Hockey Team Fundraising Ideas & Sponsorship Guide

Minor hockey teams all over Canada fundraise to bring down what each family pays, cover tournaments and ice time, and pay for gear or team events. In this guide you'll find how to check your association's fundraising rules before you start, 18 fundraising ideas sorted by how much work they take, how to ask local businesses for sponsorship (with a letter template you can copy), and how to keep fundraising money honest and tracked all season.

Keep your association's fundraising and gaming policies handy as you read. Rules differ by province and by organization, so please confirm what's allowed before you launch anything. To see what Ontario minor hockey associations publish on fundraising, see the Fundraising topic in the Governance Library.

Why hockey teams fundraise

Team fees add up fast. Fundraising spreads some of that cost to other sources, so each family carries a little less.

Most teams fundraise to:

• Lower per-family fees: cut what each family pays directly;
• Pay for ice time and facility costs: practice slots, game ice, or referee fees;
• Fund tournament travel: help with registration, hotels, meals, or the bus for away tournaments;
• Buy equipment or apparel: shared gear, jerseys, or team bags;
• Support team events: the year-end banquet, coach gifts, or team-building outings.

Some teams build fundraising right into the season budget and lower family fees to match. Others use it for specific extras, like one more tournament or a development session. Either way, the point is to make hockey more affordable for the families on the team.

Check your association's fundraising rules first

Before you sell a single ticket or book a bottle drive, read your association's fundraising policy. Rules vary, and something that's fine for one team may not be allowed for another.

What to check with your association

• Which fundraisers are already approved and which need board permission.
• Whether raffles, 50/50 draws, or cash-prize events need a provincial lottery or gaming licence.
• How fundraising money has to be deposited, tracked, and reported.
• Whether fundraising income lowers everyone's fees equally or can be credited to individual families based on what they did.
• What paperwork the treasurer needs to keep for each fundraiser.
• Whether fundraising expenses can come out of the team account or have to be handled separately.

Provincial lottery and gaming rules

If your fundraiser has a raffle, a 50/50 draw, or any other cash prize, you may need a lottery or gaming licence. The requirements depend on your province.

In Ontario, for example, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) handles lottery licensing for charitable gaming events. Other provinces have their own gaming authorities and their own rules. Please don't assume a small raffle is automatically exempt. Check with your association first, and if you need a licence, apply for it before you sell any tickets.

Your association may already hold a blanket licence that covers team fundraisers, or it may ask each team to apply on its own. Ask before you plan the event.

For more on what Ontario associations publish, see the Fundraising topic in the Governance Library.

Hockey team fundraising ideas

The right fundraiser for your team comes down to how much time your volunteers have, what goes over well in your community, and what your association allows. Here are 18 ideas, grouped by how much work they take.

Low-effort fundraisers

These need very little planning and can keep running all season without much extra work.

Collect returnable bottles and cans from families, neighbours, or local businesses. Ask one parent to look after drop-offs and returns. Once it's set up there isn't much to it, and what you raise depends on how many people pitch in.

Some programs let teams sell reloadable gift cards and keep a small percentage of what families load onto them. Families buy groceries or gas like they normally would, and the team gets a few percent every time a card is reloaded. See if your association already has a program, or look into local options.

Ask grandparents, friends, or other supporters to e-transfer donations straight to the team account. Some teams set up a simple online fundraising page through an approved platform. Keep track of who gave and send a thank-you note.

Work with local businesses on a discount card families can use all year. Print the cards, sell them to families and supporters, and either split the money with the businesses or keep it for the team, whatever you agreed to. It takes some coordinating with the businesses up front.

Sell team hoodies, hats, or bags to families and supporters. Use a local supplier or an online custom-apparel site. Families tend to want team gear anyway, so it raises money and builds a bit of team spirit too.

Event-based fundraisers

These take more planning and volunteer time, but they can bring in more money in a shorter stretch.

Set up a table at home games and sell baking, pizza slices, hot dogs, or coffee. Parents take turns baking or picking up items, and the money goes to the team. Check the arena's rules on food sales first.

Host a pancake breakfast, spaghetti dinner, or BBQ for families and the community. Charge per plate or per family. Volunteers look after the cooking, setup, and cleanup. Budget for the food, and keep the menu simple so it's easy to make more.

Hold a team car wash in a busy parking lot. Players and parents wash cars in shifts for donations or a set price. You'll need a spot, water, supplies, and decent weather.

Gather donated items or services from local businesses and families, then auction them at a team event or online. Restaurant gift certificates, sports memorabilia, lessons, and services like snow removal are usually popular. Start asking for donations well ahead of time.

Rent a hall or book your arena's community room for a trivia night or games night. Charge per person or per table, sell snacks and drinks, and hand out small prizes. Parents can look after the questions, scorekeeping, and setup.

Run a mini skills clinic for younger players or host a 3-on-3 tournament. Charge an entry fee per player or per team. Your players and coaches can run the drills and games. You'll need ice time, confirmation that you're insured, and registration done in advance.

