8 Summer Fundraising Ideas for Booster Clubs

Despite what you might think, fundraising activities during high school summer vacation can be lucrative events for booster clubs. Summertime activities help your organization maintain its programs, engage potential donors, and secure resources. All to help people from forgetting about your booster club for three months. Using the summer fundraising ideas that are popular help preserve continuity of your club’s activities, boost community involvement and support long-term group initiatives!

Challenges for Summer Booster Club Fundraisers

Fundraising during the long summer months has its challenges, like donor fatigue, competition for attention, and reduced volunteer availability. But proper planning will help you overcome these obstacles. The best approach is to maximize donor engagement through targeted communication. 

Newsletters, emails, and social media posts about your upcoming summer events help to ensure your potential donors know about your fundraising activities. Also, be sure to utilize summer fundraising ideas and strategies that take advantage of the season, weather, and are appealing to families who are often looking for activities to entertain their kids over the summer.

This guide presents eight effective, adaptable summer fundraising ideas to help booster clubs. Our suggestions are sure to inspire your creativity and empower you to achieve better engagement and additional fundraising throughout the summer season.

Before You Begin Summer Fundraising Campaigns

Careful planning is essential for any fundraising event, especially during the summer. You may have limited or no access to high school grounds and facilities, which could force you to seek alternative venues for indoor events, like performances, talent shows, auctions, etc. So think about the additional logistics, equipment, permits, and safety measures that may be necessary to pull off your indoor and outdoor fundraising ideas.

8 Sun-Kissed Summer Fundraising Ideas

Our eight scorching summer fundraising ideas will help your club make a big splash this summer. These creative, fun-in-the-sun drives will keep the momentum high and the funds flowing. First up is the trusted summer car wash—with a twist.

#1 Cash In With a Themed Car Wash

Washing cars is a welcome service, but it’s often boring to wait in line for your car’s turn. However, giving your car wash fundraiser a fun theme adds an element of amusement that can help to keep people engaged. A tropical beach theme is one example where volunteers dress in brightly colored Hawaiian shirts. Playing upbeat music and using props like beach balls and inflatable palm trees is guaranteed to grab the attention of passing drivers. Ideally, you want to be in a prominent location and be sure to advertise the event on social media and other club communications ahead of time.

#2 Community Garage/Yard Sale

Another great booster club fundraising idea is the garage or yard sale. As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. And it’s true; people never know what they might find. 

There are many creative ways to raise funds by finding ways to make your summer fundraisers more exciting and unique. You could consider a food stall or truck if it’s a sizable event. Another idea is to hold a raffle or auction for some of the high-value items people are looking to offload. 

And if you are offering any tools, DIY kits or demonstrations are certain to raise interest and boost sales.

#3 Fun Run, Walk, or Cycle

Events like fun runs, walks, and cycles are common. Still, you can make them more exciting with a few creative ideas. For instance, have live music along the route or interactive pit stops with games, challenges, and photo booths. Other popular ideas are food trucks, refreshment stations, and personalized medals or certificates. Lastly, ask local businesses to sponsor events, help advertise your activity, or donate prizes to generate extra interest.

#4 Outdoor Movie Night

Today, finding a digital projector that can put your movie on the side of a building or inflatable screen is not only easy, but relatively inexpensive. You can add to the experience by including themed decorations, outdoor lighting, and even by selling concessions in addition to tickets for your movie night fundraiser Additionally, you can hire a bartending service to serve alcoholic drinks or have an additional ticket parents can purchase to make the event BYOB. Encourage families to bring blankets, pillows, even bean bag chairs to increase the movie-going experience.

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Let’s pause for a moment to talk about outdoor safety precautions with summer fundraisers.

Summertime Outdoor Health & Safety Precautions

Outdoor group fundraising ideas during the summer is great fun. But as the organizer, you must prioritize safety. You will want to offer ways to protect your volunteers and attendees from common summertime issues like dehydration, mosquito bites, and sunburns. 

For outdoor events, provide shaded rest areas for helpers and guests alike. Encourage everyone to stay hydrated with water firstly and sports drinks second. These rest areas represent a fantastic opportunity to raise funds by selling cold drinks and cool treats.

Some examples of refreshing drinks to sell at fundraisers include:

1. Chilled water
2. Fruit-infused or flavored sparkling water
3. Coconut water
4. Herbal iced teas, e.g., mint, chamomile, hibiscus
5. Sports drinks, lemonade, and soft drinks
6. Watermelon juice or chunks
7. Aloe Vera juice

Remember that pets also need protection during hot weather events, so provide shaded areas with accessible drinking water. And be sure to display signs reminding guests to never leave animals unattended in vehicles.

OK, let’s return to our exciting summer fundraising ideas shortlist.

#5 Food Festival/BBQ

Organize a food festival featuring different cuisines and food vendors. Alternatively, keep things simple by showcasing and celebrating a particular cuisine, such as Thai food. You could gain a reputation for featuring new culinary cultures at different events. Invite local restaurants, food trucks, and caterers to present their specialties at your festival. Add further to the event with cooking demonstrations, live music, and a few food-related activities. Other ways to raise extra funds are to sell tickets for food or for attendees to pay an entry fee.

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With AIM’s comprehensive property insurance, securing your booster club’s equipment and supplies this summer break is easy. Our affordable coverage protects your property against theft or damage to equipment, whether owned or borrowed.

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#6 Booster Club Golf Tournament

The etiquette and rules surrounding golf make the sport come across as a tad stiff at times. That’s the last thing you want for an inclusive, fun golf tournament fundraiser. To help get non-golfers excited about your event, keep it sociable and add fun elements by hosting friendly competitions. 

Hosting a scramble, matching up players of different skill level into groups helps to keep fun for everyone. And, you can hold the interest of true golf lovers with course challenges like longest drive and closest-to-the-pin with small prizes for them to win. Hole-in-One challenges with a tempting grand prize is a surefire winner to attract amateurs and pros alike. Consider creating a mini-golf area at the course’s putting green for added fun. Also, strategically placed food and beverage stations are sure to boost your fundraising efforts.

#7 Summer Fundraising Excursions

Booster club summer excursions can be tremendous fun for all involved and have few limits other than your imagination. Furthermore, you can tailor activities based on age and fitness levels and charge participation fees accordingly. Think about thrilling destinations and activities, like water playgrounds and outdoor adventure centers.

You can also add hikes, waterfall visits, and fishing for a touch of nature. Activities like these make summer adventures unforgettable. Keep in mind that some events may require local guides, special gear, and first-aid-certified individuals for safety reasons.

#8 Summer Concert

A lively concert makes for a memorable finale to celebrate the end of summer vacation. A well-attended performance needs a lot of organizing, but the rewards can be great.

Concert fundraisers provide opportunities for raising money aside from ticket sales. There is the potential for sponsorships, concessions, merchandise sales, and other fundraising activities. You may want to collaborate with local venues and musicians if you plan for a high turnout and a stellar lineup. And consider exclusive perks like swag bags for the lead fundraisers—you get the idea.

These are just eight proven summer fundraisers, but there are many more. The tables below list other ideas to get you thinking as you prepare for the months ahead.

Conclusion of Summer Fundraising for Booster Clubs

Successfully managing your booster club’s summer fundraising ideas is challenging but rewarding. Coordinating events during the summer months requires extra advertising, communication, and seamless teamwork. And careful planning helps you overcome obstacles like donor fatigue and reduced volunteer availability. But with a trusted team of booster club members, you can relish these challenges and host lucrative events.

Remember, by implementing innovative ideas and involving potential donors, your club can maintain its presence and get the necessary resources to achieve its goals.