How to Get a Local Business to Match Your Team's Fundraiser

"Every gift is doubled" is one of the most powerful phrases in fundraising. When supporters know their $25 becomes $50, more of them give, and some give more. A sponsor match from a local business is one of the easiest ways for a youth sports team to unlock that.

What is a sponsor match?

A business promises to match gifts to your fundraiser, usually dollar for dollar, up to a set amount. For example: "Joe's Pizza will match every gift up to $1,000." If supporters give $1,000, the team gets $2,000.

The business pays the club directly, and in return it gets its name in front of every family and supporter who visits the campaign.

Who to ask

Start with businesses that already have a connection to your team or your families:

• Parents' employers or their own businesses. Ask your families first. Someone often owns a business or works for one that supports local causes.
• Places your team already goes. The pizza place after games, the sporting goods store, the local coffee shop.
• Businesses that want local families as customers. Dentists, orthodontists, real estate agents, insurance agents, gyms and car dealers often have community budgets.
• Past sponsors. If a business bought a banner or sponsored jerseys before, a match is a natural next step.

What to ask for

Make it easy to say yes:

• Pick a specific amount. $500 or $1,000 is a comfortable range for many small businesses. You can always ask for more from larger companies.
• Set a clear end date. The match lasts for the length of your campaign.
• Explain what they get. Their name on the campaign page, a mention in your team updates and a thank-you post on social media.

A script you can use

Hi [Name], I'm [your name] with [team name]. We're running an online fundraiser from [start date] to [end date] to raise $[goal] for [purpose]. Would [business] be willing to match gifts up to $[amount]? We'd show your business on our campaign page as our matching sponsor, thank you in our updates to every family on the team, and share a thank-you post when the campaign ends. It would make a huge difference for our players.

Keep it brief, say thank you whether they say yes or no, and follow up once if you don't hear back.

How to show the match

Once a business says yes, make the match visible everywhere:

• Add a banner to your campaign page: "Every gift is doubled by [business], up to $[amount]."
• Mention it in your kickoff message to families.
• Include it in reminder texts: "Your gift is doubled until we hit $1,000!"
• Share progress toward the match: "We've unlocked $650 of Joe's Pizza's $1,000 match."

On Kick For Good, you can add a sponsor match to any campaign from the Campaigns tab. A banner appears on the campaign so supporters know their gift goes twice as far, and the match counts toward your team goal. The sponsor pays your club directly, so you collect their payment the way you normally would.

How to thank your sponsor

A good thank-you is how you get the same sponsor next season:

1. Post a public thank-you on your club's social media with a team photo.
2. Send a short note from the players. A signed team card or a quick video is memorable.
3. Share the results. "Thanks to your match, we raised $4,200 and all 18 players are going to state."
4. Invite them to a game. Business owners love seeing the kids they helped.

Common questions from businesses

"Is it tax deductible?" If your club is a 501(c)(3), the business may be able to deduct its gift. If the business receives significant advertising in return, it may be treated as a business expense instead. They should check with their accountant.

"How will people know we sponsored?" Show them where their name will appear: the campaign banner, your updates and your thank-you posts.

"What if you don't hit the match?" They only pay up to what supporters actually give, up to the cap.