Fundraising Ideas     |     1 December 2025

9 Tennis Fundraising Ideas You Probably Haven't Thought About

Fresh ideas to raise funds with tennis without repeating the same old raffle

6 minute read

It always starts the same way: someone needs money for a team, a club, or a cause, and suddenly, you're running a tennis fundraiser. You probably didn’t ask for the job, but here you are. You want something that raises actual money, doesn’t make people groan, and ideally, brings some fun along the way.

You’re not alone. Every year, volunteers juggle spreadsheets, sign-up sheets, and court reservations, trying to pull together something that won’t flop. Most settle for the same ideas: another round-robin, another raffle basket, another bake sale near the bleachers. Not anymore.

This list of tennis fundraising ideas is for anyone who’s tired of repeating what everyone else does. These are smart, doable concepts that bring energy, creativity, and more participation, whether you're running a tennis club fundraiser, school event, or community charity day.

Let’s shake up your planning process with tennis fundraising ideas that actually get people to show up, open their wallets, and have a good time doing it.

Tennis is a great match for fundraising

Tennis has a built-in advantage. It's easy to scale up or down. You don’t need a massive roster, it works for all ages, and it naturally creates moments for people to gather. Whether you’re looking for fast-paced competition or low-key social time, it fits.

Events can run on a single court or fill an entire complex. You can charge entry fees, sell snacks, run a bracket, or offer VIP seating under a tent. Because tennis attracts a broad audience, you can adjust your approach: family-friendly, corporate, recreational, or elite.

Plus, you can pull in people who don’t even play. Spectators, sponsors, donors, and local businesses are all potential supporters when you build a fundraising event that makes space for them.

If you already have a tournament or match scheduled, consider building the fundraiser around it. You don't have to start from scratch; adding creative elements to something already on the calendar is often more effective than planning a standalone event. This approach is ideal for time-strapped teams who want to add value without doubling the workload, but these ideas will also work for those starting from scratch. 

To boost reach, think beyond your usual players. Invite local high school teams, pickleball players, or even gym members to participate in mixed-format events. Broadening your audience can turn a modest fundraiser into a high-turnout community gathering.

How to plan smarter, not harder

Before you land on your fundraising format, get clear on what you want out of this event:

• How much money do you need to raise?
• How many volunteers do you realistically have?
• Do you want the event to be social, competitive, or both?
• Is this for players, families, the broader community, or a mix?

Once you’ve got your answers, tools like Silent Auction Pro can help you keep things organized. From handling online bidding to sending texts to guests or assigning seating, it covers the small tasks that eat up your time. If you’re building something with multiple moving parts, it helps you stay sane.

Now, on to the good stuff.

9 tennis fundraising ideas you probably haven’t thought about

These ideas are designed to be flexible. Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and don’t be afraid to remix things based on your audience.

1. Serve and sip social

Host an evening event where players rotate through short matches while guests enjoy wine or mocktails on the sidelines. Think live music, string lights, small bites, and a donation bar.

People pay to play, and spectators buy a ticket to enjoy the vibe. Add fundraising games between rounds: mystery wine pulls, tennis trivia, or paddle raise moments.

This works especially well for adult crowds and doubles as a thank-you to sponsors or longtime donors.

2. Rally relay challenge

Instead of a traditional tournament, turn it into a fast-paced relay. Teams rotate players on and off the court every few minutes, aiming to keep the rally going as long as possible.

Spectators love the unpredictability. Sponsors can pledge money per completed rally, or you can track cumulative rally time to award prizes.

This format brings in all skill levels, including beginners who might not sign up for standard matches.

3. Charity doubles with a twist

Here’s a playful one for your list of tennis club fundraising ideas: players sign up solo, and doubles partners are drawn at random or auctioned off right before the match.

You can also have "mystery partners" reveal themselves on court: coaches, local celebs, former pros. The surprise keeps it interesting and encourages more sign-ups.

Charge an entry fee and offer a prize for the winning duo, but keep the focus on fun and camaraderie.

