Hockey Fundraising Ideas: 13 Ways To Raise Money
If you’re a hockey parent or coach, you already know, this sport isn’t cheap. Between travel weekends, tournament fees, uniforms, and gear upgrades (why do they grow out of skates so fast?), the costs stack up fast.
And the fundraising load?
It usually falls on the same handful of super-dedicated parents juggling emails, spreadsheets, and snack shack shifts.
It feels like you’ve tried everything to raise money. It’s hard to get your players to fundraise between school and practice. And how do you include players whose families can’t afford the extras?
You’re not alone in asking. But the good news is there are plenty of fundraising opportunities for hockey teams that work (and you haven’t tried yet).
Fundraising for Hockey Teams: The Basics
Photo Source -> Augusta University
Before diving into ideas that work, it’s worth stepping back to understand why some fundraisers miss the mark. If your last effort felt like more stress than success, you’re not alone.
Let’s look at the pitfalls that leave teams spinning their wheels, and how to avoid them this season.
Why Most Fundraisers Fall Flat
We’ve seen a lot of teams hit roadblocks when it comes to fundraising, not because they aren’t trying hard enough, but because the plan wasn’t quite built to win. It’s usually one of these three culprits:
- No clear goal. If families don’t know what they’re raising money for, or how much you need, it’s hard to get them on board.
- Low-profit or high-hassle products. Some fundraisers sound good at first… until you’re stuck selling frozen cookie dough in May or splitting a tiny cut from sales that barely cover the effort.
- Volunteer overload. Coaches and parents already wear 12 hats. Fundraisers that require weeks of planning, complicated logistics, or late-night packing sessions? That’s a fast track to burnout.
How much effort does it take?
That depends on what you choose. The right fundraiser shouldn’t eat up your evenings or require every parent to take a shift. There are options that fit into real life, not the Pinterest version of it.
What Makes a Fundraiser Actually Work
A great fundraiser doesn’t just raise money, it builds momentum. The kind that gets parents saying, “That was easy,” instead of, “Never again.”
Here’s what we’ve learned after working with thousands of teams over the past 20+ years:
- Pick a product people actually want to buy. If it’s fun, useful, or just plain delicious, your players’ friends and family will be happy to support the team, and might even come back for more.
- Make it easy to share. Whether it’s a custom online link or a flyer tucked into a lunchbox, your fundraiser should be simple to pass along to coworkers, neighbors, and grandparents three states away.
- Keep logistics light. The best fundraisers don’t require hours of admin work. They come with built-in tracking tools, pre-sorted orders, and support that doesn’t leave team leaders guessing.
13 Hockey Fundraising Ideas
Some of the best results come from events that bring your team and community together. These ideas are fun, memorable, and build team spirit while raising money. Let’s kick things off with some crowd-pleasing community events.
Events That Rally the Community
Sometimes, the best way to raise money is to bring people together, off the ice. These ideas are easy to customize and create the kind of energy that gets families excited to show up and pitch in.
- Car Wash at the Rink or Gas Station: All you need are buckets, sponges, and your team in jerseys. It’s low-cost, high-visibility, and gets the whole crew involved.
- Pancake Breakfast on Tournament Mornings: You’ve got early games anyway, why not feed the fans? Set up in the rink lobby or a local church hall. Families are happy to pay a few bucks for hot pancakes and coffee.
- Night at the Races: Think horse racing meets bingo night. Set up a projector, sell betting slips, and let the video races roll. It’s social, silly, and surprisingly competitive. Great for parents and community members who want a night out.
- Silent Auction at a Team Banquet: Gather donated items from local businesses, gift cards, lessons, gear, and display them during your next team event. Bonus: it turns a regular banquet into a major fundraiser.
- Pub Night or Bowling Night for Parents: Partner with a local venue and ask for a share of the sales or a waived rental fee. Add a few raffles or games to boost revenue, and let parents unwind together.
- Family Fun Day with Face Painting and Games: Plan a community day with simple carnival-style games, food trucks, or a bake sale. Charge admission or sell activity tickets to keep it structured and fun.
Modern, Low-Lift Ideas for Busy Teams
Fundraising doesn’t have to mean car washes every weekend or door-to-door sales after practice. These ideas are perfect for teams that want maximum return with minimal lift, especially when time and volunteers are in short supply.
- Used Equipment Sales: Hockey gear isn’t cheap, and kids outgrow it fast. Hosting a gently-used equipment sale helps new families save while your team earns. It’s a win-win that builds goodwill.
