10 Best Cheerleading Fundraising Ideas

Cheerleading has come such a long way from the days of pompoms, skirts and cheering for others’ athletic games. In fact, it has grown into an incredibly exciting sport of its own! 

But let’s face it, raising money for uniforms, travel, and competitions is a big but unfortunate part of the “game”. So, if you’re looking for fun and creative ways to boost your squad’s funds, you’re in the right place. 

Check out these awesome fundraising ideas that can help your squad meet its goals and keep the spirit alive.

1. Cheer-A-Thon

Imagine a marathon but with a lot more pom-poms and spirit! In a Cheer-A-Thon, instead of running miles, your team performs nonstop routines for a set amount of time—one hour, two hours, or more. People pledge to donate based on how long they cheer or the number of cheers they perform. 

This isn’t only a cheerleading fundraising idea; it’s a great way to show off your squad’s skills and get everyone pumped! 

Invite friends, family, and community members to watch in person or online, and encourage them to donate as they see the team’s enthusiasm in action. 

Pro Tip: Add some variety to the Cheer-A-Thon by including special challenges or requests from the audience. For example, donors can request to see the team perform a specific cheer or try a new move. 

2. Cheer-Themed Auction

A Cheer-Themed Auction is a great way to combine the excitement of bidding with the spirit of your cheer squad.  Auction off items and experiences that are connected to cheerleading, like signed pom-poms, personalized cheer gear, or a chance to be an honorary cheerleader for a day.

You can also offer unique experiences, like a private cheer lesson or a front-row seat at the next big game.

Pro Tip: Host your auction on BetterWorld. It’s super easy to set up. All you have to do is upload photos and descriptions for each item, set bids, and effortlessly promote your event. Participants can place their bids directly on the BetterWorld website. Plus, you can even offer mobile bidding.

Once the auction concludes, BetterWorld will contact the winners, collect their bids, and coordinate item delivery. It's that simple! It's also 100% Free with unlimited use!

3. Cheerleading Car Wash

With a bit of twist, a classic car wash can become one of the most unique cheerleading fundraisers. Instead of just scrubbing down cars, turn it into an event that showcases your cheer squad’s spirit. 

Set up at a busy location, like a local shopping center or school parking lot, where you can attract lots of traffic. While cars are getting cleaned, your team can perform cheers and dance routines to keep the vibe lively.

It’s also one of the best cheerleading fundraisers because it’s easy to organize, requires minimal costs, and lets everyone get involved. 

Pro Tip: Offer an “express cheer” option. For an extra donation, customers can get a special cheer performed for them while their car is washed!

4. Karaoke Night

Every great singer needs a little backup singing…or cheering. Turn your cheerleading fundraiser into a Karaoke Night! Karaoke Night can be that perfect blend of entertainment and cheerleading fundraising. 

Invite everyone to perform their favorite songs with a cheerleader by their side, adding hype, spirit, confidence, and backup to each performance.

Karaoke Night doesn’t have to be just about singing- mix it up with cheer-inspired challenges, like a cheer-off or a “most spirited performance” contest. It’s easy to organize and a fun way to get everyone involved in good fundraisers for cheerleaders.

Pro Tip: Offer prizes for the best performances in categories like “Best Solo,” “Best Group,” or even “Most Dramatic Performance,” and “Best Impersonation”. Don't forget to live-stream the event on social media! 

5. Cheer Merchandise

Show off your squad’s pride and raise funds by selling cool Cheer Merchandise! Think beyond just the usual T-shirts-offer a variety of items like custom water bottles, hoodies with your team’s logo, or even personalized pom-poms. 

What makes this one of the best cheerleading fundraisers is its flexibility. You can sell merchandise at games, school events, or even online. 

It’s a simple yet effective way to keep the team’s spirit visible while raising money. 

Pro Tip: Boost sales by offering limited-edition items or bundling products for a special price. Creating a sense of exclusivity can make your Cheer Merchandise one of the most successful cheerleading fundraising ideas you will try this year.

6. Cheer Camp for Kids

Host a Cheer Camp for Kids and connect with the younger crowd in your community while raising money for your team. 

