Sports teams rely on more than just talent, practice, and teamwork to succeed—they also need consistent funding. From uniforms and equipment to travel costs, tournament fees, and facility rentals, the expenses can add up quickly for youth sports teams, school sports teams, and community sports organizations. That’s why finding effective, engaging, and easy-to-run fundraising ideas for sports teams is so important.

One of the most popular and reliable approaches is hosting a sports fundraiser that directly involves athletes and highlights their skills. Not only do these events raise money, but they also strengthen team spirit and bring families, fans, and local supporters into the experience.

At GoPledge, we specialize in online fundraising for sports teams of all sizes. Our platform helps coaches, team managers, and parent volunteers run simple, digital-first fundraising campaigns that are easy to share and track. One of our favorite formats for youth sports fundraising and school team fundraising is the “-a-Thon” fundraiser.

Below, we’ll explore some of the best fundraising ideas for sports teams across a wide range of sports—from volleyball and cheerleading to basketball, soccer, and bowling—so you can find the perfect fit for your next campaign.

What Is an “-a-Thon” Fundraiser?

An “-a-Thon” fundraiser is a type of performance-based sports fundraising event where athletes collect pledges from sponsors. Donors agree to contribute a set amount for each action completed, such as each goal scored, basket made, serve landed, or rep lifted. Some sponsors prefer to give a flat donation, while others enjoy tying their support directly to the athlete’s performance.

This fundraising model works especially well for team sports fundraising because it’s flexible, measurable, and motivating. Athletes love seeing their progress, donors enjoy following along, and coaches appreciate how easily these events can be run during regular practice sessions.

Because these fundraisers work for almost any activity, they’re ideal for youth athletic fundraising, high school sports fundraising, and recreational league fundraising alike.

Volleyball Fundraising Ideas: Serve-a-Thon, Spike-a-Thon, Set-a-Thon

Volleyball teams are a natural fit for skill-based fundraising events. Turning practice into a volleyball fundraiser keeps costs low and participation high.

Serve-a-Thon: Players attempt as many successful serves as possible within a set time. Sponsors pledge per successful serve, making this a straightforward and popular volleyball team fundraising idea.

Spike-a-Thon: Track the number of successful spikes during a practice or event. Each spike earns additional donations for the volleyball team.

Set-a-Thon: Players complete as many accurate sets as possible, either individually or in pairs, creating friendly competition among teammates.

These volleyball fundraising ideas for sports teams encourage goal-setting and healthy rivalry while raising meaningful funds for equipment, tournament fees, and travel expenses.

Cheerleading Fundraising Ideas: Cheer-a-Thon and Sit-Up-a-Thon

Cheerleading teams thrive on energy, endurance, and performance, which makes them perfect candidates for interactive cheerleading fundraisers.

Sit-Up-a-Thon: Cheerleaders complete as many sit-ups as possible in a set time period. Sponsors donate per repetition or pledge a flat amount.

Cheer-a-Thon: Participants perform cheers or routines for a certain number of repetitions or minutes. Each performance earns additional funds for the team.

These types of cheerleading team fundraising events can easily be opened to spectators, turning the fundraiser into a mini showcase for families and friends.

Baseball Fundraising Ideas: Hit-a-Thon

Baseball fundraising ideas often focus on the core skills of the game, making them both practical and entertaining.

Hit-a-Thon: Players record the number of hits during a practice session or scrimmage. Sponsors pledge per hit or per successful contact.

Some teams also add pitching or fielding challenges to create a full baseball team fundraiser. These events help support league fees, new equipment, and travel costs throughout the season.

Basketball Fundraising Ideas: Shoot-a-Thon

Basketball fundraisers are among the most popular sports fundraising events thanks to their simplicity and excitement.

Shoot-a-Thon: Players attempt as many baskets as possible within a set time. Each made shot increases the total funds raised.

Free Throw Challenge: Focus on free throws or structured shooting drills to keep things organized and competitive.

Basketball team fundraising ideas like these are easy to promote online and perfect for livestreaming or sharing progress updates through social media and email.

Hockey Fundraising Ideas: Goal-a-Thon

Hockey teams can run fast-paced and engaging fundraising events centered on scoring and accuracy.

Goal-a-Thon: Track goals scored during practice, scrimmages, or friendly matches. Sponsors pledge per goal.

Penalty Shot Challenge: Each successful penalty shot raises additional funds.

These hockey fundraising ideas work well for both youth leagues and school teams looking to fund new gear or cover ice time costs.

Soccer Fundraising Ideas: Goal-a-Thon and Skill-a-Thon

Soccer fundraising is incredibly versatile, making it ideal for community sports fundraising programs.

Goal-a-Thon: Track goals scored over a game or training session.

Skill-a-Thon: Include dribbling courses, juggling challenges, or passing accuracy drills to create a more diverse fundraising event.

Soccer team fundraising events like these are easy to adapt for different age groups and skill levels.

Weightlifting Fundraising Ideas: Bench-a-Thon

Strength-based teams and athletic programs can use performance fundraisers to highlight physical progress.

Bench-a-Thon: Athletes complete as many bench-press reps as possible in a set time. Sponsors pledge per rep or total reps completed.

Some teams also add squat or deadlift variations to increase participation. These types of athletic fundraising events require supervision to ensure safety and proper form but can be highly effective for motivated groups.

Bowling Fundraising Ideas: Bowl-a-Thon

Bowling teams and recreational leagues benefit from one of the most classic sports fundraising ideas.

Bowl-a-Thon: Participants collect pledges per pin knocked down or receive flat donations for completing the event.

You can also host team brackets or family bowling nights to increase attendance and fundraising totals. Bowling fundraisers work well for schools, youth leagues, and community sports organizations alike.

Tips for Running Successful Sports Team Fundraisers

No matter which sport you choose, the following best practices can significantly improve your fundraising results:

• Use online fundraising tools to simplify donations and pledge tracking
• Set clear fundraising goals for the team and for individual athletes
• Encourage parents and athletes to share the fundraiser with friends and family
• Post progress updates to keep sponsors engaged
• Turn the event into a celebration with music, snacks, or friendly competitions

These strategies help maximize participation while reducing the workload for coaches and volunteers.

Why Online Fundraising Platforms Work So Well for Sports Teams

Modern sports fundraising has shifted online for good reason. Platforms like GoPledge remove the need for paper pledge forms, cash handling, or complicated spreadsheets.

With online sports fundraising tools, teams can:

• Accept donations securely from anywhere
• Track fundraising totals in real time
• Share campaigns through email and social media
• Support multiple sports fundraising ideas, from Serve-a-Thons to Bowl-a-Thons

This approach saves time, improves transparency, and helps teams raise more money with less stress.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re organizing a volleyball Serve-a-Thon, a basketball Shoot-a-Thon, a soccer Goal-a-Thon, or a bowling fundraiser, “-a-Thon” events are some of the most effective fundraising ideas for sports teams.

They motivate athletes, engage the community, and transform everyday practice into a meaningful way to support your program. With the right planning and an online fundraising platform like GoPledge, your sports team can cover expenses, strengthen team spirit, and focus on what truly matters—playing the game.

If you’re looking for easy, modern, and proven sports fundraising ideas, an “-a-Thon” fundraiser is a powerful place to start.