5 Fundraising Ideas Sports Clubs Should Try In 2025
Running a sports club is more than just training sessions, competitions and team spirit, it’s also about ensuring that there’s enough funding to keep the club going. From purchasing new equipment and uniforms to travel expenses to upgrading training facilities, the costs of keeping a club running smoothly can quickly add up. That’s why fundraising is essential for any sports club looking to succeed.
As summer rolls around, it’s the perfect time for sports clubs to make the most of outdoor spaces and organise a fundraising event. In 2025 however, we’re looking to move past the traditional fundraisers like bake sales, raffles and quizzes and explore some fun, fresh ideas that will get everyone involved. So if your sports club is in need of some new equipment or has a competition coming up, here are 5 fundraising ideas that are guaranteed to boost funds and get the community involved.
1. A Colour Fun Run
Colour runs are exploding in popularity right now and it’s no surprise why. Fun runs encourage a bit of sporty fun while also being accessible for all ages and fitness levels, and when combined with colour powder, they turn into a vibrant event that gets everyone excited. Invite members of the sports clubs, their friends, families and the wider community to get involved in this feel-good event. It doesn’t matter if they walk, jog or run the course, the whole point is to have fun, get covered in colour and raise money for a good cause along the way!
To raise funds, consider charging each participant a small sign-up fee and encourage them to gather sponsorships leading up to the event. On the day, set up stalls selling colour powder packets, colour accessories and food and drink to boost your fundraising total.
If you don’t know where to get started with organising a colour run, check out our fundraising zone where you’ll find plenty of helpful resources and planning guides to make your event a success.
2. Sponsored Challenge
A sponsored challenge is a great way to get members active while also raising money for the club. You could organise a one-off event, such as a sponsored hike or run, or set a target over the course of a month, like running, cycling or walking a certain distance. Supply members of your club with sponsorship forms or access to an online donation page.
If you’re looking to collect donations online for your sponsored challenge (or any fundraising event for that matter!), we recommend using PitchIn Platform – a fundraising platform designed specifically for sports clubs. PitchIn Platform is a simple and effective way to collect donations, working in the same way as other popular fundraising platforms, but with additional reporting, integrations and customisation features.
To keep things fun and add a creative twist to your fundraiser, set various challenges or themed days throughout the event. For example, pick a day where everyone must do their challenge in fancy dress, or another where they need to complete their distance while dribbling a football. Set up an internal social media page or forum where everyone can share videos and updates of their challenges to cheer each other on. This will help keep participants motivated and connected throughout the fundraiser while keeping the energy high as they complete the challenge.
3. Charity Matches
This next idea is one for the parents. Let them swap the sidelines for a chance to be in the spotlight and take part in a charity match of their own! Whether it’s a game of football, rugby, rounders or cricket, this idea is a fun and lighthearted way to get families involved in their child’s favourite sport while raising funds for the club.
Charge each parent taking part an entry fee and encourage them to get sponsors leading up to the event. To raise even more funds, consider making the event ticketed and charge spectators a fee to come along and enjoy the action. You could also host a raffle at half-time or a game such as a penalty shoot out, giving spectators the chance to test their skills for a small donation. To round off the event and keep the atmosphere lively, offer lighthearted prizes like ‘Man of The Match’, ‘Best Goal’ or ‘Top Scorer’.
4. Sports Day
Everybody loved the fun of sports day back in school, so why not bring back the nostalgia by hosting an old-school sports day event for participants of all ages? Adults will be sure to love this idea, getting the chance to take part in sack races, three-legged races, tug of wars and the classic egg and spoon race once more. To turn this event into a fundraiser, charge each participant a sign up fee and offer them the option to gather additional sponsorships for taking part. You could even reach out to local businesses and ask them to sponsor individual races and activities.
You can split people into teams, encouraging them to co-ordinate their outfits with matching colours or themed accessories to add an extra element of creativity to the day. This will also add a competitive, yet lighthearted atmosphere as teams compete against each other to be the overall winner. Hand out medals to race winners after events, saving bigger trophies and prizes until the end of the day when the winning team is announced. This is guaranteed to boost engagement and energy as everyone comes together to cheer on their team mates and do the best they can to be crowned the champions.
If you want to add a creative twist to the day, incorporate colour powder into some of the challenges to brighten up the fun. During a tug of war, both teams could be showered in vibrant colours or as participants race with their egg and spoons, they have to dash through clouds of colour powder. It’s an easy way to make your event more memorable and add an extra element of energy.
5. Colour Fun Day
Why not combine multiple ideas into one and host an unforgettable colour fun day? This vibrant event could kick off with a smaller-scale colour run, setting the tone for a day packed with colourful sports activities and mini games, all wrapped into one action-packed fundraiser.
