Cheerleading is more than spirit and stunts: it’s a serious commitment of time, energy, and money. Between uniforms, travel, competitions, camps, and equipment, expenses can add up fast. That’s why cheerleading fundraisers are such an important part of keeping a cheer squad running strong.
Most teams are familiar with the classics—a bake sale outside the local grocery store, a car wash fundraiser on a Saturday morning, or raffles at a football game. These events can bring in some money and give team members a chance to bond, but they also require a lot of planning and constant selling.
If your cheer team is looking for something fresh, easy, and impactful, there’s one fundraising idea that really stands out: a shoe drive fundraiser!
4 Easy Cheerleader Fundraisers That Actually Work
Before we get to our best options, here are a few tried-and-true fundraisers cheer squads have used for years. Each can bring in extra dollars while giving your team members a chance to connect with the community.
1. Bake Sale
Few things are as classic as a table full of homemade cookies and brownies. A bake sale works especially well when paired with a busy school event or set up outside a local grocery store. Just keep in mind that it often relies on parents donating goodies to sell and neighbors being willing to spend a few dollars on sweet treats.
2. Car Wash Fundraiser
A weekend car wash is a great way to get your cheer squad working together while raising money. It’s a visible event that brings attention to your team, especially with some colorful signs and flyers. However, it does depend a good deal on the weather and needs a steady flow of cars to be successful.Â
3. 50/50 Raffle at a Football Game
Fans love raffles, and a packed football game is the perfect venue to host one. The crowd is already excited, and splitting the pot with the winner can make the prize feel more appealing. The only drawback is that your earnings are limited by the size of the audience.
- Spirit Night at a Local Restaurant
Many restaurants will partner with community teams for a “spirit night,” where a percentage of sales from one evening is donated back to your cheer squad. This option is low-effort for team members, boosts community visibility, and gives local businesses extra support—a true win-win!
The Best Cheerleading Fundraiser Idea: Shoe Drive Fundraising
The previous ideas can give your fundraising ideas a boost, but none of them compares to the impact of a shoe drive fundraiser. So, what exactly is a shoe drive fundraiser? Instead of selling something, your cheer team collects gently worn, used, and new shoes from family, friends, and the community. Once the collection is complete, Funds2Orgs provides a check based on the total pairs gathered.
Benefits of Shoe Drive Fundraisers
Cheerleading fundraisers come in all shapes and sizes, but few offer the wide range of benefits that a shoe drive does. Beyond raising money, this type of fundraising event brings real value to your team, your community, and even people around the world. Here’s why so many cheer squads have found success with it:
- No Selling Required: Families don’t have to spend money to get involved, just clean out their closets.Â
- Eco-Friendly: Shoes are kept out of landfills, where they can take decades to decompose.
- Global Impact: Collected shoes are repurposed and distributed to micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries, helping create small business opportunities.
- Community Involvement: Local businesses, schools, and organizations can serve as drop-off locations, turning the fundraiser into a town-wide effort.
Pro tip: Promote your shoe drive as a major event! Share photos of your team collecting shoes, tag local businesses on social media, and encourage friendly competition between classes or teams. Schedule a call to get started.
How One Cheer Squad Collected Shoes for Funds
When the Forest Hills cheerleading team in Pennsylvania needed to raise money, parent coordinator Kristen Turner went searching for cheerleading fundraiser ideas. After coming across shoe drives online, she knew it was the perfect fit.
As Kristen shared, “The point of the cheerleading fundraiser was to raise funds for the varsity and JV teams. It was slow in the beginning.” The team started small by asking for shoes at a basket social and sharing posts on Facebook. But once they gained momentum, things took off:
- They created a dedicated Facebook page to spread the word.
- Parents and coaches rallied behind the effort and boosted posts locally.
- Nine local businesses, two fire stations, and several schools served as drop-off locations.
- The fundraiser even got media coverage in local newspapers and radio stations.
In the end, the Forest Hills cheer squad not only met their fundraising goals, but also made a meaningful impact in their community and beyond.
What Cheer Teams Can Learn From Forest Hills
The Forest Hills cheerleading squad showed that with the right planning and promotion, a shoe drive fundraiser can be fun, effective, and meaningful. Here are a few lessons other teams can borrow:
- Partner with local businesses. Businesses love to support community teams, and they make perfect collection points.
- Keep communication simple. Pin a post with drop-off locations to the top of your Facebook page.
- Make it visible. Decorate collection boxes so they stand out in stores and schools.
- Use school channels. Flyers sent home with students can reach families you wouldn’t otherwise connect with.
- Think beyond sneakers. Cleats and sports shoes are often donated in large numbers.
Why Shoe Drive Fundraisers Are a Great Idea for Cheerleaders
Every cheer team knows fundraising is essential, but it doesn’t have to mean constant selling or asking for monetary donations. A shoe drive fundraiser is simple, effective, and makes a difference both locally and globally.Â
With Funds2Orgs, your team gets everything they need for success. After signing up, a dedicated fundraising coach guides your team from start to finish. A Starter Kit arrives with all the shoe collection materials, including bags and rubber bands. Funds2Orgs even handles the pickup of all the footwear once your drive is complete.
If your cheer team is ready to try one of the easiest and most impactful cheerleading fundraiser ideas out there, Funds2Orgs can help you get started.Â
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