we got the email last night asking for donations to our program, which of course came after team has been selected. Just curious what other programs are “recommending” donations be?
Ours is $700.
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Our player fees are $350, and then we're asked to sell at least 6, $100 raffle tickets. HS sports teams receive little to no money from the school / county. I was on our Football booster club board with our oldest son, and we had a $100K/year budget. And we weren't very good. But understand, that budget covered everything to run the program, including: field paint, uniform refresh/replacement, helmets, etc.
I'm surprised they asked for donation. We certainly do a lot of fundraising and "donate" that way, but never asked for a hand out of cash.
- We have an annual social, that is combined with our little league. Tickets, raffles, etc
- Bake sale in front of local grocery store
- Boy coach at little league clinics over the winter
- Car Wash
For my daughter's softball team, we wanted permanent fencing and a trip to FL. On top of the above we held a couple of golf tournaments and we work concessions at the UCONN Football games.
These raise a good amount of money, we've contributed nothing close to $700. Sounds like a poorly run team...maybe you should volunteer as the Booster President
We also host a fundraising event, a guest speaker deal which generates a nice chunk of change. Not sure why we don’t do more fundraising, instead of just “the ask.” Perhaps people here would rather just write a check and not be bothered. I know I just completed my income taxes and saw a $2,300 decrease in my “return” which will affect my family’s ability to contribute.
I think $700 is a lot. It's certainly enough to keep some kids/families from trying out or playing. In some cases the result will be kids that do nothing but play video games and other sedentary things. Too bad in my view.
It is very prominently indicated donations are voluntary.
Our program sells subs, Before cuts are made. Each student has a selected number of subs as a target. Some Parents just write a check for that amount.
How many people can afford submarines?
wow. We only pay $100 annually to the school for a sports participation fee. That covers all 3 sports seasons. There was a small amount of additional fundraising for football (raffle tickets) but that was it.
At my son's non public school they don't ask for a direct payment, but there are a number of fund raisers that are theoretically optional but not really. So far its been about $600, and there will probably be a bit more before the season ends.
2022OFDad posted:How many people can afford submarines?
Well for those on the East Coast, Grinders, Or Hoagies for some in the Midwest and Heroes for others.
Did I not mention I live a pretty affluent neighborhood. Cars Pi-shah, Such things are for commoners.
Ours here in So-Cal is $375 per kid (i got two on the Freshman Team, OUCH!) which I thought was tough, until i heard other schools in the area at the $700 mark. Beyond that we have fundraisers (SNAP!, Selling Angels Tickets, Clothing drive, poker tournament, golf tournament, etc....)
2022OFDad posted:How many people can afford submarines?
It’s the nuclear fuel and missiles that make it costly.
Parents were askied to purchase ads in the program from $50 to $200 depending on size. The program was nothing but the schedule, roster and twenty pages of ads or best wishes. We had concession stands at varsity and JV games run by parents.
The big money for the baseball and softball programs came from camps. In the summer there were two week long camps for 7%12yo. In February there were two individual “get ready for the season” week night sessions. Varsity players were obligated to provide slave labor for the night sessions. My kids said it was fun. They could work for minimum wage at the summer camps. These camps and clinics made thousands.
Wondering...is baseball becoming a sport only for kids with financial means (like soccer now where I live?). How do kids without the money feel about the donation request? Is there pressure to pay it or a stigma among peers for not being able to?
wildcat posted:Wondering...is baseball becoming a sport only for kids with financial means (like soccer now where I live?). How do kids without the money feel about the donation request? Is there pressure to pay it or a stigma among peers for not being able to?
Paying for sports participation is becoming the norm. Where I live now (MA) in many school districts football and hockey cost up to $750 per player. Sports with less equipment and liability don’t cost as much.
It’s about school budget. This means lower income towns with lower income people pay more unless there’s an ample business tax base. Booster clubs raise as much money as they can from the community.
Theres a Pop Warner program from a low income community in the county. They are perennial state champions. Every year they have to raise thousands to go to Orlando for the championships.
How would anyone know who isn’t paying or pays more?
My yearly mandatory"contribution" was about $2300 - $2500 which included fees, practice gear, summer programs, weight/conditioning, etc, all through the school. This doesn't account for 6 - 10 fundraisers, which weren't "mandatory". I laugh now because if you didn't pull your weight in these fundraisers good luck getting off the bench.
How would anyone know who isn’t paying or pays more?
To answer RJM, every fundraiser was a "contest", it was made public how much each kid has brought in (emails to players/parents were 2 -3 times a week). Person or small group who won the contest received some practice gear, or jacket, or shoes, etc. Yes I had to donate to these fundraisers just to keep son somewhere in the middle of the pack. Yearly my baseball expenses excluding showcases and private lessons that was directly tied to the school baseball program was anywhere between $4500 - $7000. I cringe just thinking about it now 
Public high school, Varsity here is $1,000, AND IT IS NOT a recommended donation. I will say they do get a lot as a Varsity player, lots of gear, several pairs of cleats, all travel and motels paid for, lots of dinners, breakfasts, a paid certified trainer for morning workouts, etc.....
wildcat posted:Wondering...is baseball becoming a sport only for kids with financial means (like soccer now where I live?). How do kids without the money feel about the donation request? Is there pressure to pay it or a stigma among peers for not being able to?
Out here in SoCal there is tremendous financial pressure on schools, which have cut many programs such as arts, theater, music, etc, and also have underfunded pension problems. It is politically very difficult to put more money into athletics, so more of the burden is falling on the parents. Many schools rely on a few families to make large contributions and carry much of the financial burden, but that's hit and miss. Many schools now "charge" for summer, fall and winter ball in addition to spring, and some also charge extra for weight lifting, strength and conditioning, and throwing programs. Add to this the fact that more high schools are traveling for tournaments to add luster to the programs and you've got some real expenses flowing. It seems to be headed in the direction of travel ball as far as cost.
Approximately $1000 in "required/voluntary" fees. The $1000 buys you your son's gear, cleats, meals on game days, snack on tournament days and pays for the school bus to drive them. $150.00 is the bus fee and it is not voluntary at all.....paid to the school, not the team. That does not included program ads, senior pictures, or anything extra.
Agree, Smitty, and slowly become a sport that you could see leaving high school entirely.