If you’re football crazy, you’ll be as excited as we are about the new Premier League kicking off!
The start of the new season got us thinking about ways local grass-roots football clubs can fundraise this season and beyond, so here are 17 quick-fire ways you could net some funds for your club…
1. Set up a Fantasy Premier League
The return of football also means the return of fantasy football! Set up a league and have everyone contribute to join in, with a proportion going to the winner.
2. Play an exhibition match
It could be kids v parents, fancy dress, against a local professional club in pre-season, or a 24-hour marathon game with rotating players.
3. Host a football-themed quiz
Pick a volunteer to be the quiz master and host it at your clubhouse or join forces with your local pub.
4. Take part in a sponsored challenge
Enter a team into your local 10K, half marathon, or (if you’re feeling brave) marathon, and ask friends and family for donations. You could even do a charity skydive!
5. Step up your sponsorship game
Offer to promote your sponsor through social media, match day advertising, printing its logo on your shirts, hosting a launch event, and reaching out to local media.
6. Get the kids car washing
Set up a car wash with youth players in the summer holidays or on match days using your training ground car park or a local supermarket car park.
7. Supermarket bag packing
Talking of keeping the kids busy, ask your local supermarkets if your youth players can pack eco-friendly or used bags in their footy kit in exchange for bucket donations.
8. Sell your club merch
Shirts, scarves, hats… you name it, your supporters will wear it! Partner with a local printing company and promote your club in the community while raising money at the same time!
9. Host a family fun day
Host a summer community event with a 5-a-side tournament and invite local businesses. Ice cream vans, face painting, BBQs, local musicians, and footy-related games will all be popular!
10. Hold a charity auction
Speak to local businesses, your local professional club (think signed shirts), and even your players who might have skills they can sell, then pick an auctioneer and spread the word!
11. Take advantage of match days
This is when you have a captive audience, so make the most of match days by selling anything from hot drinks and snacks to club merchandise and raffle tickets.
12. Hire out your facilities
If your club has facilities such as training pitches and a clubhouse, these are valuable assets and you could be making money by offering them to the local community when not in use.
13. World Cup sweepstake
The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in November and, although it’s unlikely we’ll be out in pub gardens, you can still bring the fun with a World Cup sweepstake and match day party.
14. Apply for funding
It will take some work, but there are many organisations that offer funding, whether it’s events like Sport Relief, partners like the Nike Partner Club, or Football Association grants.
15. Sell club calendars
If one of you is handy with a camera or you have a club photographer, compile some club photos and get a calendar printed which you can sell to friends, family, and supporters.
16. Teach a fitness class
Get your community fit and raise funds with football-focussed fitness or circuit training classes. Just make sure the trainer is qualified and insured to lead groups.
17. Get free donations with easyfundraising!
Join more than 180,000 causes and charities across the UK and register your football club to turn your supporters’ everyday shopping into free donations! Big brands want to give back to local groups and communities, that’s why they have partnered up with us, so when someone in your club community shops online, they send a percentage back of what’s been spent to your club for free.