Product sales fundraisers

With these, you sell actual products and part of each sale goes to the team.

Order cookie dough, pizza kits, or other frozen food from a fundraising supplier. Families and players sell to neighbours, friends, and coworkers, and the team earns a set amount on each item. You'll have to place the order up front and organize delivery.

Buy cases of chocolate bars from a fundraising wholesaler and have players sell them at school, around the neighbourhood, or at the rink. Everyone knows how it works, so there's not much to explain. Keep a careful count of your inventory.

Team up with a local greenhouse to sell seasonal plants. Take orders ahead of time, set a pickup date, and hand the plants out to buyers. It works well around the holidays or in the spring.

Make a team calendar with player photos and sell it to families and supporters. An online printing service helps keep costs down. It's best to launch at the start of the calendar year or early in the season.

Game-day fundraisers

These happen at games and can become a regular part of the season.

Sell 50/50 tickets at home games. Half the pot goes to the winner and half goes to the team. Most provinces require a lottery licence for this, so check your association's gaming policy and your province's rules before you sell a single ticket.

Sell small foam pucks before the game, then let buyers toss them onto the ice at intermission. Whoever lands closest to the target wins a prize, and the team keeps the rest. Check the arena's rules and the insurance requirements first.

Hire a photographer or ask a parent volunteer to take team and action photos at games. Sell prints or digital downloads to families. Work out pricing and the team's share with the photographer ahead of time.

How to ask local businesses for sponsorship

Sponsorships bring in money without families having to sell anything or run an event. Local businesses sponsor hockey teams to support the community, get their name out, and connect with families nearby.

For a complete guide with ready-to-use templates, see how to get hockey team sponsors.

What businesses get from sponsoring your team

• Logo placement on game jerseys, practice jerseys, or team banners
• Recognition in team emails, social media posts, or at games
• Goodwill in the local community
• Connection to hockey families who may become customers

Small and mid-sized local businesses are often your best bet. They have ties to the community, and a team sponsorship fits their marketing budget better than regional or national advertising does.

Create sponsorship tiers

Clear sponsorship levels make it easier for a business to say yes. Tiers let them pick an amount that fits their budget and show them what recognition they'll get in return.

Here's a simple three-tier setup a lot of teams use. Change the dollar amounts, names, and benefits to suit your team and what your association allows. Don't put specific dollar figures in front of a business as facts or guarantees until you've confirmed them with your team and association.

Example sponsorship tiers:

• Gold Sponsor: Logo on game jerseys, recognition at all home games, and social media mentions.
• Silver Sponsor: Logo on practice jerseys or team banner, recognition at select games, and one social media post.
• Bronze Sponsor: Name listed on team website or in programs, and a thank-you mention in team communications.

Keep the benefits simple and doable. Don't promise anything the team can't deliver all season.

How to ask for sponsorship

Step 1: Make a list. Start with businesses that already have a link to your team: a parent's workplace, local restaurants, sports stores, dental or medical offices, or services families already use.

Step 2: Reach out personally. A quick visit or phone call works better than a cold email. Introduce yourself, explain what the team is working toward, and ask if they'd consider sponsoring. Let them know how their support will be recognized.

Step 3: Follow up in writing. Send a short sponsorship letter or email with your tier options, benefits, and contact information. Keep it to one page. Include your team name, level, association, and how the money will be used.

Step 4: Say thank you. Once a business says yes, send a thank-you note, give them a receipt if one is required, and deliver the recognition you promised. Keep sponsors posted on how the season is going and thank them publicly when it makes sense.

Ready-to-use sponsorship letter template

Use this template as a starting point. Fill in your team's details, sponsorship tiers, and contact information.

---

[Your Team Name]
[Association Name]
[Season Year]

Dear [Business Owner or Manager Name],

We're reaching out to local businesses in [City/Community Name] to ask for your support for the [Team Name], a [Division/Level] hockey team playing in the [Association Name] this season.

Our team has [Number] players aged [Age Range] from [Community/Area]. We're raising money to help lower family fees, cover ice time and tournament costs, and give every player the chance to grow their skills and their love of the game.

We'd like to invite local businesses to sponsor our team. As a thank-you for your support, we're happy to offer the following:

[Tier Name]: [Briefly describe recognition, e.g., logo on jerseys, social media mentions, game-day recognition]

[Tier Name]: [Briefly describe recognition]

[Tier Name]: [Briefly describe recognition]

We'll recognize your sponsorship throughout the [Season] and make sure your business is thanked in our team communications and at games.

Thank you for considering it. We'd be glad to answer any questions. You can reach [Your Name] at [Your Email] or [Your Phone Number].

Thanks for supporting local hockey and our community.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Role, e.g., Team Manager or Fundraising Coordinator]
[Team Name]

---

Adjust the tone, tiers, and details to fit your team and what your association permits.

Tracking fundraising money honestly

Fundraising means cash, cheques, and e-transfers passing through a lot of volunteers' hands. Without a simple way to track it, money can get misplaced, forgotten, or be hard to explain later.

