The Ultimate Game Plan for Your Next Big Win
It’s that time of year again! Football season is not just a great time of year for football fans but also a golden opportunity for organizations, teams, and communities to raise funds in a fun, engaging way. Enter the world of Football Squares — a game of luck, strategy, and excitement. Whether you’re supporting a local charity, school team, or community project, a Football Squares fundraiser is your ticket to a successful event. Let’s dive into how you can score a touchdown with this fantastic fundraiser!
What Are Football Squares?
Football Squares is a popular game played during any NFL or college football game, but is most often played during the Super Bowl. What exactly is it? Picture a 10×10 grid, creating 100 squares, where participants can purchase individual squares. Each row and column is randomly assigned a number from 0 to 9, correlating to the last number of the score for each team playing in the game. Winners are determined at the end of each quarter based on the current score.
**Please note that fundraisers/raffles of this nature may be prohibited in some states and it is users’ and payers’ responsibility to determine compliance with their own local laws.**
Setting Up Your Online Football Squares Fundraiser
Going online with your Football Squares fundraiser not only simplifies the process but also expands your reach. Here’s how you can set it up:
Choose a Platform:
Select an online platform that allows you to collect donations and communicate with participants. Cheddar Up offers an easy-to-use interface that makes setting up and tracking your fundraiser a breeze.
Check out our Football Squares Fundraiser example for ideas.
Setting Up the Game:
Setting Up the Game: Draw a grid of 10 columns and 10 rows, totaling 100 squares. This can be done on a large poster board or digitally if you’re running the game online. Label one team on the top of the grid and the other along the side. These are the two teams playing in the football game you are using for the fundraiser.
To help you out, we’ve created free printable and digital football squares grid templates that you can copy.
Sell Squares:
Sell Squares: Participants buy squares on the grid. Each square is sold at a set price, say $10 or $20. The objective is to sell all 100 squares to maximize fundraising. You can randomly assign participants to squares, or you can have them choose which squares they’d like to purchase.
You also need to determine the prize money. Typically, winners are chosen at the end of each quarter, with a portion of the proceeds going to the winners and the rest to your cause.
For example, if $1,000 is raised (100 squares x $10 each), you might allocate 10% for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter winners ($100 x 3 = $300) and 20% ($200) for the final score winner. The organization keeps the other $500. It’s important to decide and communicate the prize structure before selling the squares.
Promote Your Football Squares Fundraiser:
Share your fundraiser! Use social media, email newsletters, and word of mouth to spread the word. Don’t forget to highlight the cause you’re supporting and the fun of participating in a Football Squares game.
Manage Participants and Payments:
As participants make donations, Cheddar Up’s platform will keep everything organized for you. You can track which squares are filled and who has paid with just a few clicks.
Randomize Numbers:
After all squares are sold, randomly assign numbers 0-9 to each column and row. This gives each square a unique pair of numbers corresponding to the possible scores of the football game. Then, send an email to participants with the finalized grid so they can play along.
Watch and Award the Winners:
All that’s left to do is watch the game and keep track of the winners! Send a notification to all participants at the end congratulating the winners and thanking all of them for donating to your cause. Still a little confused? Here’s an example scenario:
- The grid is complete, and all squares are sold.
- Numbers are randomly assigned to rows and columns.
- At the end of the first quarter, the score is Team A: 7, Team B: 14.
- The winning square is the one where 7 (Team A) and 4 (Team B) intersect.
- The owner of that square wins the first quarter prize: 10% of the pot. If you sold all 100 squares at $10 a square, then the first quarter prize winner would receive $100.
Maximizing Engagement and Success
To make your Football Squares fundraiser a bigger success, consider these tips:
- Offer multiple entries: Allow participants to buy more than one square to increase their chances of winning and raise more funds.
- Offer multiple grids: If your fundraiser is in high demand, you can run multiple grids!
- Provide updates: Keep the excitement alive by providing regular updates about the game and winners.
- Incorporate social media: Engage with participants on social media platforms. Share updates, create hype, and thank everyone for their participation.
Why use Cheddar Up for your Football Squares Fundraiser?
Simple:
- Ease of Use: Participants can choose and pay for their squares online.
- Tracking: The organizer can easily track which squares are sold and who owns them.
- Transparency: Participants can see how much is raised and the participants, making the game more engaging.
- Free!
Score a Fundraising Touchdown!
A Football Squares fundraiser is more than just a game; it’s a community event that brings people together for a common cause. By leveraging the power of an online platform like Cheddar Up, you can make your fundraiser accessible and fun. Let the game begin! 🏈 💚
Ready to start?
Ready to create your Football Squares fundraiser?
