From helmets and uniforms to traveling and team meals, youth sports can be expensive. Youth sports fundraising can help your team be the best it can be both on and off the field. Here are ten easy youth sports fundraising ideas to help your aspiring athletes have a successful season and reach their fundraising goals. These ideas, inspired by our Cheddar Up users, range from simple to creative but all of them will score big.
Need a year’s worth of ideas? Check out our sports team fundraising calendar. We’ve got a ton of sports team fundraising templates in our library, too.
1. Just Ask For It
There is no shame in this game! Playing sports requires a lot of time and effort. Driving your athlete to practice and competitions feels like a full-time job. Add fundraising to the parent load, and it can be overwhelming.
Make it as easy as possible for families to donate, do a one-time ask.Here are a few easy ways to ask for donations:
- Add a fundraising section to the team’s registration form with a suggested amount.
- Add a fundraising link on your team’s online game schedule or website. No Cost to Collect:
- Use your team’s social media pages to ask for funds. This is an easy way to keep fundraising in the spotlight throughout the season.
Sports groups that collect open donations as part of their fundraising earn 184% more than groups who don’t!

2. Sell Game Day T-Shirts
Teaming up with a local t-shirt printer or your uniform supplier to create special game-day t-shirts is a fantastic way to boost team spirit and bring everyone together. Imagine the stands filled with family and friends all rocking the team’s colors! It’s not just about looking cool; it’s about making everyone — from grandparents to little siblings— feel like they’re a vital part of the team.
Selling these t-shirts at a profit is a smart move. Set a price that’s a bit higher than the cost, and all that extra money goes straight back to your sports program. This strategy is one of the most effective fundraising ideas for sports teams that combines raising funds with team spirit.
To make things even smoother, consider setting up an online spiritwear store . This way, families can order their t-shirts ahead of time and pay online, which means no hassle with cash or checks at the game. It’s super convenient and ensures no one misses out on getting their gear.
Bonus: run a t-shirt design competition! Invite all the kids from the team, or even the whole school, to submit their own t-shirt designs.
3. Create a Football Squares or 50/50 Raffle
Does your community love football? Try a Football Squares fundraiser or a Super Bowl 50/50 Raffle. Both are a perfect blend of competition and contribution that will engage your community while supporting your youth sports team. Football Squares involves a 10×10 grid, with 100 squares that participants can buy. Each square corresponds to the possible last digits of the scores for two teams at the end of each quarter in a football game, making every moment of the match a thrilling chance to win. Combine a 50/50 raffle with a Super Bowl Watch Party. Participants buy raffle tickets and a winner is chosen to receive 50% of the pot at the end of the game. Both are simple and fun.
4. Run a Youth Sports Skills Clinic
Of all the sports team fundraising ideas, this is probably our favorite. Hosting a Youth Sports Skills Clinic as a fundraiser is a brilliant way for high school athletes to give back to the community while raising money for their teams. This clinic can serve as a showcase for the skills and sportsmanship that these athletes have developed over their years of training.
Here’s how to bring this idea to life:

Plan the Event:
Decide on the date, time, and location for the clinic. It’s a good idea to choose a time when younger kids are available, like a weekend or during school breaks. Make sure the venue has enough space and the right facilities for the sports activities you plan to include.

Team Up with Schools:
Partnering with local elementary schools is a great way to ensure a good turnout. Schools can help promote the event to families, making it easier to reach your target audience. This partnership not only boosts attendance but also strengthens community ties.

Set Up Registration:
Charge a reasonable fee for participation. This fee will serve as the primary way to raise funds. To simplify the process, use an online registration and payment system. This makes it easier for parents to sign up their kids and ensures you can manage the numbers effectively.

Promote the Event:
Let your high school athletes flex their marketing muscles by having them help promote the clinic. They can create flyers, utilize social media, and even make announcements at school to drum up excitement. This not only helps in advertising but also in teaching valuable marketing skills to your athletes.

Organize a Curriculum:
Plan a series of engaging and educational sports sessions. High school athletes can lead these sessions, teaching basic skills, sportsmanship, and perhaps even advanced techniques, depending on the age group of the participants. Include a variety of sports that your high school offers, giving participants a taste of different types of athletic activities.

Make It Fun:
Incorporate fun games, competitions, and maybe even small prizes. This will keep the energy high and ensure that the kids not only learn but also have a great time.

Follow-Up:
After the event, send thank you notes to participants and their families. Include a few photos from the day and information about how their contributions will help your sports teams. This not only shows appreciation but also keeps them connected to your cause.
This sports clinic not only helps raise funds but also inspires younger children by giving them a chance to learn from older athletes whom they may look up to. It’s a great way to foster community spirit and encourage a lifelong love of sports.
Did you know?
The average earnings from a youth sports skills clinic nationwide is $2,620. Some clinics earn as much as $19,000!