Your squad can teach them chants, routines, and cheerleading, making them feel like part of the team.  It will be a day they’ll never forget and talk about long after the camp is over. 

Besides, parents appreciate having fun and active options for their kids, which makes it one of the good fundraisers for cheerleaders. 

Charge a fee for the camp and offer extras like camp T-shirts or certificates for the kids who participate.

Pro Tip: Wrap up the camp with a mini-performance where the kids show off their new skills. Invite parents and community members to watch and use it as an opportunity to gather more donations and sell additional cheer gear. 

7. Cheerleading Talent Show

Cheerleaders love performing, so why not let your cheer squad show off their talents? 

Talent Shows are so fun and a great way to raise money. Encourage your squad to showcase other skills they have, whether it’s singing, dancing, or even stand-up comedy. Everyone might be surprised at how much talent can be packed into one auditorium!

Charge the audience an admission fee and have donation jars for each act, letting the crowd vote with their dollars. 

Pro Tip: Invite local celebrities, performers, or well-known community members to act as judges to level up the competition and draw a bigger crowd!

8. Cheerleading Crowdfunding Campaign

Take your fundraising online with a Cheerleading Crowdfunding Campaign. 

Share your team’s story and why you need support, whether it’s for new uniforms, competition fees, or travel expenses. Create a compelling message with photos and videos that show the spirit and dedication of your team.

Crowdfunding is one of those cheer team fundraiser ideas that can reach far beyond your local community. Social media and email can spread the word far and wide. 

Pro Tip: With BetterWorld, your crowdfunding campaigns will always be organized and free of charge. 

100% Free, no matter the size of your cheerleading team or campaign goals. Request a free demo now!

9. Custom Cheers for Donations

It is one of the simplest cheerleading fundraising ideas where, for a donation,  your cheer team creates a personalized cheer featuring the donor's name, their favorite sports team, or even a shoutout for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.

You can perform these custom cheers during a sports event, record them to share on social media, or even send them directly to the donors. 

Imagine the excitement when a donor hears a cheer made exclusively for them or their loved one.

Pro Tip: To get more participation, offer different donation levels for different lengths or styles of cheers. For example, a short cheer for a smaller donation and a full-on cheer routine for a larger one. 

10. Youth Sports Grants

Have you looked into youth sports grants? It’s not always at the top of everyone’s “cheerleading fundraising ideas” list. 

These grants are financial assistance programs provided by government agencies, private companies, corporations, nonprofits, and even professional sports leagues. They’re designed to support youth sports programs, including cheerleading, by covering costs for equipment, travel, and other expenses.

Basically, they’re a source of funds that doesn’t require your team to organize an event or sell anything. Instead, you’ll need to do some research and write a compelling application that shows how the grant will benefit your team and your community. 

While finding and applying for these grants may take some effort, the payoff can be significant.

Grant recipients often need to provide progress reports or evaluations to the grant provider, which is a small price to pay for the financial support that can help your cheer team thrive.

Pro Tip: Start by looking for local grants, as smaller, community-focused grants might have less competition. Then, branch out to larger organizations and corporations that offer youth sports grants. Keep track of deadlines and requirements to give your team the best chance of securing funding.

Check out our blog on fun and easy booster club fundraising ideas to raise funds!

Raise Funds For Your Team With BetterWorld For Free

Now, you can run your fundraising ideas for cheer teams without worrying about extra costs. 

BetterWorld is a completely free platform, so you can focus on raising money for your cheer team or sports team without cutting into your budget.

Here’s how BetterWorld can help with your cheerleading fundraising:

• Auctions
• Giveaways
• Ticketing
• Crowdfunding
• Donations
• Impact Giving

Getting started with BetterWorld is simple. You can have your cheerleading fundraising page up in just five minutes. Plus, it’s secure, easy to manage, and you can run as many campaigns as you want without any extra fees. 

So, if you’re thinking about fundraising ideas for cheer teams that won’t break the bank, give BetterWorld a try. It’s a budget-friendly, hassle-free way to support your cheer squad while keeping things exciting. 

Sign up today and start raising funds for your team, the free and easy way!