Booster club

A booster club is an organization that is formed to contribute money to an associated club, sports team, or organization. Booster clubs are popular in American schools at the high school and university level. The clubs are generally run and organized by the parents of the students in the supported organization in high schools, and by athletic supporters and fans at colleges. Fundraisers are often held to raise money for supplies or equipment that the students may need or for trips that the students may need to take. The main principle of funding by a U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit is that the booster club may not discriminate in making grants to youth or college students on the basis of their family's membership in or funding to the club, or the family's fund-raising or time put into club activities.

A popular way for booster clubs to raise money is with raffles held at sporting events for some item that would be donated by a local business, clothing such as t-shirts with the school's name and mascot on it, or the sale of popcorn, hot dogs, and other food items to the fans who attend the game/tournament/etc. Membership fees are also a key fundraising element, especially at the college level.

At the collegiate level, the NCAA closely regulates the activities of booster clubs and strictly defines what actions would cause a person to be considered an official booster of an athletic program. Many scandals have resulted from prohibited activities by boosters, particularly those providing monetary or in-kind incentives for prospective athletes to sign with a particular school.

External links

* [http://www.danceadts.com/edsupport/parentgroups/irs.htm A good example of IRS instruction regarding booster clubs in the U.S.]
* [http://www.allexperts.com/el/2266-9/Nonprofit-Law/ Ask Federal questions About Nonprofits in the United States - no cost]

* [http://www.phxcoyotesboosterclub.com The Phoenix Coyotes Booster Club. An example of an NHL Booster Club - a fan based 501c4 non profit organization]