5. Host a Fun Run
Fun runs have turned into major events that mix fitness, fun, and fundraising in one exciting package. Not only do they bring communities together to support great causes, but they also promote a healthy lifestyle in an engaging way. Here’s a little more about three popular types of fun runs that can make your next fundraiser a hit:
Bubble Run
Imagine running through clouds of foamy bubbles at various points along the course! Bubble run fundraisers are family-friendly events where participants run, walk, or dance through different “bubble bogs” that douse them in colored foam. It’s not about speed or competition; it’s about enjoying a unique and photogenic experience. This type of event often draws large crowds and is perfect for participants of all ages, making it a fantastic way to raise funds while everyone has a blast.
Color Run
Also known as the “Happiest 5k on the Planet,” a color run fundraiser transforms a standard race into a canvas of vivid colors. Runners start dressed in white and are splashed with different colored powders at stations throughout the course. The result is a vibrant spectacle and a fun-filled day of running. It’s an unforgettable way to engage the community, attract sponsors, and create a festive atmosphere that encourages people to smile as much as they sweat.
Glow Run
Held in the evening or at night, glow runs turn the race track into a glowing neon party. Participants wear neon colors, glow sticks, or LED lights, and they run a course lit with black lights and other bright, colorful decorations. Music and light installations often accompany the run, creating a party-like atmosphere. This type of run is especially popular with teens and young adults looking for a fun, energetic night out that supports a good cause.
6. Sell Professional Sports Team Tickets
What better way to inspire youth athletes than watching professionals play the sport they love? Buy fundraiser tickets for a night out at the ballpark and sell them for any amount up to the face value of the ticket. If scheduling one particular game is challenging, professional team organizations may also offer fundraiser vouchers allowing recipients to choose any game of the season.
7. Offer Sponsorship Packages
Offering sponsorship packages is a great way to help youth sports teams raise money while giving local businesses a chance to shine in the community. Think of it like a partnership where everyone benefits.
Here’s how it works: you can set up different levels of sponsorships, like Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Each level offers different perks. For example, a Gold sponsor might get their logo on the team’s jerseys and a big banner at the sports field. Silver sponsors could have their logos on practice shirts and smaller banners, and Bronze sponsors might get shout-outs on social media and in game programs.
This setup lets businesses pick a sponsorship that fits their budget and how much they want to be seen. It’s a super way for them to get their name out there, especially among local families who love sports. Plus, it helps your team get the funds they need to keep playing and growing.
By bringing local businesses and sports teams together, you’re not just raising money—you’re building a community that supports each other. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
8. Organize Rent-the-Team Services
Organizing Rent-the-Team services is a brilliant way to engage your youth sports team in community service while also raising funds. This approach not only brings in donations but also instills valuable life skills in young athletes, such as responsibility, teamwork, and the satisfaction of hard work.
There’s always the well-known services like lawn care, parents’ night out, or a car wash fundraiser. But here are some more creative fundraising ideas for youth sports teams that your supporters will love to sign up for:

Home Organization Services:
Offer to help organize garages, basements, or closets. Many people struggle with clutter and would appreciate the help to tidy up their spaces. Your team can provide the manpower to sort, organize, and even help haul away unwanted items.

Tech Setup and Support:
In today’s digital world, setting up new gadgets or troubleshooting technology issues can be a hassle for some. Your tech-savvy team members can offer to set up new devices, teach basic computer skills, or assist with simple tech support.

Event Assistance:
Whether it’s helping set up for a local festival or managing a charity gala, your team can be on hand to help with event logistics. This could include setting up tables and decorations, managing registration desks, or helping with clean-up after the event.

Custom Workshop Clinics:
Apart from the usual sports clinics, your team can host workshops teaching skills they’ve mastered, such as basic soccer techniques, basketball shooting drills, or even general fitness workouts for community members looking to get active.

Seasonal Decorating and Un-decorating Services:
Offer services to put up and take down holiday decorations. This can be particularly helpful for elderly residents or busy families during the festive season.

Moving Assistance:
For community members who are moving homes or need to rearrange heavy furniture within their house, having a few strong, energetic young athletes on hand can be a godsend.
By expanding the range of services offered, your team can appeal to a broader audience in the community, enhancing the impact of your fundraising efforts and providing valuable life lessons for the athletes involved. Each service offers a unique opportunity to interact with different segments of the community, fostering a spirit of service and teamwork off the field.
9. Create Team Calendars and Yearbooks
Ask a local photographer to donate their time to take twelve great shots of your athletes in action. Create a calendar on user-friendly sites like Shutterfly or Snapfish and sell team calendars online and at games.
Chances are your team’s parents have so many photos of their kids playing sports they could fill ten yearbooks. Collect them on Google Photos and create a “Best Moments” yearbook in Canva to sell at the end-of-season banquet. The kids will enjoy reliving their greatest hits, and parents will get a head start for next year’s fundraising.
10. Partner with a Local Restaurant
Youth sports schedules make family dinners challenging. We’ve all visited the drive-thru after a late-night practice. Partnering with a local fast-casual restaurant for your youth sports fundraiser will be a win-win for parents and the team. Supporters will eat at the restaurant on your chosen day, and the sales proceeds will be given to the team. Restaurant options include:
Reminder: Be sure they mention the team name when ordering!
Final Notes on Youth Sports Fundraising Ideas
Remind your team parents and supporters that these donations are going to a worthy cause! The social, emotional, and physical benefits of youth sports are well documented. They often can only happen with the financial support of their surrounding community. These donations can also be tax deductible, but check your organization’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status first.

Remember
Youth sports fundraising doesn’t have to feel like a burden! It can be a great learning experience for your athletes and nurture team bonding. Your kids will appreciate the support. Create a youth sports fundraiser collection page on Cheddar Up — free! It only takes a second.