“One of the biggest surprises for me when I started coaching in the public school system was realizing I would have to be a fundraiser. I wasn’t anticipating that. I knew about booster clubs and fundraising, but I thought it was only for extras, like fancy warm-ups or additional equipment. However, we had to raise money for essentials, like buses to take us to races. I'm not a teacher, but the other coach is, and if we miss a day of school for a race, the athletic budget has to cover the cost of a substitute teacher. We also fundraise for things I assumed the school district would cover, but they don't. Fundraising can be a challenge and, at times, frustrating. If you're thinking about coaching in the public school system, know that fundraising will be a big part of your job. It certainly caught me by surprise.”
Tessa Taylor
High School Head Coach, Cross-Country and Track and Field
Fundraising may not be the first thing you think about when applying or interviewing for a job, but it might be important. As Tessa states, school coaches are expected to fundraise, not just for the extras.
In her interview with me, Tessa provided several ways she has learned to fundraise. These include finding and applying for grants, selling space around the track for different companies to purchase, and asking for donations from sports companies. Her most interesting idea was creating a month of donors. Each athlete is asked to find a donor to match the day of the month. Therefore, on the first day, the athlete must find a $1 donation, $2 for day two, $7 for day seven, and so on. Not all athletes can complete the calendar, but that’s $465 raised in a 30-day month per athlete if they do.
Ask Yourself
What questions should I be asking about fundraising responsibilities during my interview?
Who is the best fundraiser in my athletic program, who do I know, and what can I do (e.g., take them to lunch) to learn from them?
What is a way I can fundraise for my program that might not have been done before?