When your sports team needs funds for equipment, travel, uniforms or events — picking the right online fundraising platform and fundraising tool can make all the difference. With so many online options available today, it helps to know which platforms are easiest to set up, simplest to use, and most suitable for teams of any size.

Introduction to Fundraising

• Fundraising is a crucial aspect of supporting sports teams, helping them raise money for equipment, travel, and other expenses.

  
  

• A team fundraising platform can simplify the fundraising process, making it easier for teams to reach their goals.

  
  

• With so many fundraising platforms available, it’s essential to choose the right one that meets your team’s needs; nonprofit organizations also benefit from these platforms.

  
  

• Online fundraising platforms have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient way to collect donations and track fundraising progress.

  
  

• Zeffy is a free platform and free fundraising option that does not charge platform fees, providing significant cost savings for teams and nonprofits. Most fundraising platforms are free to use but may deduct a small percentage of funds raised as fees.

Key Features of Fundraising Tools

• Customizable donation pages are a key feature of many fundraising platforms, allowing teams to personalize their fundraising campaigns. Fundraising software often includes these features to streamline campaign management and enhance donor engagement.

  
  

• Peer-to-peer fundraising is another essential feature, enabling team members to create their own fundraising pages and share them with family and friends. Team members can easily set up their own fundraising page, making it simple to track donations and support group efforts.

  
  

• Platform fees can vary significantly between fundraising platforms, so it’s crucial to choose a platform with minimal or no fees.

  
  

• Donation forms are an important feature that simplify the process of collecting online donations, offering user-friendly, integrated tools that can be embedded into other platforms and help eliminate unnecessary fees.

  
  

• A user-friendly interface and robust communication tools are also vital for a successful fundraising campaign.

  
  

• Fundraiser templates help teams quickly set up their own fundraising pages, streamlining the onboarding process for both team and individual campaigns.

Types of Fundraising Solutions

• There are various types of fundraising solutions available, including online fundraising platforms, crowdfunding campaigns, and peer-to-peer fundraising tools, with top team fundraising platforms standing out as leading options.

  
  

• Each type of solution has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s essential to choose the one that best suits your team’s needs.

  
  

• Some fundraising platforms specialize in specific types of fundraising, such as school fundraising or youth sports teams. For example, 99Pledges is a free team fundraising platform designed for youth sports teams and organizations, and it also serves as a school fundraising platform.

  
  

• Others offer a more general fundraising solution that can be used by any type of organization, and these solutions are also suitable for other organizations such as clubs and faith-based groups.

Some teams may prefer using customizable fundraising pages or a fundraising app for on-the-go management and communication.

Benefits of Online Fundraising

• Online fundraising offers numerous benefits, including increased reach, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Virtual fundraising also allows teams to reach supporters remotely.

  
  

• With online fundraising, teams can collect donations from anywhere in the world, at any time, making it easy to run an online fundraiser.

  
  

• Online fundraising platforms also provide a range of tools and features to help teams manage their fundraising campaigns and track their progress. For instance, GoFundMe is a popular crowdfunding platform that allows teams to raise money for various needs without a platform fee, and offers the convenience of online donation options. These platforms support both online donations and other fundraising activities.

  
  

• Additionally, online fundraising can help teams build a community of supporters and engage with them more effectively, fostering community engagement through digital tools.

Fundraising Ideas and Strategies

• There are many fundraising ideas and strategies that teams can use to raise money, including crowdfunding campaigns, charity events, and sponsorships. These approaches support a wide variety of fundraising activities that teams can organize to meet their goals.

  
  

• Teams can also use social media to promote their fundraising campaigns and engage with their supporters, utilizing targeted social media posts to increase visibility and participation.

  
  

• Peer-to-peer fundraising is another effective strategy, where team members create their own fundraising pages and share them with their networks. This approach helps engage donors by leveraging personal connections and encouraging wider community involvement.

  
  

• Developing a strong fundraising strategy is essential for maximizing success, as it helps teams plan, choose the right tools, and adapt to current fundraising trends.

  
  

• Parent volunteers play a crucial role in organizing and supporting fundraising efforts, often coordinating events and assisting with campaign management.

  
  

• Some fundraising platforms partner with participating retailers who contribute a percentage of purchases to team funds, providing an additional revenue stream and encouraging community support.

  
  

• Offering incentives, such as rewards or recognition, can also motivate donors to give more. Additionally, platforms like Bonfire allow teams to set up a merchandise store, design team t-shirts, and sell them to supporters online.

Cost Comparison of Fundraising Tools

When choosing a team fundraising platform, understanding the costs involved, including processing fees, is crucial to ensuring your team keeps as much of the funds raised as possible. Fundraising platforms can differ widely in how they charge for their services. Some offer a free plan with no upfront costs, while others may charge a monthly subscription or deduct a percentage from each donation.

The most common costs to look out for include platform fees (a percentage taken by the fundraising platform itself) and costs associated with fundraising events , payment processing fees (charged by payment providers like Stripe or PayPal), and sometimes additional charges for premium features or integrations. For example, some fundraising platforms advertise themselves as “free,” but may still deduct payment processing fees from each donation, which can add up over time.

