Dollars & Cents - Goals & Assists - Our Game

How do I run a profitable fundraising event?

How do I run a profitable fundraising event?
: Your first step is choosing what the event will be. It should be tailored to your particular community. more »; Related: How do I approach potential sponsors?; Related: Should I make fundraising mandatory?

How do I run a profitable fundraising event?: Your first step is choosing what the event will be. It should be tailored to your particular community.
How do I approach potential sponsors?: Most teams and leagues write a draft letter for potential sponsors. Make sure it introduces your league or team to the prospective sponsor, and outlines the benefits the organization will have in return.
How do I organize a profitable raffle?: Raffles are often held as fundraisers for teams and leagues.
How do I run a profitable "minor night" fundraiser?: With this type of fundraiser, the league comes to an agreement with a local junior team to buy tickets at a reduced rate.
How do I run a profitable drive-home program?: If you've decided to start a drive-home program, one way to let people know about it is to ask local businesses for free advertising as a donation to the league.
How do I organize a profitable lottery?: Planning your lottery should begin as close to the start of the season as possible. Having it too late could mean less profit for your league or team.
Should I make fundraising mandatory?: If your team or league is having difficulty attracting volunteers or making necessary profits, mandatory fundraising might be a good option for you.
Former NHLer overhauls struggling league: Former NHLer John Leblanc moved back to Campbellton, N.B. several years ago and became involved with the minor hockey organization there, but found their financial books in the red. He has since overseen a huge change in the league's fundraising structure.
The fundraising game plan: Given the costs, it's inevitable that teams and leagues will run fundraisers. Organizers from around the country weigh in on what works, and what doesn't.
'We basically sell our soul' to fundraise: The Whitehorse Mustangs are so far from other teams that they must get on a plane and fly 2,000 kilometres whenever they want to play a game. It's expensive, and with such a reliance on fundraising, the team has to get creative.

Dollars & Cents »

How do I run a profitable fundraising event?: Your first step is choosing what the event will be. It should be tailored to your particular community.
How do I approach potential sponsors?: Most teams and leagues write a draft letter for potential sponsors. Make sure it introduces your league or team to the prospective sponsor, and outlines the benefits the organization will have in return.
How do I organize a profitable raffle?: Raffles are often held as fundraisers for teams and leagues.
How do I run a profitable "minor night" fundraiser?: With this type of fundraiser, the league comes to an agreement with a local junior team to buy tickets at a reduced rate.
How do I run a profitable drive-home program?: If you've decided to start a drive-home program, one way to let people know about it is to ask local businesses for free advertising as a donation to the league.

Fitness & Fuel »

'How do I get that extra burst of skating speed?': Acceleration is key. Skating during a game isn't about how fast you are, but how quick you can be.
'What summer exercises can my son do to stay in shape?': All you need is a pair of wheels to stay in top shape when the snow's gone.
'What are the best post-game foods and drinks?': Not eating and drinking properly after a game or practice can make you more susceptible to injury and illness.
Sports drinks: not necessary for kids, but not necessarily evil: Studies have shown that kids will drink more if they're given fluid they like. Water is boring, and Gatorade, Powerade and AllSport come in all different colours and flavours.
Staying fit for credit: Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale, Alta., introduced a new hockey program this year, and the results have been better than expected.

The Equipment Guy »

'Concussions' new enemy' approved for use in Canada: A reader asks Our Game's equipment guy whether those Cascade helmets Mark Messier's been marketing really work, and if they can be worn in Canada.
Clearing the throat protector: Neck guards are a necessary part of hockey equipment, but it's hard to know when they needs to be replaced
Honing in on the skate stone: I just headed home, put the kit in the bag and forgot about it for a month.
Wearing the pants in the hockey family: Former Team Canada defenceman Geraldine Heaney knows what it's like to win Olympic gold and take home seven straight world championships. She also knows what it's like to fall on her backside on the ice while wearing hockey pants that offer little protection.
The bottom of the bag: After digging through my online equipment bag, I've discovered a few odds 'n ends at the 'bottom of the bag' thanks to some email replies and a personal equipment revelation that helped my daughter's cause between the pipes.