeling excited to help, volunteers begin to feel drained or stressed. Some step away quietly. Others stop taking on leadership roles.









