Playbook
Bake sales, product catalogs, raffles, car washes, restaurant nights, crowdfunding, sponsorships and gear drops, compared on effort, cost and what supporters get.
By Swag31 team · Published · Updated · 5 min read
We compare on four things: how much work it is for volunteers, what the team pays or stocks upfront, what a supporter receives, and what share the team keeps. Shares are not like-for-like. A percentage of sales, a markup and a price minus costs mean different things, so the table states the basis and we only give a number where a source backs it. Swag31 is our product, so read the trade-offs on both sides and check each provider's current terms.
| Method | Volunteer effort | Upfront cost / inventory | What supporters get | Team share (basis) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bake sale | High on the day: baking, table, cash | Ingredients, usually paid by families; some local health rules apply | Baked goods, in person | Whatever is left after ingredients; check local food rules |
| Product catalog (cookie dough, popcorn) | Medium: collect orders, hand out product | Varies by provider; some ship to buyers, some deliver in bulk | Food or novelty product | Varies by contract. Double Good says groups keep 50% of sales with no fees or minimums; Otis Spunkmeyer's share varies by partner, so get the rate in writing |
| Raffle or 50/50 | Medium: ticket sales, drawing, record keeping | Prizes, tickets, possibly a permit | A chance to win | Ticket sales minus prizes and costs; rules vary by state, and many require permits |
| Car wash or yard-work day | High on the day: volunteers and location | Low: supplies | A service, in person | Donations or fees collected, minus supplies |
| Restaurant night | Low to medium: flyers and turnout | None | A meal they would eat anyway | Typically 10% to 20% of qualifying sales; fine print often excludes tax, alcohol, delivery and gift cards |
| Crowdfunding page | Medium: writing and promoting | None | Usually nothing in return (a donation) | Donations minus platform and processing fees, which vary by provider |
| Sponsorships | Medium to high: asking businesses | None, but you owe visibility to sponsors | Businesses get recognition | Agreed amount per sponsor, set in the deal |
| Gear drop (Swag31) | Low after launch: share a link | $0 upfront; made to order, no inventory | Custom team apparel shipped to their home | Item price minus print cost, buyer-paid shipping, card processing and a 5% platform fee, plus the Season Pass ($89 by card or $99 from first sales) |
Team stores from other providers work differently again. For example, SquadLocker describes an organizer-chosen markup (examples given are 5%, 10% and 15%) that goes to the group. That is a share of a different thing than a share of sales, which is why we do not rank by percentage. See the sources.
The downsides are real. Orders ship, not hand over; made-to-order items have limited returns (see refunds); the team's cut is what remains after costs rather than a flat share; and a store needs a few reminders to keep it moving. Read the full breakdown on the pricing page.
The best-funded teams rarely rely on one thing. A common mix: a sponsor for the big fixed cost, a gear drop timed to the tournament, and one community event for morale. For more ideas, see our list of team fundraiser ideas, the compare hub, and the earlier Playbook posts on funding a club season and tournament weekends. The FAQ covers how payouts work.
Accessed October 2026. Provider terms change, so check each provider's current terms before you decide.
Questions about any of this? Reach us at support@swag31.com.