Other ideas for fundraising

[admin]

Beyond membership fees, grants, sponsorship, and function hire, there are heaps of other ways your croquet club can raise valuable funds for specific goals or just to boost the bank balance. Getting creative with fundraising can also be a great way to bring members together!

Here are a few ideas and tips to get you thinking:

Fundraising Ideas:

• Events:
  • Social Events: Special themed dinners, trivia nights, BBQs, high teas, or 'fun event' days with a small entry fee.
  • Tournaments/Competitions: Special fundraising tournaments with entry fees and maybe prizes donated by sponsors.
  • Guest Speaker Evenings: Invite a local personality or sports figure.
• Sales:
  • Club Merchandise: Selling branded clothing (shirts, hats), equipment, or other items.
  • Food & Drink Sales: Running a canteen or BBQ on game days or during events (check food safety rules!).
  • Bake Sales / Cake Stalls: A classic for a reason!
• Raffles & Competitions:
  • Raffles: Source donated prizes and sell tickets. (Check QLD regulations on raffles/art unions!).
  • 100 Club / Numbers Board: Members buy a number, regular draws for cash prizes.
  • Guessing Competitions: Simple and fun (e.g., guess the number of balls in a jar).
• Donations:
  • Direct Donation Drives: Ask members or the community for donations towards a specific project (e.g., new hoops, court repairs). Make it easy for people to donate online or at the club.
  • Australian Sports Foundation (ASF): Partnering with the ASF allows donations to your club's projects to be tax-deductible for the donor – a big incentive! Look into setting up a project page with them.

Tips for Successful Fundraising:

• Be Clear on the Goal: Let people know exactly what the funds are being raised for. They're more likely to contribute if they know the purpose.
• Plan Ahead: Organise your fundraising activities well in advance.
• Involve Members: Get members involved in planning and running activities – it builds ownership and spreads the workload.
• Promote It Well: Use your newsletter, website, social media, and club noticeboards to let everyone know what's happening.
• Make it Easy: Make it simple for people to participate or donate (e.g., easy payment options).
• Say Thank You! Acknowledge and thank everyone who contributes, volunteers, or donates prizes.
• Check Regulations: Be aware of any rules around raffles, food handling, or serving alcohol.

QLD Government Resource:

• Guide: QLD Gov Making Money guide (PDF) (Includes tips for successful fundraising)

A bit of creativity and good planning can make fundraising a really effective (and fun!) way to support your club.