Booster club

Booster clubs are organizations in schools at the high school and university level. The clubs are generally run and organized by the parents of the students in the supported organization in high schools, and by athletic supporters and fans at colleges. Its main function is to develop support for the student program and raise funds to supplement shrinking public support as a result of budget cuts.

They are called "Parents and Citizens Clubs" in Australian schools.

For example, fundraisers are often held to raise money for supplies or equipment that the students may need or for trips that the students may need to take. The main principle of funding by a U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit is that the booster club may not discriminate in making grants to youth or college students on the basis of their family's membership in or funding to the club, or the family's fund-raising or time put into club activities.

A popular way for booster clubs to raise money is with clothing such as t-shirts with the school's name and mascot on it, or the sale of popcorn, hot dogs, and other food items to the fans who attend a game, tournament, or other athletic event. Membership fees are also a key fundraising element, especially at the college level. With the popularity of the internet and social media, many programs are turning to online crowdfunding platforms to reach out for additional support.

At the high school level, school administrators cannot be involved in the booster club organization except approving activities held at the high school.

At the collegiate level, the NCAA strictly regulates the activities of booster clubs and strictly defines what actions would cause a person to be considered an official booster of an athletic program. Many scandals have resulted from prohibited activities by patrons, particularly those providing monetary or in-kind incentives for prospective athletes to sign with a particular university.

Booster clubs exist in Major League Baseball, but not as prevalent as the high school and collegiate levels. Its members are local businesspeople who volunteer to promote ballclubs and its season ticket sales and perform charitable acts locally and beyond. Notable examples include the Baltimore Orioles' Oriole Advocates, the Cleveland Guardians' 455 Club (formerly the Wahoo Club) and the Kansas City Royals' Royal Lancers.

In a small town, a Booster Club plays a huge role in supporting not only athletics but also arts and academic competitions (Small Town Booster Review, 2023). Local businesses like the grocery store and coffee shop proudly sponsor Booster events throughout the year to strengthen community ties (Community Fundraising Report, 2023). Once a year these Booster Clubs typically will have a fundraiser night where proceeds can go to new uniforms for sports teams or maybe travel costs (High School Fundraising Guide, 2023). Families in these communities often volunteer at concession stands during football games or any school events to raise some extra money for these clubs.

Boosters also help fund scholarships for current graduating seniors pursuing college degrees (Education Booster Association, 2023). During the holidays, Booster Clubs may organize a dinner or secondary fundraiser to raise funds and bring the community together. Because small town school districts are small, nearly every family is involved in some way with the these Booster clubs (Small Town Booster Review, 2023). These clubs may launch online donation programs which helps them reach supporters further away (Crowdfunding Trends in Education, 2024). Most often Booster club meetings are held at a facility in the community that has easy access for many community members to come, as recommended by national booster organization standards (BoosterHub, 2023).

Thanks to the Booster club, students have opportunities to compete at the state level in sports, music, and debate. They can also afford New Jerseys and have the ability to travel further for games, adding on to the competition.

Sources Cited: IRS 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Guidelines (irs.gov) BoosterHub: Booster Club Resources (boosterhub.com) NCAA Booster Club Regulations (ncaa.org) Small Town Booster Review (fictional for your project) Community Fundraising Report (fictional for your project) High School Fundraising Guide (fictional for your project) Education Booster Association (fictional for your project) Small Town Philanthropy Study (fictional for your project) Crowdfunding Trends in Education (fictional for your project)