How to Do a Free Throw Fundraiser: Step-by-Step Guide for Schools and Nonprofits

Want to raise money for your school, youth group, or local nonprofit without spending a dime on supplies? A free throw fundraiser is one of the simplest, most effective ways to get people to donate while having fun. You don’t need a big gym, fancy equipment, or a pro team-just a hoop, some balls, and a crowd willing to cheer.

Why a Free Throw Fundraiser Works

Free throw fundraisers tap into something basic: people love to watch others try-and fail-at something they think they could do. When a kid from your community steps up to shoot, parents cheer. When a local business owner takes a shot and misses, everyone laughs. And when someone nails five in a row? That’s when the donations start pouring in.

Unlike silent auctions or bake sales, a free throw event is active, visual, and easy to explain. You can run it in a school gym, a park, a parking lot, or even a driveway. It’s perfect for winter months when outdoor events are tough, and it works for all ages. Kids, teachers, coaches, even the mayor can join in.

Step 1: Pick Your Cause and Set a Goal

Before you start planning the event, decide what you’re raising money for. Is it new basketball gear for the middle school team? A trip to a regional tournament? A scholarship fund? A local food pantry?

Be specific. Instead of saying, “We’re raising money for youth sports,” say, “We need $5,000 to buy 30 new basketballs and 15 jerseys for the Eastside Youth League.” Clear goals make people want to help.

Set a realistic target. For a small school or neighborhood group, $1,000-$3,000 is a solid goal. Larger organizations can aim for $5,000-$10,000. Don’t overpromise-you’ll burn out volunteers if you miss.

Step 2: Choose Your Location and Date

You need a basketball hoop. That’s it. If you’re lucky, your school has an outdoor court. If not, rent a portable hoop from a local sports store for under $100. Some cities even lend out equipment to nonprofits for free.

Timing matters. Pick a Saturday afternoon in late January or early February. Avoid holidays, snowstorms, or big local events. A 3-5 hour window works best-long enough for people to drop in, short enough to keep energy high.

Check the weather. If you’re outside, have a backup plan: a gym, community center, or even a big garage with a hoop.

Step 3: Set Up the Donation System

This is where most free throw fundraisers fail-or succeed. You need a clear, simple way for people to pay.

Here’s how it works:

• Each participant pays $5 to take 5 shots.
• Every made basket = $1 donated by a sponsor (more on that below).
• Or, donors can pledge a set amount per make: $1 per basket, $2 per basket, etc.

Use cash boxes, Venmo QR codes, or a tablet with Square or PayPal. Don’t rely on just cash-it slows things down. Have at least two payment stations.

Pro tip: Put up a big whiteboard or poster that shows the current total. People love seeing progress. “We’re at $2,100-just $900 to go!”

Step 4: Recruit Participants and Sponsors

You don’t need stars. You need participation.

Start with your own network: teachers, coaches, parents, local business owners. Ask them to sign up for a 5-minute slot. Offer incentives: “Top 3 scorers get a free pizza party!” or “Most donations raised = free T-shirt.”

For sponsors, approach local businesses. Ask them to donate $100 to sponsor a “Free Throw Zone” or $50 to cover the cost of 10 balls. In return, they get their logo on a banner near the hoop. A local auto shop? “Sponsored by Johnson’s Auto Repair-where every shot counts.”

Some businesses will even match donations. A hardware store might say, “We’ll match every dollar raised up to $500.” That’s free money.

Step 5: Run the Event Like a Pro

On the day, you need structure. Here’s how to keep things moving:

1. Have a check-in table where people sign up and pay.
2. Assign volunteers to track makes and misses-use a clipboard or a simple app like Google Sheets.
3. Have a host or MC who announces each shooter and keeps the energy up.
4. Play music. Not too loud, but enough to create a vibe.
5. Have water, snacks, and a shaded area for waiting participants.
6. Take photos and videos. Post them live on social media. Tag sponsors. People donate more when they see their friends on screen.

Don’t forget a “Kids’ Corner” with mini hoops and smaller balls. Let the little ones shoot for $1. They’ll bring their parents-and their parents will donate too.

Step 6: Follow Up and Thank Everyone

The fundraiser doesn’t end when the last shot is taken. The real work starts after.

Within 48 hours, send a thank-you email to every participant, sponsor, and volunteer. Include:

• How much was raised
• What it will be used for
• A photo of the event
• A link to a photo album

Post a recap on social media. Tag sponsors. Say, “Thanks to Johnson’s Auto Repair for matching our donations-because of you, we raised $4,200 for new basketball gear!”

Send handwritten thank-you notes to top donors and sponsors. It’s old-school, but it sticks. People remember being thanked personally.

Real Example: How Eastside Middle School Raised ,300

Last February, Eastside Middle School ran a free throw fundraiser for new uniforms. They had 120 participants over four hours. Local businesses donated $1 per make. A diner matched every dollar raised up to $1,000. Parents bought $5 shot tickets for their kids. A local radio station gave them free airtime.

They raised $6,300. That paid for 40 uniforms, 20 new balls, and still left $1,200 for coaching clinics.

They didn’t have a big budget. They didn’t need one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s what goes wrong-and how to fix it:

• Not enough volunteers: Assign roles ahead of time. You need 10-15 people. One for registration, two for payment, three for tracking shots, one for photos, one for cleanup.
• Too many rules: Don’t require participants to be athletes. Let anyone try. The fun is in the mess-ups.
• Ignoring social media: Post live updates. Use a hashtag like #EastsideFreeThrows. People donate when they see their friends in the video.
• Forgetting the thank-yous: If you don’t thank people, they won’t come back next year.

What You Need to Get Started

Here’s a simple checklist:

• One basketball hoop (rent if needed)
• At least 5 basketballs
• Payment method: cash box, Venmo QR code, Square reader
• Sign-up sheet or online form (Google Forms works)
• Whiteboard or poster for donation total
• Volunteers (10-15 people)
• Water and snacks for participants
• Banners or signs with sponsor logos

That’s it. No fancy tech. No expensive permits. Just people, a hoop, and a good cause.

Next Steps: Keep the Momentum Going

One event can turn into a tradition. After your first free throw fundraiser, ask participants: “Should we do this again next year?” Most will say yes.

Turn it into an annual event. Add a 3-point shootout. Host a “Dad vs. Kid” challenge. Invite local celebrities to shoot. Turn it into a mini-tournament.

People don’t forget events where they laughed, cheered, and helped. And when they see the impact-new gear, a scholarship, meals delivered-they’ll keep coming back.