The High Five Model Strengthens Your Team
What if local businesses wanted to write your team checks for thousands of dollars—year after year? Not just because they support kids in their community, but because partnering with your team gives them a real advantage over every other donation opportunity on their desk
Business owners are constantly asked to give to little leagues, school fundraisers, and local charities. They want to help—but not all donations deliver equal impact. The High Five Model changes the conversation from asking for money to one where you’re offering a them a valuable business opportunity.
Instead of uncomfortable asks, you’ll learn how to position your team as a strategic partner—one that creates visibility, goodwill, and measurable upside for local businesses. While the initial setup of the High Five Model takes intention, the payoff compounds: each season becomes easier to fund, momentum builds, and support grows.
A team is only as strong as the community behind it. The High Five Model shows you how to activate that community—turning generosity into a sustainable, mutually beneficial system that fuels your team for years to come. Review an overview of the major steps below, and get started with this free printable checklist.
Establish a Non-Profit
Every year businesses look to offset tax burdens through charitable giving, and without a 501-C3 your team won’t be well positioned to benefit from their generosity. In order to establish a 501-C3, you’ll need to create a legal non-profit corporation in your state. If you already have a corporation that has been formed, you can convert it to a non-profit corporation and apply for 501-C3 status from the IRS. Consult with a qualified local attorney in your state to determine the best strategy to incorporate or convert an existing corporation into a non-profit.
Teams located in Utah can contact Utah’s foremost expert in cycle club incorporation, Cardon Law, for assistance.
Key Benefits
- Receive charitable donations or in-kind services
- Separate finances and get legal protections
- Obtain free business software from Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Slack, and more.
Create Your Toolbelt
Once you have your 501-C3 status, it’s time to choose the tools for your tool belt. Create a separate bank account with your local bank or credit union, and use your 501-C3 status to get free or heavily discounted tools and software that you can use to present a polished look and feel to your team and brand.
Develop Your Fundraising Strategy
After you’ve procured tools, it’s time to solidfy your fundraising strategy. The easiest way to raise funds is to charge the participating student athletes, but this can become prohibitive and may limit your ability to attract new recruits as it raises the sport’s total barrier to entry. The other way to raise funds is to seek private donations from community members, and local businesses, or to conduct a fundraiser. Many teams rely on a combination of team fees and private donors to cover their expenses, and this presents the most robust and sustainable path forward.
Establish Social Media Presence
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