Offer participants the choice between paying an entry fee per activity or purchasing a full-day pass that grants access to every colourful activity. Boost fundraising by setting up stalls selling bags of colour powder and fun accessories, like sunglasses, visors and whistles. Encourage parents to contribute to the event by baking or cooking and feature plenty of food and drink stalls, with all proceeds going towards the club. To keep the energy high throughout the day, play non-stop, upbeat music that’s sure to keep everyone motivated.
To finish off the festivities, host an epic colour war. Make sure everyone is armed with packets of colour powder, then kick off the battle with a countdown. On one, have everyone throw their powder in the air to create a colour cloud, providing a great photo opportunity! Take things one step further by using a colour fountain to completely spray everyone in rainbow hues of colour. This all-in-one event combines fun and fitness to create unforgettable memories for everyone involved while supporting an important cause.
Here at Ministry of Colours, we’re your one-stop partner for all of your colour powder and fundraising needs. We offer high-quality, authentic colour powder that brings vibrancy and excitement to every event, along with a variety of fun and practical accessories. Beyond products, we also offer a host of fundraising resources and planning guides to help you organise a successful fundraiser with ease.
Whether you’re planning a colour run, sports day or fun day, we’re here to get your event up and running in the most colourful way possible. And remember, if you need an easy and effective way to collect donations for your event, Pitchin Platform is available to assist with their intuitive fundraising tool, designed to make the process straightforward and seamless. If you have any questions about our products or require support getting started with your event, please get in touch with a member of our team.
My Journey to India: The Heart of Our Colour Powder Production
India has always fascinated me. As the birthplace of the colour powder that fuels festivals, colour runs, events, and celebrations all around the world, it’s a country rich in tradition, culture, craftsmanship, and vibrant energy. Last year, I (Nigel Halliday, Managing Director of Ministry Of Colours) had the privilege of visiting our suppliers to see firsthand how our authentic, top-quality colour powder is made – from locally sourced ingredients to the final product that ends up in the hands of our customers.
Authenticity at the Core
At Ministry of Colours, we believe in bringing our customers the most authentic experience possible. That’s why we source our colour powder directly from India, the home of Holi and colour celebrations. Unlike some other alternatives, our colour powder follows a traditional production process that has been passed down for generations.
The journey starts with locally sourced cornstarch, chosen for its soft, silky texture and natural properties. This starch is then dyed using food-grade colours, ensuring that every handful of powder is not only vibrant but also safe for the skin and the environment. Once dyed, the powder is dried using natural heat and sunlight, or where needed, renewable fuels, making the entire process sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
One of the things that struck me the most during my trip was how deeply committed our suppliers are to sustainability. In a world where industrial production often comes at the cost of environmental damage, I was proud to see how our colour powder is created using eco-conscious methods. The reliance on natural drying techniques (it was very hot there!) reduces energy consumption, and by using non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients, we ensure that our colour powder leaves no harmful impact on the planet.
Making a Difference: Economic and Social Impact
Beyond sustainability, our colour powder production plays a crucial role in supporting local communities. Every bag of powder we sell helps employ over 100 people, from factory workers to logistics teams, helping to provide stable income and opportunities in regions where employment can be scarce.
One of the most inspiring aspects of our supplier’s business is their dedication to gender equality and social responsibility. Their female Sales Director is a testament to the changing dynamics in India’s workforce, and I was truly inspired by her leadership and passion for the industry. On top of this, our manufacturer actively supports Government schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which translates to “Save the Girl, Educate the Girl.” This initiative aims to combat gender bias and improve opportunities and welfare services for young girls, ensuring they have better access to education and a brighter future.
Knowing that our partnership contributes to such meaningful causes makes every festival, race, and event that uses our colour powder even more special.
A Journey of Insight and Appreciation
Walking through the production facilities, meeting the dedicated workers, and witnessing the traditional craftsmanship behind every batch of powder was a great experience. It reaffirmed my belief in our commitment to quality, authenticity, and ethical sourcing.
At Ministry of Colours, we’re not just selling colour powder—we’re sharing a piece of India’s rich culture and supporting a supply chain that empowers communities. We are incredibly proud to be a part of this industry, ensuring that every handful of colour you throw carries with it a story of tradition, sustainability, and positive impact.
Until next time, India—thank you for the colour, the culture, and the inspiration.
Nigel Halliday
Managing Director, Ministry of Colours
Top Tips To Set and Meet Your Fundraising Goals
Winter has ended and we can see the start of brighter days, warmer temperatures and better yet, fundraising and charity events! We’re loving seeing charities, schools and organisations getting their events in the calendar and we’re ready to start helping everyone get organised with their fundraising accessories and colour powder.
