5 Fundraising Ideas for a Sports Association During the Pandemic

With team sports and some individual sports at a standstill due to COVID-19, sports organizations and associations are at their wit’s end too. Organizations need to find funding. Traditional means such as tournaments and registrations are currently impossible to exploit. So they need to be more creative than ever with their funding methods. So here’s our list of 5 fundraising ideas for sports associations during the pandemic.

1. Maintain a partnership with a local company
2. Organize events in your facility’s parking lot
3. Set up a paid outdoor sports tournament with the city
4. Coordinate a professional “webinar and dinner” with complimentary dinner
5. Offer manpower to local businesses in need

Many local businesses are going through tough times right now. Why not pull together and organize a partnership with a local business that could use the exposure? Don’t underestimate the reach your organization has. All your members, past and present, know and respect you. A recommendation from you is very valuable. Whether it’s a restaurant, a boutique, etc., selling their products to your association’s parents and partners represents a creative form of financing that could greatly help you while supporting a local business!

Take advantage of the space near your sports facilities to create an outdoor event that respects social distancing guidelines. For example, after discussing the necessary measures with the city and the police, set up a garage sale or a corn roast that respects sanitary measures! Plus, with your mask on, people won’t see the corn in your teeth! It’s guaranteed fun for participants, and an effective way for you to raise funds! Why not pull together and organize a partnership with a local business that could use the visibility? Don’t underestimate the reach your organization has. All your members, past and present, know and respect you. A recommendation from you is very valuable. Whether it’s a restaurant, a boutique, etc., selling their products to your association’s parents and partners represents a creative form of financing that could greatly help you while supporting a local business!

The outdoor rinks are under construction, and field hockey in the great outdoors is fast approaching. Of course, there will be measures put in place by the cities that will impact the structure of the event. Why not organize an outdoor field hockey tournament in partnership with your city to raise funds for your organization? It’s also a great opportunity for Tim Hortons, for example, to offer coffee and hot chocolate!

Youngsters can register their team for a fixed fee and take part in the tournament. You can also determine a prize for the winning team along the way. Don’t hesitate to contact companies that sell sporting goods. The exposure you give them is well worth a stick and a pair of skates!

What’s more, it doesn’t have to be just field hockey: you can organize a soccer, baseball, spikeball or other tournament. All you have to do is comply with the sanitary regulations. It all depends on your expertise, your participants, your facilities and, of course, the weather outside.

During the pandemic, we can sometimes run out of ideas for everyday activities. Why not take advantage of the fact that people are staying at home to offer a paid webinar with a professional from the world of sports, be it an athlete, trainer, physiotherapist, etc.? What’s more, you could offer dinner to participants by delivering their food to their homes. They could enjoy listening to your exciting videoconference! A delicious 2 for 1 for participants!

Since minor sports are discontinued, youngsters don’t have to go to games/practices, etc. Your players and their parents definitely have more time in their day. Your players and their parents definitely have more time in their days. Many local businesses would welcome the extra manpower these days. Send your young people, accompanied by leaders, to donate a few hours a week to help local businesses. In exchange, they can give you a fixed amount of money or products that the young people can resell. Not only is this an excellent and original fund-raising idea to finance your club, it’s also a great way to help your community. It’s important to stick together during these difficult times!