Seeking alumni donations isn’t just about fundraising—it’s about connecting with former students. By tapping into emotional motivators like nostalgia, recognition, and shared impact, you can inspire former students to stay engaged and give back.
How to Run a Bowl-a-Thon Fundraiser
Bowl-A-Thons are fun and unique fundraisers. They’re effective too, and allow participants to have some fun while raising money for their school, extra-curricular program, or club.
Here, we’ll show you the A-Z of Bowl-A-Thons, including planning, tracking donations, and ideas on how to organize and promote it.
Bowl-a-Thon Guide Table of Contents
1
Step by Step Guide
Everything you need to know about starting a Bowl-A-Thon, from A-Z.
2
Bowl-a-Thon 101
Learn what makes Bowl-A-Thons unique and how they’re valuable fundraisers.
3
What is an "A-Thon" & How Does it Work?
Thon’s can be a powerful fundraising tool.
4
What do you need to run a Bowl-a-Thon?
The tools, support, and volunteers you’ll need for a successful Bowl-A-Thon.
5
Using a Bowl-a-Thon to Fundraise
How to raise money with Bowl-A-Thons.
6
Templates, Ideas, Tools, & Resources
Kickstart your Bowl-A-Thon using curated templates and tools.
7
Bowl-a-Thon Theme Ideas
Get inspired with our Bowl-A-Thon theme examples.
FutureFund is FREE for Schools
Schools that sign up get full access to all of FutureFund’s features—it’s always free and it always will be.
The Steps to Running Your Bowl-A-Thon
Step One: Choose a Date & Theme
- Choose the date of your Bowl-A-Thon three months before the event. Bowl-A-Thons usually take place on a single day, so choose a date that doesn’t conflict with other school plans.
- Make sure your PTA coordinates with the school ahead of time to rent out the bowling alley, purchase any necessary insurance, and arrange transportation to and from the event.
Bowl-A-Thon Planning Infographic and Checklist
Use these templates to keep your Bowl-A-Thon planning on track:
Step Two: Call for Volunteers
- Put out a call for volunteers two months before the event. Use FutureFund’s built-in messaging system to reach the parents and volunteers most likely to participate.
- Make sure your call for volunteers clearly states what cause or project the Bowl-A-Thon will support.
- Perform background checks for any volunteers from outside the school who need to be present during the event (if required by your school).
Example Volunteer Positions for Bowl-A-Thons
- Event Coordinator: Oversees the overall planning, execution, and post-event activities.
- Registration Team: Manages participant and team registrations, handles check-ins on the day of the event, and provides information packets.
- Lane Managers: Supervise the bowling lanes, ensure the smooth flow of games, and assist participants as needed.
- Scorekeepers: Records and monitors scores, and updates the leaderboard if applicable.
- Food and Beverage Team: Coordinates the provision of snacks and drinks, either through a catering service or volunteer contributions.
- Photographer/Videographer: Captures moments from the event for future promotion or as keepsakes for participants.
Step Three: Choose Student Incentives
- Incentives motivate students to register for your Bowl-A-Thon and collect pledges. Each student should have a specific fundraising goal—usually between $200-$400.
- It’s better to offer incentives to the class or grade that wins the most games collectively than to individual students, as this is a more cost-effective way to motivate groups and can also discourage unhealthy competition. Try an ice cream social or a pizza party for the best results.
- Plan any event entertainment and awards as needed.
Step Four: Create Your Bowl-A-Thon’s Campaign
Use FutureFund to create a Pledge-A-Thon campaign and provide your campaign details.
Make sure your campaign has the following elements:
- A clear and compelling event description and rules, including what the money raised will go towards and what the incentives will be for participating students.
- A leaderboard that shows the grades and teachers for each participating class, along with how much each has raised. These are fully customizable in FutureFund, so you can create custom categories for each Bowl-A-Thon.
- A template students can use to collect pledges from members of the school community. FutureFund provides a sample template for this in all A-Thon campaigns, which you can modify to include the specific details of your event.
