The Coach’s Playbook: How to Run a Successful Sport Fundraiser

As a coach, there’s a lot on your plate as you prepare for your next season — from building your roster to planning practices and competitions. That’s why Snap! Mobile is here to support you with our team of fundraising experts and tools that make it easy to reach your goals.

Check out this quick playbook for tips to make the most of your fundraiser and set your team up for success.

Before You Start: Are You Actually Ready for Summer?
Before you launch your fundraiser, make sure your overall summer plan is locked in.
👉 Use this pre-summer checklist for coaches to make sure your program is set up for success—not just fundraising, but training, communication, and expectations.

When to start fundraising for your sports team:

Timing is everything! As soon as your roster is set at the beginning of the season, we recommend starting your fundraiser. Starting early helps you build momentum and get your players and their community engaged from day one. Another smart time to fundraiser is right before playoffs. Supporters will be excited to contribute and help your team achieve fundraising goals while you head into a competitive playoff season!

Send out the parent letter before the fundraiser begins:

Starting a fundraiser takes coordination, and clear communication with parents and guardians is key. Send out the parent letter before your fundraiser begins. This gives families time to review the details, set expectations, and ask questions, so everyone’s ready to support the team.

Personalize your team’s fundraiser page:

Help supporters get to know your team! Add photos, videos, and your program’s story to the page so that family and friends know exactly why your group is fundraising and where their donations go! Giving them an inside look at your team helps foster a sense of connection.

Hold a meeting to kick off your fundraiser and streamline signups:

Fundraisers require teamwork. Host a kick-off meeting with your team to go through the signup process together and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Insider tips:

1. 1. Make sure each participant uploads a minimum of 20 emails and phone numbers for donor outreach. Snap! has found that this number per participant gives your fundraiser the best chance to reach your goal!
   2. Make sure each participant uploads a profile picture. On average, participant profiles with a picture receive 30% more donations than ones without!

Offer Rewards to incentivize participation:

Including Rewards in your fundraiser can be a fun way to increase participation. Not only are people excited about receiving Rewards, but it also promotes a sense of inclusion. Let participants get involved in giving back to your group by providing Rewards.

Share your fundraiser QR code:

You’re on the go, and so are your potential donors. Make sure your fundraiser QR code is on the printed materials you share. The more accessible your fundraiser page is, the more likely you’ll drum up participation.

How to communicate with your team during a fundraiser:

Messaging in the Snap! Mobile App is an easy way to stay connected with your team before, during, and after the fundraiser! Start chats with your team, fellow coaches, or parents of your participants, and use it to provide updates and encouragement throughout the season!

A successful campaign means more resources, opportunities, and experiences for your team. As you plan and promote your fundraiser, remember the end goal: supporting your program and creating a winning season — on and off the field.

Fundraising is just one part of running a successful program. When communication, planning, and fundraising all work together, everything gets easier.
That’s where Snap Mobile One helps bring it all into one place.Fill out the form to find out more!