For one hockey association, finding an alternative to raffle ticket sales resulted in a fundraising breakthrough that has benefited many families.
Source: AberdeenInsider.com
Hockey parents know—keeping up with one of the most expensive sports means mastering the art of endless fundraising.
For years, families at Aberdeen Hockey, a South Dakota youth sports association with 200+ players, were required to sell raffle tickets to meet individual fundraising goals—a minimum of $200 per player.
Parents like Stacey V. wrestled with these demanding fundraising expectations that contributed to fundraising fatigue across the organization.
"I have three kids in the program, and each player was required to sell 60 raffle tickets," Stacey recalls. "And if you don’t sell them, you need to buy them and pay out of pocket. It was nearly impossible! So I started looking for a better way."
Stacey first heard about RaiseRight from a fellow hockey mom whose children attend a private school that also uses the program.
"I was enticed by how easy it is and how quickly you can build up earnings, especially with bonuses during the holidays. It was exactly what we needed," Stacey recalls.
But convincing the hockey association's leaders to try something new wasn’t easy.
"The leadership committee didn't prioritize exploring other fundraising options," she mentioned. "So while I wasn’t on the main committee, I still took the lead because I really wanted to improve our fundraisers."
Source: ThePublicOpinion.com
Once Aberdeen Hockey started using RaiseRight in December 2019, parents quickly picked up the benefits of this no-selling fundraiser.
Unlike traditional fundraisers like raffles or bake sales, which can only be run so many times a year, RaiseRight enables families to earn money passively year-round (24/7, 365). Participants simply shop online or use gift cards to pay for everyday essentials (like gas, groceries, clothing, or pet care), dine out at restaurants, or travel. There's no extra cost—participants fundraise just by shopping or dining as usual.
"We tell families, 'You’re already eating at Buffalo Wild Wings. Why not earn 8% back towards hockey while you’re there?'" Stacey explains. "It’s a win-win because it doesn’t cost them anything extra."
Since 2019, Aberdeen Hockey has experienced continued success with RaiseRight. In recent years, both participation and earnings have more than doubled:
RaiseRight has had a transformative impact on many families, creating more opportunities for children to participate in the sport.
"We've had a lot of success getting the younger families to join, especially at the beginning of the year. We try to illustrate the breakdown and show how you can earn a lot over time. New parents in the organization often come in wondering, 'How are we going to afford this?' Luckily, they now have options for fundraising, so overall, they’re much more optimistic," says Stacey.
Some families are saving hundreds of dollars with RaiseRight. Parents who use it regularly are seeing substantial savings on their hockey bills, and for those with multiple children in the program, RaiseRight has made the costs much more manageable.
"The most active parents earn about $800 a year—and they don't have to sell a single raffle ticket!" Stacey says. "I recently spoke to a mom who has two kids in the program, and she has her extended family also using RaiseRight. They have limited financial resources, so RaiseRight makes a huge difference for them."
Source: OurSportsCentral.com
Shifting to RaiseRight has made fundraising more flexible and sustainable for Aberdeen Hockey. While raffle tickets remain an option, they are no longer mandatory, and families can choose how they want to meet their fundraising goal.
"Families now have the choice of selling raffle tickets or using RaiseRight," Stacey shares. "Overall, the raffle tickets are unpopular and a hassle to sell. People couldn't wait to get rid of them. Many parents prefer RaiseRight because it fits seamlessly into their daily lives."
For other sports teams or community organizations considering RaiseRight, Stacey advises: "RaiseRight is one of the easiest fundraisers you can run year-round, with a huge benefit. Take the leap—it’s totally worth it."
And as for Aberdeen Hockey, RaiseRight is here to stay. "Personally, I won’t stop using RaiseRight until my last child is out of hockey," Stacey says. "And for families with just one kid in the program, it should be a no-brainer to use—because you can easily cover 100% of your costs."
If you manage fundraising for a sports team or athletic organization, you can start a free program by completing a short, online enrollment form.
Or, if you're looking for more information to share with others in your organization, check out The RaiseRight Fundraising Playbook to see how RaiseRight can benefit your group.