In Muay Thai, the more experience the better, but in order to gain more experience, you're going to need to get on more shows. Some of these shows will be away from home and if you work really hard, you may be invited to international competitions, such as IFMA and WBC Muay Thai Festival. This means $$$. You'll need to pay for travel and accommodations, tournament fees, uniforms, sometimes extra training, and often cover your coach's fees as well. If travelling from North America to a tournament in Europe or Asia, you're looking at at least $5000CA in expenses. That's a lot. How will you get it?
What follows is a big random list of (Canadian-specific) fundraising ideas, some pretty standard, some more unique. It is not necessary (nor possible) to do all of them. The key is to pick and choose which ones you think YOU'LL be able to do within your given fundraising timeframe, and what will appeal to your audience. You can also combine ideas. Also, consider what your athlete is capable and willing to do.
If you have other ideas that need to be on this list, DM me on Instagram to let me know!
Friends and Family
When you're starting your fundraising journey, friends, family, and co-workers will be your most important and most valuable source of fundraising. You don't want to take them for granted or let them down. Frequent updates and shows of gratitude are essential to making sure this group keeps giving and doesn't feel taken for granted. A simple recorded message of thanks or personal note from your athlete can go a long way.
GoFundMe
GoFundMe is a pretty standard way of soliciting funds these days. The page is easy to set up with a story and photos. Do be aware that there is a fee taken per each donation (2.9% + $0.20), but it is a secure way to take money and provide the link on your social media channels. Your GoFundMe page can also be used to update donors and is easy for people to share with others, increasing your reach. Tip: if you have a friend/relative who is interested in donating, you can always get them to e-transfer you directly, avoiding the fee. Another tip: some countries, such as Thailand, are not allowed access to GoFundMe, so make sure that you have a way of accessing your account while in the country if needed.
Social Media
Having a social media presence is pretty essential for the amateur athlete these days. In order to get people behind your cause, it is helpful to build a relationship with them. How do you do that? Tell your story with posts that show people how hard you're working and why they should support you. When using social media to ask for financial support, it's not just a matter of asking once. Repeatedly weaving in your ask, posting often, and with variation, is an effective way of getting your story out there. Using hashtags will help spread your story beyond your followers and help you get more followers, which in turn may become your donors. Don't forget to thank people! Showing gratitude is such an important part of fundraising as it will tell people that you really appreciate their help and don't take it for granted.
Sponsorship
What you may soon realize when in fundraising mode is that relationship-building is a key component to getting financial support. If people know you, believe in you, want to be a part of your team, they will support you. This is why putting some effort into regularly posting updates to social media is important. This is why getting your story out and keeping in contact with people is important.
Think about people/businesses in your/your athlete's life that are constant: dentists, orthodontists, doctors, barbers, hairstylists, restaurant owners, mechanics, plumbers, local businesses that you regularly frequent, gear suppliers--these are all people with whom you already have a relationship, whether you realize it or not. The first step to asking these people for sponsorship money is putting together a sponsorship package. This should consist of photos, your story, and what your ask/offer is. Make it easy for your sponsors by being very clear about what you're asking for and what you're offering. For example: "For a $100 donation, I will mention your business in my social media." Local businesses can be quite willing to show support for local athletes because there is a potential return there of local business. It's a win-win relationship. Maybe they aren't able to give you a cash donation, but they would be willing to put one of your posters up in their window, which can help you promote yourself. That's still something.
Larger companies are more difficult to get money from, but it is possible with a compelling story and connections. Many of the big banks support sports, though usually teams. Start by looking what big companies you use--banks, utilities, food suppliers, and research to find out how to reach the appropriate department.
Speaking of build relationships, your community Facebook group is a great way of establishing your identity in the place where you live so that when it comes to fundraising, they'll know who you are and what you're about.
Grants
In Canada, there is no government funding for sports unless your sport organization is part of an NSO (National Sport Organization). There are organizations out there such as Jump Start and Women in Sport that provide various funding programs, but there are specific requirements for each. Funding for specific identity groups, such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, education level, are more readily available.
Media
Whether at the community level or a media outlet with more reach, people are always looking for interesting stories. When you are pitching your story to media (usually there is a call for stories link on their web site), try to relate your story to their mandate. For example, if you are pitching to a local community paper, be sure to let them know that you have been living in the neighbourhood for a while, that you go to school there or operate a business there. Connect yourself to the community for which the media outlet serves. The idea is getting people in a specific area or with a specific interest to rally behind one of their own. Look for media opportunities related to your athlete and their identity. Are you a certain ethnicity? Religion? Gender identity? There are tons of special interest media platforms, including social, who are looking to feature individuals like your athlete. Prepare your story, compile a list, and get pitching. The more pitches you send out, the more likelihood of your story to get picked up. Sure, not every story featured will result in donations, but every mention helps.
Merch
T-shirts, stickers, temporary tattoos, water bottles--there are lots of products available that can be customized with graphics promoting your athlete. Be aware of upfront costs. It's a good idea to do pre-orders of your items so that you know how many to order. T-shirts can be designed with advertising from business sponsors included.