4. Tennis ball treasure hunt

Buy a batch of used tennis balls and number them. Hide them around the grounds, inside the clubhouse, or even offsite. People pay to participate and hunt for numbered balls that match prizes.

Make it as relaxed or competitive as you want. This one is perfect for kids, families, or a warm-up activity during a longer event.

Pro tip: give away branded gear or local gift cards as prizes to highlight community connections.

5. Beat the coach mini matches

Set up a single court and have a local coach, teaching pro, or club president play quick mini-matches against challengers.

Charge a small donation to take a shot at winning a five-point game. If they lose, they get a sticker or wristband. If they win? Maybe a prize or just major bragging rights.

This is a good way to involve coaches in a fun, low-stress format. Plus, spectators love watching the matches.

6. Courtside picnic fundraiser

Turn a regular match or tournament into a full-on social event. Think: picnic blankets, bring-your-own-snacks, food trucks, or reserved picnic tables for VIP donors.

Sell entry as "Courtside Passes." You can also set up reserved areas for different donor levels or sponsors.

Pair this with a simple donation drive, giving campaign, or raffle or silent auction table. It’s great for clubs looking to engage non-players or mix generations in a single space.

7. Silent auction with tennis flair

This one pairs perfectly with a bigger event or gala night. Use tennis-themed packages like:

• Private lessons with a club pro
• Front-row seats to a pro match
• Signed memorabilia
• Custom gear or apparel bundles

Use a tool like Silent Auction Pro to manage bids, check people in, and keep the process smooth. Mobile bidding helps reach guests who can’t attend in person but still want to support.

8. Costume round robin night

Tennis in tutus? Why not? Pick a theme (Wimbledon whites, 1980s neon, tennis and tiaras) and host a casual round robin with a costume twist.

People pay to enter and compete for prizes like best costume, best teamwork, or most dramatic celebration. It breaks up the routine and pulls in players who want a break from the usual.

Keep the play simple and the vibes light.

9. Serve speed contest with a twist

Rent or borrow a radar gun, and invite players to test their serve speeds. Add a twist: have people guess their own serve speed before hitting. Closest guess wins.

Charge per attempt, offer bonus entries for best scores, and keep a running leaderboard.

You can run this alongside any other event, and it works well for teens and adults alike. Great for short attention spans and social media moments.

Make it last beyond the match

Once the event is done, you still have momentum. Keep the energy going with a post-event email or social post sharing photos, thanking volunteers, and updating your supporters on how much you raised.

Want to keep donors engaged? Set up a giving campaign using your existing event branding. Offer recurring donation options or start teasing the next event.

People who had a good time are more likely to give again and tell their friends.

You can also consider setting up a donor wall or thank-you banner at your next event to celebrate contributions from past supporters. It's a simple touch that reinforces community and shows appreciation without needing a big production.

Smart tools that make your job easier

Whether you’re planning a one-night event or a full tournament weekend, having a system to manage tickets, donations, guests, and communication makes a huge difference.

Silent Auction Pro is a go-to for many tennis tournament fundraiser ideas. You can handle:

• Online registration
• Text and email reminders
• Mobile and online bidding
• Paddle raise or donation tracking
• Sponsor visibility and ticket sales
• Check-in and checkout tools

You don’t need to know code, and you don’t need to chase people down with a clipboard. It’s designed for teams that are doing this on top of their regular lives.

Court your donors with a lively tennis fundraiser

You don’t need a packed bracket or a perfect weather forecast to run a successful fundraiser. What you need is a fresh idea, a clear plan, and tools that help you pull it off without burnout.

Hopefully this gave you a few tennis fundraising ideas you haven’t already seen a hundred times. Whether you try just one or build an entire day around several, the goal is the same: raise money, keep it fun, and make people want to come back next year.

Because let’s face it—tennis is better when it supports something bigger, and fundraising is better when it doesn’t feel like a chore. Request a free demo of Silent Auction Pro and see how we can make your next event more fun and more profitable for your cause.