Cuts to sports programs in schools have forced some teams to get creative while fundraising. New numbers show more teams are turning to crowdfunding.
The girls volleyball coach at El Cerrito High School is using gofundme.com to raise money for his team.
"So we're trying to be as efficient as we can,” coach Scott Bishop said.
Bishop has coached other teams to state titles before, but this is his first year coaching the Gauchos. He says funding is needed for new balls, nets, and tournament fees. They also need money to hire a Freshman volleyball coach.
“We need quality equipment to be able to train. I'm used to running a successful and competitive program and those are kind of the building blocks to doing that,” Bishop said.
"In the past years we tried to do all the fundraising stuff, it didn't really amount to much,” said senior co-captain Melany Puente.
Instead of selling candy bars to raise money, the team is turning to crowdfunding. New data shows many other teams are doing it too.
Sports
According to fundraising website gofundme.com, nearly $10,000 was raised for teams in 2010. It’s increased every year since, and this year more than $9 million has been donated to teams.
The lady Gauchos are trying to raise $6,000.
"We've got a lot of good momentum going so far,” Bishop said.
They’ve raised $450 so far.
Bishop says if the goal is met, the team will give back by teaching younger kids in the community how to play volleyball.
"Good people make good volleyball players. So the more I can work on both ends of that the better."
The lady Gauchos page can be found here.
