School budgets almost never cover the gap. That leaves booster clubs, coaches, and parents scrambling to fill it every single season.
This guide breaks down the fundraising ideas that actually move the needle: product sales, community events, quick low-lift options, and online tools. Whether your squad has three volunteers or thirty, there's something here your team can run without burning everyone out.
Key Takeaways
- Match the fundraiser to your team's time and volunteer availability
- Candy sales require minimal coordination and deliver solid margins
- Pair one passive fundraiser with one event-based effort each season
- Promote through social media, flyers, and newsletters to maximize reach
Product Fundraisers That Sell Themselves
Product fundraisers stay popular for a simple reason: there's no event to plan. No renting a venue, no scheduling volunteers for a Saturday shift, no weather worries. Just a brochure, a list of orders, and a handoff.
A 2023 survey of 461 school-connected respondents found that 58.53% of schools used third-party product sales, nearly matching the 60.10% that ran social events. (Source: Cheddar Up 2023 School Fundraising Report) For cheer squads specifically, product sales offer a proven, low-effort option that fits between practices and competitions.
How the Brochure Model Works
Each squad member takes an order brochure and sells to family, friends, and neighbors. Here's the typical flow:
- Distribute brochures to every athlete on the roster
- Collect orders and payment upfront: buyers pay when they order, not on delivery
- Submit total orders to your distributor once the sale window closes
- Receive product and hand it out to buyers
Because the team collects money before paying wholesale cost, there's no upfront inventory risk. That's a big deal for booster clubs working with tight cash flow.
Van Wyk Confections as a Turnkey Option
Van Wyk Confections, a family-owned fundraising supplier based in Castle Rock, Colorado, has run this model since 2000. Their lineup includes:
- Original ONE DOLLAR BAR: a $1 chocolate bar with retail-level appeal
- Chocolatiers Premium Chocolate Bars: a step-up option for squads wanting a higher price point
- Sweet & Salty Pretzel Rods and Twists: individually wrapped, peanut-free and gluten-free
- Gourmet Popcorn: multiple flavors for broader appeal
- Famous Fortune Cookies: a novelty option that stands out from typical candy bars
Squads keep 40-50% profit on sales, with just a 1-case minimum order and shipping from more than 10 warehouses nationwide. There's no need to guess inventory months in advance.
Snacks, Discount Cards, and Allergy Considerations
Popcorn and snack fundraisers work as a variation on the candy bar model, often appealing to buyers looking for a savory option instead of sweet. Discount card fundraisers offer a longer runway: groups have historically bought cards for $5 or less and resold them for $10, splitting the discount with local partner businesses. (Source: PTO Today discount card guide)
For squads selling in diverse school communities, peanut-free and gluten-free options (like Van Wyk's Pretzel Rods) reduce the risk of turning away buyers with allergy concerns.
Community & Event-Based Cheer Fundraisers
Event-based fundraisers do double duty. They raise money and put your squad in front of the community, which matters if you're recruiting or building booster support for next season.
Cheer Clinics and Mini Cheer Camps
Host a half-day clinic for younger kids in the district. Squad members teach basic cheers and stunts for a registration fee, then close with a mini performance for parents. It's low-cost to run and builds a pipeline of future athletes who already know your squad.
Showcases, Car Washes, and Spirit Nights
- Cheer showcase or talent show — sell tickets and concessions, invite a guest act like a band or dance team to boost turnout
- Car wash — pick a high-traffic corner lot, offer tiered wash packages (basic, deluxe, detail), and set out a tip jar
- Restaurant spirit night — a local restaurant donates a share of one evening's sales to your squad; MOD Pizza's fundraiser program, for example, returns 20% of net eligible sales
Raffles and Basket Auctions
Collect donated prizes from local businesses and sell raffle tickets at tiered pricing (say, $5 for one or $20 for five) to maximize participation. One note here: raffle rules vary widely by state, and even modest proceeds can trigger reporting requirements. Check your state's guidelines, like this raffle guidance from the Council of Nonprofits, before selling tickets.
Quick & Low-Lift Fundraising Ideas
Not every season has room for a big event. These ideas take an afternoon, not a weekend.
- 50/50 raffle at games — split the pot between one lucky winner and the team; repeatable at every home game
- Candy-grams and spirit-grams — sell individually wrapped candy bars or treats around Valentine's Day or homecoming; cheap to produce, and they spread school spirit while raising steady small amounts
- Bake sale with a cheer twist — megaphone-shaped cookies, pom-pom cupcakes, anything that ties the classic bake sale to your team's brand
According to a WJHG report on the fundraiser, one Florida cheer team ran a bake sale specifically to help cover hotel rooms and registration for a national competition trip. It's a small-dollar idea, but it adds up when repeated through the season.
Online & Virtual Fundraising Options
Local fundraising has a ceiling. Online options extend your reach to alumni, out-of-town grandparents, and social media followers who'll never buy a chocolate bar in person.
Donation Pages and Spirit Wear
A team donation page or crowdfunding campaign lets supporters give from anywhere. Digital fundraising platforms have scaled fast: a Snap! Raise report found more than 150,000 teams and groups have collectively raised over $1 billion since 2014.
That's not a cheer-specific figure, but it shows how much traction online giving has gained across youth sports.
Selling custom spirit wear — team T-shirts, hats, or hoodies — through an online store generates ongoing income while building team pride. It's a fundraiser that doubles as free advertising every time someone wears the shirt.
Donations Built Into Registration
Many registration platforms let you add an optional donation field directly at checkout. It's friction-free: parents who are already paying registration fees can add a few extra dollars without a separate ask.
Tips for Running a Successful Cheer Fundraiser
The idea matters less than the execution. A few practices separate fundraisers that hit their goal from ones that fizzle out.
- Match the fundraiser to your volunteer capacity: a car wash needs a dozen hands; a product sale needs none
- Rotate fundraiser types by season to keep the same parents from burning out on one task year after year
- Pair one passive fundraiser (product sale) with one event per season for balance between profit and community engagement
- Promote every fundraiser everywhere, including social media, flyers, and school newsletters, and be transparent about exactly what the money will cover
That last point matters more than most squads realize. Parents give more willingly when they know their $20 is going toward a specific competition fee, not a vague "team fund."
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I raise money for cheerleading?
Combine product sales, community events like car washes or clinics, and an online donation page. Most squads start with one or two ideas per season rather than trying everything at once.
What kind of fundraisers bring in the most money?
Product fundraisers with strong margins, paired with community events tied to games or school gatherings, tend to perform best. Consistency and promotion matter just as much as the fundraiser itself.
What are some creative fundraising ideas?
Themed candy-grams and custom spirit wear sales give your squad a fresh spin on classic fundraisers. A cheer showcase night can add another layer of excitement beyond a typical bake sale.
What is the easiest fundraiser for a cheer team to run?
Product-based fundraisers, like chocolate bar or snack sales, need the least setup. There's no event to plan, just brochures to hand out and orders to collect.
How much money does a cheer team typically need to raise?
Season costs vary widely, but some program packets show monthly fees ranging from roughly $320 to $450, before travel and postseason costs. Your squad's actual goal depends on size, division, and competition schedule.
How can a cheer team raise money online?
Set up a donation page, sell spirit wear through an online store, or add an optional donation field to your registration form to reach supporters beyond your local community.
