Alright, let’s dive into the wonderful world of Pom Pom Fundraisers—where a little creativity, a dash of team spirit, and a whole lot of cheer go a long way! Here’s the lowdown on how to fundraise using those poms (plus some tried-and-true classics).
Pom Fundraising Ideas To Make Anyone Cheer
I’ve been in this game a long time, and let me tell you—there’s something magical about pompoms. They’re like little bursts of energy in your hands, and when it comes to fundraising, they’re packed with potential! Here’s how you can take that pom pom energy and turn it into serious cash to support your squad.
1. Pom Decorating Party 🎉
Think of it as an art class but with sparkles, glue, and an endless supply of pom poms. Here’s how it works: gather the team, grab a load of plain white pom poms, and get to decorating. Glitter, dye, ribbons—you name it! You can host these parties at school, in a park, or even online. People pay for entry, and they walk away with their very own custom pom poms. It’s a blast, and it gets folks in the spirit of supporting the team.
2. “Poms of Kindness” Program 💌
This one’s close to my heart (and not just because I’ve seen it bring out the softer side of even the grumpiest folks). Here’s the idea: for a small donation, people can purchase pompoms as tokens of kindness, then gift them to others in the community. Pair each pompom with a handwritten note, and you’re spreading cheer and raising funds. I’ve watched people’s faces light up when they receive one—it’s the kind of heartwarming stuff that reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place.
3. Pom Cheers to Go 📣
Have a squad that loves performing? Offer “cheer-grams” where supporters can pay for a short performance delivered by your team (think singing telegram, but with pompoms). It’s a fantastic way to engage local businesses and add a splash of joy to community events or even personal milestones. Plus, nothing gets the word out like a live performance on Main Street or a heartfelt “RAH, RAH, RAH” at someone’s doorstep!
4. Fill the PomPom Challenge 💰🎉
Here’s a playful, eye-catching way to boost donations: the “Fill the PomPom” challenge! Grab a large, clear plastic container (or better yet, a jumbo-sized pom pom if you can find one!) and place it front and center at your events or in a high-traffic area—school lobbies, local stores, even at games. Invite everyone who passes by to help “fill the pom pom” with cash, spare change, or even check donations. You can mark goals on the outside, so supporters can see the progress as it fills up. The visual effect is powerful, and it’s a constant reminder of how close you’re getting to your fundraising target. Plus, everyone loves seeing a colorful pom pom brimming with donations—it’s a little like watching the magic unfold right in front of you!
These classic and popular options are very profitable
Now, let’s talk about some tried-and-true classics that every fundraiser needs in the toolkit. These might not involve pom poms directly, but they’ve been around for a reason—they work.
Selling Coffee ☕️
Coffee fundraisers are like warm hugs (and let’s face it—half the world runs on caffeine). Partner with a local coffee company or find a fundraiser-friendly supplier online. Offer a range of flavors, seasonal blends, or even hot cocoa for the kids. I remember one year a local squad had pumpkin spice coffee in the fall, and let me tell you, people lined up for it!
Real quick here is a tip you will like…
Fundraisingzone.com has a DIY coffee program. You earn 40% profit across the board on all sales.
Imagine earning $6.40 on every box you sell.
Best of all there are no up front costs to get started. Check it out.
Popcorn Sales 🍿
Now, popcorn… this one never fails. Sweet, savory, caramel—you name it, people love popcorn. And the great part? It’s lightweight and easy to ship. Whether you set up at a football game or sell online, popcorn is a perfect grab-and-go snack, and it makes for a solid profit margin.
Sure you can do it yourself. But why? Sticky and messy with lots of cleanup afterwards.
On the otherhand, a “Done For You” popcorn program means no dirty kitchens to clean!
Imagine earning up to $7 a bag on gourmet popcorn from Fundrasingzone.com. With no money out of pocket.
Plus its only retails for $14. That is almost half of what the Boy Scouts charge for their popcorn fundraiser. Learn more here.
The Classic Cookie Dough Fundraiser 🍪
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people will always have room for cookie dough. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar… just writing about it makes me hungry! Cookie dough fundraisers are especially popular around the holidays (because, hey, who doesn’t love a little extra sweetness?). Plus, this fundraiser can often be done entirely online these days, making it a low-stress option for everyone.
Imagine getting free brochures and flyers to hand out to your friends and family.
- Your squad gets up to $12 per sale.
- Free prize incentive program
- No out of pocket expenses.
Learn more about how to raise the dough with our dough.
Candles for a Cause 🕯
Selling candles is a cozy, classic way to raise funds. They’re easy to market because they make perfect gifts for practically everyone, from your aunt to your neighbor to your old high school teacher. You can even set up a holiday candle sale, complete with festive scents and themes. I once had a parent tell me that she looked forward to our “Winter Wonderland” candle sale every year—she said her whole house smelled like sugar cookies for months!
Parents and booster club moms love the Yankee Candle brand. It is featured in this Winter Wonderland brochure. It is free to get started.
- Great for the holiday season.
- Earn up to 50% profit on all sales generated from the catalog.
- Learn more here about the Winter Womderland program.
Get Social with Your Fundraiser 📱
In today’s world, if you’re not sharing on social media, you’re missing out! Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are goldmines for spreading the word and bringing in support. Here’s a trick: create short, fun videos of the team doing routines with their pompoms, giving shoutouts to supporters, or even showing behind-the-scenes prep. People love feeling like they’re part of the action, and you’d be surprised how quickly a short, fun clip can go viral in your community.
Don’t forget to make it easy for people to donate! Link directly to your fundraising page in every post and bio, and include QR codes if you’re sharing flyers or making printed materials. Also, encourage friends, family, and team members to repost and share your content. Peer-to-peer support can multiply your reach and connect you with a whole new network of potential donors.
We Can Help You Succeed.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Tap into Your Community 🌐
Think of peer-to-peer fundraising as the “friend-of-a-friend” approach to raising money. It’s powerful because you’re not just asking for donations—you’re rallying a team of ambassadors who believe in the cause and want to help. Encourage each team memeber (and their families) to create their own mini-campaign page or personal fundraising link they can share with friends, family, and colleagues. This lets each person tell their own story, whether it’s about why they love cheering, what the team means to them, or a favorite memory from a recent event.
Set up a friendly competition with fun incentives (like a pizza party or silly team awards) to keep everyone motivated. I’ve seen teams double their fundraising goals just by adding a little friendly rivalry!
Matching Gifts: Double the Impact with a Little Extra Effort 💸
Matching gifts are one of the best-kept secrets in fundraising—essentially, you can make every dollar go twice as far! Many companies offer to match their employees’ donations, meaning that a $20 gift from Aunt Karen could turn into $40 with the right paperwork. Encourage supporters to check with their employers to see if they offer matching gifts, and provide them with any information or forms they might need.
You can even add a note on your social media or website about matching gifts to remind people. Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge. And trust me, when people realize their donation can make an even bigger impact, they’re more likely to give generously.
Ready for some help?
Final Thoughts
Fundraising is hard work, no doubt about it. But when you’re out there with your team—your family—you find joy in the process. Remember, every dollar you raise is a new uniform, a pair of shoes, a bus ticket to the next competition. And as you go through this journey, take a second now and then to look around and appreciate the little moments.
One last bit of advice? Never forget to have fun. Fundraising isn’t just about money; it’s about connection, memories, and learning a little more about each other along the way. So grab those pom poms, roll up your sleeves, and go out there and make some magic happen!
