The challenge with traditional fundraising

Fundraising plays a crucial role in youth sports, providing essential financial support for activities, equipment, and events. These efforts are often the backbone that enables teams to participate in competitions, travel to events, and ensure that all young athletes have the resources they need to succeed. For many parents, fundraising is a way to support their children’s passions and foster a sense of community within the team. However, the process can be demanding and time-consuming.

Jona, the president of a consulting company and a dedicated sports parent, is well-acquainted with these challenges. Her daughter is part of a competitive dance team, and over the past five years, Jona has been deeply involved in the team’s fundraising efforts. These activities are vital for covering expenses such as transportation, props, and event participation, which are crucial for the team's success.

Despite her commitment, Jona found it could be difficult to engage all parents in the fundraising process. Traditional methods, such as organizing events and conducting sales, required substantial time and effort. While these activities were effective in bringing in necessary funds, the level of participation among parents varied, which sometimes led to inconsistent outcomes. As a busy professional, Jona often struggled to balance her work responsibilities with her desire to contribute effectively to the team’s fundraising initiatives.

Recognizing the need for a more efficient and inclusive approach, Jona began exploring alternative fundraising methods. Her goal was to find a solution that could streamline the process, making it easier for all parents to participate regardless of their personal schedules.

“As a super busy parent with a million things on the go, FlipGive has helped me to be a part of my child's fundraising efforts and contribute to the team”

The Solution

With the help of another sports parent, Jona discovered FlipGive, a cashback fundraising app designed to help families lower the cost of youth sports. Initially skeptical about making changes to fundraising methods that, albeit time-consuming, worked, Jona eventually embraced FlipGive due to its diverse fundraising options and ease of use. The platform allowed teams to earn money by shopping at participating retailers, making fundraising as simple as making everyday purchases.

"It's a no brainer. This is a form of fundraising where everybody can contribute. It's just one press of a button on something you were already going to buy and you get money back for your team, that is pretty great."

The implementation of the new fundraising strategy unfolded in three key phases: exploration and adoption, team engagement, and ongoing support and communication.

Exploration and adoption

Initially, Jona was hesitant about trying a new platform. However, she revisited FlipGive and was impressed by the variety of participating retailers. The setup process proved to be straightforward, allowing Jona to quickly integrate FlipGive into the team’s fundraising strategy. This ease of adoption gave her confidence that this could be a game-changer for the team.

Team engagement

Engaging the team was the next crucial step. Jona introduced FlipGive to all the team parents, emphasizing its simplicity and the minimal effort required for participation. To ease any initial intimidation about using the platform, she organized a team gathering where everyone could make their first purchases together. This collective experience not only ensured that all parents felt comfortable and capable of using the new system but also allowed them to immediately see the impact of their purchases on the team fundraiser. Witnessing the immediate benefits increased their motivation and enthusiasm to continue using FlipGive.

Support and communication

Ongoing support and communication were vital to maintaining momentum. Jona regularly sent emails and notifications to keep parents informed about current deals related to the team's expenses and the overall fundraising progress. She also utilized leaderboards in the FlipGive platform to give shoutouts to parents who had contributed the most, showcasing participation levels and motivating everyone to stay engaged. This consistent communication and visual tracking of progress kept the team unified and driven towards their fundraising goals.

The Result

Adopting FlipGive transformed the team's fundraising efforts and they raised $1,700 for the team through their everyday shopping.

On top of the funds raised, Jona shared that another benefit was the inclusivity FlipGive brought. Parents who were typically less involved due to time constraints or personal preferences could now contribute effortlessly through their regular purchases. This shift made fundraising accessible to everyone.

For Jona personally, the efficiency and convenience were game-changing to her role as the team captain. Her fundraising coordination time dropped from over 10 hours a week to just 1-2 hours. Parents loved the ability to support the team without always attending events or selling items, streamlining the entire process.

The enhanced team spirit was another highlight. The leaderboard feature sparked friendly competition and recognition, boosting morale and engagement. Regular updates and personalized communications kept participation high and the team motivated, resulting in a 40% increase in family participation with fundraising. This combination of substantial earnings, inclusive participation, and improved morale created a unified and enthusiastic team.

"FlipGive has become an integral part of our team’s fundraising efforts. As a busy parent, it’s a relief to be able to contribute without the hassle of traditional fundraising methods. The platform is user-friendly, and the support from FlipGive’s customer service is outstanding. It’s truly a no-brainer for any team looking to raise funds efficiently and inclusively." — Jona, Team Captain