Cheerleader Fundraisers - An Essential Guide

So you need new cheerleading uniforms and yourHave a stunt-off at one of the games. First select
squad wants to go to camp? Well it's time totwo or three groups and pick the stunt. You can
raise money! Here are some cheerleaderstunt-off to see who can hold an elevator the
fundraiser do's and don'ts to give your squad alongest, or who can re-take an elevator the most
fun, safe way to earn money.times.
DO have a fundraiser brainstorming session.Take a picture of each stunt team and put them
Gather the squad in a room with a chalkboard andon jars. Have people purchase a raffle ticket or
scribble down every idea that comes to mind.write their name on a piece of paper and charge
DO keep in mind that the purpose of aabout a dollar per chance (allow them to enter
brainstorming session to think of as many ideasmore than once).
as possible without shooting anything down.Then they can put their ticket in the jar of the
DON'T say anything negative about anyone's ideateam they think will win the stunt-off. If they are
until the end when you go through the list andsmart, they will buy three tickets and put one in
cross off unfeasible ideas, such as giving skydivingeach jar!
lessons.Hold the stunt-off during halftime. After the
Car Washwinning stunt is determined, pick a name or ticket
Have it at your school, local gas station,from the jar of the winning stunters. That person
restaurant parking lot...anywhere! Be sure to eitherwins a fabulous prize!
set a price limit or ask for donations.DO make sure the stunts are well-spotted.
DON'T use signs like 'Free Car Wash' becauseDO have extra spotters standing in front or back
they are misleading if you want people to donateof the stunt.
money. You will get folks who will actually want toDO listen to each other and bring the stunt down
get their car washed for free.the second someone says 'down.'
DO stand on the street corner in pairs. You neverDO help the crowd cheer you on.
know what might happen!DON'T get hurt!
Bake SaleHold A Cheerleading Clinic
It's best to have the bake sale at a school eventCheerleading clinics are a fun way to involve the
that doesn't require cheerleaders to cheer such aschildren of your local community. Have a one or
a track meet or baseball game.several day clinic where you teach cheers, chants,
DO bake all the goodies yourselves,band chants and maybe basic stunts and tumbling.
DON'T make mom, dad, grandma or grandpa doThen have the little cheerleaders perform at
the work for your team.halftime of one of your games. This will also draw
DO plan a small cheering section for your schoolmore fans to the game because the stands will
team, after all, what are cheerleaders for?'be full of proud mommies and daddies.
Craft SaleDO have the children dress appropriately.
It's fun to make school-spirited crafts (such asDO make sure the clinic is supervised by an adult
hair scrunchies, necklaces in school colors,for legal reasons.
bracelets, jewelry boxes, stuffed animals in schoolDO have the children sign waivers.
colors, painted pens and pencils, paintedDO make sure the children have plenty of water.
megaphones, pom pons, cross stich) and sell themDO have an alternate clinic site in case of rain.
at games.DO be careful when having the children stunt.
DO assign one or two people per craft and haveDO emphasize safety.
a craft making party!DON'T expect perfection.
DON'T rely too much on help from familyDON'T criticize too harshly.
members, again, this is your fundraiser.DO be organized.
DO split the cost of the materials evenly betweenDO have fun!
squad members and DO model the jewelry byMore Fundraising Do's
wearing it to school.DO tell people what you are fundraising for,
Candy salewhether it be for new uniforms or a trip to a
DO check with your school for candy sales duringcompetition.
school hours. If you go door-to-door,DO involve local business. You might be surprised
DON'T go to houses of people you don't know,that they will be willing to donate money if you
DO take a pal with you and DON'T interruptare willing to patronize their place or display a sign
people during dinner time.during a parade on your float.
Tee shirt/sweatshirt/boxer short/hat sale-HaveDO put up pictures of yourselves cheering and
apparel with school mascot and name made andstunting if you have a booth. People will love to
sell it.see pictures of your team in action. If you are
DO make signs and hang them around the schoolbuying new uniforms, display a picture of the
advertising the apparel.uniforms.
DO keep a stash in your locker so you can sellDO wear uniforms, or school shirts during
them between classes.fundraisers.
DON'T order too many so your squad doesn'tDO be friendly, outgoing and professional.
make any money.More Fundraising Don'ts
Cookbook SaleDON'T approach stopped cars in an intersection
Putting together a cookbook to sell can be fun!and beg for money with milk jugs. People will see
DO have teachers, friends and relatives contributeyou as lazy and unwilling to work for your money.
their favorite recipes.DON'T act silly, giggly, loud or obnoxious in front
DO type them into the computer (so everythingof potential customers. That only enforces the
looks nice) make a nifty cover and photo copystereotype that cheerleaders are airheads.
the pages to make a book. Bind the book withDON'T do a half-hearted job if you are washing
ribbon, plastic bindings or sew them up.cars or teaching a clinic. People are paying money
DO make sure the font size is large enough to befor your services.
read by people with eyesight disabilities.DON'T shirk your responsibilities onto other
DON'T use too many different fonts (more thanmembers of the squad or members of your
two or three is considered too many).family.
DON'T use scripty, hard-to-read fonts.DON'T let your squad be talked into a money
DO give credit to the folks who submittedmaking scheme that sounds fishy. Check
recipes.everything out thoroughly before you try it.
Stunt-Off