Level Up: How This Coach Doubled Donations in Year 2 With Snap!

For Northern Illinois University Hockey Club, fundraising isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. Ice time is expensive, and each season brings new costs that can quickly add up. But thanks to Snap! Raise, NIU Hockey Club has found a reliable way to generate the funds they need, and in just one year, they managed to double their fundraising total.

We connected with the team’s coach, Wayne Bower, to learn how they grew from raising $11,323 in 2024 to $22,341 in 2025, and what tips they have for other programs looking to boost their results.

Discovering Snap! Raise

Like many coaches, NIU’s coach first heard about Snap! Raise through word of mouth.

“I first heard about Snap! Raise because another program, Crystal Lake South Lacrosse, was using it, and I received an email from one of their members. I thought it looked great, so I reached out to the Snap! team to get started.”

From there, Coach Bower launched his first campaign and saw strong results — but the real growth came in year two.

Doubling Donations: The Key to Success in Year 2

So how did NIU Hockey Club manage to go from $11k to double that in just one season?

“We increased our income by getting more guys involved. It’s a numbers game — the more people involved, the more income we can earn. We also took better advantage of social media.”

The team focused on participation, encouraging more players to add emails and phone numbers for their supporters and to take ownership of the fundraiser. They also made a point to promote the fundraiser on social media, sharing links and updates on Instagram and Facebook to spread the word and increase reach.

Where the Money Goes

With tens of thousands raised, NIU Hockey Club is putting their funds to good use, primarily by offsetting ice costs so that players can focus on the game without worrying about expenses. That kind of impact makes the effort worth it and has helped the team build momentum for future seasons.

Advice for Other Coaches and Group Leaders

If you’re looking to maximize your Snap! Raise results, NIU’s coach has one piece of advice: get buy-in from your players.

“My advice would be to get your players to buy in. The harder they work at entering emails and phone numbers, the better your success will be.”

Participation drives success, and the more your team is involved, the more likely you are to reach — or even exceed — your fundraising goals.

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Northern Illinois University Hockey Club’s story is proof that with the right tools and team effort, it’s possible to make a major leap in just one year.

Want to see how much your program can raise with Snap! Raise? Get started today.