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Cheer teams work hard year-round, giving their time, energy, and school spirit to every performance. Behind the scenes, there’s another big effort happening: fundraising. With travel costs, uniforms, and gear, it’s often up to coaches and families to help fill the gap. During busy winter months, especially in December, one more to-do can feel like too much.
Using a custom fundraising store can take the pressure off. It gives the team one online space where parents, cheerleaders, and supporters can all chip in with less stress. With a platform like Team Butter, cheer programs sell premium products through a personalized online store and keep 50 percent of every purchase. No tracking paper, no storing items in garages, and no handing out flyers during practice. Just one store, shared widely, that makes raising money feel more doable.
We’ve found that the best fundraisers don’t ask people to do more. They help people do what they’re already doing, like texting friends or posting to social media, and let that actually make a difference. Here’s how cheer teams can use online stores to raise funds the smarter way this season.
Make Fundraising Fit Naturally Into the Season
When December hits, everyone’s calendar gets full fast. Between competitions, school events, and cold weather, families are juggling a lot. So asking for help with a complicated fundraiser right now doesn’t always work. What does help is keeping it digital and simple.
An online store lets people shop or donate whenever they have a few minutes. Whether it’s from their couch, on their lunch break, or late at night, it fits into their schedule. That makes it more likely they’ll actually help.
Holiday giving is also in full swing during this time of year. Many people are already thinking about gift ideas for neighbors, coworkers, or extended family. A well-timed store link can catch them during that mindset. If your fundraiser includes seasonal treats or items that ship directly to the buyer, it makes holiday shopping easier for them while helping your squad.
Friends and family who live out of state might not come to local shows, but during the holidays, they often want to find ways to support from afar. Give them the chance. Sharing your store lets them be part of your team’s success, even from hundreds of miles away.
Get the Whole Cheer Team Involved Without Extra Pressure
Coaches shouldn’t have to lead every piece of fundraising themselves. Teams often work best when everyone shares the load in quick, useful ways. One way to do this is by letting each cheerleader share their own store link.
Instead of big, high-pressure goals, consider setting small targets as a group. These could be as simple as asking each member to share their store link with five people before the weekend or posting about it on one of their accounts. It keeps things moving without making anyone feel overwhelmed.
Friendly encouragement also goes a long way. Turn participation into a light challenge. Highlight the top sharers or most creative post. Keep things positive, focused on helping the team, not stressing individuals. This way, cheerleaders still stay focused on school and practice without feeling pulled in too many directions.
Keep Parents Engaged With Easy Tools
Parents want to support their kids, but they’re often working with packed schedules and lots of responsibilities. Fundraisers that take too much time or need lots of explaining tend to get pushed to the side. That’s why it helps to keep tools simple.
Here are a few ways to keep fundraising easy for parents:
- Send out weekly updates that include the store link, a quick goal update, and thank-yous
- Create short, ready-to-copy messages for sharing on text or social media
- Remind families that out-of-town relatives or coworkers can join in too
Stores that look professional and are easy to navigate make it more likely that parents will feel confident when sharing. They don’t need to explain every detail. As long as the link works and the items ship directly, people are more likely to click and buy.
Parents can also forward the link during events they’re already attending, like a church service or community potluck.
Build a Cheer-Specific Theme Into the Fundraiser
When your store looks and feels like your squad, that energy comes through in every link. It’s not just about selling items, it’s about showing your team pride and sharing your story.
Think about how your store can reflect your cheer group:
- Use team photos, colors, or slogans in the banner and messaging
- Keep your fundraiser goal tied to a specific need, like mat upgrades or new music
- Add a short note about why you’re raising funds so supporters feel connected
Even small touches like using your mascot or team name make a difference. It helps supporters feel like they’re joining in to help something personal and meaningful to the school or local community.
Use the Store to Support Equity and Inclusion
Not every household can give or sell the same amount, and that’s okay. Online fundraising can open the door for more types of support, not just dollars raised.
Focus on what every member can do. That might mean:
- Sharing the store link by text or through a school newsletter
- Talking about the fundraiser with neighbors or posting it online
- Logging participation for service hours or team points
If your fundraiser includes donation options, use that to highlight causes that matter. Some programs support adults with disabilities or other important efforts. When supporters know they’re helping in more than one way, it often leads to stronger engagement.
This also builds a team culture around pitching in, not just selling. Everyone, from the most outgoing student to the quietest one, can help share the story and make progress feel shared.
Why Custom Online Stores Give Cheer Teams an Edge
Having a custom fundraising store gives teams a real advantage. There’s no paper to keep track of, no boxes to hand out, and no back-and-forth over missing payments. Everything runs through one point, keeping things simple for coaches, parents, and students. There is no need for door-to-door sales or storing extra inventory at home, since orders are processed online and shipped directly to each supporter.
It also gives more people a chance to help. Grandparents in Florida, cousins in New York, or college friends across the country can all be part of the effort. Supporters don’t need to be down the street anymore. A mobile-friendly setup means they can shop from their phone, tablet, or computer whenever it is convenient.
And most important, coaches get their time back. When the fundraiser doesn’t need extra chasing or planning, we can focus on the squad. Cheerleaders stay busy improving skills, building confidence, and growing tight with their team, not stuck worrying about who turned in what form. Behind the scenes, a system built on more than 20 years of youth sports experience helps keep everything running smoothly for teams.
A custom fundraising store can simplify fundraising for your cheer team by keeping everything organized in one spot and making it easy for everyone to participate, whether they’re local or out of state. Our tools at Team Butter are designed to support teams like yours with less hassle and more flexibility, so raising funds no longer feels like a second full-time job. To get started or ask any questions, just reach out to us.
