Fundraising For Football Teams: 17 Ideas Teams Love

If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines juggling game schedules, booster emails, and a half-filled fundraiser sheet, you know one thing for sure: raising money for a football team isn’t easy.

Whether you’re a coach who just wants to get your players the gear they need, or a parent who’s stepped up because no one else would, you’re here because you’re looking for fundraising ideas that actually work.

Ideas that don’t flop. 

Ideas that don’t exhaust your team (or you). 

Ideas that feel doable, even when you’re short on time, energy, or volunteers.

You’ve come to the right place. After years of helping teams like yours meet their goals, we’ve seen what works and what flops.

This guide is your fundraising refresh, a lineup of high-profit ideas, fresh strategies, and one MVP fundraiser that might just change the game.

10 High-Profit Fundraisers That Aren’t Car Washes

Car washes? Been there. Done that. And let’s be honest, they can be a washout if the weather turns or your volunteers are already stretched thin.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 creative, high-profit football fundraising ideas that are low-stress, crowd-approved, and, most importantly, effective. Whether you’re a coach trying to outfit your team or a parent looking to lighten the financial load, these ideas are built to deliver.

1. Sell Discount Cards with Local Perks

Local businesses love the exposure, and families love saving money. Offer discounts to restaurants, salons, or shops, then sell the cards for a solid markup.

Pro tip: This cuts down on asking the same parents over and over. When the deal’s good, they’re buying for the savings, not just out of guilt.

2. 50/50 Raffles on Game Night

It’s classic for a reason. Sell tickets before kickoff and at halftime, half the pot goes to the winner, the other half to your team.

One parent can run this with a roll of tickets and a sharpie. That’s fundraising with minimal manpower.

3. Host a Pancake Breakfast

Rent out the school cafeteria or partner with a local diner on a slow morning. Charge per plate and invite the whole community.

Short shifts + happy stomachs = a volunteer win. Add raffles or sponsor tables for extra revenue.

4. Run a Kids’ Football Camp

Let your varsity players lead drills for elementary-age kids. Charge a registration fee, offer a free T-shirt, and watch the sign-ups pour in.

Bonus: Players who coach can earn fundraising credit, a great way to motivate those who aren’t into sales.

5. BBQ Tailgate Plate Fundraiser

Pre-sell tickets for pulled pork or chicken plates, then hand them out before the game in a “drive-thru” style setup. Easy pickup, delicious food, built-in crowd.

Great for towns where game night is the social event.

6. Reverse Raffle or Bingo Night

Instead of picking a winner first, you draw names until only one remains. The last ticket holder wins a big prize. Add side games and concessions to boost profit.

Worried about managing ticket sales or payments? Use online tools to handle logistics, even if they take a small cut, they’ll save you hours and headaches.

7. Football-Themed Trivia Night

Create teams (parents vs. players, anyone?), write football-themed questions, and charge an entry fee. Add a snack bar or silent auction for extra fun..

8. Sell Team Calendars with Player Photos

Feature action shots, senior spotlights, and sponsor shout-outs. Add game dates and school events for extra appeal.

Fans love keepsakes, and this one’s easy to print and sell at booster meetings or concession stands.

9. Helmet Decal Tribute Program

Let supporters honor loved ones with “In Memory Of” or “Go #22!” decals on player helmets. Simple to offer, and incredibly meaningful.

Emotional fundraising works, and this one’s powerful for players and fans alike.

10. Rent-a-Player Day

Need yard work done? Leaves raked? Tech help with your phone? Let your football players offer their services in exchange for donations.

It’s creative, builds community bonds, and teaches players how to give back.

Fresh Fundraising Ideas Coaches and Parents Swear By

Need to shake things up? These ideas go beyond the basics and come straight from teams who’ve tried them, loved them, and raised more with less stress. They’re smart, modern, and built for today’s busy schedules and stretched budgets.

11. Touchdown Club Memberships

This one’s a game-changer. Instead of running four different fundraisers a season, offer a membership model where supporters get perks, early game access, reserved seating, shout-outs, even exclusive merch.

One big campaign can replace three small ones, saving your sanity and raising more money upfront.

12. Powder Puff Game + Merch Sales

This one draws a crowd every single time. Host a powder puff game (players and cheerleaders swap roles), then sell themed T-shirts or buttons to match.

It’s fun, it’s hilarious, and it raises money while giving the whole community something to rally around.

13. Dog Washes > Car Washes in Pet-Loving Towns

If your town’s obsessed with dogs (and let’s be honest, most are), a dog wash fundraiser can bring in more people and more donations than a traditional car wash.

14. Digital Donation Pages for Each Player

Here’s how you stop chasing envelopes: give each player their own fundraising link with their name, picture, and a team goal tracker. Friends and family can donate directly by credit card, no cash handling, no order forms.

Out-of-town relatives? Covered.

This one replaces multiple small fundraisers and builds team accountability.

16. Online-Only Gift Drives

Prefer no inventory, no packing, no in-person anything? Run a 100% online fundraiser selling gift sets or team gear. Customers shop online, items ship directly to them.

Why Fun Pasta Fundraising Scores with Football Teams

If you’re looking for a football fundraiser that doesn’t burn out your volunteers, bore your players, or melt in the sun, Fun Pasta Fundraising just might be your new MVP.

We’ve spent over 20 years helping teams raise money with a product that’s fun, family-friendly, and easy to sell. Here’s why our partners keep coming back, season after season:

Built for Busy Coaches and Tired Parents

You’re already juggling practice schedules, game plans, and booster meetings, fundraising shouldn’t add more stress to your plate.

✅ No chasing down checks
✅ No melting chocolate or frozen goods to manage

Designs Fans and Families Love

We offer pasta in all kinds of shapes, from footballs and helmets to princess pasta and zoo animals.

Tip: Hosting a chili cook-off or concession stand? Pair it with football pasta for a fun, themed meal. It’s a simple upsell that scores big with hungry fans.

Every Player Gets a Custom Online Link

You give us your roster, we generate branded sales pages for each player. It’s quick, clean, and comes with built-in tracking.

Sell Nationwide, Not Just Next Door

Tired of asking the same five families to support every fundraiser?

Thanks to our shelf-stable, non-perishable products, your team can raise money from relatives, friends, and alumni anywhere in the country, without worrying about product spoilage.

Wondering “How do I stop hitting up the same parents again?”

Here’s your answer: expand your reach, effortlessly.

Motivates Players with Easy Wins

Our platform makes it simple to track sales in real time, which makes incentives more fun and more fair.

Whether it’s “top seller becomes honorary team captain” or a pizza party for the first position group to hit their goal, your players will be pumped to participate.

And the best part? You don’t need to micromanage anything. We’ve built our tools to empower leaders and lighten the lift.

Don’t Fumble Your Next Fundraiser

Let’s make this your easiest, most successful season yet.