Bake Sale
Who can resist some sweet treats? Volunteers create yummy products, donating their time and cost of ingredients. A bake sale is a good event to combine with other events. Have lots of change on hand or set up e-transfers so that people aren't limited to what cash they have on hand. It's a good idea to label items for allergens.
Garage Sale
Everyone has junk in their home they want to declutter, but not necessarily enough for their own garage sale. Offer to pick items up from friends, family, and neighbours to put on an epic sale. Same as above, have change on hand, allow e-transfers, and combine with other activities, like a bake sale. Have a plan for how to dispose of/store unsold items. Consider placing an ad in a community paper/online classified to draw neighbourhood customers.
Raffles
Get items of value donated or purchase items that people will want, then sell tickets, the winner of which to be chosen at random. Some prize ideas: lottery ticket packs, wine baskets (have participants donate bottles), themed gift baskets, donated services (training sessions with coach, services donated by athlete families), gift cards.
Food Reselling
Think of a food item that everyone loves, is affordable, but isn't commonly available, and is easily sold individually. Some examples include donuts, samosas, Jamaican patties, empanadas, churros. These can be sold for a higher amount, allowing you to keep the profit.
Krispy Kreme has a fundraising program that offers their doughnuts at a reduced price to be resold at retail or higher. We participated in this program at our gym with fairly good success. A good excuse to buy doughnuts!
Recycling
Most people have items in their home, such as takeout containers, reusable shopping bags, clothing, bottles, cans, electronics, etc. that they wish to get rid of, but haven't had a chance to the appropriate collection location. Offering to pick up from people in your neighbourhood for a small fee is an attractive offer that not only helps people declutter, but is good for the environment as well. If you have access to a truck or large vehicle, you may even offer a junk collection service to bring building material and large items to a transfer station. Or, if it makes sense cost-wise, rent a disposal bin and invite neighbours/friends to toss their junk in it for a donation.
Offering a Service
Do you have a special skill that you can offer for a fee? Some ideas include: haircutting, braiding, manicure/pedicure, palm reading, henna, tire changes (seasonal), pet grooming, shoe cleaning, portrait photography...the list is endless. Think seasonally: what is something that many people need at that time of year? For example, shovelling in the winter, window washing in the spring, grass cutting in the summer, raking in the fall. Think, what is something that people could easily do themselves, but would happily let you do for a donation.
Group Classes/Personal Training
Offer workshops or classes to corporate groups or groups of friends who aren't usually at the gym. Maybe it's a one hour trial, intro to your sport. Getting a bunch of friends or work colleagues together to try out a class is often more attractive than trying one on your own. Some people are more comfortable with one-on-one training as an intro or ongoing. Check with your coach to see if they're OK with you offering these sessions.
Use Your Maker Skills
If you have crafting skills like knitting, crochet, woodworking, homemade cosmetics, jewellery-making, cartooning, there are tons of stuff you can make and offer for sale. Just make sure that it's something that people will want and that your selling price covers your material costs. Do some tests and ask friends/team members how much they might pay for item, if they even would.
Lemonade Stand
Here's an idea that goes back to when we were kids, but it still has potential to bring in some money from people walking by. Make sure that you have pictures on hand and a way to tell your story for why you're raising funds. Offer something unique, like a special blend of lemonade or, if there is an adult on hand, adult flavours for adult customers. Set up in a high traffic area or partner with a local shop. Make sure that the arrangement is a win-win for both of you. Have plenty of change on hand and/or offer e-transfer.
Movie Night
See if you can set up at your gym to show a movie. Sell tickets. Offer snacks and drinks. Get your hands on a computer projector. A fun idea is to set up outside on a warm night and project the movie on a wall or bedsheet. Just make sure you give your neighbours a heads-up or better yet, invite them!
Games Night
Board games, poker, trivia, Minute to Win It--there are tons of game ideas for large or small groups. A fun way for friends/family/teammates to get together. Sell tickets to the event and of course, snacks and drinks.
Karaoke
This is something that can be combined with other get-togethers mentioned. Sell tickets to participate OR sell tickets to NOT participate! There are sites/apps available to make a super fun sing-a-long with lots of laughs.
Pie Throwing
Fun on its own or combined with other events, this is a chance to show your coaches/teammates what you really think of them! Participants buy tickets for the chance to throw pie in the face of coaches, teammates, or others. The pie is simply a tin filled with whipped cream. Have lots of clean-up gear on hand. Variations on this include water balloons, ice buckets, dunk tanks, head shaving.
Duck Races
Online races are a super fun and engaging way to choose winners at random for raffles or they are fun on their own. Search online for different ones, but here's one. Participants buy tickets to enter the race, then watch together to see who crosses the finish line first.
Dance Class
Are you good at learning the latest TikTok dance routine? How about a country line dance? Sell tickets to teach it to a group, at the end of which, you perform it, record it, and use it to promote your fundraising efforts.
Other Classes
If you have a special skill, share it by teaching it to others. Cooking, baking, crafting, food and drink tasting, home repair, drawing, dog training--these are all skills that can easily be taught either online or in person. During the pandemic, tons of online learning opportunities popped up for people looking to learn from home. Search for more ideas and see if there is something you could offer in exchange for donations.