Sample Bowl-A-Thon Rules Template
Here’s a Canva template of sample Bowl-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Step Five: Announce the Event & Sign-Up Students
- Send out an announcement of your Bowl-A-Thon to the school community two weeks before the event begins and request that students sign up to participate.
- Share the news in as many places as possible—use the school newsletter, morning announcements, and FutureFund’s messaging system to tell everyone why the event is important and how they can be part of it.
- Use FutureFund to send follow-up messages every other day leading up to the event to encourage participation.
- The night before the event, send a final reminder to get the school community excited about the event and encourage them to keep offering support.
Sample Email for Student Sign-Ups
Subject: Strike it Big at [School Name]’s Bowl-A-Thon!
Hello Students,
Get ready to roll with our exciting Bowl-A-Thon! This isn’t just about knocking down pins; it’s a chance to demonstrate your bowling skills, support our school, and have a blast with friends.
Why should you participate?
- Showcase your bowling talent in various fun challenges.
- Help raise funds for [insert cause or school project].
- Earn recognition and awesome prizes for your bowling skills.
How to Sign Up:
Joining is a breeze! Simply visit this link and follow the steps: [insert FutureFund link]. You’ll get a link to share with friends and family to collect pledges for each pin you knock down.
Whether you’re a bowling pro or just want to have fun, this event is for everyone. Let’s roll our way to success and enjoyment!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
You can also use this Canva template to keep a copy of your email script handy. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Follow-Up Email to Donors
Subject: Your Support is Making a Big Impact – [School Name] Bowl-A-Thon Update!
Dear [Donor’s Name],
As our Bowl-A-Thon progresses, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support. Your contributions are enhancing our students’ enthusiasm for sports and helping us achieve our fundraising goal for [insert specific goal or cause].
Current Update:
- [Number of students] are geared up to strike it big on the lanes!
- We’ve reached [percentage] of our fundraising goal.
There’s still an opportunity to boost our bowlers through FutureFund at [insert link]. Your generosity plays a pivotal role in our success and means a lot to our school community.
With warm regards,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
You can also use this Canva template to keep a copy of your email script handy. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Email for the Final Day Before the Bowl-A-Thon
Subject: The Final Frame Awaits at the [School Name] Bowl-A-Thon!
Hello [Name of School] Students & Families!
We’re just a day away from our Bowl-A-Thon, and excitement is at its peak! Our students are set to show their skills in a day filled with strikes, spares, and lots of fun.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Just one day left to gather your pledges! Don’t forget to contribute via FutureFund at [insert link].
- Join us to cheer for our young bowlers on [Date] at [Location]. Make sure to be part of the awards ceremony where we’ll celebrate their accomplishments and recognize top bowlers!
Let’s make this final day a striking success. Your support and encouragement are key to making a positive impact on our school and students. Let’s knock down these pins together!
See you at the lanes,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
You can also use this Canva template to keep a copy of your email script handy. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Templates for Promoting Your Bowl-A-Thon
Here are some Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Bowl-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Bowl-A-Thon from [insert date]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to win as many games as you can!
Step Six: Find Sponsors
Ask local businesses to sponsor the Bowl-A-Thon. This can help your PTA reach your fundraising targets while business owners get exposure and positive PR.
Make sure to explain how each sponsor’s contribution will be recognized. For example, you could:
- Hang a banner in the gym with sponsor logos during the event.
- Offer branded water bottles or other swag to participants.
- Add sponsors to your school’s online store using FutureFund.
Types of Sponsorship:
- Direct donations—either towards your fundraising goal or to help cover the costs of supplies.
- Corporate matching is where a business makes a donation equal to all or a portion of the funds you raise from the community.
- Selling sponsorships on FutureFund via advertising on your campaign page.
