Tamsen Fundraising Partnership — Vertical Raise
Overview
Tamsen helped Marcus raise $1,500 last year and wants to partner again. She works with Vertical Raise and organizes fundraising campaigns for youth sports programs. Marcus sees this as a key part of the sell to parents — part of the tournament fee email pitch.
Program Context (for Tamsen's pitch)
- Westside has both local and international kids
- Layton Christian Academy brings in international students to help them get college offers
- Many international kids came to Marcus saying "if I don't get an offer, I have to go back to my country" — Marcus's response: "let's keep you here and help you get that citizenship you want in the US"
- Teams: 16U and 17U, boys and girls
- Boys roster: 60% international / 40% USA
- Girls roster: 20% international / 80% USA
- These kids come out solo and chase their dreams
- Host families could fundraise and be part of the support network for the kids
Fundraising Goal
Raising money for one of the tournaments. Cost is approximately $1,200 per kid (confirm exact figure with Marcus).
Payment Structure
4 different payments — Tamsen fundraiser. These payment options are part of the sell in the tournament fee email.
Tamsen's Role
- Organizes contacting fundraising supporters on behalf of the kids
- Players provide their donor contacts, Tamsen coordinates outreach
- Corporate sponsors: can seek donations from up to 18 businesses — she has contacts and organizes that approach
- Will come to a mandatory practice so every player meets her
- Works with Vertical Raise (the fundraising platform)
- Pitch to players: "this is what we're going to do and what we need from you" — then players bring their contacts the following week
- May be added as an admin on the account (TBD)
Three Fundraiser Types
1. Door-to-Door Monetary Fundraiser (preferred)
Straight donations — no product. Marcus prefers this approach.
2. Gourmet Popcorn (Product Fundraiser)
- Exclusive to Vertical Raise
- 85% of popcorn sales goes back to the team
- 85% of additional funds collected on top
3. Digital Discount Card — Vertical Discounts App
- $25 for a one-year subscription
- GPS-activated app that pulls discounts from tons of businesses all over the country
- Can be shared nationwide — family in Vegas gets discounts in their area, ice cream in Maui, food in Florida, entertainment, oil changes, etc.
- 75% of purchases goes back to the team
- Parents can donate as much as they want on top of the card purchase
- Key insight: "It's not about the card — it's about finding people who want to donate to you. The card is just a conversation starter."
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| <strong>April 13</strong> | Tamsen meets the teams (mandatory practice / training intro) |
| <strong>April 28</strong> | Pre-launch |
| <strong>May 5</strong> | Launch |
Open Questions
- Confirm tournament cost per kid ($1,200 vs $12,000 — verify with Marcus)
- Admin access for Tamsen — what account, what level?
- Which specific tournament is the fundraising target?
- Details on the 4 payment options