13 Soccer Fundraising Ideas | Low-Cost & Creative
Fundraising for your soccer team shouldn’t feel like you’re chasing your own tail.
If you’re here, you’re likely looking for fundraising ideas that are simple, affordable, and, most importantly, effective. You don’t have time for melting chocolates, frozen food headaches, or overpriced catalog fluff. You want ideas that kids actually enjoy participating in, parents don’t dread promoting, and supporters feel good about backing.
7 Budget-Friendly Soccer Fundraising Ideas That Don’t Flop
If your team’s budget is tight (and let’s be honest, whose isn’t?), you need fundraising ideas that are low-risk, easy to pull off, and capable of bringing in real results. These seven tried-and-true ideas can be launched with minimal upfront cost and have the potential to generate anywhere from $500 to over $5,000, depending on your team’s size, effort, and creativity.
1. Youth Soccer Camp or Clinic
This one’s a triple win: your players gain leadership experience, younger kids get quality coaching, and your team earns serious funds. Have your older players run a weekend camp or a one-day clinic for elementary school kids in the area.
Let’s do some quick math:
- Charge $35 per camper × 30 kids = $1,050
- Teams often net $500–$1,200 for just a few hours of effort.
To build long-term support, offer a “Camper Night” at one of your team’s games, invite campers to wear their clinic T-shirts, join a halftime parade, or be ball runners. It creates buzz and builds loyalty that lasts beyond the fundraiser.
2. Shake-a-Can Donation Drive
It may sound old school, but we’ve seen teams raise $900 in just three hours standing outside a grocery store in uniforms with donation cans and big smiles. This works especially well for younger players, they’re adorable, and people can’t resist tossing in a few bucks.
Permits & Tips: Before setting up, check with the store manager and local ordinances. Some cities require a permit for public solicitation, while others allow it with store approval. Bring signage that clearly states your cause, and rotate shifts so kids stay enthusiastic.
3. Grocery Store Loyalty Programs
Programs like Kroger Community Rewards and Safeway Club Cards allow teams to earn a small percentage of what families already spend on groceries, no selling involved.
Once you register and encourage families to sign up, the money comes in year-round. Teams have reported earning $200–$1,000+ annually just by getting parents and grandparents onboard.
4. Fun Pasta Fundraiser
You know we had to mention this one, and not just because we’re biased.
Fun Pasta Fundraising is ideal for soccer teams because it checks every box:
✅ No melting or refrigeration (no chocolate bar disasters)
✅ Shelf-stable and made in the USA
✅ Custom online links for each player
✅ No upfront costs or minimum orders
We’ve helped teams raise $3,000 to over $9,000, with many earning more from pasta than they ever did with cookie dough. Plus, kids LOVE the soccer ball and sports-themed shapes, and parents love that it’s actually something they’ll use for dinner.
And yes, we pack and label every order for easy distribution, even for teams with 100+ players.
5. Parent vs. Player Game Night
Few things spark excitement like watching parents try to outrun their kids on the field. Host a casual scrimmage between parents and players, sell $5 tickets at the gate, and offer concessions.
Bonus Tip: Add a raffle table or a “goal shot” challenge where spectators pay $1 per kick. You can easily raise $500–$1,500 in one evening.
Worried about players who don’t help out?
Use a simple spreadsheet or online platform like Fun Pasta’s participant tracker to measure individual contributions. That way, credit is earned fairly, and team tension stays low.
6. Dine-to-Donate Events
Restaurants like Chipotle, Panda Express, and Applebee’s offer 10–30% of proceeds on fundraising nights. All you have to do is promote the event and get supporters to eat out.
To make it memorable:
- Have players greet guests at the door
- Wear uniforms or team T-shirts
- Bring printed flyers or QR codes to make tracking easier
It’s easy, low-effort, and can bring in $300–$1,000 in one night.
7. Car Wash + Goal Challenge
A car wash is a staple because it works. But let’s add a soccer twist.
Offer a free penalty kick with each wash. If they score, they win a prize (like a team sticker or raffle entry). You’ll raise money through wash donations and bring in extra tips from the fun factor.
Schedule smart: Spring and early fall work best. Avoid weekends that clash with PTA carnivals or school events to dodge the dreaded donor fatigue.
Creative Soccer Fundraisers That Keep Things Fun
When fundraising feels like a chore, participation drops. That’s why we always tell teams: make it fun, and the funds will follow. These three ideas are crowd-pleasers, especially with younger players, and they’re perfect for building team spirit while earning real money.
