The Australian Sports Fundraising Foundation (ASF) has been consistently supporting initiatives and ways for clubs to elevate their fundraising capabilities to gain the best results in engagement and economic support.
Recently, the ASF has introduced 21 ways in which clubs and sporting groups can adapt their fundraising to achieve their goals.
The nature of grassroots sports (especially football) means that funding has been required for clubs in getting and maintaining the necessary equipment and basic amenities.
Fundraisers are also times when the club can solidify its connections with their participants and maintain the positive culture that is crucial to the survival of these clubs.
According to the ASF, clubs typically raise an average of $13,250 through this platform.
The ASF’s Fundraising Platform is also a key tool clubs use to streamline their fundraising efforts and is the only way to accept tax-deductible sports donations in Australia.
Below is a shortened list of fundraisers which can be better utilised in a football environment:
Trivia Nights or Talent Shows are great fundraisers for afternoon/night slots at the club. You can set up team registrations and place it after training to increase player attendance.
Consider offering prizes and venues from local businesses to boost participation and engagement with the local community.
Another option is a Club Cinema Night, choosing films through social media polls to increase engagement with club members. Its adaptability means it could be hosted indoors during winter or create an outdoor cinema experience in nicer weather.
These events can be enhanced through extra fundraising ideas such as catering with themed food fundraising like Wine Tasting or BBQs.
Consider potluck options and involve local food suppliers.
Or if you have a good club venue with a liquor licence, running a bar can provide additional revenue and keep the costs down.
Having day-based activities is also a good way to get people back at the club and supporting the community.
Sports Days where clubs host traditional sports day activities like egg-and-spoon races and tug-of-war competitions are great engaging activities for all age groups.
Coaches’ Games also allow coaches and staff to engage in the sport they love. Including parent teams can also add entertainment, and the ASF expresses its popularity with younger club members.
Offering club merchandise as prizes is also a great reward.
Car Boot Sales, Merch Shop and Swap or even Auctions can be exciting events that allow people to give back to the club through supporting other club members and the local community.
People or even the club can sell spare items, club merchandise or even retro kits for added benefit.
Clubs should use rare items for the auctions or prizes and accept donations and sponsorship from local businesses.
Clubs can charge sellers a hosting fee and collect entry donations from browsers for the event.
Going beyond the club environment and engaging with local sponsors, councils or businesses is also a viable option.
Holiday celebrations are perfect times to add in fundraising opportunities. For example, an Easter Egg Hunt or Christmas-themed Event on the club grounds.
A Fun Run or Community Chore-a-thon is a great way to get local councils involved and encourage healthy social activities. Keep entry fees affordable to encourage participation and accept donations.
Barefoot Bowls and other sporting venues are cornerstones of communities and a good place to partner for a relaxed social event.
Include entry for fundraising and allow the venue to cater. These are great ways to engage the local venues with the club and increase social togetherness.
These events could even be placed in a themed Club Calendar featuring coaches, players, or sponsors. Include important club dates and upcoming events to encourage participation.
It’s important to point out that these activities will take time and effort. Juggling everyday life and club events is a difficult and time-consuming process and proper organisation from the clubs is key.
While these initiatives and options are great ways for clubs to participate in fundraising, it should not take away from a growing issue within the grassroots scene.
Government programs through grant systems, both federal and state-run, should still be central programs to provide clubs and footballing federations the support they need for larger projects and developments.
Football’s rising popularity has presented clubs with very difficult situations where the demand is too high for the capabilities of the clubs.
The price to play football these days is a large sum. For many participants in grassroots and even NPL levels, paying over $400 to register to play is a struggle, let alone encouraging these people to also participate in fundraising.
Therefore, creating enjoyable and engrossing events is key to getting engagement and achieving positive funding.
With this, the value for local businesses to host or sponsor these events is a fantastic publicity option.
As life presents tough challenges for all, these gatherings can deliver the hope and togetherness necessary to savour positive outlooks, unite local communities and harness the larger Australian sporting culture.
To check out more from the Australian Sports Foundation read here.