Following the recent launch of our Fundraising Zone, we’re also excited to be able to further support fundraising events with our handy guides, tips and tricks. But before jumping into all of the creative planning, one important thing must be established first – your fundraising goals.
Whether this is your first fundraiser or your 100th fundraiser, ensuring you’ve set clear, actionable fundraising goals is essential to running a successful event. Let’s take a deeper look at why fundraising goals are important, how to set them and our tips for smashing them.
What Are Fundraising Goals?
Fundraising goals can differ from one organisation to another, but usually there is one clear end-target that participants work towards. Usually this end goal is raising a certain amount of money, however fundraising goals for schools will be different to fundraising goals for a charity. For example, PTAs may organise a fundraiser for a school to raise money for new equipment or technology while a charity may raise funds for research or to help those who need it. Charities also run fundraisers to raise awareness for their cause and increase their base with new volunteers and donors.
Some organisations or individuals may choose to also set goals and milestones along the way to reach their end target. If you’re hosting a large event such as a colour fun run, this might include signing up a certain number of participants or securing sponsorships from local businesses to support the costs. Some charities or organisations may choose to set goals for growing their online presence, tracking the number of social media followers they have or people signed up to their mailing list.
Why Is It Important To Set Fundraising Goals?
Organising and running a fundraiser is a big task, but ensuring it’s successful is an even bigger one. Having a big end goal and smaller ones along the way gives everyone involved something to work towards and is a great way to maintain motivation. Hitting milestones as you get closer to the final goal creates a sense of achievement and pride amongst everyone involved. As people see donations tick closer to the overall number, it encourages more participation as everyone is determined to hit the final goal!
Setting goals also helps define a bigger strategy, allowing you to outline the steps needed to hit your goals and stay organised while doing so. Part of this strategy should include defining a budget and developing marketing materials to encourage participation.
Setting Your Fundraising Goals
When setting your fundraising goals, it’s important to be realistic and set clear and measurable targets. Take a look at previous fundraisers your school, club or charity has held in the past to see what they’ve raised and how many people got involved to give you an understanding of what’s achievable.
Your goal should also support or contribute to your organisation or an individual involved in some way. This may involve raising money to purchase new equipment for a school or sports club, funding a surgery or gathering donations for a cause close to you. Giving your goal that personal element is going to help you gain support from friends, families or stakeholders and make your fundraising efforts that bit more meaningful.
Meeting Your Fundraising Goals
You’ve set your goals and planning is underway for your event which means it’s time to get stuck into the main task – fundraising! Our top tips are sure to help you smash your goals and get everyone digging deep to help your chosen cause.
Create A Donation Page
The easiest and most effective for people to donate to your fundraiser is to set up an online donation page. This can be done on platforms like Justgiving, allowing users to simply click a link and instantly donate. Here you can share more about your fundraiser, your personal story and users can leave messages of encouragement. Additionally you can track the progress of your fundraising goal with ease, seeing how close you are to smashing the 100% mark. To reach as many people as possible, share the link to your donation page amongst friends and family and across social media.
Host A Fundraising Event
Organising an event can be a fantastic way to encourage donations while getting more people involved in your cause. It could be a charity auction, a bake sale or a quiz night, or perhaps you might opt to organise something a bit more challenging, like a colour run or even a skydive! Either way, having a physical event gives people something to look forward to and attracts a wider audience. To maximise your fundraising efforts, you could charge people an entry or participation fee or host a raffle on the day, offering prizes that have been donated by local businesses.
Offer Incentives
There are two ways that you can offer incentives when fundraising. The first is to offer incentives to the individual doing the fundraising so that when they reach certain milestones, they receive a gift. For example, if they raise £50 for your cause they might receive a branded t-shirt and if they raise £100, they could get a small gift voucher. Not only does the individual feel rewarded for their efforts but they’re also encouraged to keep fundraising and aim for the highest goal.
The second way is to offer incentives to the donors directly. You see this often with crowdfunding projects when artists raise funds to finance a film or a project. This involves setting up a tiered system where donors who contribute a certain amount receive a gift. For example, a £20 donation could earn them a mention on your website or a thank you in your project, a £50 donation could mean a personalised thank you letter or video message while a £100 donation might provide exclusive access to updates and events.
