Having paid for multiple children to play on travel sports teams, I can tell you that the cost to be a part of this scene can be daunting. Organizations that offer fundraising opportunities allow parents to reduce out-of-pocket expenses by putting in a little extra effort, helping ease the financial burden for players to participate.

The following is a list of six simple fundraising ideas and opportunities for any travel team. We’ve leaned into the AAU or travel basketball team scene for this one, but the ideas can be universal for any competitive organization.

From simple, social media friendly ideas to those that require a little work, you’ll find a half-dozen ideas to choose from. To explore these ideas more deeply, click the link in each title for a quick summary and step-by-step guide.

#1 Basketball-Themed Yard Sale: Have team members and supporters donate items related to basketball for a yard sale.

#2 Car Wash: Host a car wash event in a busy location to raise funds.

#3 Basketball Tournament: Organize a local basketball tournament and charge teams an entry fee.

#4 Three-Point Shoot-Out Contest: Organize a shooting contest and charge participants an entry fee.

#5 Sponsorship Drive: Approach local businesses for sponsorship opportunities in exchange for advertising.

#6 Silent Auction: Display items with bid sheets; the highest bid wins the item and proceeds benefit the organization.

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