In-person fundraising events are the most common and can help your teams develop chemistry by tackling fundraising goals shoulder-to-shoulder. In-person events also perform well in close-knit community environments, your neighbours and friends are more likely to support jerseys and team logos they recognize in their community! 

Here’s a list of our picks for easy in-person fundraisers for sports teams:

1: Team Car Wash

Hosting a team car wash is a classic and effective way to raise funds. This fundraising idea for sports teams is easy to set up and can generate a steady stream of donations. All you need is a location, some soap, sponges, and eager team members ready to wash cars. Advertise your car wash event in advance through social media and community bulletin boards to attract a large crowd.

Organize your fundraiser around good weather if it's a last-minute plan. It’s helpful to have a hot sunny day instead of a gloomy one to attract the most attention. Pick a public parking lot or area that is easily accessible and place signage along busy streets and intersections directing traffic to your location.

2: Restaurant Fundraising Nights

Partnering with local restaurants for a fundraising night is an excellent way to raise money. Many restaurants offer programs where a percentage of sales on a designated night goes to your team. Promote the event through flyers, social media, and word-of-mouth to ensure a great turnout. This fundraising idea for sports teams not only raises funds but also strengthens community relationships.

🎾  READ: 54 Restaurants That Support Fundraisers

3: Fun Run or Walkathon

Organizing a fun run or walkathon is a fantastic way to engage the community while raising funds. Participants can pay an entry fee, and you can also seek sponsorships from local businesses. Encourage team members to get pledges from family and friends based on the number of laps completed.

Most municipalities will allow fun runs on public property, but if you need streets blocked off or pylons/signage, it’s best to connect with your community first. 

4: Bake Sale or Concession Stand

Bake sales have been a go-to fundraising idea for sports teams for decades. Organize a bake sale at a local event, school, or game to raise funds. If your team regularly hosts games, running a concession stand with snacks, drinks, and baked goods can provide ongoing financial support.

🎾 Looking for inspiration? Check out the top 100 Classic Bake Sale Recipes

5: Trivia Night

Hosting a trivia night can be a fun and social way to raise money. Charge an entry fee for teams, and offer a prize for the winning group. This fundraising idea for sports teams can be held at a community center, restaurant, or even online.

What makes a trivia night most engaging? The host! Select someone from your team’s network with loads of charisma and energy. The event's success hinges on their ability to engage the audience and keep things fun. 

6: Yard Sale

A community yard sale is a simple yet effective way to raise funds. Ask team members and their families to donate items, then host a sale with all proceeds benefiting the team. This is one of the easiest fundraising ideas for sports teams and provides an opportunity to declutter while raising money.

🎾 Check out the Ultimate How to Have a Yard Sale Guide

7: Team Challenge or Competition

A creative and engaging fundraising idea for sports teams is hosting a challenge or competition. This could be a skills competition, such as a free-throw contest, or a fun event like a dodgeball tournament. Charge an entry fee and offer prizes to winners to attract participants.

8: Community Service for Donations

Offer services like yard work, pet sitting, or house cleaning in exchange for donations. This hands-on fundraising idea for sports teams allows members to give back while raising money. You might also be able to work with your local municipality to secure a donation or payment for clean up in public parks or other public recreational gathering spots.

Live in a colder climate? Try sending your team door to door after a major snowfall! You will get a ton of homeowners looking to save their lower back and willing to pay top dollar for snow shovelling. 

9: Dunk Tank

Is there an outdoor event in your community that draws a lot of attention? Ask them if they’ll let you park a dunk tank on-site and watch the fun unravel. Check your community board for summer events and secure your dunk tank on-site at some of the summer gatherings. 

10: Gaming Tournament

A video game tournament can attract a different audience while raising funds. Charge an entry fee, and offer prizes for the winners. This unique fundraising idea for sports teams can be done in person or online.

🎾 Don’t know which games to pick? Here’s the most popular video games for fundraising.

11: Pancake Breakfast

Secure a venue such as a school cafeteria, community center, or local restaurant willing to donate space. Gather volunteers, including players, coaches, and parents, to help with cooking, serving, and cleanup. Teams can either purchase ingredients or seek donations from local grocery stores and restaurants to reduce costs.

Sell tickets in advance and at the door, pricing them affordably to encourage attendance while ensuring a good profit margin. Promote the breakfast through social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth to maximize turnout. A well-organized pancake breakfast not only helps raise funds but also strengthens community support for the team.

12: Bingo Night 

Bingo nights are often organized as fundraisers, where attendees pay for cards and can win a series of prizes (or toys) with each bingo game. Large prizes can be associated with blackout bingo games and those cards could cost more money than the standard bingo games. Secure prizes from local businesses and sponsors. 

Note that we recommend the same same tip as the trivia night - choose a great bingo caller! Pick someone from your team’s network with lots of fun energy.