Fundraising has the power to provide your organization with the funds needed to thrive and grow while also developing great life skills for young athletes. Today, many of the hassles associated with traditional fundraisers no longer need to apply! Before your next season begins, take the opportunity to analyze your organization’s fundraising strategy. If it isn’t meeting your needs, it may be time for a refresh.
Here are five signs that your organization could benefit from a new fundraising approach.
1. COVID-19 has changed how you do things.
The pandemic changed how we perform many day-to-day tasks, and it could be a great opportunity to evaluate your fundraising strategy, too. Your league should remain sensitive to local safety measures and the health of your neighbors. At this time, going door-to-door to sell products or ask for donations could be seen as a less desirable approach in some areas.
Not to mention, door-to-door sales could also mean you raise less money, reach fewer people, and ask the same supporters each year when you could be expanding your reach with a digital-focused strategy.
2. Your fundraiser is met with exasperated sighs.
When your members and community get bored with the same fundraiser that you’ve been doing for years, they feel less inspired to support the campaign. Following tradition and “doing things how you’ve always done it” isn’t always the best strategy.
In order to renew the excitement and increase fundraising revenue, organizations should be open-minded and innovative with their fundraising strategy. Stick with what works until it doesn’t work anymore and give your community multiple options and avenues to support your program.
3. The board is discussing increasing registration fees.
The most obvious sign your organization needs a new fundraising strategy is when revenue begins falling short and there’s talk of increasing registration fees to make up the difference in your books.
In this case, it might be time to consider making fundraising a requirement to offset participation fees. Be sure to set your group fundraising goal high in an effort to raise what is required to avoid increasing registration costs.
4. Your organization’s needs have changed.
Each year is different, and your fundraising strategy should change as your organization’s needs change. Plan for your next season early and add fundraising to your board meeting agenda. Be prepared to assess your budget needs (field maintenance, new equipment, paid staff, etc.) and projected registration revenue.
These line items vary year to year, so it’s important to have the conversation and set your fundraising goals accordingly.
5. You are currently sitting in an office surrounded by leftover products.
We’ve all been there. You ordered more products than your organization could sell, and now you are left with boxes of wasted inventory year after year.
Not only is this revenue lost, but it’s also an inconvenience for whoever is left to deal with it. No youth sports volunteer has time for that. If you are constantly living in a fortress of leftover products, consider a digital fundraiser for your organization.
Sports Connect partners have special access to a trusted partner of Stack Sports that can aid in your fundraising refresh. We have teamed up with a leader in fundraising innovation to offer StackRaise powered by PushSave.
PushSave is a technology solution that provides a hassle-free way to raise money and a one-on-one campaign management service. They’ve helped many organizations meet their financial goals during COVID-19 with a simple, contactless platform, and getting started is easy!
As you reassess your fundraising strategy this year, be sure to request a demo with StackRaise powered by PushSave.