Step Seven: Host the Bowl-A-Thon
Finally, the day of the event will arrive—and if you’ve followed all the steps above, you should have everything you need to make it a striking success. Here’s an example schedule:
Morning Session
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Setup and Volunteer Briefing: Volunteers arrive and set up the registration desk, lanes, and any additional stations (like food and beverage, raffle, etc.). A brief meeting is held to go over the day’s schedule and responsibilities.
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Participant Registration and Warm-Up: Participants arrive, check in, and receive their lane assignments. They can use this time to warm up and practice.
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Opening Ceremony: A welcome speech by the event coordinator, an explanation of rules, and a brief motivational talk.
- 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Bowl-A-Thon Round 1: The first round of bowling begins. Participants bowl a set number of games.
Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch and Entertainment: Participants and spectators take a break for lunch. This time can also include entertainment such as music, guest speakers, or a raffle draw.
Afternoon Session
- 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Bowl-A-Thon Round 2: The second round of bowling. Participants continue or complete their games. This can also include special challenge rounds or competitive brackets.
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Final Scores Tally and Break: Scorekeepers tally the final scores. Participants take a break and enjoy refreshments while waiting for results.
Evening Session
- 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Awards Ceremony: Awards and recognition are given for various achievements like highest score, best team spirit, most funds raised, etc.
- 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Departure: The event coordinator gives closing remarks, thanks participants, volunteers, and sponsors, and officially ends the event.
6:00 PM onwards: Cleanup: Volunteers and staff clean up the venue, dismantle any temporary setups, and ensure everything is returned to its original state.
Post Event
- One Day After the Event: Send a thank-you message to donors with FutureFund and update them on your school group’s progress.
- One Week After the Event: Hold the student celebration event (ice cream social or pizza party) for the winning class or grade!
Bowl-a-Thon 101
What is a Bowl-A-Thon?
A Bowl-A-Thon is a unique fundraiser, but it follows the same basic principles as other A-Thons, like Read-A-Thons or Walk-A-Thons. During a Bowl-A-Thon, bowling teams sign up to compete in a bowling tournament.
Teams typically pay a registration fee and collect pledges, which are the main source of donations. Overall, Bowl-A-Thons are tons of fun and less intimidating than other types of sport tournament fundraisers.
Bowl-a-Thon Goals & Rules
Treat these as a base and feel free to tailor these to suit your specific event.
Length of Time
Most Bowl-A-Thons take place over the course of a single day, since you’ll need access to a bowling alley to run them. If you’re holding your Bowl-A-Thon on the weekend, you might take an entire day—but if it’s on a weekday and you aren’t able to put off classes, it’s better to make it an evening event.
Bowling Goal
The easiest way to organize your Bowl-A-Thon is to supply students with a specific number of bowling balls based on the pledges they collect, then award points based on how they bowl. Tally up the results at the end and issue a prize to the class or grade that scores the most points—this incentivizes students to fundraise and to support each other.
Grade Considerations
Bowl-A-Thons are appropriate for students of all ages—but you’ll probably want to make sure you’re using a 9-pin setup for younger students, since the balls are lighter and easier to bowl.
Pledge Collection
Start telling students about the Bowl-A-Thon at least two weeks before it starts.
Students should be signed up in your fundraising system so they can gather donations for at least seven days before the fundraiser starts (although it’s still okay to take last-minute sign-ups).
Confirm That Everyone Knows What to Do
On the day the fundraiser starts, be sure to re-explain the rules and encourage students to continue fundraising.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bowl-a-Thons
How does a Bowl-A-Thon work?
Players register in teams of 4 to 8 players. The teams also do peer-to-peer fundraising and gather pledges from friends, family, and coworkers. On the day of the event, bowling balls are distributed to players depending on the amount of pledges raised.
After each team is registered and has 2 to 3 weeks to fundraise, there will be an event where the teams get to bowl using the balls they’ve earned. Scores are tallied up at the end of the event and the winning team (or class or grade) is awarded a group prize.
How long does a Bowl-A-Thon last?
