Every coach hates fundraising; it's just a matter of degree. Having 'served time' on the booster club, I know the drill. If every grain of sand in the Sahara had HATE written on it, it wouldn't be enough.
First, I'm not making recommendations and thankfully I was never in charge of the boosters, the banking, or anything. Second, comply with whatever the legal and tax regulations are in your community and state. Third, don't underestimate the time component needed as you won't be paid for it.
Not saying these ideas are comprehensive or the best. I believe there's merit in "reciprocation," provide some value for the donation. Possibilities are offered in no particular order.
1. Raffles $$ "You pays your money and you takes your chance." The mechanics are simple and you can offer a discount, a chance for a dollar, six for five dollars and so forth. I've seen "higher end" raffles where someone offers their beach or ski house for a weekend, so the "prize" has value. A "raffle basket" displayed at home games (with various items from lottery tickets to gift certificates) is the gift that keeps on giving.
Some well-attended events have 50-50 split cash raffles during games with winners announced during half-time.
2. Casino/Poker night $$$$ This is complicated and ideally should run with professional support. The operators may have a fixed fee or take a percentage. It won't be cheap. The organization splits the rest with the top players. Overhead (e.g. hall rental, law enforcement official) also comes into play.
3. Comedy club evening $$. Who doesn't enjoy a night out? Donors enjoy a show and dinner and pay extra for their donation.
4. Discount cards $$. Cards offer more value than a raffle and sell for a nominal "donation" (e.g. 10-20 dollars) and have removable 'tickets' for small discounts at area restaurants/shops.
5. Car wash $$$. In our community, you go to the high school and get your 'free' car wash (performed by the players) and make a donation. Why not sell raffle chances while you're at it?
6. Bake sale $. Cookies and cakes for cash.
7. Concessions $$. The Booster Club sells water, candy, and snacks (e.g. chips) at home games.
8. Freeze and bake cookies $$. Players sell frozen cookie dough of various types and profits on the difference between cost and charges. Think 'Cookie Girls' with better tasting cookies.
9. Program book $$$$. The program book contains coach, team, and player biographies along with photos. Assembly and printing aren't cheap. The income comes from advertising from local businesses (depends on the size of the ad) plus 'well wishes' from parents and relatives. You can charge (for example) for an eighth of a page (think business card), a quarter, half, or full page ad and extra for the back cover. Of course, somebody has to sell the ads, organize the book, the printing, and so forth. It's a lot of work but generates high revenue. "Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it."
10. Shooting contests $. Half-time shooting three-pointers for a dollar a chance and a t-shirt for a make. Not much bang for the buck.
11. In season (school vacation) basketball camp $$$$. Three or four day camp over February school vacation, operated by the coach and players (volunteers). There's a gym rental and custodian fees. If you're in a basketball hotbed, this is a high earner. Check out the insurance/liability implications. Dead in the water with COVID-19.
12. Restaurant sales $$. Arrange for a small percentage of takeout restaurant sales during a fixed date and time (e.g. a Tuesday 5-8 p.m.) for customers who designate themselves as event customers. The restaurant gets extra business and the Booster Club gets a boost. And sell more raffle tickets?
13. Canning $$. Think panhandling with coffee cans outside of popular local businesses. There's virtually no overhead and "player volunteer teams (two players)" collect donations for a couple of hours. This is my least favorite form of fundraising and I discourage it.
14. Alumni Game $$-$$$. Alumni donate to play and you may be able to attract fans willing to pay a nominal admission to watch "old timers." The alums get a T-shirt and get to see old friends. This combines fun and has potential if the fan interest is there. And sell concessions and more raffle tickets?
15. Miscellaneous. Maybe Bill Gates lives in your town. Or some lesser known luminary with deep pockets and a philanthropic bent. Gloucester, MA has "New Balance Field).
Where does the money go? The money can defray expenses of the end-of-year banquet, trophies and other awards, and swag (e.g. team sweatshirts, etc.). If you raise enough, you might earn capital equipment (e.g. a shooting machine, uniforms).
Lagniappe. You've all seen it or run it. Once in awhile it works.
2. Lagniappe 2. "Vaguely right beats precisely wrong." Mental models cross disciplines. Love or hate analytics? Beware precision.
