Turning members into monthly supporters
Most clubs rely on fundraising in bursts. A race night here, a raffle there, maybe a sponsored event once a season. These can work well, but they also take time, planning, and volunteer energy, and once they’re over, the income stops.
That’s why more clubs are looking at a different approach: turning members into monthly supporters.
Not by asking for more money, but by offering an easy, ongoing way for people who already care about the club to support it consistently.
Why one-off fundraising isn’t always enough
Traditional fundraisers are familiar, but they come with challenges:
- They rely on constant promotion
- They often fall to the same few volunteers
- Income is unpredictable
- Momentum can be hard to maintain
For clubs juggling facilities, equipment, referee fees, and rising costs, this can make planning difficult. What many clubs really need is reliable income they can count on month after month.
The power of small, regular support
Monthly support works because it spreads the effort across the whole club community.
A £10 monthly contribution:
- Feels affordable for most members
- Is easy to budget for
- Adds up quickly when lots of people take part
Instead of asking a small group to do a lot, clubs invite a larger group to do a little and the impact is often far greater.
Why members are happy to support this way
Most members, parents, and supporters already want to help their club. They just don’t always know the best way to do it.
Monthly supporter models work because they are:
- Simple to join
- Clear in how they help the club
- Low effort after sign-up
There’s no pressure to sell tickets, chase friends, or attend events. Supporters sign up once, and their contribution continues in the background.
Making it work with a club lottery
One of the most effective ways clubs are turning members into monthly supporters is through The Fundraising Club Lottery.
Instead of a donation, members buy a £10 monthly lottery ticket:
-
A significant portion is returned to the club as grant funding
-
Supporters have the chance to win cash prizes
-
The club benefits from predictable monthly income
This creates a win-win: supporters feel they’re backing the club while getting something in return, and clubs gain a dependable funding stream.
From short-term fundraising to long-term planning
Clubs using monthly supporter models often find they can:
-
Plan purchases with confidence
-
Budget for maintenance and improvements
-
Reduce pressure on volunteers
-
Reduce pressure on volunteers
It shifts fundraising from “what can we run next?” to “what can we now afford to do?”
That change alone can transform how a club operates.
How to introduce the idea to your members
The key is to keep the message simple and honest:
-
Explain what the money helps fund
-
Be clear that participation is optional
-
Focus on the collective impact
Many clubs find success by:
-
Sharing real examples of how funds are used
-
Reminding members occasionally, not constantly
-
Thanking supporters publicly
When members see the difference their support makes, retention tends to take care of itself.
A sustainable future for grassroots clubs
Turning members into monthly supporters isn’t about replacing traditional fundraising altogether. It’s about adding a stable foundation underneath it.
With predictable income, clubs can focus less on firefighting and more on what really matters:
Small monthly support, multiplied across a club community, can make a very big difference.
Join The Fundraising Club Lottery today
Joining The Fundraising Club Lottery is designed to be straightforward, with no cost to the club, and minimal admin.
To be eligible, the club must be in England, Scotland or Wales.
If your club already uses Pitchero, head to your club admin dashboard and click “Lottery” from in the left-hand menu. Follow the steps to register your club.
If your club isn’t using Pitchero yet, you can;
Register your club with Pitchero here.
Or register your club with The Fundraising Club Lottery here.
