SPORTS PICKERPick'em Pools and Squares for Schools and Booster Clubs: Spirit, Sponsors and Fundraising the Right Way
A school pool is one of the easiest ways to get families, students, staff and alumni talking every week of the season. It also gives local businesses a simple way to support the school. Here is how to run one that is fun, fair and on the right side of the rules.
Make it about your team
Pick the NFL or college football, or follow your own team. With a custom league, you upload your school's schedule (a PDF, a photo of the schedule or a spreadsheet) and enter the final score after each game. Everyone picks your games and the rivals around you.
Let local businesses donate the prizes
Ask the pizza place, the hardware store and the car dealer to each donate a prize: a gift card for the weekly winner, a jersey or a dinner for the season champion. Put their names in the prize list and thank them in the weekly recap. That is real support for the school and real exposure for the business, without anyone collecting entry money.
About collecting money
Many states regulate raffles and "charitable gaming". Collecting money to enter a pool or to buy squares can fall under those rules, and some require a permit even for a school or nonprofit. Before you charge anything, check your state's rules and talk to your school or district. Safer ways to raise money:
- Sell sponsorships to local businesses, and keep the pool free for everyone.
- Ask for a suggested donation that is not required to play or to win.
- Hold your usual fundraiser and use the pool to promote it every week.
Sports Picker never collects or holds money. It keeps score and runs the game. (This is general information, not legal advice.)
Spread it through the whole community
Send the join code home in the school newsletter, put the QR flyer at the gate and the concession stand, and list the pool under "Near you" so the whole town can find it. Announce the weekly winner over the PA at the next home game.
Keep it student-friendly
Players never pay and there is no betting. You can make the pool restricted so only people you add can join, and follow your school's policies for prizes and minors.
Running a school or booster club pool?
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