There are also fundraising platforms that operate on a “tips” model, where donors, including local businesses, are encouraged to add a voluntary tip to support the platform, allowing teams to keep more of the funds raised. Others may charge a flat monthly fee, which can be cost-effective for teams running multiple or large-scale fundraising campaigns.

When comparing team fundraising platforms, it’s important to calculate the total cost based on your fundraising goal and expected number of donations. A platform with no monthly fee but higher transaction fees might be better for small, one-time fundraisers, while a subscription-based fundraising platform could save money for teams with ongoing or high-volume fundraising efforts.

Always review the fee structure and available fundraising software carefully before committing to a fundraising platform. Look for transparent pricing, and consider how fees will impact your total funds raised. By choosing the right team fundraising platform for your needs, you can maximize your fundraising efforts and ensure more money goes directly to supporting your sports team.

Choosing the Best Fundraising Platform

• When choosing a fundraising platform, teams should consider several factors, including platform fees, customization options, and user experience. Reviewing lists of the best fundraising platforms can help identify top solutions that fit your needs.

  
  

• It’s essential to choose a platform that is easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and robust communication tools.

  
  

• Teams should also consider the level of support offered by the platform, including customer service and fundraising guidance. Popular tools like GoFundMe, Givebutter, and TeamLinkt each offer different strengths to cater to various team needs. Comparing top team fundraising platforms can help teams find the best fit for organizing and managing campaigns.

  
  

• Reading reviews and comparing features can help teams make an informed decision.

  
  

• Finally, always watch out for hidden fees when evaluating platforms, as these can impact your fundraising results and donor trust.

Setting Up a Fundraising Campaign

• Setting up a fundraising campaign is relatively straightforward, with most platforms offering a simple and intuitive process. Be sure to create a main campaign page to centralize your fundraising efforts and make it easy for supporters to find and contribute.

  
  

• Teams will need to create a campaign page, set a fundraising goal, and customize their donation page. Many platforms also allow teams to create multiple campaign pages for different events or goals, providing flexibility and enhanced engagement.

  
  

• They will also need to promote their campaign through social media, email, and other channels.

  
  

• Offering updates and engaging with supporters can help build momentum and encourage more donations.

  
  

• It is important to link the team's bank account to the platform to ensure easy tracking of funds and efficient management of donations.

Managing a Fundraising Campaign

• Managing a fundraising campaign requires ongoing effort and attention, including tracking progress, engaging with supporters, providing updates, and coordinating activities through a dedicated fundraising team.

  
  

• Teams should use the platform’s reporting tools to monitor their progress, track the contributions of each team member, and adjust their strategy as needed.

  
  

• They should also use communication tools to thank donors, share updates, build a sense of community, and involve family members in promoting the campaign.

  
  

• By managing their campaign effectively, teams can maximize their fundraising potential, monitor raised funds, and ensure the platform can efficiently process donations to achieve their goals.

  
  

• Some platforms also help manage ticket sales for fundraising events, making it easier to organize and track event-related transactions.

Conclusion

• In conclusion, choosing the right team fundraising platform is crucial for a successful fundraising campaign.

  
  

• By considering factors such as platform fees, customization options, and user experience, teams can select a platform that meets their needs.

  
  

• With the right platform and a well-planned strategy, teams can raise more money, build a community of supporters, and achieve their fundraising goals.

  
  

• Whether you’re a youth sports team, a school, or a nonprofit organization, there’s a fundraising platform out there that can help you succeed and support charitable giving.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fundraising tools. The “easiest” option depends heavily on your team’s size, needs, and community. Club leaders can benefit from streamlined fundraising tools that reduce administrative work and allow more focus on student engagement and community involvement.

By assessing your goals — whether it’s a quick fundraiser, recurring club support, or a big community-driven campaign — you can pick a tool that’s simple, efficient, and fits your group’s culture. Also, consider whether your team will rely on external donations or other funding sources when choosing a platform.

Finally, review your average donation size, especially in the context of school fundraising, to help select the most cost-effective fundraising platform for your needs.

FAQs

1. Which fundraising tool is best for small sports teams?For small teams, simple payment links through Stripe, PayPal, or Tikkie are often easiest. They require minimal setup and let supporters contribute quickly.

2. Can I use the same platform for recurring donations?Yes. Tools like Donorbox, Givebutter, and some crowdfunding platforms allow recurring contributions, which is ideal for ongoing team support.

3. How do I choose between crowdfunding platforms and simple payment links?Use payment links for informal, small-scale collections. Opt for crowdfunding platforms like Fundly or Givebutter when you want a public campaign page, donation pages social media integration, and donor tracking. Creating a fundraising page is a key step in launching a successful campaign, as it helps organize your efforts and makes it easier to raise funds efficiently.

4. Are there fees involved with these fundraising tools?Most platforms charge payment processing fees (usually 1–3%) and may take a small platform fee. Always check the fee structure before launching your campaign.

5. How can I make it easy for supporters to contribute?Provide multiple payment options, clear fundraising ideas, instructions, and shareable links or QR codes. The easier it is to donate, the more likely people will participate.

6. What is text to donate and how can it help my team?Text-to-donate is a feature that allows supporters to give by sending a text message from their mobile phone. This makes donating quick and convenient, helping your team raise funds by reaching donors wherever they are.