Fundraising is the lifeblood of most sports clubs – it provides the resources to develop new facilities, keep membership fees and events affordable, and in many cases, simply keep the lights on.
Every club has different goals when it comes to fundraising. Some may need to fund a new clubhouse or pitch, while others may focus on maintaining facilities or reducing running costs. Many clubs will have several fundraising goals at the same time, so it’s important to have a clear fundraising strategy to guide your efforts.
At Clubforce, we’ve helped clubs raise over €500 million and deliver incredible development projects, from new pitches to upgraded facilities. Drawing on this experience, we’ve developed a simple model to help clubs design a fundraising approach that works.
Our fundraising model has three levels: Pinnacle, One-Off, and Always-On fundraising.
1. Pinnacle Fundraising
Goal: Major club developments such as new facilities, pitches, or a clubhouse.
Methods: Large-scale prize draws, donation schemes, and grant applications. During a pinnacle campaign, other fundraising (particularly always-on) may be redirected towards this major project.
Effort level: High – pinnacle fundraising requires a coordinated club-wide effort with strong engagement from members, the wider community, and even former members.
2. One-Off Fundraising
Goal: Smaller projects such as new team kits, an overseas tour, or refurbishing facilities (e.g., repainting a changing room).
Methods: Sponsored events, ticketed social events, or a targeted push for one-off donations. These fundraisers may happen annually but usually not more than once per year for the same purpose.
Effort level: Moderate – one-off fundraisers require organisation but can be made easier with tools to manage payments and track sales.
3. Always-On Fundraising
Goal: Ongoing requirements such as facility maintenance, running costs, or keeping membership affordable.
Methods: Fundraising that provides recurring, regular revenue – for example, a club lotto, weekly draw, or 50/50 raffle.
Effort level: Low – always-on fundraising should be simple to manage, ideally using automation tools and auto-renewing ticket sales to reduce administration.
Building the Right Fundraising Mix for Your Club
By combining these three levels, clubs can create a balanced fundraising strategy that supports both day-to-day operations and long-term development goals.
At Clubforce, we work with clubs to:
- Identify fundraising goals
- Recommend the most effective fundraising methods
- Provide tools to make implementation simple and efficient
✅ Ready to strengthen your club’s fundraising strategy?
Get in touch with your Clubforce Account Manager today or email us to see how we can help your club raise more, with less effort.