- Team Sponsorship Packages for Local Businesses: Offer tiered packages that include perks like logos on jerseys, rink banners, social media shoutouts, or mentions in newsletters. Local businesses love supporting youth sports, especially when they get visibility in return.
- Online Crowdfunding Campaigns: Whether you’re heading to a big out-of-town tournament or trying to fund new uniforms, crowdfunding platforms let you tell your team’s story and reach beyond your immediate circle.
- Football Squares During the Stanley Cup Finals: Use a classic Super Bowl-style squares game and adapt it for the NHL playoffs. It’s simple to run, fun to play, and raises quick cash with little setup.
- Social Media Bingo Boards: Turn fundraising into a team challenge. Create a bingo-style board with donation amounts or tasks (like “share your pasta link” or “ask a grandparent to donate”). Players compete to complete squares and fill boards.
- Donation Buttons on Registration Forms: Add a “donate” option when families sign up for the season or events. It’s the moment when they’re already invested, and a few extra dollars from each family can go a long way.
- Facebook/Instagram Fundraising Challenges: Host lighthearted, shareable challenges like “Score for Snacks” (film your best trick shot) or “Shootout Showdown” (most creative save). Pair them with donation links and let the fun go viral.
Put The “Fun” into Fundraising with Pasta
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Let’s talk about a fundraiser that surprises people, in the best way. We like to say it’s not your grandma’s fundraiser, even though grandma will probably love it too.
We’ve helped countless teams raise serious money with a product that’s equal parts practical and playful. Why? Because pasta works. Not just any pasta, fun-shaped, long-lasting, made-in-the-USA, easy-to-sell pasta.
Why Pasta Fundraisers Work
- No refrigeration needed. You don’t have to worry about melting chocolate or keeping things on ice. Perfect for hockey families who are constantly on the go.
- Long shelf life. Run your fundraiser any time of year, without stressing about expiration dates or spoilage.
- Hockey-themed shapes? Yes, please. We have sports shapes, seasonal shapes, even school spirit sets. It’s food that makes people smile.
- Easy online ordering. Every player gets a unique link they can share with friends, family, or coworkers. Orders ship in a few days!
- Made in the USA. Healthy. Affordable. Parents feel good about buying it, and teams keep more of the profit.
- Orders tracked by seller. You can track your orders by hockey player and see who sells how much/.What if some parents don’t want to participate?
This can be frustrating but there are easy work arounds to get high participation. Pasta fundraisers are flexible, parents can simply share their child’s link on social media or in a group text. No door knocking, no pressure. It’s inclusive by design.
Whether you’re a single travel team or part of a bigger hockey club, pasta delivers the kind of fundraising experience that’s low-stress, high-reward, and surprisingly fun.
Want Pasta to Work Even Better? Combine These Smart Moves
This is where you can make it fun and memorable. A strong fundraiser doesn’t just run itself, but with a few smart tweaks, it can feel like it does. These simple strategies can turn great results into record-breaking ones.
- Set Up a Sample Table at the Rink: Show off the product in action. When families see the colorful pasta shapes, and maybe even taste a batch of pasta salad, they’ll be the ones asking, “Where do I buy this?”
- Offer Simple Incentives for Players: Motivation doesn’t have to cost much. A team pizza party, gift cards, or even a “no practice laps” reward can fire up participation, especially with younger players.
- Use Progress Emails to Keep Everyone Engaged: Weekly updates like “We’re 60% to goal!” or “Top Seller this week: Tyler from U10!” keep families connected and motivated. It builds momentum and a little friendly competition.
- Use Sales Tracking for Fair Fund Splits: Fun Pasta’s built-in tools make it easy to see who sold what. Whether you’re applying profits toward travel, gear, or individual player accounts, the tracking’s already done for you.
- Promote on Social Media with Ease: We provide pre-made graphics you can plug into your team’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Sharing is easy, and it helps your players reach supporters near and far.
Ready to Raise More With Less Stress?
You don’t need a massive parent committee or a full-blown event calendar to run a successful fundraiser. You just need a product that works, tools that make your life easier, and a team that’s cheering you on every step of the way.
At Fun Pasta Fundraising, that’s what we’re here for. We believe fundraising can be fun, rewarding, and even a little delicious. With no contracts, no minimums, and pasta that practically sells itself, we’d love to help your hockey team hit its goals, on and off the ice.