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Getting Started with Fundraising

One of the biggest challenges facing coaches and outdoor education leaders is finding enough funding to support their programs. Whether you're raising money for equipment, travel expenses, special events, or program improvements, successful fundraising can make a significant difference.

I have been an educator for more than 30 years, spending the first 20 years in public schools as both a teacher and coach. During that time, I taught students at every grade level and coached more than ten different sports teams. No matter the sport, one responsibility seemed to be shared by every head coach: fundraising.

Although fundraising was not my favorite part of the job, I quickly learned that no college course had prepared me for it. Like many educators and coaches, I learned through experience, trial and error, and a willingness to try new ideas.

Most of us are familiar with traditional fundraisers such as cookie dough sales, candy bars, discount cards, and holiday products. The challenge is that every team, club, and organization is often selling the same items at the same time. Early in my coaching career, I began searching for fundraising opportunities that were unique, required minimal investment, and generated strong results.

Over the years, I found several approaches that worked well for my teams and discovered others that have great potential for outdoor education programs. The following fundraising ideas can help your organization reach its financial goals while avoiding some of the common fundraising challenges.

Archery Tournament Ideas

NASP Team Tournament

One of the most successful events my team hosted was a unique NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) tournament that differed from the traditional competition format. Instead of competing individually, each member of the archery team was required to find a partner to form a two-person team. The only requirement was that the partner could not be a member of the archery team.

I strongly encouraged father-and-son or father-and-daughter teams, but participants were not limited to family members. Students could partner with a teacher, coach, church member, mentor, or any other adult from the community. Team scores were determined by combining the scores of both shooters.

The tournament was also open to anyone in the community who wanted to form a team and compete. To ensure a level playing field, all participants were required to shoot NASP-approved bows. This format helped strengthen community involvement while introducing new people to the sport of archery.

Night Shoot Tournament

A Night Shoot is a unique outdoor archery event conducted at night in a safe and controlled environment. Targets are placed at varying distances, typically ranging from 10 to 40 yards. Both traditional bullseye targets and 3D targets can be used.

Each target is illuminated by a light positioned near, but not directly on, the target, providing enough visibility for archers to aim while maintaining the challenge of shooting after dark. These events are especially popular during the summer months when daytime temperatures can be uncomfortably hot. The nighttime setting creates an exciting atmosphere and serves as an excellent fundraising opportunity.

Long Shot Tournament

The Long Shot Tournament was traditionally held on the same day as the Night Shoot. While the Night Shoot began at sundown, the Long Shot event took place two to three hours beforehand.

For this challenge, a target was placed at an unknown distance between 75 and 100 yards. A small target area, approximately the size of a silver dollar, served as the aiming point. Participants paid $2 per shot or $5 for three shots in an attempt to hit the target.

This event consistently proved to be one of the most profitable fundraisers. The combination of skill, challenge, and friendly competition attracted a steady stream of participants, often resulting in a continuous line of shooters throughout the event.

Fishing Derby

For my two-person fishing derby tournament, I established a simple rule: bank fishing only—no fishing from boats. However, you may choose to adjust that rule based on your event's needs.

I promoted the event as a father-and-son or father-and-daughter tournament, but participation was not limited to those groups. Teams consisted of two anglers. The tournament had very few rules:

  • No fishing from boats.
  • All fish must be caught on the day of the tournament.
  • All fish must be caught using a rod and reel.

Prizes were awarded in the following categories:

  • Largest Bass
  • Largest Sunfish
  • Largest Catfish
  • Three Big Fish (Bass)

Participants could register either the day before or on the day of the tournament, provided they completed registration by the designated deadline that morning. The weigh-in was typically scheduled for early afternoon.

Prizes and Awards

These tournaments served as fundraisers for our programs, so it is important to remember that the more prize money awarded, the less revenue remains for the organization. Most participants understand and support that purpose.

For all of my tournaments, a local pizza restaurant generously donated free pizzas for prizes and awards. The participants appreciated the prizes, and I never received any complaints.

Other Fundraising Ideas

The following ideas have been successful in many communities:

  1. Carnival, Games, and Food Festival – Organize a fun event for elementary-aged students featuring games, activities, and food. Consider partnering with other teams, clubs, or organizations at your school to make the event larger and more engaging.
  2. Trivia Night or Board Game Tournament – Host a trivia competition or board game tournament for adults in your community, although participants of all ages can be welcome.
  3. Cornhole Tournament – Organize a cornhole tournament and invite community members to compete for prizes and bragging rights.
  4. Dodgeball Tournament – Create a fun and energetic dodgeball competition for students, families, or community teams.
  5. Softball or Kickball Tournament – Host a friendly softball or kickball tournament that encourages participation, teamwork, and community involvement.

Conservation Organizations and Corporate Partners

Conservation organizations and private corporations have long supported outdoor recreation and conservation education programs through funding, partnerships, and community outreach initiatives. Examples include:

  1. National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
  2. Ducks Unlimited
  3. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF)
  4. Quail Forever
  5. Pheasants Forever
  6. Walmart
  7. Bass Pro Shops

These organizations and companies have demonstrated a commitment to promoting conservation, wildlife habitat management, outdoor recreation, and educational programs that foster environmental stewardship.