Technology: Inhibitor or Enabler in Sports Fundraising?

Last month, a new study conducted by the Aspen Institute and Utah State University caught our attention. Kids across the US, are dropping out of sports at an alarming rate. According to the study, only 38% of kids aged 6 to 12 played team sports on a regular basis in 2018 -- down from 45% a decade earlier. This is a story that we know all too well at FlipGive as we work hard to help kids to stay in the game despite the rising cost of sports. So we knew we had to be part of the conversation, and proudly decided to sponsor this year's Aspen Institute's international Project Play Summit in Detroit. 

FlipGive was asked to present at the Project Play Summit conference to discuss the role that technology is playing on youth sports and fundraising in North America. Technology has made traditional fundraising harder but also opened a new frontier, which is where FlipGive comes into play. Mark Bachman, FlipGive's CEO and a very busy sports dad, talked about the work that FlipGive is doing to address the decline in participation rates among youth athletes. According to our research, 93% of families fundraise to offset a yearly cost of $2-10K per athlete. By providing parents and families with an easier way to raise money, FlipGive has brought a new fundraising alternative to the youth sports universe.

"Fundraising was very community based, technology has changed how communities interact and how people shop, making fundraising even harder for families" Mark Bachman

Mark discussed how technology has first made youth sports fundraising more difficult but has now opened a new frontier that allows for faster, safer, and more efficient fund development. Platforms such as GoFundMe have entered the space allowing families to collect donations throughout technology, we entered the shopping space in order to change the traditional shopping experience involved with fundraising (no more selling chocolate bars on Saturday Mornings).

Technology has also helped broker a better relationship between brands and consumers. Nowadays many brands such as Nike and Apple give back through corporate philanthropy & sponsorships, playing an extraordinary role in solving the participation problem. FlipGive mission is to enable a third way to give back through technology. We partner with companies to help them acquire new costumers in return for funding for FlipGive teams whenever they make a purchase through the platform.

Mark's unique insights were heard by hundreds of policymakers and industry leaders, and his fellow speakers included former NBA superstar Chris Weber, New York Times syndicated columnist David Brooks, and personalities from ESPN and NBC Sports. 

With Mark at the helm, FlipGive has helped more than 35,000 youth sports teams and clubs raise more than $20 million through its funding platform-- a tool that is eliminating the time-consuming, awkward slog that is team sports fundraising.