{"id":113703,"date":"2025-08-04T11:25:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T16:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snapraise.com\/?p=113703"},"modified":"2025-08-04T11:25:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T16:25:14","slug":"level-up-how-this-coach-doubled-donations-in-year-2-with-snap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snapraise.com\/blog\/level-up-how-this-coach-doubled-donations-in-year-2-with-snap\/","title":{"rendered":"Level Up: How This Coach Doubled Donations in Year 2 With Snap!"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Northern Illinois University Hockey Club, fundraising isn\u2019t just a nice-to-have \u2014 it\u2019s essential. Ice time is expensive, and each season brings new costs that can quickly add up. But thanks to Snap! Raise, NIU Hockey Club has found a reliable way to generate the funds they need, and in just one year, they managed to double<\/strong> their fundraising total.<\/p>\n

We connected with the team\u2019s coach, Wayne Bower, to learn how they grew from raising $11,323 in 2024<\/strong><\/a> to $22,341 in 2025<\/a>,<\/strong> and what tips they have for other programs looking to boost their results.<\/p>\n

Discovering Snap! Raise<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Like many coaches, NIU\u2019s coach first heard about Snap! Raise<\/a> through word of mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI first heard about Snap! Raise because another program, Crystal Lake South Lacrosse, was using it, and I received an email from one of their members. I thought it looked great, so I reached out to the Snap! team to get started.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From there, Coach Bower launched his first campaign and saw strong results \u2014 but the real growth came in year two.<\/p>\n

Doubling Donations: The Key to Success in Year 2<\/strong><\/h6>\n

So how did NIU Hockey Club manage to go from $11k to double<\/em> that in just one season?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe increased our income by getting more guys involved.\u00a0It’s a numbers game \u2014 the more people involved, the more income we can earn. We also took better advantage of social media.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The team focused on participation<\/strong>, encouraging more players to add emails and phone numbers for their supporters and to take ownership of the fundraiser. They also made a point to promote the fundraiser on social media, sharing links and updates on Instagram and Facebook to spread the word and increase reach.<\/p>\n

Where the Money Goes<\/strong><\/h6>\n

With tens of thousands raised, NIU Hockey Club is putting their funds to good use, primarily by offsetting ice costs<\/strong> so that players can focus on the game without worrying about expenses. That kind of impact makes the effort worth it and has helped the team build momentum for future seasons.<\/p>\n

Advice for Other Coaches and Group Leaders<\/strong><\/h6>\n

If you\u2019re looking to maximize your Snap! Raise results, NIU\u2019s coach has one piece of advice: get buy-in from your players<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy advice would be to get your players to buy in. The harder they work at entering emails and phone numbers, the better your success will be.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Participation drives success, and the more your team is involved, the more likely you are to reach \u2014 or even exceed \u2014 your fundraising goals.<\/p>\n

_______________<\/p>\n

Northern Illinois University Hockey Club\u2019s story is proof that with the right tools and team effort, it\u2019s possible to make a major leap in just one year.<\/p>\n

Want to see how much your program can raise with Snap! Raise? Get started today.<\/strong>
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