Most Bowl-A-Thons are between 2 and 10 hours. There are a few different ways you can split the time:
- As one continuous event
- As separate sessions, over the course of a week or two
- As an individual, at-home event
What should you consider when planning a Bowl-A-Thon?
Bowl-A-Thons are fairly straightforward fundraisers. The most complex part of the planning will be finding a venue.
The event will need to be held at a bowling alley, so securing a venue should be the first step in your planning. Once that’s taken care of, everything else is very easy to plan since the bowling alley will be able to help with things like shoe rentals and other supplies.
How should participants form teams?
You’ll probably want to set some ground rules for the teams, just so everyone has a fair chance. Think about:
- Number of players
- Age
- Gender
For example, if children are participating, you’ll want to make sure each team has a similar number of kids. So you might make it a rule that each team needs at least 2 kids under 10.
What are the advantages of Bowl-A-Thon fundraisers?
Bowl-A-Thons are great fundraisers because they’re a lot of fun—and they can raise a lot of money for your school. They’re especially great if parents and students have “fundraiser fatigue” and are tired of more conventional fundraisers.
How do I use FutureFund to track my fundraiser’s success?
FutureFund gives you the ability to generate financial reports for fundraising campaigns in just a few clicks. To do this, navigate to Store and click the Reports tab near the top of your screen. Then choose Campaign Summary from the drop-down menu and click Generate Report.
Can volunteers for my Bowl-A-Thon sign up automatically through FutureFund?
Yes—FutureFund lets you create a list of the volunteer positions you’ll need to fill, then add a volunteer page to your registration portal so parents can sign up in just a few simple clicks. See the steps for signing up volunteers here.
FutureFund is FREE for Schools
Schools that sign up get full access to all of FutureFund’s features—it’s always free and it always will be.
What is a “Thon”?
Thon’s Are Fun & Effective Event-Based Fundraisers
An “a-thon” is a peer-to-peer style fundraiser that involves participating in a certain activity and gathering donations for participating in said activity.
The activity can be almost anything, from reading to running to bowling. No matter what activity you choose, the premise is the same. Participants commit to doing the activity (reading a certain amount of books, running a certain distance) and ask their friends, family, and coworkers to support them.
A-thons work great because you reach a huge donor pool through peer-to-peer fundraising. People are also more likely to donate since participants are “working” in return for the donations.
What Do You Need to Run a Bowl-A-Thon?
Power it With FutureFund
FutureFund’s built-in pledge campaigns allow you to easily collect money and keep donations/pledges organized. Since parents cover payment processing fees, 100% of the funds raised go to your school!
FutureFund is easy to use - for everyone
FutureFund makes running a Bowl-A-Thon easy for everyone. Easier for PTAs and PTOs to run, for students and parents to participate, and for donors to donate.
Accept online donations
Instead of dealing with paper pledge forms and cash and cheques, FutureFund takes the process online. Donors can donate instantly online with their credit or debit cards.
A single tool to power your entire A-Thon!
FutureFund makes it easy to track how the fundraiser is going. Easily view how much money has been raised and more with detailed reporting.
Using a Bowl-A-Thon to Fundraise
Consider the below when organizing your Bowl-A-Thon. Spending a bit of time upfront getting organized from an admin and donation perspective will save a lot of time and potential frustration later.
Managing and organizing pledges
Each student will sign up as a participant in the fundraiser. Then, they can collect pledges individually by credit or debit card. You can also accept cash pledges, but be mindful of properly storing and tracking cash you collect.
If you are using FutureFund, you can record these pledges and they will automatically count towards the student’s total and the grand total for the fundraiser.
Donor information and donation management
Before launching your fundraiser, confirm what records you need to collect from donors.
If you are using FutureFund, it’s easy for students to sign up, especially if their information is already in the system. You can bulk sign up entire grades or classes. All donor payments are automatically entered into the system, so you can instantly see each student’s total and the grand total.
Make sure you accept online donations
Fundraising campaigns that accept online donations perform much better than fundraisers that only accept cash or check.
