Football programs thrive on more than just hard work and dedication on the field—they rely on effective fundraising to keep their athletes supported and equipped. This year, six programs across Maryland and Delaware teamed up with Gold Athletics Fundraising Coach Rob Lunenfeld and found the winning formula: adding online donation options to their product fundraisers. With Rob’s guidance, these teams discovered that offering supporters a choice—whether to buy snacks, cookie dough, or Digital Gold Cards (DGC) or donate directly—made all the difference.
The result? Bigger fundraising totals and broader community support. By making it easier for fans to give their way, these programs unlocked new levels of success and ensured no missed opportunities.
Let’s dive into each program’s story and the key insights behind their impressive results, all powered by their partnership with Gold Athletics!
1. Calvert Hall Football – A Massive First-Year Success
Fundraiser: Popcorn, Nuts, Freeze-Dried Candy + Donations
First Year Running
Calvert Hall’s football program hit the ground running with their first-ever fundraiser, bringing in over $35,000 with nearly 140 participants engaging more than 550 supporters. This is an outstanding start for a brand-new fundraising effort. The combination of product sales with online donations enabled them to expand their reach well beyond their local area, proving that digital giving can quickly build a strong foundation for future fundraisers. Insight: First-time fundraisers that include online donations can make a huge splash right from the start.
2. Milford Mill Football – Breaking Last Year’s Ceiling
Fundraiser: Digital Gold Cards (DGC) + Donations
After raising about $15,000 last year, the Millers took their campaign to the next level by adding online donations. This simple change pushed their total to more than $3,000 more than the previous year, with over 100 participants gathering support from about 370 people. The takeaway? Programs that already have fundraising momentum can see even greater results by offering more ways to give.
Adding digital donation options is a great way to grow support year over year by engaging people who may not be interested in products.
3. Southern Football – Staying Strong Despite Challenges
Fundraiser: Digital Gold Cards (DGC) + Donations
Southern Football’s fundraising efforts remained rock-solid, raising over $14,000 this year. The real victory? More than 250 supporters stepped up to back their team, demonstrating the power of community engagement. Even when product sales slowed, the online donation option ensured they didn’t miss a beat, helping them maintain their momentum and meet essential program needs.
Online donations help sustain strong fundraising results, even in more challenging seasons.
4. Bel Air Football – Beating Expectations with Cookie Dough and Donations
Fundraiser: Cookie Dough + Donations
Bel Air Football surpassed expectations by raising over $19,000, compared to last year’s $13,000. Their 65 participants enlisted support from over 300 people, proving that combining popular products like cookie dough with donations is a recipe for success. Even those who didn’t want cookie dough had a way to contribute, broadening the campaign’s reach.
When fundraisers pair highly desired products with an online donation option, they open the door to more supporters—and bigger results.
5. Parkside Football – More Than Doubled Last Year’s Total
Fundraiser: Digital Gold Cards (DGC) + Donations
Parkside Football made one of the most impressive leaps this season, going from just over $4,000 last year to nearly $11,000. What changed? The addition of online donations was largely a factor. With 76 participants rallying nearly 200 supporters, Parkside showed how digital giving can unlock new potential, even for smaller programs. Insight:
Programs that struggled in the past can see huge growth by adding a simple donation feature, which allows more people to participate on their own terms.
6. Severn Run Football – A Strong Debut Fundraiser
Fundraiser: Digital Gold Cards (DGC) + Donations
First Year Running
Severn Run Football’s first fundraiser brought in over $11,000 with nearly 70 participants engaging more than 160 supporters. This impressive start highlights how adding online donations can give programs partnering with Gold Athletics for the first time an big advantage. With Digital Gold Cards providing product revenue and online donations making it easy for anyone to contribute, they built a winning campaign from the ground up.
Including donations in first-time fundraisers can create a stronger launch and attract more support from a wider network.
Prizes, Rewards, and Recognition Drive Motivation
Behind every successful fundraiser is a motivated team. All six programs worked with Gold Athletics to offer prizes and incentives to their participants—like team gear, gift cards, and special rewards for top sellers. These rewards added excitement to the campaign, encouraging athletes to compete while recognizing their hard work. Teams that incorporate prize incentives not only boost participation but also create a more enjoyable and engaging fundraising experience.
Equipping the Next Generation with Game-Changing Online Donation Options
The data from these six fundraisers tells a clear story: adding online donations to product fundraisers increases participation, expands reach, and drives higher totals. Whether it’s a first-time effort like Calvert Hall or a returning program like Parkside making huge gains, offering supporters multiple ways to give is the key to unlocking greater success. Gold Athletics makes it easy for teams to integrate these donation options seamlessly, ensuring fundraisers can go beyond selling products alone.
From Digital Gold Cards and popcorn to cookie dough and freeze-dried candy, the combination of products with online donations is proving to be a winning strategy. Whether you’re aiming to beat last year’s total or set the bar high for a new program, online donations provide the flexibility and reach every team needs to succeed.
Need an Efficient Fundraiser?
If these stories of success have inspired you, imagine what your team could achieve with Gold Athletics in your corner. Our track record speaks for itself—exceptional results, strategic execution, and a commitment to helping teams exceed their fundraising goals.
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