If you’re a swim parent or coach, you know that there are few athletes out there who work harder than a swimmer. Speed, strength, agility, precision – your swimmers have to master it all to come out on top. With so many practices and competitions to keep up with during the swim season, your team members probably don’t have time to spare, especially not time to go door-to-door selling products or asking for donations.
Your team needs a swim team fundraiser that’s reliable, whether you’re prepping to head to states, buying new equipment, or just trying to get your program off the ground. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of some of the best swim team fundraising ideas for swimmers of all ages and experience levels. Each of these suggestions is sure to make a splash with your community.
The 15 Best Fundraisers for Swim Teams
We’ve gathered the best fundraising ideas for swim teams, including many that feature the activity everyone on the team loves. Let’s dive in!
1. Shoe Drive Fundraiser
A shoe drive fundraiser is one of the easiest and most rewarding fundraising ideas the whole team can participate in. Your job can be as simple as passing out flyers to let community members know when you’re collecting shoe donations, then putting the shoes contributed in collection bags for the Funds2Orgs team to pick up!
You and your teammates can create pickup points in your respective neighborhoods to make the collection process easier. The more shoes you can collect, the more funds you raise. Funds2Orgs then distributes the shoes to micro-entrepreneurs across the globe, giving your fundraiser an impact that extends far beyond your swim team.
Pro Tip: Try hosting your shoe drive fundraiser during a big swim meet, tournament, or other event that naturally draws lots of people together. Ask guests to bring a pair of gently worn, used and new shoes along with them and drop them off at the door.
2. Swim-A-Thon
You’ve heard of walk-a-thons, but what about swim-a-thons? The concept is the same. Participants agree to swim for a set time or distance to raise money for a cause, in this case, your swim team.
You could, for example, see which participants can achieve the highest number of laps in 2 hours, or the shortest time to complete 50 laps. This is a fun peer-to-peer fundraising idea that’s as engaging to the general public as it is for your swimmers!
3. Pool Party
A classic, laid-back option is to host a pool party for the team and their families and friends, or the community at large. A concession stand with refreshments, fresh towels, and great music on a Bluetooth speaker can create a wonderful atmosphere and get people’s generosity flowing! You can also choose to charge a small entry fee to get the ball rolling.
4. Swimming Lessons for Kids
Having team members offer swimming lessons for younger children is an excellent summer swim team fundraising idea! Many parents want their kids to learn how to swim, but don’t have the time to teach them, so you’ll be doing them a favor and funding your next event. Plus, it gives your swimmers a unique opportunity to build relationships with members of their community, which can ultimately drum up support for your team.
5. Cardboard Boat Race
This whimsical idea is sure to get many tinkerers in your community excited. Have participants compete to see who can build the best boat out of cardboard. Set up the “race track” in your local pool and take bets on which colorful creation will win! Raise funds either by charging a fee to compete, or by having community members or businesses “sponsor” certain boats.
6. Youth Swim Camp
Just like swimming lessons, hosting a youth swim camp for your community is also a fun summer swim team fundraiser, although it’s a little more complex. A day camp option invites younger or aspiring swimmers to come spend a few hours learning skills and practicing with more experienced members of your team.
7. Host a (Water-Themed!) Carnival
A carnival for a day is a super fun way to raise funds for your swim team. Face painting, a cotton candy and popcorn machine, and fun carnival games that involve water, such as water balloon cannons, are all great ideas for this event. You can sell tickets that guests can exchange for rounds of games or activities to raise some funds for the team.
8. Poolside Concession Stand
Swimming can make you hungry, so what better way to capitalize on this fact than to create a poolside concession stand with healthy, protein-rich snacks and refreshments? Post a sign informing guests that a portion of the proceeds will go toward empowering your team to drum up additional support.
9. Swim Team Movie Night
A great bonding experience for teammates is to go on a movie night together. Setting up a projector, along with some popcorn and soda, is super cheap and easy, and the tickets could help you raise funds for your event.
10. Team Banner or Poster Partnerships
This is taking a page out of the pro athlete book. You can leave space on your team banner or posters for a “sponsor” who will help with the team’s expenses. A local business that wants a shout-out for supporting your team might very well be interested!
11. Trivia Night (ft. Swimming Facts)
Hosting a trivia night is great, but a swimming-themed trivia night is even better! Collect admission fees at the door or charge for each “game” of trivia, and keep guests on their toes with trivia questions about all things swimming: techniques, strokes, famous athletes, equipment, and fun facts are all fair game!
12. Swim Team Merch
Merch items like caps, mugs, and even towels with a cool logo are a great fundraising idea. These can also help your local community represent the team during competitions and raise team morale.
13. Bake Sale
Carb loading for athletes is no joke, so maybe cakes, cookies, and muffins are just what you need to make money for the team and get those macros before the next meet!
14. Silent Auction or Raffle
Local businesses or companies can help your team by donating items for a silent auction or a raffle with an affordable ticket. The money made from the ticket sales or auction can then go toward your team’s needs.
15. Crowdfunding
Last but not least, setting up a crowdfunding page for your team’s needs could be a great way to get your community involved. Even family members who live out of state can help out, and every dollar makes a difference towards your final goal. You can use this method alongside one or more of the others above to reach your goal faster, too.
Why a Shoe Drive Can Help in Raising Money for Swim Teams
Shoe drives are among the easiest swim team fundraiser ideas. They require no upfront investment, very little active work on your part, and don’t require you to pester friends and family to ask for money (or sell products that they probably don’t need!).
A shoe drive fundraiser is also a way to show your love for the global community, since organizations like Funds2Orgs make a real-world difference in developing countries like Ghana, Haiti, and Cambodia by empowering entrepreneurs in the shoe resale business. There’s also the added benefit of keeping gently worn shoes out of landfills!
No matter what your swim team needs the money for, you can guarantee great results with a shoe drive fundraiser powered by Funds2Orgs. Get started today!
Looking for other ways your team can raise some extra cash? Check out our full list of Sports Fundraising Ideas for other suggestions that put your team’s athletic skills to work.
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