8. Skills Challenge
Want to light a fire under your team? Turn fundraising into a friendly competition.
In a soccer skills challenge, players collect pledges based on performance in fun events, fastest sprint, most juggles, hardest shot, or longest pass. It’s a great way to showcase individual talent, and families love watching the action.
So how do you keep kids excited?
Prizes and leaderboards. Create a real-time scoreboard, hand out small rewards (like team stickers or soccer socks), and recognize top scorers on social media. We’ve seen kids go all-out just for bragging rights!
Pro Tip: Combine this with a community night, parents cheer from the sidelines, and you can raise even more through ticket sales and concessions.
9. Easter Egg Scatter
This one’s a hidden gem, literally. In the weeks leading up to Easter, your team preps candy- or toy-filled eggs and offers to “scatter” them in neighborhood yards the night before Easter morning.
It’s adorable. It’s surprising. And it’s wildly popular with families who have younger kids.
- Cost is low, you can buy bulk plastic eggs and candy, or ask for donations.
- Charge $15–$25 per yard depending on how many eggs you deliver. Teams can raise hundreds or even thousands depending on local demand.
It’s also a great way to get the whole team involved, from stuffing eggs to nighttime delivery runs. (Just keep flashlights handy!)
10. Kick-a-Thon
If you’ve heard of a fun run, a kick-a-thon is its soccer sibling, with even more excitement for players and fans.
Here’s how it works:
- Each player gets pledges for goals scored
- Set up penalty shots or dribbling courses
- Track total kicks or goals over a timed session
The energy is contagious, especially when teammates cheer each other on and families are snapping pics from the sideline.
You can host this during an open practice, making it easy to fold into your existing schedule. It’s perfect for spring fundraising and often draws more enthusiasm than traditional sales-based events.
Want to turn it up a notch?
- Offer prizes for “most improved” or “most creative goal celebration.”
- Post highlight reels on your team’s social media to thank donors and boost visibility.
Smart Passive & Seasonal Fundraising Ideas
Some fundraisers work while you sleep, literally. If your team is maxed out on time and energy, these smart, low-effort fundraisers help you keep money flowing without constant hustle. Even better, they fit seamlessly into your soccer season and don’t require huge volunteer armies to succeed.
11. Used Book Sale
If you’ve got bookworms in your community (and let’s face it, most families have shelves full of forgotten paperbacks), this is an easy win.
How it works:
- Ask families to donate books they no longer need, children’s books, cookbooks, novels, you name it.
- Sort and price them, then host a one-day or weekend book sale in a school gym, cafeteria, or even your team’s practice facility.
Zero rental costs if you use school space, and volunteers can handle setup in just a few hours.
Pro Tip: Coordinate your calendar with the PTA. One of the most common mistakes we see? Overlapping events that leave families feeling tapped out. A little communication with your school’s leadership goes a long way in preventing fundraiser fatigue.
12. Sneaker Recycling Program
Cleats, sneakers, and athletic shoes pile up quickly, especially with fast-growing kids. Instead of tossing them, turn them into dollars.
How it works:
Partner with a sneaker recycling organization (like Sneakers4Funds or GotSneakers) that pays you per pound of donated shoes. All your team has to do is:
- Collect used (but wearable) sneakers
- Bag them
- Ship them out using provided labels
This one’s perfect for recreational teams and busy parents. No selling. No planning an event. Just raise money season-long by keeping a drop box at games and practices.
Bonus: It’s sustainable, socially responsible, and teaches players the power of giving back while raising funds.
13. Raffle with Donated Items
A well-run raffle is a community favorite, and it works every time because everyone loves the thrill of a good prize.
Start by reaching out to local businesses for donations. Think pizza places, hair salons, fitness studios, or even team parents who own small businesses. You’d be surprised how generous they can be when it supports a local team.
But what if you can’t land that big-ticket item?
Don’t sweat it. Some of the best raffles we’ve seen featured:
- Reserved parking for game day
- VIP seating at your team’s next match
- Branded team gear (custom socks, hoodies, water bottles)
- A “coach for a day” experience for younger siblings
Pro Tip: Sell tickets online using platforms like Givebutter or RallyUp to make buying easy and expand your reach beyond your immediate circle.
Raffles are a great way to build buzz and support, especially when paired with a live event like a scrimmage or end-of-season party.
How to Boost Participation (and Avoid Burnout)
Even the best fundraising ideas can fall flat if families feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how their efforts are making a difference. Over the years,we’ve learned that successful fundraisers don’t just rely on good ideas, they thrive when parents are empowered, communication is clear, and contributions are tracked fairly. Here’s how to keep your team energized without burning out.
