There are only a few sporting events each year that draw as big a crowd as the Super Bowl! With the word “Bowl” right in its name, rescue groups can easily use the idea of a Super large bowl to fill the bowls of hungry pets. Here are a few ways to get your piece of the action, by hosting a fundraiser catering to football fans.

Check out the official Super Bowl website for future dates and arenas for the big game. Often, this game will coincide with other major holidays or events, such as Chinese New Year or Mardi Gras. This gives you an extra theme boost for your party, if you’d like.

Be sure to talk with restaurants and companies well in advance. Many companies may be tapped out in their giving for the year, but will be able to donate something to you in early January. And, some companies or businesses may be looking for last minute donations before the end of the tax year. Talk with prospective businesses ahead of time so you’ll know the best time to approach them for your event.

Play up the media angle of the Super Bowl and food bowls for homeless pets. Aside from selling tickets, sell your group’s mission! Keep your community interested in homeless or rescued animals by combining your event announcements with helpful tips for pet owners.

Super Bowl Fundraising Ideas
• Catered Viewing Party (The Supper Bowl):
  Your group could host a special viewing party at a local catering venue, allowing people to party together with fellow fans. Treat this as any other dinner event, selling tickets in advance, hosting a food bar, and possibly using drink tickets to limit the amount of alcohol served freely at the dinner. Ticket price will depend on the amount of food and drinks provided, along with the charge for the location and insurance. This can be done in both rural and well populated areas with great success.

  To make the event more attractive, host it at a larger venue such as a hotel ballroom, and have a separate room nearby for the kids to be minded by a certified daycare staff. This will guarantee a higher family participation, allowing for greater attendance! To keep your fans happy and active during half time, offer a silent or live auction, or host a trivia game with football questions from previous games and teams.

• Auctions:
  Whether you’re hosting a dinner event or just want to do a lower key fundraiser, an auction is a great way to bring in much needed funds for your nonprofit organization. You can host a silent auction, live auction (at an event) or an online auction. For a Super Bowl themed auction, your best items will be sports memorabilia and experiences with local football or other sports teams. Your audience will most certainly be sports minded, so your items should play up that area. As always, you need a variety of items, but keep your audience in mind. This will not be the best place for a delicate piece of jewelry or fine sculpture. Instead, signed items such as jerseys, programs and footballs from the teams will hit the spot. Many players and teams will autograph items sent directly to them, but don’t expect them to provide a free jersey or game ball to your group.

  Special sports experiences in your area, such as calling the coin toss at the next local football game or being featured at a local hockey game, would be great once in a lifetime opportunities for people interested in sports. These opportunities are easy for a local team to provide to a nonprofit, and will truly be a unique gift for any fan. Be sure to use the bell curve when placing your catalog items, with the items in the beginning and the experiences in the second half of the auction.

• Raffles:
  If raffles are allowed in your area, your group can raffle off several party items to make someone’s Super Bowl watching experience top notch. We all know dozens of people who could use a good party, so start printing up those tickets and selling them to your friends and neighbors! Your group could raffle off a donated La Z Boy recliner as the Best Seat in the House raffle. Furniture stores would love the opportunity to showcase some of their best recliners or big screen TVs at this time. And, if you are unable to get the item completely donated and need help, you can offer to have this prize underwritten by another business.
  
  You could also host a basket raffle with several donated baskets or platters of goodies for the party. This could be a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner raffle, where you will raffle off a Super Bowl party ready to go, just add guests! Group members put together a basket with party supplies such as noisemakers, tablecloths, chips, dips and other food items to help liven up the party. (Alcohol may not be allowed as a raffle item in your state, so call it a BYOB basket.) A party sub from Subway or another sub shop would serve a large crowd. Add in some platters of chicken wings, chicken fingers, and chips and dips. Include a few party platters from several local restaurants, and you have the makings of a wonderful party to be raffled off!
• Soup-er Dinner:
  This soup dinner can be held the night before, instead of during the game. Partner with local restaurants, delis, caterers, and grocery stores to offer several gallons of their signature soup. Combine this with a bake sale and a silent auction, and you have the beginnings of a fantastic Soup-er Dinner. Group members may also be able to put together a Soup & Salad Lunch with several varieties of soups, chowders, stews and chili for people to enjoy.
  One method of a Soup-er Dinner is used by many food banks or soup kitchens around the United States. They offer a special soup for dinner at a higher price, which is a large draw for socialites and the upper crust of society who want to help as much as be seen.