How Dairyland Donkey Ball Grows Small-Town Fundraisers

Bringing Donkey Ball to Small-Town America

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.

Turning Promotion into Momentum

Today, every Dairyland Donkey Ball fundraiser runs on its own Cheddar Up collection page.

CJ equips each organizing group with simple tools designed to drive ticket sales:

• A QR code for posters and printed materials
• A direct link for email and social sharing
• A Text-to-Pay keyword supporters can use instantly

Text-to-Pay has become one of the strongest drivers of sales. Instead of asking someone to search for a link later, supporters can send a quick text and purchase tickets on the spot.

The checkout experience is fast and frictionless. No account creation is required. No app download. That simplicity makes a real difference in small communities where convenience matters.

Cheddar Up also captures buyer information during checkout, giving CJ visibility into ticket movement leading up to each show. That insight helps keep promotion on track and allows for timely outreach when needed.

It is straightforward, modern ticketing built for real-world community events.

Keeping Every Event in Sync

On event night, clarity and coordination are essential.

Each show travels with a dedicated donkey wrangler who oversees onsite operations. Those wranglers are added as managers to their specific Cheddar Up collection so they can monitor live ticket totals and handle settlements efficiently at the end of the evening.

Local organizers and sponsors are often added as viewers, allowing them to track progress in real time leading up to the show. Everyone sees the same numbers. Everyone stays aligned.

That visibility has changed how Dairyland Donkey Ball operates. Instead of guessing how sales are progressing, they can see activity as it happens and respond proactively.

The flexibility of the platform also supports quick turnarounds. Even if an event is booked with only a couple weeks’ notice, CJ can launch a collection page in minutes.

As the company continues to expand, Cheddar Up supports additional needs such as customizable digital waivers for volunteer riders across multiple states. Everything stays organized in one place.

The result is stronger fundraising events, smoother operations, and measurable growth.