Get Parents On Board Early
When parents feel like they’re “in the loop” from the start, they’re far more likely to help, and stick with it. That’s why we always recommend launching your fundraiser with visibility and excitement.
Open House Nights are the perfect place to preview what’s coming. Set up a table, display your product samples (especially if you’re doing a Fun Pasta Fundraiser, our shapes practically sell themselves!), and let families ask questions in person.
Then, keep momentum going with weekly email updates:
- Share how much you’ve raised so far
- Celebrate top sellers
- Highlight how close you are to hitting your goal
These little touchpoints create a sense of shared progress, and help families feel connected to something bigger than a single sale.
Avoid the “Fundraiser Fatigue” Trap
Here’s the truth: too many fundraisers can tank your results.
We’ve all seen it, teams run back-to-back events, families tune out, and sales plummet. The better approach? Quality over quantity.
Limit your season to 2–3 high-impact fundraisers that offer variety. For example:
- A skills-based challenge (high energy)
- A food fundraiser like Fun Pasta (high ROI)
- A passive option like grocery loyalty cards (low effort)
And don’t forget to coordinate with your school’s PTA. You don’t want to be selling pasta the same week they’re doing a cookie dough drive. It leads to donor fatigue, diluted sales, and less support all around. One quick email to the PTA leader can save a season’s worth of headaches.
Track Individual Contributions
Here’s a common frustration we hear all the time:
“A few kids did all the work, and everyone split the reward.”
That’s a recipe for resentment, and it’s completely avoidable.
Use platforms like Fun Pasta’s built-in seller tracking or tools like 99Pledges to monitor how much each player contributes. When everyone can see who’s selling and how it ties back to individual rewards (like travel stipends or spirit wear), things feel a lot more fair.
This not only motivates players to step up, but also helps coaches and leaders reward effort without drama.
Final Tips to Maximize ROI With Less Stress
If there’s one thing we’ve learned after helping thousands of groups raise money, it’s this: you don’t need 10 fundraisers to hit your goal. You just need 2 or 3 that actually work.
Let’s wrap things up with a few tried-and-true tips to get the most return on your efforts, with the least amount of stress.
Start with One Low-Risk Idea and Build Momentum
Don’t overwhelm yourself by launching three fundraisers at once. Start with one low-cost, high-return option, like a Fun Pasta Fundraiser, a youth clinic, or a kick-a-thon.
When that event goes well (and it will), you’ll gain energy, credibility, and parent buy-in. Then you can add a second or third effort with more confidence and support behind you.
Pair Passive Fundraisers with Active Events
The most efficient fundraising calendars include a mix of effort and ease. Think:
- A grocery loyalty program or sneaker recycling drive running in the background
- A team event like a car wash or Parent vs. Player Game that boosts community engagement
This way, you can still earn even when your team isn’t “actively” selling.
Double Down on What Works Year After Year
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every season. If your pasta fundraiser brought in $5,000 last year, run it again, and this time, build in what you learned:
- Launch earlier
- Offer prizes
- Add a kickoff night at practice
Same goes for raffles, book sales, and youth camps. Repeating success is a smart strategy.
Get Local Sponsors Involved
Never underestimate the power of a small business that loves your team. Offer tiered sponsorship options:
- Logo on jerseys
- Banner at games
- Shoutouts on social media and flyers
It builds community goodwill and takes pressure off your players to sell as much.
Celebrate Wins Loudly and Often
People give when they feel connected, and they stay engaged when they see results.
Send out short, regular email updates:
- “We just hit $2,000, thank you!”
- “Top seller this week: Ava with 14 orders!”
- “Only $500 left to reach our goal!”
Give social media shoutouts to supporters, businesses, and your MVP players. Gratitude goes a long way in turning one-time donors into lifetime fans.
Fundraising doesn’t have to be exhausting or overwhelming. When you focus on what’s simple, profitable, and fun, you raise more money, build more team spirit, and create moments your players (and parents) will actually remember.
So take a deep breath, pick your first idea, and let’s get the ball rolling. From one soccer-loving fundraiser to another, you’ve got this. And if you ever need a partner who makes things simple, fun, and profitable? You know where to find us.
Fundraising That Tracks Individual Sales
Our platform helps you monitor participation, reward your top sellers, and avoid conflicts over earnings. Great for teams raising money for uniforms, travel, or tournament fees.
Your team deserves a fundraiser that’s as rewarding as game day.