Raising money for your club is less a question of good ideas than of helpers: two people can manage a cake sale in a morning, while a tournament needs a team and a whole day. Here are eight proven fundraising ideas for sports clubs, for club funds and the team kitty, each with what a treasurer wants to know beforehand: who does it, how much work it is, roughly what it brings in and where it often goes wrong. At the end there is a yearly plan to take away. If you are looking for long-term partners rather than one-off events, the guide Sports club sponsorship has instructions and a sample letter.

First decide: what are you raising money for, and who will help?

A concrete goal attracts more helpers than an empty kitty. “New warm-up shirts for the under-11s” or “a contribution towards the team trip” is easy to explain, to put on a poster and to tick off at the end. Then count who will really take part, and only choose the activity after that. Check with the committee whether the money goes into the club funds or the team kitty; every club handles this differently.

8 fundraising ideas for sports clubs, with effort and returns

Sorted from little to a lot of effort. Returns depend on where you are, the weather and the size of the club, so instead of figures you get a rough idea.

1. The team fines kitty

A classic for the team kitty in adult teams: anyone who turns up late, forgets their shirt or is on the phone in the changing room pays a small amount. For children, leave fines out.

  • Who: one person in the team who keeps the list and the cash.
  • Effort: hardly any. You agree the list of fines together once, and after that it is noted down after every training session.
  • Returns: small amounts that add up over the season; often enough for a team night out.
  • Where it goes wrong: fines that are too high and debts nobody collects. Keep the amounts small and put the list up in the changing room.

2. Coffee and cake on the touchline

Lots of families come by on a youth home match day, and donated cakes cost nothing.

  • Who: the parents of one team, two people per shift on the stall.
  • Effort: low: a baking rota for the season, a table, a cash box with change.
  • Returns: a small to medium amount per match day, but reliable and easy to repeat as often as you like.
  • Where it goes wrong: when the same three people always do the baking. A rota that gives every family two dates a year spreads the load.

3. Recruit supporting members

Grandparents, former players, neighbours: some people want to support the club without playing themselves.

  • Who: one person who keeps the form up to date and talks to people.
  • Effort: moderate once (set the fee with the committee, the form, a note on the website), then low.
  • Returns: little per person, but it comes back every year; in the long run one of the most reliable sources.
  • Where it goes wrong: when the form only sits on the website. Put it on the cake stall and ask people in person at the season party, especially grandparents and former players.

4. Second-hand sports kit sale before the season

Children grow out of boots, shin pads and tracksuits every year. A sale in the clubhouse helps families save money.

  • Who: two or three people, a room and tables.
  • Effort: low to moderate: one afternoon, plus a call-out in the parents' group chats.
  • Returns: rather small, from table fees and cake on the side; in return, families save money and experience the club.
  • Where it goes wrong: the accounting, if the club sells for everyone. Simpler: you rent out tables, and each family sells their own things.

5. Sponsored run

The children run laps, and family, neighbours and businesses pay an amount per lap that they set themselves beforehand.

  • Who: the coaching team, plus parents to count laps and hand out drinks.
  • Effort: moderate: sponsor forms, a course, one morning and the collecting afterwards.
  • Returns: depend on the club, made up of lots of small pledges.
  • Where it goes wrong: collecting the money after the run. Set a clear deadline and offer sponsors a fixed amount instead of paying per lap.

6. Grants and funding programmes

Depending on the federal state, the local council, the district and the regional sports federation (Landessportbund) support things like youth work, coaches or equipment.

  • Who: the treasurer or the youth officer.
  • Effort: paperwork, evidence and deadlines, but no weekend at the barbecue.
  • Returns: depending on the programme, larger amounts too, but usually tied to a specific purpose.
  • Where it goes wrong: missed deadlines and missing receipts. Ask early in the year what is available and put the deadlines in the club calendar.

7. A stall at the local festival

Waffles at the summer fête, mulled wine at the Christmas market, sausages at the village fair: a stall raises money and shows people you exist.

  • Who: four to six people on a shift rota and someone with a car.
  • Effort: moderate to high: registering with the organiser, shopping, setting up and a long day.
  • Returns: medium, depending heavily on the weather and the number of visitors; the stall fee and shopping come off first.
  • Where it goes wrong: late registration and buying too much. Ask for a spot early, and rather buy more during the day than get stuck with leftovers.

8. Your own tournament

A tournament pays twice: entry fees from visiting teams and food and drink for everyone watching. As an amateur or company tournament, local businesses get to know the club along the way.

  • Who: an organising team of three or four people, and lots of helpers in shifts on the day.
  • Effort: high: a few months' lead time, fixtures, invitations, shopping, setting up and clearing away.
  • Returns: depend on the club, and you need enough teams and helpers.
  • Where it goes wrong: too few helpers in the afternoon and dates that clash with other tournaments. Check early with the committee and the local council what rules apply to selling food and drink, and ask the drinks supplier whether you can return unopened crates.

Yearly plan for your club funds

This is how the work spreads over a year, here for sports whose season starts in late summer. If your season runs differently, shift the points accordingly.

Practical points: bookkeeping, tax and permits