Table of Contents
School teams have a lot to juggle: practice schedules, games, competitions, and performances. But beyond the time and effort students and coaches put in, there’s one thing every team needs: funding. Uniforms, travel, equipment, and even simple things like snacks or entry fees can quickly add up. Fundraisers are often the only way many teams can do what they love.
That’s where the right help makes all the difference. The Best Fundraising Platform doesn’t just move products or collect donations. It gives every kid a better shot at participating and helps coaches and volunteers breathe a little easier. Whether it’s for choir, cheer, soccer, or robotics, a good system should make it easy to share the fundraiser, involve more families, and keep everything organized without needing hours of extra work. When teams have tools that fit their real needs, things just run smoother.
Choosing a Platform That Fits Your Group
Not every school group is the same, so their fundraising support shouldn’t be either. Smaller teams with just a coach and one parent helper may need things to be as simple as possible. Bigger groups with more volunteers can handle a little more complexity, but they still need something that keeps everything in one place.
Here are a few things we think about when choosing what will work best:
• Team size and adult help: A two-person dance duo isn’t going to plan the same way as a marching band with 60 members
• Type of activity: Soccer teams may focus on travel costs, while robotics clubs might need tools or tournament fees
• Student flexibility: You want a platform that gives every student a fair way to participate, no matter how much time they can commit
At the end of the day, it’s about finding something simple enough to manage but powerful enough to support your goals. A good fit helps every kid feel included, which is exactly how it should be.
Features That Make Fundraising Easier
When a fundraiser adds stress instead of taking it away, it’s not doing its job. That’s why tools matter. The Best Fundraising Platform doesn’t just keep track of orders, it makes the whole process feel more manageable from start to finish.
Here are a few features we’ve seen really help:
• Personal store links: Kids and families each get their own link to share with relatives, neighbors, or friends far away
• Online dashboards: You can check how close you are to your goal, send reminders, and see who’s participating
• Built-in reminders: No need to send out last-minute group texts or emails. The system takes care of nudges automatically
One of the biggest wins is when the platform works well on phones. Most parents and students live on their mobile devices, so a tool that fits right into everyday life is a lot more likely to get used. Our platform was built to be mobile-friendly from day one, allowing families to share links, manage progress, and stay connected wherever they are. That kind of design makes families more likely to join in and less likely to give up halfway through.
Keeping Kids Motivated and Involved
Let’s be honest, fundraising might not be every student’s favorite part of being on a team or in a group. But when it feels more like a friendly challenge and less like a job, students tend to show up.
We’ve seen some fun and low-pressure ways to keep energy high during a fundraiser:
• Weekend contests: Who can share their link the most in one weekend? Prizes can be small, like picking the warm-up music at the next game
• Focus on effort: Celebrate kids who try, not just those with the biggest sales
• Group milestones: Post a team selfie or quick thank you video when you hit your halfway point
When students see themselves making progress and know they’re helping their group, it builds a sense of pride. And when fundraisers support a bigger cause, like employing adults with autism or giving service hours, students feel like their effort matters even more.
Fundraisers That Reach Beyond Your Local Neighborhood
One of the biggest changes for school fundraisers is being able to reach people outside your hometown. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends across the country might want to help, but they can’t exactly swing by to pick up cookie dough after school.
That’s why we think it’s important to look for platforms that can:
• Ship directly to supporters anywhere in the U.S. without needing your group to sort and deliver
• Let students earn support from people who care, even if they live in another state
• Provide easier ways to join in during cold months when local events are harder to plan
December especially can be tricky: weather changes, winter breaks, and packed family schedules all make in-person fundraisers more complicated. A virtual fundraiser that ships across the country allows your community to grow beyond your city or school district and keeps things moving, no matter what’s on the calendar. Our products can be shipped nationwide and are perfect for teams that need family, friends, or alumni to participate from afar.
Better Fundraising Builds Stronger Teams
A strong fundraiser isn’t just about money; it’s about giving every student a fair chance to take part, no matter their family’s income, schedule, or hometown. That kind of access makes a huge difference in how a team or group feels. When more students can join in without having to worry about how their uniforms or trips will be paid for, the whole experience becomes better for everyone.
The right platform can take pressure off organizers too. Coaches get to focus on building skills and confidence, not tracking forms and payments. Volunteers feel supported, not overwhelmed. And parents know their energy is being put to good use. For us, it always comes back to the same goal: helping kids do what they love without money standing in the way.
At Team Butter, we believe fundraising should be simple for your group and accessible to everyone involved. Our tools and support make it easy for coaches, students, and volunteers to engage families and reach supporters wherever they are. Start building your next successful campaign with the best fundraising platform and let us help you create a plan that fits your team’s needs. Reach out today and let’s make your fundraising goals a reality.