If you are using FutureFund, you can accept payments online. Donors are given a donation link and can pay by credit or debit card. Any cash donations can also be noted in the system to be collected later.
Bowl-a-Thon Templates & Resources
Planning Resources
Use these templates to keep your Bowl-A-Thon planning on track:
Sample Bowl-A-Thon Rules
1. Objective
- The goal is to raise funds for [School/Specific Cause]. Participants will bowl in teams with a set number of balls to collect sponsorships and donations.
2. Participants
- Open to all students, faculty, staff, and family members.
- Participants will bowl in equally sized and balanced teams.
3. Registration
- Participants must register by [Date] via [Insert FutureFund link].
- Once Participants have registered, they will receive a link of their own to collect and track pledges.
4. Sponsorship and Donations
- Participants seek sponsors who will pledge donations to support their efforts.
- Pledges will be collected online via FutureFund.
5. Bowling Format
- The Bowl-A-Thon will be held over [Number of Hours].
- Each participant or team will bowl a set number of balls based on pledges raised.
- Scores are recorded but the primary focus is on fun and participation.
6. Equipment
- Bowling balls and shoes are available at the bowling alley.
- Participants can bring their own equipment if they prefer.
7. Awards and Recognition
- Recognition will be given for various achievements: highest score, most funds raised, best team spirit, etc.
- The winning team, class, or grade will receive a pizza party or ice cream social.
8. Health and Safety
- Participants must follow all bowling alley safety rules.
- Participants should report any injuries or safety concerns to event organizers immediately.
9. Code of Conduct
- All participants are expected to behave respectfully and follow both the school’s and bowling alley’s code of conduct.
- Good sportsmanship should be maintained at all times.
10. Publicity
- The event will be promoted through school announcements, social media, and FutureFund’s messaging system.
- Participants are encouraged to share the event within their networks.
11. Cancellation Policy
- In case of an emergency or unforeseen event leading to cancellation, participants will be notified of a rescheduled date.
Or, here’s a Canva template of sample Bowl-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Bowl-A-Thon Event Description
Unsure of where to start? Use this sample student and parent messaging to get the ball rolling!
—
Strike! On [date], [school name] will be hosting a bowl-a-thon to help fundraise for [cause]. You can help by registering a bowling team and participating!
Each team will be collecting pledges online through FutureFund: [link], so even if you can’t participate, you can still donate!
Set up online pledges with FutureFund
Let parents and supporters donate online with FutureFund’s online pledges. Try it out for free!
—
Make your donation easily and instantly! Click this [link] to make your donation through secure credit or debit card payment.
If you prefer to donate by cash or check, just donate directly to the student you’re supporting. Thank you for your support!
Sample Bowl-A-Thon Email Scripts
Use these Canva email script templates to call out for Bowl-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Student Sign-up Email Template
Design Templates for Promoting Your Bowl-A-Thon
Use these Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Bowl-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
Canva Bowl-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Bowl-A-Thon from [insert date]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to win as many games as you can!
Bowl-a-Thon Theme Ideas
Retro
Bowling was most popular in the 60s, so get participants to embrace that era. They can dress up in 60s clothes like ponchos, tie-dye, and bell bottoms.
Disco
While bowling was most popular in the 60s, it was still plenty popular in the 70s. Participants can dress up in their best 70s looks and groove to 70s disco music.
Future
Instead of a blast from the past, why not a futuristic theme? Get bowlers to guess what future fashion will look like with funky fashion and face paint.
Holiday
You can’t go wrong with a holiday theme, even for bowling. Plan your bowl-a-thon around a fall or winter holiday like Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s Day, or Valentine’s Day.
Disney
A Disney theme basically just means participants can dress up like their favorite movie or TV character. Players can pick costumes individually or coordinate as a team.
Neon
Lots of bowling alleys are dimly lit, which means neon clothes will really stand out. Encourage participants to wear bright clothing, glow bracelets, and even neon face paint.
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