17 Swim Team Fundraisers That Make a Splash

The world of swimming and diving can be expensive. Swimming is one of the most expensive sports there is for youth. Pool time, lane rentals, travel, meet fees, coaching, and uniforms all add up fast. Add in hotel stays, team suits, and equipment like fins and training paddles, and it’s easy to see why fundraising is such a big part of every season.

So how do you raise money without drowning in extra work? You need fundraisers that are simple, proven, and bring in real results. Here are 17 of the best swim and dive fundraiser ideas to keep your team afloat this season.

1. Calendar Fundraiser

The calendar fundraiser has become one of the most popular fundraisers for swim and dive teams across the country. Each swimmer has a digital calendar numbered 1 to 31. Supporters “claim” a date and donate that amount. A full calendar equals just under $500 per swimmer or diver.

With digital platforms like Teamfi, you can set up and share your calendars in minutes. Each athlete gets their own fundraising page, real-time progress tracking, and easy sharing through text or social media. For teams of 20 or more, the math adds up quickly.

2. Crowdfunding Campaign

Digital crowdfunding is among the most efficient and highest yielding fundraisers out there right now, and platforms like Teamfi help give you the tools to turn online fundraising into gamechangers. These fundraisers don’t just help your program stay afloat, but can also empower them into real meaningful program bank account boosters.

Raising thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands of dollars is the norm we see with swim programs running crowdfunding.

The Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central swim team is one of our many success stories doing crowdfunding, raising $7,000!

3. Host Your Own Swim Meet

Hosting a swim meet is a solid way to showcase your facilities, program, and make some money through tickets and concessions.

Whether it’s a dual or meet, there’s plenty to prepare for. Having workers who can cover concessions and tickets, making sure the timing system is working and having event workers to monitor, and of course, clearing out the schedule to allow for you to host.

4. Swim-a-Thon

A-thon fundraisers are a fun way to challenge your team, while raising money. These fundraisers can raise big!

Nothing says “swim team fundraiser” quite like a swim-a-thon. Each athlete collects pledges for the number of laps or meters they swim in a set time. Friends and family can donate a flat amount or per lap completed.

It’s both an endurance test and a fundraiser that ties directly to your sport. You can use music, themed relays, one on one competitions, or prizes to keep it exciting for swimmers and spectators alike.

Other unique fundraising a-thons are walkathons, bowlathons, color runs, and lift-a-thons.

5. Discount Card Fundraiser

One type of fundraiser that is underused are discount card fundraisers. You partner with a discount card company and then area businesses to provide a coupon book if you will to area businesses.

People pay a flat rate, usually $20 or $25, you keep the money not going to the discount card company, and local shops and restaurants get more foot traffic.

6. Shoe Drive Fundraiser

Go into your closet right now and look at how many shoes you have in there. How many do you want to get rid of? How many do you just not wear?

A shoe drive fundraiser is where you partner with a company that helps recycle sneakers and shoes. They will pay you by the pound for the material and as a bonus it’s a sustainable fundraiser.

7. Pool Party Fundraiser

Rent your pool for an evening community swim party. Families can pay admission for open swim, relay games, and diving contests. Sell snacks and drinks for additional income.

Have access to a facility? This can become an annual tradition that’s fun for the whole community and profitable for your program.

8. Sponsorship Packages

Many swim facilities have wall or fence space perfect for sponsor banners. With crowds for open swim, it leaves a large opportunity for local businesses to get eyes on them, but also to support local programs.

Offer tiered sponsorship packages: bronze, silver, gold. Include logos on banners, social media shoutouts, and mentions during meets. It’s one of the simplest and most consistent ways to bring in recurring support each year.

9. Cookie Dough Sales

Retail based sales were the gold standard of fundraising especially before the boom of the internet. Remember Smencils? Those still exist! It’s not a broadly appealing product though, despite what your fifth grader may say.

Cookie dough however is a broadly appealing product, and often cookie dough fundraisers can be very successful. 

Retail based fundraisers often depend on a reliable supplier who upcharges cookie dough so you can resell it for a profit, and they in turn can profit. So while you can make money, be prepared to pay a lot of cookie dough.

10. Team Poster Fundraiser

In a team poster fundraiser, you aren’t selling the actual poster. That wouldn’t be economical or wise. You want these posters in the hands of youth kids, families, and businesses to hang up and passively increase interest in swimming. No, you’re selling space on that poster.

Work with your team photographer to create professional team posters featuring swimmers and/or divers. Then add sponsor logos around the edge of the design. Those businesses will pay to be on that poster.

Give the posters out at meets, sell them to parents, or offer spots on the poster as part of sponsor packages. You can also sell individual banners with grommets to parents. 

11. Swim Clinic for Kids

Whether you’re a school team or club, swim lessons are a great way for your program to make money. There’s never a shortage of parents looking to get swim lessons for their kids. 95% of parents believe that it’s important to teach their kids to swim.

So setting up a one day clinic or series of lessons with your swimmers as the teachers, adult supervision, and a registration fee is an easy way to fundraise.

12. Chain Fundraiser

Chipotle, Krispy Kreme, Chik-Fil-A, these are household brands that your organization or team can partner with to help raise money.

The first question you have to ask yourself? Does this chain make sense to me? You need one close and accessible to a majority of your parents and families.

It also has to have universal appeal.

If those check out, chain fundraisers can be great! Fundraisers get unique codes and approximately 25% of orders go back to your program.

13. Silent Auction

A silent auction is a tried and true fundraising effort that is often paired with banquets or golf outings.

Ask local businesses for gift cards, event tickets, or merchandise to auction off.

Digital bidding tools and QR codes make it easy for supporters to bid even if they can’t attend in person. Add on a premium vacation package or high value item to headline your fundraiser and help with marketing.

14. Swim Merchandise Sale

Team-branded apparel, towels, and swim caps always sell to parents, kids, and families. Find a trusted provider of items that would be good for sale, things like bumper stickers and t-shirts are always popular.

15. Seasonal Fundraiser

Halloween themed, Christmas themed, summer themed, take your season and create a seasonal fundraiser out of it. Whether it's pumpkins in the fall, lights during the holiday season, fireworks during the Fourth of July, or chocolate during Valentine’s Day, there’s a seasonal fundraiser out there for you.

Check out our winter fundraising and fall fundraising ideas!

16. Candy and Snack Sale

Buy candy or snacks in bulk and sell them at meets, concessions, or local events. Individually wrap and label items for easy grab-and-go sales.

Low cost, high markup, and long shelf life make this a simple product fundraiser that can run year-round.

17. Aquatics Themed Trivia Night

Host a trivia night at your school or a local restaurant with swim and dive-themed questions. How can you make money off this? Entry fees for the trivia night, and trying to work out a kickback deal for the restaurant if you have it at a restaurant.

Trivia companies do cost money to come out and you should do that investment to create a professional trivia environment.

Keep Your Swim and Dive Season Flowing Strong

Fundraising doesn’t have to be complicated. From digital tools like our pick a date to donate calendar and crowdfunding fundraisers to fun community events like color runs and trivia nights, there’s something for every swim and dive team.

The most successful fundraisers are consistent, creative, and team-driven. Combine online convenience with community energy, and your team will be ready to dive into a fully funded season.

Interested in how we can help your program raise thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars? We’ll help you get the ball rolling.

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