Fundraising

Top 5 Fundraising Strategies Every Athletic Director Should Know

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 min read
April 29, 2025
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https://hometown.com/blog/top-fundraising-tips-every-athletic-director-should-know
Top 5 Fundraising Strategies Every Athletic Director Should Know

Tired of losing 20% of the funds you raise? Hometown offers a streamlined solution to simplify financial management and maximize your team's fundraising potential. Hometown’s fundraising solution, Schoolfundr, is designed with athletic programs in mind, enabling teams to raise funds efficiently for sports programs, equipment upgrades, travel costs, and more. With a simple and versatile platform, Hometown is the ideal partner for athletic directors looking to enhance their program’s resources with minimal hassle.

Top 5 Fundraising Strategies for Athletic Directors

1. Donation Drive

Launch a straightforward campaign where donations go directly toward supporting your team’s needs, from new uniforms to travel expenses. Harness the passion and support of your sports community to reach your goals quickly.

Setting up a donation-based fundraiser with Hometown is simple:

  • Create a custom fundraiser page.
  • Define your fundraising goal.
  • Easily reach out to potential donors by uploading email lists.
  • Share your fundraiser link via text, email, and social media.

2. Activity-Based Fundraiser

Engage your team and supporters with events like lift-a-thons, walk-a-thons, or shoot-a-thons. Set goals for participants, and encourage sponsors to pledge donations based on achievements. These events not only motivate participants but also showcase your team’s energy and determination.

Fundraising Spotlight:
Hopewell Baseball Hit A Thon – Hopewell Baseball Team used Hometown’s Schoolfundr to host a Hit A Thon and raised over $12,000—more than 258% of their goal!

Hopewell Baseball Hit A Thon

3. Service-Oriented Fundraiser

Organize community service events like car washes, field clean-ups, or sports clinics in exchange for donations. These activities raise funds while fostering connections between your team and the broader community.

4. Raffle Fundraiser

Excite your fans with a raffle for prizes like team merchandise, game tickets, or gift baskets. It’s a simple, effective way to boost participation and generate funds for your athletic program.

Fundraising Spotlight:
La Salle Big Red Raffle – La Salle raised over $85,000 using Hometown, keeping 100% of their funds. Previously, ticket sales were managed manually and only in-person.

La Salle Big Red Raffle

5. Gold Ball Drop Fundraiser

Make a splash with a unique event like a golf ball drop. Participants purchase numbered golf balls that are dropped from a height onto a target, with prizes awarded for the closest landing. It’s an engaging and memorable way to support your team.

Fundraising Spotlight:
Casteel High School Football Golf Ball Drop – Casteel creatively raised over $10,000 for essential team equipment using Hometown’s fundraising platform.

Casteel High School Golf Ball Drop

Maximize Your Fundraising with Hometown’s Fundraising Features

Customization & Ease of Use

Hometown’s solution allows you to tailor each fundraiser to reflect your team’s identity. Add custom messages, team logos, and images to create a campaign that resonates with your community. The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to set up campaigns quickly.

Advanced Analytics

Stay on top of your campaign’s performance with Hometown’s real-time tracking and analytics. These insights help you adjust your strategy and maximize your fundraising impact.

Why Hometown is the Go-To Solution for Athletic Directors

With Hometown, you retain what you raise—giving your program the resources it needs to thrive, with no skimming off the top. The platform’s social media integration and mobile-friendly design make it easy for supporters to donate anytime, from anywhere.

Whether you’re raising money for new equipment, facility upgrades, or team travel, Hometown offers a collaborative and efficient approach to fundraising. Take your athletic program to the next level today by starting your next successful fundraiser with Hometown!

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