Marquette Rugby Fundraiser

-As Club President of the Marquette University Men’s Rugby Team, I led a comprehensive fundraising initiative to support the club’s growth and sustainability. The project aimed to raise funds to cover tournament dues, purchase new uniforms, assist with travel expenses, and provide for team-building social events such as meals and drinks.
-This project was completed during my time as President of the Marquette University Men’s Rugby Club, an entirely student-run organization. Without university funding, we relied on grassroots fundraising to ensure our players had access to necessary resources to compete and build camaraderie both on and off the field.
-Goal: Raise funds through outreach to help cover the team’s competitive and operational needs for the season.
-Duration: This initiative spanned roughly two months, involving planning, communication, follow-ups, and allocation of funds. Fundraising will continue further during my term until next December.
-Problem: The team lacked sufficient funds to register for key tournaments, upgrade worn-out uniforms, cover travel costs, and support post-match meals—all essential elements of maintaining a strong, competitive, and unified team culture.
-Action: I organized a multi-channel fundraising campaign by reaching out to friends, family, and Marquette Rugby alumni. We created personalized messages, utilized social media platforms, and set up a secure digital donation platform to streamline giving. I also worked directly with alumni networks to reconnect them with the team’s mission and current success.
-Result: We successfully raised enough funds to fully cover our tournament dues, purchase new uniforms for the full squad, subsidize transportation costs for away games, and host social meals that strengthened team bonds. This initiative not only improved the team’s financial stability but also boosted morale and alumni engagement.
-Teamwork: I led the campaign in my capacity as Club President, but credit is due to my teammates, who helped spread the word and shared our message with their networks.
-Research and Insights: Researching successful crowdfunding techniques taught me the power of storytelling, clarity, and follow-up. The most impactful insight was that personalized outreach consistently led to higher engagement and larger contributions.
-Challenges: One of the toughest parts was re-engaging disconnected alumni and encouraging donations without direct incentives. It took persistence, authentic communication, and patience.
-Final Takeaways: The campaign proved how effective grassroots leadership and strategic outreach can be. It reinforced the importance of community support, the impact of clear goals, and the strength of rallying people around a cause. Most importantly, it helped sustain the club and gave my teammates an unforgettable season.