Keep it separate from day one

Record fundraising income separately from parent fee payments. Give each fundraiser its own budget category so you can report the results accurately.

If your team uses HuddleBooks, you can set up a separate category for each fundraiser and attach supporting documents to every transaction. If you use a spreadsheet or something else, make sure each fundraiser has its own line and every deposit is explained.

Keep receipts and documentation

• Write down what was sold, how many, the price of each, and the total collected.
• Keep receipts for any expenses, like product costs or event supplies.
• Note who collected the money and who deposited it.
• Attach deposit slips, e-transfer confirmations, or bank records to the fundraising entry.
• For product sales, track inventory in and out so you can match it to what was sold.

Two people count the cash

When there's cash, have two people count it together before it's deposited. Write down the amount, both counters' names, the date it was counted, and the date it was deposited. This protects everyone and makes sure what goes in the bank matches what was collected.

Don't let cash sit in someone's house for weeks. Deposit it quickly and record it.

Report fundraising results to families

Parents want to know how a fundraiser went. After each event or product sale, send a short update with:

• The fundraiser name and date;
• Total amount raised;
• Expenses, if any;
• Net amount for the team;
• How the money will be used.

Keep it short and stick to the facts. Parents appreciate the openness, and it builds trust for the next fundraiser.

How per-family fundraising credit works

Some teams credit individual families based on the fundraising they did. For example, if a family sells $200 worth of product with a 40% margin, the team might credit that family $80 toward their fees.

It rewards the families who pitch in, but it takes careful tracking. You need to record which family sold what, work out each family's credit, apply it to their balance, and report it clearly.

Important: Not every association allows per-family fundraising credits. Some require that all fundraising income benefit the whole team equally. Check your association's policy before you promise any family that their fundraising will lower their own fees.

If per-family credits are allowed, write down how they work before the season starts so families know how credits are earned and applied.

For more on handling team money through the season, see the hockey team treasurer checklist and minor hockey fraud prevention and team money controls.

Plan fundraising into your season budget

Fundraising belongs in the team budget from the start. Show the target amount, the fundraisers you're planning, the expected expenses, and the net amount you expect to bring in.

Don't count fundraising targets as money in the bank. Keep confirmed money and hoped-for money separate so families see the full picture. If a fundraiser comes up short, families or another source may need to cover the gap.

Use the hockey team budget template to plan fundraising income alongside the rest of your team's revenue and expenses.

How HuddleBooks helps teams track fundraising

With HuddleBooks, teams can set up a budget category for each fundraiser, import bank transactions as they come in, attach receipts and supporting documents, and keep everything reconciled through the season. Parents can log in and see where the team's money stands, fundraising included, without waiting for the treasurer to send an update.

Have a look at the HuddleBooks demo to see how team budgets, fundraising tracking, and parent visibility fit together in one shared place.

Frequently asked questions

Do hockey teams need a licence to run a raffle or 50/50 draw?

In most provinces, yes. Raffles, 50/50 draws, and other cash-prize events usually need a lottery or gaming licence. In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates them. Requirements depend on the province and the prize value. Check with your association first. It may already hold a licence that covers team events, or you may need to apply on your own.

What are the easiest hockey fundraisers for minor hockey teams?

Bottle drives, gift card programs, and apparel sales are some of the easiest. They need very little planning and can run all season. Families take part when it suits them, and the money adds up over time without one big event to organize.

How do hockey teams ask local businesses for sponsorship?

Start with businesses that already have a link to your team or community. Drop by or call, introduce yourself, and explain what your team needs. Follow up with a one-page sponsorship letter that describes your team, lists your sponsorship tiers and what each one gets, and includes your contact information. Always say thank you and deliver the recognition you promised.

Should fundraising income reduce team fees equally or per family?

That depends on your association's policy. Some associations require all fundraising income to lower fees equally for every family. Others let teams credit families individually based on what they did. Check your association's fundraising policy before you promise any family that their effort will lower their own fees.

How should a hockey team track fundraising money?

Give each fundraiser its own budget category. Record what was collected, who collected it, and when it was deposited. Keep receipts for expenses, have two people count any cash, deposit money quickly, and attach the deposit records to the transaction. Report the results to families after each fundraiser.

Can a hockey team use fundraising money for anything?

Follow your association's rules. Fundraising money is usually limited to approved team expenses like ice, tournaments, equipment, or events. It should go into the team account, be tracked separately, and show up in the team's financial records. Don't use fundraising money for anything outside the team's approved budget.

Sources and further reading

• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
• Hockey Canada Team Manager's Manual
• HuddleBooks Hockey Team Budget Template
• Hockey Team Treasurer Checklist
• Minor Hockey Fraud Prevention and Team Money Controls
• Governance Library: Fundraising topic
• Governance Library: Sponsorship topic

This article is general educational material, not legal, accounting, gaming, tax, or regulatory advice. Please follow the fundraising and gaming policies that apply to your association and jurisdiction.