“I don’t mind being the tip of the pyramid…I just don’t want to be the whole pyramid.” I received this invaluable perspective from a prominent program donor when I first got into fundraising, and it still stands true to this day. One of the easiest ways for an athletic program to hit a fundraising ceiling is to rely on the same loyal donors year after year. Those supporters are incredibly important. But sustainability requires growing the circle—not simply asking the existing

One of the conversations we have regularly with coaches at Fundraise4U is about alumni relations. Not transactional fundraising. Not just asking former players for money. Relationships. Your alumni are the history of your program. They wore the uniform before your current players. They experienced the wins, losses, bus rides, practices, friendships and moments that created the culture you inherited. And whether they graduated last year or 40 years ago, most still want to fee