I think it's pretty common in many big university and pro stadiums. When I was in college many of our campus groups signed up to work concessions at the local pro baseball stadium during home games. Some just did it once or twice a season, some were regulars. It was a hot, miserable evening of hard work, BUT it was a very well-paid fundraiser.
I know at our local university (MAJOR sports teams) has similar programs for the football, baseball, and basketball arenas. Non-profit organizations can sign up as teams to man the concession booths or to help clean the facility the day after home games. Cleanup seems to be especially popular with Boy Scout troops. A friend (who is the leader) said they get something like $1200-$1600 per game. He said they have a specific section of the stadium and whether they have 4 ppl or 20 ppl show up, they work until it's done. Obviously, it goes much better and quicker with a big crowd. He also told me there is a waiting list of non-profits trying to get on the list, so it's a no tolerance situation. If your group is late or doesn't do a good job, you lose your spot.
Our freshman class is already starting to plan fundraisers to support their senior activities. One of the veteran moms wants us to sign up now to work concessions at the university basketball games. Apparently, the groups get a percentage of the sales and if they are regulars and do a good job, they get better and better booth assignments. So if we start now, in two or three years, we'll have one of the better locations. (This is a sports arena that seats about 20,000 people.)
These can be good opportunities to make some fairly serious cash. But your folks need to be aware that it's hard work and it's serious. This isn't the middle school concession stand where it's "just volunteers" and if something goes wrong..."oh well...". These are sports centers that serve huge crowds. The concessions are often horribly expensive and folks aren't always in the best mood by the time they've stood in line forever to pay $25 for two drinks and two hotdogs.
It's good money - but you WORK for it. On the flip side, other than making sure your volunteers show up, there’s not all the planning and organizing of a PTO event.
When I was in high school...WAY BACK! We worked at the Rose Bowl selling hot dogs and sodas. As a student it was so much fun. I look back now with fond memories. We sold stuff at the Army/Navy football game...lots of cute soldiers! I digress... we also did the 1984 Olympic soccer games. I think it is a great way to earn money!
Our little league organization has a booth at Solder's Field for the Bear's game. You have to make sure you have committed volunteers. For the home games, we have to be there by 8:30 am and do not get home until 5:30. A very long day We have to have a minimum of 10 workers per game, we have to work every single home game, plus 2 of the other events they host. It is a lot of fun and you get 10% of the profits of the day. It is a good fundraiser, but you have to make sure you are able to get the volunteers needed. You're going to have to give the parent's something back in order for them to participate.
Has anyone done this type of fundraiser, working at a major league ball park in your area? We had a parent talk to us last year about this type of fundraiser. You work the concession stand and get the profits made during the hours that you work. Also it has been done at local amuzement parks. Does anyone have any info on this type of fundraiser?
