Cheer fundraising ideas
Looking for fresh cheerleading fundraising ideas to support your squad and get your community involved? Whether you need to raise funds for new cheer squad uniforms, travel expenses, or competition fees, we've got the cheer sponsorship ideas to help your team succeed.
From DIY cheer fundraiser ideas to cheer uniform fundraisers, these are some of the best fundraising campaign ideas for cheerleading squads. Boost your fundraising efforts with these top cheer fundraising ideas!
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Sell merch
Branded T-shirts, sweaters, shorts, or water bottles are a great way to raise cash and advertise your organization. Set up an online store and sell merch at community events.









3-v-3 tournament
Whether it’s soccer, volleyball, or basketball, organize a fast-paced 3v3 tournament where teams compete to hit a set score or time limit. Require a minimum donation to enter and sell tickets for spectators to cheer them on.









Calendar fundraiser
Design a calendar featuring fun or themed photos from your community, event participants, or volunteers. Sell it for a set donation amount, or use it as an auction item or giveaway prize.









Singing telegram
Unleash your inner performer with a singing telegram! Cast willing team members to be singers, and and sell performances for a set donation amount.









Skills clinic
Offer a skills clinic for your team members and their friends. Charge a registration fee, and accept donations during the event. Don’t forget to sell concessions and merchandise!









Sponsor my uniform fundraiser
Bring your A-game to a uniform sponsorship drive!
Create a fun, easy sponsorship form so players can rally support from friends and family to help cover uniform costs——because looking sharp on the field starts with a little team spirit (and a lot of love from your biggest fans).









Team dance-a-thon sponsorship
Bust a move for a good cause!
Host a dance-a-thon where players collect sponsorships to keep their feet moving for hours on end. Sounds easy? Think again—these marathons can go 12+ hours!
Get ready to groove, rally support, and dance your way to your donation goal.









Autographed jersey auction
Connected to the right people? Procure and auction off autographed jerseys (or other memorabilia) to your supporters. You’d be surprised how willing athletes are to offer their signature for a good cause! Take advantage of intuitive auction software for simple and easy bidding, custom item descriptions, and more—no matter if your auction is in-person or completely virtual.









Grants
Research grants that you can apply for to fund your nonprofit organization or project. Be sure to create a stand-out grant proposal in order to impress grantmakers!









Costume contest
Throw a themed costume party to match the season or holiday and award prizes for the best costumes! Sell tickets to your fundraising event online and partner with local sponsors to offset costs and spread the word.









Bowl-a-thon
Reserve lanes at a bowling alley, ask participants to gather pledges for an all-you-can-bowl night, and watch the donations roll in on team fundraising pages.
Offer special prizes for the team with the highest score, most creative name, or even the best uniforms.









More money, no problems
Instead of hosting an event, ask your supporters to donate a specific amount for the entire year. Create a fundraising page with photos, videos, and a compelling story in order to encourage gifts. Be sure to customize your donation amounts and add descriptions that are specific to your needs and impact.









Candy bar sale
Sell wholesale candy bars and sweet treats to your supporters. Bring them to events or offer them anywhere people might need a snack! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to spark a bit of friendly competition and easily track who’s sold the most.









Flag football tournament
Bring fans onto the field for some football fun! Teams register and pay to play and fans buy tickets to cheer them on.









Lend a helping hand
Let donors "purchase" 2-5 hours of extra help from students or volunteers (think raking leaves or mowing the lawn).
In order to streamline the process and keep track of contributions, create custom labels for different donation amounts on a special fundraising page or donation form (e.g. $50 = 2 volunteer hours).









Alumni night
Sell tickets to an all-inclusive alumni dinner before a big game or event. During half-time or intermission, bring out the alumni for special recognition. Alternatively, you can livestream a special alumni message during a virtual event.









You name it
Come up with a creative fundraiser with a cathy name like “Pancakes for Parents” brunch or a “Chicken Wings for Cheerleaders.” To get supporters excited, create a custom fundraising page full of on-theme photos, videos, ands more!









Family fun run
Encourage families to run, walk, or jog for your cause! Offer kid-friendly activities, prizes, and course options.
Use team and peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word about the event.









Pajama run
Ask participants to don their favorite PJs while tackling a walk, jog, roll, or run for the cause. Encourage everyone to set a donation goal and spread the word about the fundraiser through peer-to-peer fundraising. Don’t forget to award prizes to the coziest runners!









Rah-rah raffle
Raffle or auction off donated spirit-related items or experiences like a spot at a cheer clinic and private cheer lessons.
To attract the right audience, host a silent auction at your next spirited event with these experiences included!









Tailgate party
Invite a local restaurant to contribute or have volunteers create a menu for a tailgate. Sell entry tickets and offer some fun merch or special treats at an additional price to bring in extra dollars.









Shoot-a-thon
In this basketball fundraiser, each contestant pays a small entry fee to see how many baskets they can make in a short amount of time.









Celebrity guest appearance
Invite minor or major league players or other celebrity guests to your fundraising event to make a general appearance, offer a meet-and-greet session for VIPs, or participate in the event themselves! You can sell tickets and offer food and drink at an additional cost to make this fundraising event a big win for your cause.









Car wash
Gather volunteers, soap, and plenty of rags to wash cars in exchange for donations. Collect onsite donations easily with a scan-to-donate QR code that lets donors to select from a variety of payment methods.
Sprinkle some extra magic into this classic fundraiser by giving it a theme! Encourage your group to dress up in costumes representing ‘80s icons, classic Disney characters, superheroes—you name it.









Pump-a-thon
Find out who can (safely) lift the most weight curling, deadlifting, or squatting. Charge entry fees for participants, sell tickets, and offer food and drink at an additional cost.









Frequently asked questions
What are cheerleading fundraisers for?
Cheerleading fundraisers support various needs and expenses associated with running a cheerleading program. These fundraisers help cover the costs of uniforms, necessary gear, travel expenses, and competition fees.
What are the best cheer fundraising ideas?
The best cheer fundraising ideas range from social media challenges and car wash fundraisers to selling cheerleading merchandise like pom-poms and foam fingers. Other classic fundraising for cheerleading techniques, like teaming up with local businesses or hosting bake sales at school sporting events, are often successful, too.
Ultimately, the best cheer fundraising idea is the one that empowers your cheer team members, involves friends and family, and engages your community.
How do I ask for cheerleading donations?
When asking for donations for your cheer team, make sure to target the right audience, clearly explain your goal, showcase your impact, and express gratitude.
Don’t forget to personalize and diversify your outreach. Use different channels to contact supporters, including social media, emails, texts, and even phone calls.
What are examples of unique cheerleading fundraisers?
Unique fundraising ideas for cheerleading teams include dance-a-thons, mascot showdowns, and selling team merchandise at football games—anything that encourages a little team spirit among your supporters!
Other creative fundraising ideas for cheer teams include talent shows, silent auctions, and selling raffle tickets.
How do I find a cheer sponsor?
Corporate sponsorships are a great fundraising idea for cheerleaders and can go a long way to help cheer teams reach their goals. First, you’ll need to create a sponsorship program and brainstorm a list of potential sponsors.
Next, craft a strong sponsorship proposal, including an overview of your organization, fundraising goals, and tangible examples of your work. Remember, securing corporate sponsorship can take time, and you’ll likely need to follow up more than once.
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