For Coaches and Athletic Directors, planning ahead is second nature when it comes to game schedules, training programs, and travel logistics. Yet many programs still wait until mid-season — or worse, near the end of it — before launching their fundraisers.
This delay can have a big impact on your team’s success. If your program needs new uniforms, upgraded equipment, or travel funds, waiting too long creates unnecessary stress, limits your options, and may result in falling short of your goals.
Starting early isn’t just a good idea, it’s critical. Here are 5 reasons why early fundraising gives your team a winning edge and ensures you’re set up for success.
1. Maximize Time & Opportunity
Start your fundraising campaign early gives you more time to promote it, engage your supporters, and boost donations. Early campaigns let you run multiple outreach efforts, such as social media posts, email newsletters, and even community events.
Last-minute fundraisers often feel rushed, resulting in lower participation because fans, friends, and family don’t have enough time to get involved. By giving your supporters more time, you’ll increase their ability to contribute — and your team will ultimately raise more funds.
2. Coordinate Fundraising with Your Season’s Momentum
Timing matters. Launching your fundraiser at pre-season meetings or early games allows you to tap into high levels of engagement before your supporters’ budgets are already committed elsewhere.
Starting early also means you can promote your campaign when team excitement is at its peak, whether during kick-off events, pep rallies, or the first big game of the season.
Katy Tiger Football Lift A Thon
Katy High School was ahead of the game for their 2025 season and ran their fundraiser in March. The results were impressive: They raised over $62,000 to cover essential costs for their athletes.
3. Avoid Burnout – Run Fundraisers Ahead Of Time
By starting early — during the off-season or pre-season — you can avoid the stress of juggling too much at once. With Hometown’s fee-free fundraising solution, Schoolfundr, coaches, and donors can feel confident knowing all the funds raised go directly to the program. There are no platform fees because we believe every dollar raised should go to the school that earned it.
Setting up online fundraisers is simple and ensures you’re ready to make an impact when the busy season hits!
4. Be Strategic with Your Fundraising Approach
Starting early allows you to choose the fundraising strategy that fits your team’s unique needs. Whether it’s a-thons, custom team pages, district-wide campaigns, or participant-led outreach, you can tailor your approach to maximize results.
With tools like Hometown’s real-time progress dashboard, you can track your team’s fundraising progress and adjust your strategy as needed. Having this level of insight helps you stay organized and on top of your goals.
5. Give Your Students the Best Experience Possible
Fundraising isn’t just about raising money, it’s about creating opportunities. Planning ensures your team gets the resources they need without scrambling. That means more time to focus on training, team development, and creating memories that matter.
Ready to Start Fundraising?
Whether you’re new to online fundraising or looking for a better way to raise funds, Hometown is here to help. Hometown’s fee-free fundraising platform, Schoolfundr, makes setup quick and easy, so you can get started today.
