Cheerleading Fundraising That Actually Works

Cheerleading is perhaps the most expensive group on any high school or middle school campus. With camp, camp outfits, uniforms and regular cheerleading supplies it is already up into the $500 - $800 range. Add to that gymnastics training and trips to competition for the elite squads and you are looking at $1,200 - $2,000 very quickly. Choosing the right fundraiser for a group with that kind of need is a very important one to say the least.

Many of the cheer squads I work with actually use the fundraiser for another purpose. Because when we work with them it is usually the first thing the team does together after tryouts, the cheer coach can actually turn the fundraiser into a team building event. Kind of like a "Ropes Course" only not as scary!

Listed below are ideas to help you get started with your fundraising that accomplishes two goals. One is raising lots of money for the girls, the other helping them to work together for the first time as a team.

1. Do the fundraiser as soon after tryouts as possible. I hear (jokingly) that it is the only time of the year that they actually listen to the sponsor! More importantly, it is the exact time of the year when they have the most expenses in front of them and they are still "jazzed" about making the squad. That means their excitement level is still a the peak. With the high cost of cheerleading, even their parents are motivated to help in the fundraising efforts.

2. Do pick a product that has a fairly high retail value. You don't want to take a bunch of very motivated students and their parents and give them a product that they have to sell a million gazillion to make a few bucks with. In fundraising language that's like taking a Porsche and putting a lawnmower engine in it. Cookie dough is what we have found to be best. Your opinion may differ, but that's the facts.

3. Do not tell the cheerleaders how much to sell. Don't tell them what their goal is going to be. You'll probably always give them a goal that is far short of what they would set for themselves. What we do, is tell them how much they make on each item sold and equate that to what uniform parts and camp cost will be and simply ask them how much of that do they want to raise? You'll be amazed at the number of them that want to go for a major portion of it on their fundraiser and more often than not actually hit their goal.

So what ever idea that you choose, make it sure it helps you get closer to your goal and at the same time is accomplishes the main purpose of the fundraiser... That is, it makes lots of money!