Fans of a Good Cause

Who do you picture when you think of a sports fan? A big, shirtless guy beating his painted chest with his fists?

Sure, sports fans are a passionate bunch. But if your nonprofit strategizes properly, you might get that guy — and his passion — on your side.

The world of sports has a rich history of generosity. When Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, the NFL donated $1 million to assist victims. Baron Davis of the Golden State Warriors contributed $50,000 to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund. Chris Duhon of the Chicago Bulls partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist victims in his hometown of Slidell, La.

Sporting events can be a terrific way to raise money for a wide variety of nonprofit causes. From runs to golf tournaments, they’re a fun way to bring out a diverse audience, raise money and promote your cause.

To learn more about how to get sports fans involved in giving, FundRaising Success spoke with Dale Moss, president and general manager of the Harlem Ambassadors professional show basketball team. Moss combined a career in professional sports management and marketing to create the Harlem Ambassadors in 1998. Similar in concept to that “other” Harlem basketball team, the Ambassadors put on a comedic, family-friendly performance that pits an all-star, co-ed professional team against novice players. Nonprofits around the country bring in the Ambassadors for fundraisers to get sports fans and their families out to support a cause. Organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, and smaller schools and clubs have raised thousands using this sporting event as a fundraiser.

Here, Moss discusses some of the key elements to a successful fundraising program geared toward sports fans. The umbrella over all of these elements? Think local.