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Winter break sounds like a great time to relax, and that’s exactly what most families try to do. With school out, routines change. Kids travel, parents juggle time off work, and holiday plans take center stage. It’s no surprise that fundraisers often hit a lull right around this time. Whether it’s a student dance team, cheer squad, or a marching band working on winter goals, keeping up momentum can get tricky in December.
We’ve seen this happen over and over, especially with virtual fundraising in Michigan. Short days, cold weather, and packed schedules all play a part. But there’s good news. A few small adjustments can help keep participation steady and even give tired teams a little boost. With some planning and clear communication, you don’t have to hit pause until January. We at Team Butter, based in Michigan and serving groups across the United States, were built to help sports teams, schools, and community organizations keep fundraising going during busy seasons like the holidays.
Why Participation Drops During Winter Break
Everything slows down the minute the school doors close for winter break. That includes fundraising. The main reason is time. Families are traveling, out shopping, or attending back-to-back holiday events. Fundraising slides further down the to-do list.
Another issue is goals. Without the usual school or practice schedule, it’s easy for students to lose track of what they’re fundraising for or how much progress they’ve made. Teams thrive on structure, and during break, that structure fades fast. When no one’s talking about the fundraiser for two weeks, it’s easy to feel like it doesn’t really matter anymore.
Here are a few things that often lead to lower participation over winter break:
- Families are focused on holidays, travel, and winter events
- Participants forget their goals or don’t know how close they are
- School closures interrupt regular communication between students, coaches, and parents
Without those reminders and check-ins, families don’t always realize the fundraiser still needs support. Keeping things moving requires a plan heading into the break, and a little creativity on how to stay connected.
How Coaches and Group Leaders Can Keep Fundraising Top of Mind
Coaches and parent leads already have full plates during the season, but a few simple actions can keep your fundraiser from losing steam. It starts with staying visible, even when your group isn’t meeting every day.
Here are a few ideas that work well during school breaks:
- Send out weekly texts or messages through your group app to keep the fundraiser in mind
- Give shout-outs to top participants to encourage a little friendly competition
- Run small weekend challenges like “most shares” or “most out-of-town support”
Even if you don’t have access to a gym, stage, or practice room during winter break, those small messages can help people stay connected. Keeping it fun makes a big difference, especially for younger students. When there’s a sense of energy around the fundraiser, people are more likely to join in, even over the holidays.
Helping Families Fundraise Without Extra Stress
This time of year is busy for everyone. Between shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts, and family gatherings, it’s easy for parents to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that fundraising doesn’t have to make things more complicated, especially when it’s online.
With everything digital and direct-shipped, families don’t need to collect orders or drop off deliveries. We set up a personalized online store for each group and handle order processing and shipping directly to supporters, so families never have to manage product pick up or inventory at home. Sharing a link can be done anytime they’re waiting in line or relaxing with a cup of cocoa. We can make it easier for families by:
- Reminding them they can share fundraiser links through text, email, or social media
- Offering quick tips for finding supporters out of state (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents)
- Letting them know it’s okay to ask for help, especially during the rush of winter break
Some families may only have a few minutes each week to focus on fundraising. Keeping things low-pressure and giving them simple tools makes it easier for them to contribute without any added stress.
Tapping Into Support Beyond the Local Community
Winter is a time when families and friends are reconnecting, even if they don’t live nearby. That’s why this season is a great opportunity to reach beyond your zip code.
When you’re doing virtual fundraising in Michigan, you don’t have to limit your reach to your town. People across the country can support your fundraiser, especially if they know it matters to someone they love. And since everything ships straight to the supporter, nobody has to do extra work to get products delivered. Every purchase through a Team Butter fundraiser sends 50% of the sale back to your group, so out-of-state orders and support from extended family can quickly add up.
Encourage students and parents to:
- Ask older relatives or out-of-town friends to support the group
- Post the fundraiser link on social media or include it in a holiday greeting
- Let supporters know that shipping is easy and direct
Many people are already shopping online for the holidays. If you give them a chance to do some good while grabbing something fun like cookies or pet treats, they’re likely to say yes.
Keep the Momentum Going Into the New Year
Just because the calendar says December doesn’t mean fundraising has to stop. If everyone understands the goal and has simple ways to stay connected, it’s more than possible to finish the year strong.
Heading into January with energy takes a little prep. Check in with your group before break starts, share clear instructions, and offer reminders now and then. When everyone feels included and the process is simple, it’s easier to keep things going, even when schedules are a little out of sync.
A quiet winter break can be the perfect time to build toward something bigger. Stay organized, stay visible, and your team or group can kick off the new year already ahead of the game.
At Team Butter, we know how important it is to keep your group energized and connected throughout the winter months, even during school breaks. Our fundraising tools are simple to manage and easy for families to share, so your efforts never have to slow down. See how your group can reach its goals with virtual fundraising in Michigan and connect with us today to get started.