Reach Your Fundraising Goals With Ministry of Colours
If you’re looking for the right event to host for your fundraiser, look no further than a colour fun run. We’re the UK’s number one provider of authentic and high quality colour powder and have all of the products you need to ensure that your event is a success. From individual packets of colour powder to large 10kg bags to our impressive colour powder fountains, we’ve got everything covered to make your event bright and colourful. We also offer a variety of colour accessories, such as colour run medals and wristbands if you’re looking for that perfect memento to reward participants with.
Our Fundraising Zone is also packed full of helpful resources and guides to help you put your event together, including downloadable promotional posters, sponsorship forms and checklists. If you’re a PTA member or teacher looking to host a school colour run, we have a separate schools and PTA zone dedicated to resources just for educational institutions. Additionally we offer fundraising resources for charity organisations and sports clubs looking to make a colourful impact with their events.
If you can’t find the information you need or require a helping hand finding the right products for your event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our team. We’re always on hand to help you put the fun into fundraising and ensure your event is as bright and successful as possible!
46,000 Reasons To Host A Colour Run
A Colour Run Case Study With Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
Please watch the video above: In this video case study, we dive into the exciting and heartwarming world of colour runs, highlighting their incredible benefits for both participants and the community. We are joined by Vicky Lough, the events fundraiser at Forget Me No Children’s Hospice, who explores how these vibrant, fun events help raise vital funds for the hospice and support families in need.
Background: Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, located in Huddersfield, UK, provides specialised care to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They offer invaluable support not only for the children but also for their families, providing respite care, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. The charity relies heavily on donations, fundraising, and events to fund its essential services. The colour run was introduced as a fun and engaging event that could draw in people of all ages and backgrounds to raise vital funds for this cause.
The Concept Of The Colour Run
The Forget Me Not Colour Run is a 3-5K event held at Greenhead Park that emphasises inclusivity and enjoyment. Participants walk, jog, or run the course while being showered with vibrant coloured powders at various checkpoints sponsored by businesses. In 2024 sponsors included Charlesworth Family Group, Shepley Spring, FMG, Advanced Supply Chain, Purple Pebble People, Mercedes and Aflex Hose. Colour powder represents hope, joy, and celebration of life, themes that resonate strongly with the ethos of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The event is designed to be an experience that is about more than just physical activity — it’s about raising awareness, coming together as a community, and showing solidarity with those who are facing difficult challenges.
Collaboration Between Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Ministry Of Colours
The collaboration between Ministry Of Colours and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice began with a shared goal: to raise funds while spreading positivity. Organising a large-scale event like this requires significant planning, coordination, and promotion. The team at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice utilised their strong network of supporters, volunteers, and families to plan and promote the event while the team at Ministry Of Colours supplied them with all the colour powder and event accessories they would need. Through social media campaigns, local media coverage, and email newsletters, the event gained significant visibility. Many of the families who benefited from the hospice’s services became active participants, sharing their stories and encouraging others to join in.
Event Execution
On the day of the 2024 colour run, the atmosphere was electric. Over 1,000 participants of all ages gathered to take part in the event, many wearing white clothing that would soon be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour as they ran, walked, or jogged along the route. Aside from the 3-5K run, the event featured entertainment, food stalls, and opportunities for families to participate in additional activities like face painting, live music, and family-friendly games. These activities ensured that even those who chose not to run could still enjoy the day and contribute to the fun. The event catered to people of all fitness levels, from seasoned runners to families with young children. Participants could choose their pace, and there was no pressure to complete the course quickly. The primary goal was to raise money while fostering a sense of community and connection.
Fundraising Impact
In 2024 the Forget Me Not Colour Run was a major success in terms of fundraising. They raised over £46,000! Participants paid a registration fee to take part, and additional funds were raised through sponsorships, donations, and fundraising pages set up by individuals and teams. The funds raised went directly to Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, ensuring that the charity could continue to provide care and support to families who rely on their services. Through this event, the hospice sees an increase in engagement from the local community, both in terms of participation and donations. The awareness raised through the event also results in new corporate sponsorships and partnerships that provide ongoing financial support. Moreover, the colour run helps to strengthen the emotional connection between the community and the hospice. Many participants express a deep sense of pride in supporting a cause that directly impacts the lives of children and families in their area.
Conclusion
Having catered to over 1,000 participants and raising £46,000 in 2024, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice certainly know a thing or two about hosting a successful colour run event! Vicky Lough explains exactly how they did it in this fantastic interview, providing a wonderful insight for any organisation looking to follow suit. From promoting fitness and wellness to fostering a sense of unity and joy, colour runs offer something special for everyone.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Ministry Of Colours to learn more about how you can get involved and make a positive impact while having a blast! And if you have ever worked with us to host a colour powder event and would like us to produce a video case study, like the one feature here, to help promote your event/organisation then please get in touch!