Basketball Fundraising Ideas | Easy, Profitable & Fun
Team travel, uniforms, and gym rentals add up fast, and most coaches don’t have time for complex fundraisers that flop. In this guide, we’ll show you fun, fast, and family-approved ways to raise money and rally your community.
We’ll cover the top 10 basketball fundraising ideas and tips to maximize your earnings. Whether you’re a first-time organizer or a seasoned PTO pro, you’ll leave with a game plan that works.
Looking for an easy win? Fun Pasta Fundraising is designed to help youth sports teams earn big with custom online links, tracked sales, and shelf-stable products your fans will actually use.
Ready to explore the best ideas for 2025 basketball fundraising? Let’s dive in.
Top 10 Easy & Profitable Basketball Fundraising Ideas
We’ve had the joy of working with basketball teams across the country for over 20 years, and we know one thing for sure: the best fundraisers are the ones that bring your team and your community together.
Whether you’re raising money for travel, uniforms, or tournament fees, these ideas are designed to be simple, profitable, and full of heart.
1. Three-Point Shootout Event
Host a community-wide shootout in your school gym or local rec center. Charge a small entry fee and let participants compete for fun prizes. You can spice things up with a dunk contest or trick shots.
Bonus: Post highlights on social media. A few trick shots or buzzer-beaters could go viral and bring in extra donations!
2. Host a Local Basketball Tournament
Set up a weekend tourney with bracket-style matchups and charge entry fees for participating teams. Add snack booths, spirit gear, and music to create a full event experience.
Tip: Award a trophy for “Best Team Name” to keep things light and fun.
3. Fun Runs & Walk-a-Thons
Sometimes, simple really is best. Participants collect pledges per lap or mile, then walk or run as a team. Use platforms like 99Pledges or GoFundMe to track everything digitally.
4. Custom T-Shirts with Bonfire
No inventory? No problem. Bonfire lets you design shirts online and ships directly to your supporters. Let your players vote on a design to boost ownership and make promotion a breeze.
Pair it with a “Team Spirit Week” at school to increase visibility and sales!
5. Pancake Breakfast or Chili Cook-Off
Breakfast with a purpose! Host a Saturday morning pancake feast or a cook-off where local families or restaurants can compete for “Top Chef.”
Upsell extras like coffee or raffle tickets. And don’t forget a donation jar front and center; it always works wonders!
6. Youth Basketball Camp
Have your team run a mini-camp for younger kids in the community. Teach fundamentals, run drills, and finish with a scrimmage. It’s a great way for older players to give back and for younger kids to look up to future role models on the court.
7. Bake Sale + Car Wash Combo
Two classics = one powerful event. While players wash cars, volunteers run a delicious bake sale nearby. It’s a win-win (and smells amazing).
Pro Tip: Set up a QR code so supporters can pay with Venmo or PayPal. No cash? No problem!
8. Restaurant Profit-Share Nights
It’s dinner out and a fundraiser! Partner with local restaurants that give a portion of proceeds back to your team. These work; you just need to be sure to spread the word early.
Flyers, emails, and a big team presence at the restaurant can really boost turnout.
9. 50/50 Raffle at Every Game
Raffles are quick to organize and bring instant excitement. Half of the prize goes to the lucky winner, half to your team.
Make it even easier by allowing donations via QR code or Venmo. More ways to give = more giving!
10. Dog Wash Event
Grab some soap, set up some hoses, and offer a puppy spa day. You can sell team-branded dog bandanas, homemade treats, or even offer a photo booth for pets.
It’s fun, family-friendly, and very shareable online!
10 Tips to Maximize Fundraising Success
See how Fun Pasta Fundraising helped Batavia High School’s basketball team meet its goals.
We’ve helped plenty of teams across the country turn small efforts into big wins, and we’ve learned a thing or two along the way! Whether you’re a seasoned team mom or planning your very first fundraiser, these tips are designed to help you raise more while keeping the process fun and stress-free.
1. Avoid “Panhandling in Disguise”
We’ve all seen it, kids standing outside stores with a bucket, not really sure what they’re fundraising for. And let’s be honest, it makes people uncomfortable.
Supporters want to give, but they also want to feel confident about where their money is going.
Instead of vague asks, use signs, team apparel, and messaging that clearly explains your goal. When people know who you are and what you stand for, they’re more likely to give generously and feel good doing it.
2. Be Transparent About Where Funds Go
One of the biggest trust-builders is simply being honest. Let supporters know exactly how their donations will be used: uniforms, travel fees, new basketballs, tournament entry, whatever it may be.
You’d be amazed how many people are willing to help when they understand the need. A short sentence like “Every dollar goes toward getting our team to state finals” makes a huge difference.
3. Use Both Online and Offline Tools
We love QR codes, Venmo, and easy digital forms, but don’t forget about Grandma and Grandpa! Keep a few printed flyers and cash options available, especially for in-person events.
A mix of old-school and new-school makes your fundraiser more accessible to everyone, and more inclusive always means more support.
4. Engage the Team in Planning
When players are involved in planning and promoting the fundraiser, they own it. They share it more, talk about it with pride, and rally their families and friends.
Let them help design the flyer, brainstorm names for a chili cook-off, or film a silly promo video. When they’re part of the process, magic happens.
6. Pre-Promote, and Then Follow Up
A successful fundraiser doesn’t start when the event begins, it starts before. Use your email list, school newsletter, and social channels to build excitement early.
And don’t forget the follow-up! A simple reminder boosts donations by over 20%. Sometimes people only need a gentle nudge and a “last chance” heads-up.
7. Offer Tiered Rewards
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone! Recognize your top fundraisers with small perks, free practice gear, shout-outs at the next game, or even silly awards like “Team Hype Champion.”
It keeps kids engaged and helps push your total higher without adding pressure.
8. Create a Sense of Urgency
Limited-time campaigns work better than open-ended ones. They help your team focus and give supporters a reason to act now, not “someday.”
Try using countdowns, themed weeks, or a goal tracker thermometer to build excitement and momentum.
9. Combine Incentives for Maximum Impact
Stack your strategies! Hosting a tournament? Add a raffle table and a merch booth. Combining experiences with products is a smart way to boost your ROI and make the most of every gathering.
10. Use Testimonials and Reuse Content
Did a parent say your pasta was the hit of their dinner party? Snap a photo. Did last year’s camp sell out in 24 hours? Mention that!
Sharing real stories, photos, and outcomes builds credibility, and makes supporters feel like they’re part of something that works.
When it comes down to it, fundraising success is about raising confidence, connection, and community. That’s what we strive for every day, and we’re thrilled to support you on your journey.
Win On And Off The Court
You need a fundraiser that won’t flop mid-season. One that doesn’t melt, spoil, or weigh down your volunteers with extra work. That’s where we come in.
Fun Pasta Fundraising was made for busy teams like yours. We’ve helped thousands of sports groups hit their goals with:
- Shelf-stable, made-in-the-USA pasta in fun shapes.
- 50% profit on every sale, no confusing cuts or fine print.
- Online tools that track individual sales, send reminders, and make participation simple.
No freezers. No chocolate puddles. No awkward door-knocking. Just an easy, profitable fundraiser your team, and your supporters, will actually enjoy.
Whether you’re raising funds for new uniforms, tournament travel, or next season’s gear, Fun Pasta Fundraising makes it fun, fast, and totally doable.
Ready to tip off your best season yet? Request info today. We’ll bring the pasta, you bring the hustle.